ATI RN
foundation of nursing questions and answers Questions
Question 1 of 9
A patient has been diagnosed with AIDS complicated by chronic diarrhea. What nursing intervention would be appropriate for this patient?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Obtain a stool culture to identify possible pathogens. This is the most appropriate nursing intervention because chronic diarrhea in a patient with AIDS can be caused by various pathogens such as parasites, bacteria, or viruses. By obtaining a stool culture, the healthcare team can identify the specific pathogen responsible for the diarrhea and initiate targeted treatment. A: Positioning the patient in the high Fowler's position is not directly related to addressing the underlying cause of chronic diarrhea in this patient. B: Temporarily eliminating animal protein from the patient's diet may not be necessary or effective in treating chronic diarrhea without knowing the specific cause identified through stool culture. C: Making sure the patient eats raw fruit is not recommended as raw fruits can sometimes worsen diarrhea due to their high fiber content and potential for carrying pathogens. In summary, obtaining a stool culture is the most appropriate intervention as it helps identify the specific pathogen causing the diarrhea, while the other options do not directly address the underlying cause.
Question 2 of 9
A patient is receiving opioids for pain. Which bowel assessment is a priority?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Constipation. When a patient is receiving opioids, constipation is a common side effect due to decreased gut motility. It is a priority assessment because untreated constipation can lead to serious complications such as bowel obstruction. Monitoring for constipation allows for early intervention with stool softeners or laxatives to prevent complications. Incorrect choices: A: Clostridium difficile - While important to consider in patients on antibiotics, it is not directly related to opioid use. C: Hemorrhoids - Although opioids can contribute to constipation which may exacerbate hemorrhoids, it is not the priority assessment. D: Diarrhea - Opioids typically cause constipation, so diarrhea is less likely to be a priority concern in this scenario.
Question 3 of 9
A nurse who works in the specialty of palliative care frequently encounters issues and situations that constitute ethical dilemmas. What issue has most often presented challenging ethical issues, especially in the context of palliative care?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Ability of technology to prolong life beyond meaningful quality of life. In palliative care, the focus is on improving the quality of life for patients with serious illnesses. The use of technology to prolong life can sometimes conflict with this goal, leading to ethical dilemmas. Technology may extend life without considering the patient's comfort or dignity, raising questions about the meaningfulness of prolonging life in such situations. This issue is particularly challenging in palliative care as it requires balancing the benefits of technology with the patient's quality of life. Other choices are incorrect: A: The increase in cultural diversity in the United States - While cultural diversity can present challenges in palliative care, it is not the most often presented challenging ethical issue. B: Staffing shortages in health care and questions concerning quality of care - Staffing shortages are important issues in healthcare, but they do not directly relate to the ethical dilemmas specific to palliative care. C: Increased costs of health care coupled with
Question 4 of 9
A nurse is teaching a patient with glaucoma how to administer eye drops to achieve maximum absorption. The nurse should teach the patient to perform what action?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A because instilling the medication in the conjunctival sac allows for direct absorption into the eye tissues. This method ensures that the medication reaches the target area for treating glaucoma effectively. Maintaining a supine position (choice B) or keeping the eyes closed (choice C) after administration does not enhance absorption and may lead to wasted medication. Applying the medication to the sclera (choice D) is incorrect as it does not target the specific area needed for treating glaucoma.
Question 5 of 9
A patient has come into the free clinic asking to be tested for HIV infection. The patient asks the nurse how the test works. The nurse responds that if the testing shows that antibodies to the AIDS virus are present in the blood, this indicates what?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: The patient has been infected with HIV. Antibodies to the AIDS virus in the blood indicate a past or current infection with HIV. This is because the body produces antibodies in response to the presence of the virus. A: The patient is immune to HIV is incorrect because antibodies indicate exposure, not immunity. B: The patient's immune system is intact is incorrect because the presence of antibodies does not necessarily reflect the overall functionality of the immune system. C: The patient has AIDS-related complications is incorrect because the presence of antibodies does not directly indicate the presence of AIDS-related complications.
Question 6 of 9
The nurse is caring for patients with ostomies.In which ostomy location will the nurse expect very liquid stool to be present?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Ascending. Stool consistency varies based on the location of the ostomy. The ascending colon is responsible for absorbing water from stool, so an ostomy in this location will have very liquid stool. Sigmoid, transverse, and descending colons are responsible for further solidifying stool, so ostomies in those locations would not typically have very liquid stool.
Question 7 of 9
The patient is having lower abdominal surgeryand the nurse inserts an indwelling catheter. What is the rationale for the nurse’s action?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C because anesthetics used during surgery can decrease bladder contractility, leading to urinary retention. By inserting an indwelling catheter, the nurse ensures proper drainage of urine and prevents bladder distention. This helps to maintain the patient's comfort and prevent complications such as urinary retention and potential bladder injury. Choice A is incorrect because inserting a catheter is not primarily to prevent uncontrollable voiding during surgery. Choice B is incorrect as local trauma does not promote excessive urine incontinence necessitating catheterization. Choice D is incorrect because the primary purpose of catheter insertion is not to prevent interruption of the procedure by bathroom breaks.
Question 8 of 9
A man comes to the clinic complaining that he is having difficulty obtaining an erection. When reviewing the patients history, what might the nurse note that contributes to erectile dysfunction?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: The patient has a history of hypertension. Hypertension is a risk factor for erectile dysfunction as it can lead to reduced blood flow to the penis, impacting the ability to achieve and maintain an erection. High blood pressure can damage blood vessels and affect the circulation necessary for an erection. Other choices are less likely to directly contribute to erectile dysfunction. A: UTI treatment is not typically associated with erectile dysfunction. C: Age alone is not a direct cause of erectile dysfunction, although it can increase the risk. D: While a sedentary lifestyle can impact overall health, it is less likely to directly cause erectile dysfunction compared to hypertension.
Question 9 of 9
A nurse is caring for patients with dysphagia. Which patient has neurogenic dysphagia?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D because neurogenic dysphagia is caused by neurological conditions affecting swallowing function, such as a stroke. In a stroke, damage to the brain can impair the coordination of swallowing muscles, leading to dysphagia. Choice A is incorrect because benign peptic stricture is a narrowing of the esophagus due to chronic acid reflux, not a neurological issue. Choice B is incorrect because muscular dystrophy is a genetic disorder that affects muscle strength and does not directly impact the neurological control of swallowing. Choice C is incorrect because myasthenia gravis is an autoimmune disorder that affects neuromuscular transmission but is not typically associated with neurogenic dysphagia.