ATI RN
health assessment exam 1 test bank Questions
Question 1 of 9
A patient drifts off to sleep when there is no stimulation. The nurse can arouse her easily by calling her name, but she remains drowsy during the conversation. The best description of this patient's level of consciousness would be:
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Lethargic. Lethargic is defined as a state of drowsiness or diminished alertness where the patient can be easily aroused by simple stimuli like calling their name, but they remain drowsy and may drift back to sleep. This patient's ability to be aroused by verbal stimuli and their drowsiness during conversation fits the description of lethargic. Explanation for other choices: B: Obtunded - Obtunded refers to a more severe level of decreased consciousness where the patient is difficult to fully arouse and may have limited interactions with the nurse. C: Stuporous - Stuporous indicates an even deeper state of unconsciousness where the patient requires significant stimulation to be aroused and has minimal responsiveness. D: Semialert - Semialert would describe a patient who is more responsive than lethargic, showing better awareness of their surroundings and able to maintain a conversation more effectively.
Question 2 of 9
A 60-year-old woman is undergoing a mammogram. The nurse explains that the procedure is done to:
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A because mammograms are specifically designed to detect abnormal growths or tumors in the breast tissue, particularly in the early stages of breast cancer. This is crucial for early detection and effective treatment. Choice B is incorrect because mammograms are not used to identify changes in hormone levels. Choice C is incorrect because mammograms do not evaluate lung function related to breast cancer. Choice D is incorrect because mammograms do not assess for signs of osteoporosis; a bone density scan is typically used for that purpose.
Question 3 of 9
What question would you initially ask a patient who has a positive tuberculin test?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct initial question to ask a patient with a positive tuberculin test is whether they have received bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine. This is because BCG vaccination can cause a false positive result on the tuberculin test due to cross-reactivity with the purified protein derivative (PPD) used in the test. Asking about recent hospitalization (A), homelessness (B), or recent travel out of the country (D) would not provide relevant information regarding the interpretation of the positive tuberculin test.
Question 4 of 9
Which of the following is the appropriate health promotion question to ask during a review of symptoms?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: "Do you use sunscreen while outside?" because it directly relates to health promotion by addressing preventive measures. Sunscreen helps prevent skin cancer and other skin conditions. Choice B is incorrect as it focuses on assessing skin condition rather than promoting health. Choice C is incorrect as it relates to symptoms rather than prevention. Choice D is incorrect as it is related to assessing a specific symptom rather than promoting overall health.
Question 5 of 9
A nurse is caring for a patient who has a history of myocardial infarction. The nurse should prioritize which of the following assessments?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Blood pressure and heart rate. This is crucial in assessing the cardiac function of a patient with a history of myocardial infarction. Monitoring blood pressure and heart rate helps in evaluating cardiovascular status and detecting any potential complications. Abnormal values in these parameters can indicate inadequate perfusion to the heart or other organs, which can be life-threatening. Other choices are incorrect because: B: Temperature and respiratory rate are important assessments but not the priority for a patient with a history of myocardial infarction. C: Bowel sounds and abdominal girth are more relevant for gastrointestinal issues and not a priority in this scenario. D: Urine output and skin integrity are important assessments for overall health but do not directly relate to the cardiovascular status in a patient with a history of myocardial infarction.
Question 6 of 9
A patient drifts off to sleep when there is no stimulation. The nurse can arouse her easily by calling her name, but she remains drowsy during the conversation. The best description of this patient's level of consciousness would be:
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Lethargic. Lethargic is defined as a state of drowsiness or diminished alertness where the patient can be easily aroused by simple stimuli like calling their name, but they remain drowsy and may drift back to sleep. This patient's ability to be aroused by verbal stimuli and their drowsiness during conversation fits the description of lethargic. Explanation for other choices: B: Obtunded - Obtunded refers to a more severe level of decreased consciousness where the patient is difficult to fully arouse and may have limited interactions with the nurse. C: Stuporous - Stuporous indicates an even deeper state of unconsciousness where the patient requires significant stimulation to be aroused and has minimal responsiveness. D: Semialert - Semialert would describe a patient who is more responsive than lethargic, showing better awareness of their surroundings and able to maintain a conversation more effectively.
Question 7 of 9
The interview portion of data collection obtains:
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Subjective data. During the interview portion of data collection, subjective data is obtained as it involves personal opinions, feelings, and experiences shared by the interviewee. This data is based on individual perspectives and cannot be measured objectively. Physical data (A) refers to tangible measurements, historical data (B) relates to past events or records, and objective data (C) is based on observable and measurable facts. In contrast, subjective data (D) captures the interviewee's viewpoints and interpretations, making it the most appropriate choice for the given scenario.
Question 8 of 9
The nurse is unable to identify any changes in sound when percussing over the abdomen of an obese patient. What should the nurse do next?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Use less force to percuss over the abdomen. When percussing an obese patient's abdomen, more force may not be effective due to the increased tissue thickness. Using less force allows for better transmission of sound waves through the tissues, improving the nurse's ability to assess for changes in sound. Asking the patient to take deep breaths (choice A) may help relax the abdominal muscles but won't address the issue of increased tissue thickness. Considering it a normal finding (choice B) without attempting to improve assessment techniques could lead to missed abnormalities. Using more force (choice D) can be uncomfortable for the patient and may still not produce clear sounds due to the tissue barrier.
Question 9 of 9
Which of the following statements accurately reflects the concept of ethnicity?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B because ethnicity is defined by shared heritage, culture, language, or religion. This definition encompasses the key components that make up an individual's ethnic identity. Choice A is incorrect because while political forces may influence ethnicity, it does not define the concept itself. Choice C is incorrect as ethnicity is not necessarily related to belief in a higher power. Choice D is incorrect as ethnicity is not solely a learned behavior but also includes innate aspects like heritage.