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 nurse is inserting a catheter into a female patient. When the nurse inserts the catheter, no urine is obtained. The nurse suspects the catheter is not in the urethra. What should the nurse do?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct choice is C because if no urine is obtained, it indicates that the catheter is not in the urethra. The nurse should remove the catheter, wipe with alcohol to maintain cleanliness, and reinsert after lubrication to ensure proper placement in the urethra. This step-by-step approach allows for a more accurate catheter insertion and prevents potential complications. Choice A is incorrect as discarding the catheter and starting over without addressing the issue does not solve the problem. Choice B is incorrect as filling the balloon with sterile water is not relevant to the situation of catheter misplacement. Choice D is incorrect as leaving the catheter in the vagina can lead to infection and is not a recommended practice.
Question 3 of 9
In teaching mothers-to-be about infant nutrition, which instruction should the nurse provide?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D because breast milk or formula is recommended for the first 4 to 6 months as it provides essential nutrients for infant growth and development. Choosing A, B, or C is incorrect as they pose health risks to infants - corn syrup is not necessary, cow's milk is not suitable for infants, and honey can cause botulism in infants under 1 year old. Breast milk or formula is the safest and most nutritionally balanced option for infants in the first few months of life.
Question 4 of 9
A patient who was diagnosed with Parkinsons disease several months ago recently began treatment with levodopa-carbidopa. The patient and his family are excited that he has experienced significant symptom relief. The nurse should be aware of what implication of the patients medication regimen?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A. The patient is in a honeymoon period when adverse effects of levodopa-carbidopa are not yet evident. This is because the initial response to levodopa-carbidopa in Parkinson's disease can be very positive, leading to significant symptom relief. However, over time, as the disease progresses and the body adjusts to the medication, adverse effects such as dyskinesias may become more prominent. Choice B is incorrect because the benefits of levodopa-carbidopa can be seen relatively soon after initiation of treatment and do not necessarily take 6 to 9 months to peak. Choice C is incorrect as the temporary improvement is likely related to the medication, given the significant symptom relief experienced. Choice D is incorrect because while benefits may diminish over time, it is not necessarily after 1 or 2 years of treatment, and some patients may continue to benefit from the medication long-term.
Question 5 of 9
A patient is being discharged home from the ambulatory surgery center after an incisional biopsy of a mass in her left breast. What are the criteria for discharging this patient home? Select all that apply.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Step-by-step rationale for why answer A is correct: 1. Ambulating is a crucial postoperative activity to prevent complications like blood clots. 2. Understanding when to ambulate ensures the patient follows proper recovery guidelines. 3. Proper ambulation aids in preventing postoperative complications and promotes healing. Summary of why other choices are incorrect: B. Having someone accompany the patient is important for support but not a strict criteria for discharge. C. While understanding activity restrictions is important, it is not a specific criteria for immediate discharge. D. Understanding care for the biopsy site is essential but not a strict criteria for immediate discharge. E. Removal of a urinary catheter is not typically related to discharge criteria for a breast biopsy.
Question 6 of 9
A patient has just returned to the surgical floor after undergoing a retinal detachment repair. The postoperative orders specify that the patient should be kept in a prone position until otherwise ordered. What should the nurse do?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Correct Answer: B Rationale: 1. Prone position post retinal detachment repair helps the gas bubble or silicone oil stay against the retina to support healing. 2. This position prevents the bubble/oil from moving and causing further detachment. 3. Repositioning can jeopardize the surgical repair and lead to complications. 4. Calling the physician (A) is unnecessary as the order is clear. 5. Instructing the patient to prevent bleeding (C) is not related to the positioning after retinal detachment repair. 6. Repositioning after the first dressing change (D) contradicts the initial order and risks complications.
Question 7 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 8 of 9
A patient with a sudden onset of hearing loss tells the nurse that he would like to begin using hearing aids. The nurse understands that the health professional dispensing hearing aids would have what responsibility?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Test the patient's hearing promptly. This is because before dispensing hearing aids, it is crucial to accurately assess the patient's hearing ability. Testing the patient's hearing promptly allows the healthcare professional to determine the type and degree of hearing loss, which is essential for selecting the appropriate hearing aids. Performing an otoscopy (choice B) may be part of the assessment but does not provide information on hearing ability. Measuring the width of the patient's ear canal (choice C) is not necessary for dispensing hearing aids. Referring the patient to his primary care physician (choice D) may delay the process of obtaining hearing aids and is not directly related to the responsibility of the health professional dispensing hearing aids.
Question 9 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.