ATI RN
foundations of nursing practice questions Questions
Question 1 of 9
A patient is using laxatives three times dailyto lose weight. After stopping laxative use, the patient has difficulty with constipation and wonders if laxatives should be taken again. Which information will the nurse share with the patient?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A. Long-term laxative use can lead to the bowel becoming less responsive to stimuli, resulting in constipation. This is due to the body becoming dependent on laxatives to stimulate bowel movements. Choice B is incorrect as laxatives typically do not cause trauma or scarring to the intestinal lining. Choice C is incorrect because while emollient laxatives can be helpful for constipation, long-term use is not recommended due to potential side effects. Choice D is incorrect because laxatives do not directly cause malnourishment or prevent waste production.
Question 2 of 9
After contributing to the care of several patients who died in the hospital, the nurse has identified some lapses in the care that many of these patients received toward the end of their lives. What have research studies identified as a potential deficiency in the care of the dying in hospital settings?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A. Research studies have consistently shown that families' needs for information and support often go unmet in hospital settings when caring for dying patients. This is a crucial deficiency as effective communication and support for families can greatly impact the quality of care provided to the dying patient. When families are not adequately informed and supported, it can lead to increased stress, confusion, and dissatisfaction with the care provided. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because they do not address the specific deficiency identified in research studies. While pain control, communication, and attention from caregivers are important aspects of end-of-life care, the primary focus in this scenario is on the unmet needs of families for information and support. Ignoring families' needs can have significant negative consequences on the overall care provided to the dying patient.
Question 3 of 9
A nurse is using Campinha-Bacote’s model of cultural competency to improve cultural care. Which actions describe the components the nurse is using?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Step 1: In Campinha-Bacote's model, the first component is "cultural awareness," which involves an in-depth self-examination of one's own background. Step 2: This self-examination helps nurses recognize their biases and assumptions, enabling them to provide culturally competent care. Step 3: By understanding their own culture, nurses can better understand and respect the cultural beliefs and practices of their patients. Step 4: This component is crucial for building trust and rapport with patients from diverse backgrounds. Step 5: Choices B, C, and D do not directly align with the cultural awareness component of Campinha-Bacote's model. B focuses on assessment, C on understanding diverse groups, and D on motivation, but they do not address the foundational self-examination required for cultural competency.
Question 4 of 9
On otoscopy, a red blemish behind the tympanic membrane is suggestive of what diagnosis?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Cholesteatoma. A red blemish behind the tympanic membrane is indicative of a cholesteatoma, which is a noncancerous cyst in the middle ear. This occurs due to the accumulation of skin cells and debris in the middle ear space. Other choices (A, C, D) are not associated with a red blemish on otoscopy. An acoustic tumor (A) typically presents as a slow-growing mass on the vestibulocochlear nerve. Facial nerve neuroma (C) involves the facial nerve and does not typically cause a red blemish. Glomus tympanicum (D) is a vascular tumor arising from the middle ear but does not usually present as a red blemish.
Question 5 of 9
The nurse asks a patient where the pain is, andthe patient responds by pointing to the area of pain. Which form of communication did the patient use?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Nonverbal. The patient used nonverbal communication by pointing to the area of pain, which is a form of expressing information without words. This choice is correct because pointing is a nonverbal gesture that conveys a specific message. Verbal communication (A) involves spoken or written words, which were not used in this scenario. Intonation (C) refers to the rise and fall of the voice in speech, which was not demonstrated by the patient. Vocabulary (D) is the range of words known or used by a person, but the patient did not use words to communicate in this situation. In summary, the patient used nonverbal communication through pointing, making choice B the correct answer.
Question 6 of 9
A patient is brought to the emergency department (ED) in a state of anaphylaxis. What is the ED nurses priority for care?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Protect the patient's airway. In anaphylaxis, airway compromise can lead to respiratory distress and even respiratory arrest. The priority is to ensure the patient has a patent airway to maintain oxygenation. This can be achieved through interventions such as positioning, oxygen therapy, and potentially intubation if needed. Monitoring the patient's level of consciousness (A) is important but secondary to ensuring airway patency. Providing psychosocial support (C) is not the immediate priority in anaphylaxis. Administering medications (D) is also important but only after ensuring the airway is protected.
Question 7 of 9
A nurse is performing an assessment on a patientwho has not had a bowel movement in 3 days. The nurse will expect which other assessment finding?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Hypoactive bowel sounds. When a patient has not had a bowel movement in 3 days, it indicates constipation. Constipation can lead to decreased peristalsis, resulting in hypoactive bowel sounds. Increased fluid intake (B) would be a potential intervention, not an expected assessment finding. A soft tender abdomen (C) may indicate other issues like inflammation or infection, not directly related to constipation. Jaundice in the sclera (D) is indicative of liver dysfunction, not a typical finding associated with constipation.
Question 8 of 9
A patient has been admitted to the emergency department with signs of anaphylaxis following a bee sting. The nurse knows that if this is a true allergic reaction the patient will present with what alteration in laboratory values?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Increased eosinophils. Eosinophils are a type of white blood cell involved in allergic reactions. During anaphylaxis, the body releases chemicals that stimulate the production and activation of eosinophils, leading to an increase in their count. This helps in the identification of an allergic reaction. Incorrect Choices: B: Increased neutrophils - Neutrophils are not specific to allergic reactions and are typically increased in bacterial infections. C: Increased serum albumin - Serum albumin levels are not directly affected by allergic reactions. D: Decreased blood glucose - Hypoglycemia is not a typical manifestation of an allergic reaction.
Question 9 of 9
In which situation would a dilation and curettage (D&C) be indicated?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B because an incomplete abortion at 16 weeks may require a D&C to remove remaining tissue to prevent infection and complications. Incomplete abortion means not all fetal tissue has been expelled, posing a risk. Choice A (complete abortion at 8 weeks) does not require a D&C as all tissue is expelled. Choice C (threatened abortion at 6 weeks) does not necessitate immediate intervention. Choice D (incomplete abortion at 10 weeks) is not the best choice as the risk of complications increases with gestational age.