ATI RN
Vital Signs Assessment Quizlet Questions
Question 1 of 5
A patient is especially worried about an area of skin on her feet that has turned white. The health care provider has told her that her condition is vitiligo. The nurse explains to her that vitiligo is:
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: In this scenario, the correct answer is C) Caused by the complete absence of melanin pigment. Vitiligo is a skin condition characterized by the loss of skin color due to the destruction of melanocytes, the cells responsible for producing melanin. Melanin is the pigment that gives skin its color, and in vitiligo, there is a complete absence of melanin in the affected areas, resulting in white patches on the skin. Option A is incorrect because vitiligo is not caused by an excess of melanin pigment, but rather by the absence of melanin. Option B is incorrect as vitiligo is not related to apocrine glands, but rather to melanocytes. Option D is also incorrect as vitiligo is not related to impetigo, which is a bacterial skin infection, and it cannot be treated with an ointment used for impetigo. Educationally, understanding skin conditions like vitiligo is crucial for healthcare providers to accurately diagnose and educate patients. By knowing the correct cause of vitiligo, nurses can provide appropriate information and support to patients dealing with this condition, helping them manage their symptoms and cope with the emotional aspects of skin changes.
Question 2 of 5
A 70-year-old patient tells the nurse that he has noticed that he is having trouble hearing, especially in large groups. He says that he 'can't always tell where the sound is coming from' and the words often sound 'mixed up.' What might the nurse suspect as the cause for this change?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Presbycusis is a type of hearing loss that occurs in 60% of those older than 65 years of age, even in those living in a quiet environment. This sensorineural loss is gradual and caused by nerve degeneration in the inner ear. Words sound garbled, and the ability to localize sound is also impaired. This communication dysfunction is accentuated when background noise is present.
Question 3 of 5
The nurse is reviewing the development of the newborn infant. Regarding the sinuses, which statement is true in relation to a newborn infant?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: In this question, option D is correct: "Maxillary and ethmoid sinuses are the only sinuses present at birth." This is because newborn infants only have their maxillary and ethmoid sinuses developed at birth. Option A is incorrect because the sphenoid sinuses are not full size at birth; they develop later in life. Option B is incorrect because maxillary sinuses do not reach full size after puberty; they are present at birth. Option C is also incorrect as frontal sinuses are not fairly well developed at birth; they develop as the child grows older. Educationally, understanding the development of sinuses in newborns is crucial for healthcare providers, especially nurses, as it helps in assessing normal growth and identifying any abnormalities. This knowledge is essential for providing appropriate care and intervention when needed. By knowing which sinuses are present at birth, nurses can better monitor the respiratory health of newborns and detect any potential issues early on.
Question 4 of 5
During an assessment of a 26 year old at the clinic for "a spot on my lip I think is cancer," the nurse notices a group of clear vesicles with an erythematous base around them located at the lip-skin border. The patient mentions that she just returned from Hawaii. What would be the most appropriate response by the nurse?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Cold sores are groups of clear vesicles with a surrounding erythematous base. These evolve into pustules or crusts and heal in 4 to 10 days. The most likely site is the lip-skin junction. Infection often recurs in the same site. Recurrent herpes infections may be precipitated by sunlight, fever, colds, or allergy.
Question 5 of 5
During an examination of the anterior thorax, the nurse is aware that the trachea bifurcates anteriorly at the:
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: In this question, the correct answer is B) Sternal angle. The sternal angle, also known as the angle of Louis, is an important landmark on the anterior thorax where the manubrium of the sternum articulates with the body of the sternum. At this level, the trachea bifurcates into the right and left main bronchi, making it a crucial anatomical reference point for healthcare professionals during assessments. Option A) Costal angle is incorrect because the costal angle refers to the acute angle formed by the lower border of the rib cage meeting at the xiphoid process, not where the trachea bifurcates. Option C) Xiphoid process is incorrect because the xiphoid process is a small cartilaginous extension at the inferior end of the sternum and is not the site where the trachea bifurcates. Option D) Suprasternal notch is incorrect because this is the hollow U-shaped depression just above the manubrium of the sternum and is not where the trachea bifurcates. Educationally, understanding anatomical landmarks like the sternal angle is crucial for healthcare professionals to accurately locate structures during assessments. By knowing where the trachea bifurcates, nurses can better assess respiratory function and potential airway obstructions. This knowledge is fundamental in clinical practice for providing safe and effective patient care.