A patient presents with an exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) characterized by shortness of breath, orthopnea, thick, tenacious secretions, and a dry hacking cough. An appropriate nursing diagnosis would be:

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ATI Fundamentals Proctored Exam 2024 Questions

Question 1 of 9

A patient presents with an exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) characterized by shortness of breath, orthopnea, thick, tenacious secretions, and a dry hacking cough. An appropriate nursing diagnosis would be:

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The patient's symptoms of shortness of breath, orthopnea, thick, tenacious secretions, and a dry hacking cough all point towards a potential airway clearance issue. This makes option A, 'Ineffective airway clearance related to thick, tenacious secretions,' the most appropriate nursing diagnosis. It directly addresses the thick secretions and suggests a potential cause of the breathing difficulty the patient is experiencing.

Question 2 of 9

Which of the following white blood cell (WBC) counts clearly indicates leukocytosis?

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Failed to generate a rationale of 500+ characters after 5 retries.

Question 3 of 9

Studies have shown that about 40% of patients fall out of bed despite the use of side rails; this has led to which of the following conclusions?

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Failed to generate a rationale of 500+ characters after 5 retries.

Question 4 of 9

If a patient's blood pressure is 150/96, what is his pulse pressure?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Pulse pressure is calculated by subtracting the diastolic pressure from the systolic pressure. In this case, the systolic pressure is 150 and the diastolic pressure is 96. Therefore, the pulse pressure is 150 - 96 = 54. Pulse pressure represents the force generated by the heart with each contraction and is an important indicator of cardiovascular health.

Question 5 of 9

After routine patient contact, how long should hand washing last at least?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Failed to generate a rationale of 500+ characters after 5 retries.

Question 6 of 9

Which of the following scenarios represents nursing malpractice?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A. Administering a drug to a patient with a known allergy, leading to severe harm such as an allergic reaction causing cerebral damage due to anoxia, constitutes nursing malpractice. In this scenario, the nurse failed to adhere to the standard of care by administering a medication that the patient was allergic to, resulting in serious harm, which is a clear example of malpractice in nursing.

Question 7 of 9

How can preserving skin integrity impact the circular chain of infection?

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Preserving skin integrity plays a key role in breaking the chain of infection by eliminating the portal of entry for pathogens. When the skin is intact, it acts as a natural barrier that prevents pathogens from entering the body. By maintaining skin integrity through proper hygiene and wound care, the risk of infection is significantly reduced, disrupting the cycle of infection transmission.

Question 8 of 9

What is the appropriate needle size for insulin injection?

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Failed to generate a rationale of 500+ characters after 5 retries.

Question 9 of 9

A patient is admitted to the hospital with complaints of nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and severe abdominal pain. Which of the following would immediately alert the healthcare provider that the patient has bleeding from the GI tract?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: A positive guaiac test is used to detect the presence of occult (hidden) blood in the stool, suggesting bleeding from the gastrointestinal tract. It is a rapid screening test that can provide immediate information to the healthcare provider about possible gastrointestinal bleeding in patients presenting with symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and severe abdominal pain.

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