ATI RN
PN Vital Signs Assessment Questions
Question 1 of 5
A patient rehabilitating from a spinal cord injury is able to direct their own care but is dependent on others for all activities of daily living. The patient's injury would be classified as:
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: C4. This is because the patient is able to direct their own care, which indicates intact cognitive function, a characteristic of C4 spinal cord injury level. The patient being dependent on others for all activities of daily living suggests a high level of physical impairment, aligning with the functional limitations associated with C4 injury. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect as they represent higher spinal cord injury levels with varying degrees of upper extremity function and independence in self-care activities.
Question 2 of 5
A physical therapist examines a patient with a history of recurrent lateral ankle sprains. Which special test would BEST assess ligamentous integrity?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Anterior drawer test. This test assesses the integrity of the anterior talofibular ligament in the lateral ankle. Step 1: Stabilize the lower leg and move the ankle into slight dorsiflexion. Step 2: Grasp the calcaneus and apply an anterior force. Step 3: Positive test indicates excessive anterior translation, suggesting ligamentous laxity. Incorrect choices: B: Thompson test assesses Achilles tendon integrity, not ligamentous integrity. C: Talar tilt test assesses calcaneofibular and deltoid ligament integrity, not specifically lateral ligament. D: Kleiger test assesses syndesmotic ligament integrity, not lateral ligament.
Question 3 of 5
What is the best method for the nurse to assess for cyanosis in a dark-skinned patient?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Examine the lips and oral mucosa. In dark-skinned patients, cyanosis may not be easily visible on the skin. Lips and oral mucosa are more sensitive areas where cyanosis can be detected early. Inspecting the sclera (choice A) may not show cyanosis accurately. Palpating the skin for coolness (choice C) is not a specific method for detecting cyanosis. Assessing capillary refill in the fingers (choice D) is more related to circulation status rather than directly assessing for cyanosis.
Question 4 of 5
What is the primary purpose of assessing for rebound tenderness during an abdominal examination?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The primary purpose of assessing for rebound tenderness during an abdominal examination is to evaluate for peritoneal inflammation. Rebound tenderness indicates irritation of the peritoneum, a membrane lining the abdominal cavity. This can be a sign of serious conditions like peritonitis. Organ enlargement (Choice A) may not necessarily cause rebound tenderness. Ascites (Choice B) is the accumulation of fluid in the peritoneal cavity, which may not directly cause rebound tenderness. Identifying abdominal masses (Choice D) is important but may not be the primary purpose of assessing for rebound tenderness.
Question 5 of 5
What is the primary purpose of performing percussion over the costovertebral angle during a physical examination?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The primary purpose of performing percussion over the costovertebral angle is to assess kidney tenderness. This technique, known as CVA tenderness, helps identify potential kidney issues such as infections or kidney stones. By tapping over this area, any tenderness or pain indicates underlying kidney pathology. This is crucial in diagnosing conditions like pyelonephritis or renal stones. The other choices are incorrect because: A: Liver enlargement is typically detected through palpation and imaging studies, not percussion over the costovertebral angle. C: Evaluating diaphragmatic excursion involves assessing the movement of the diaphragm during respiration, which is not related to percussion in the CVA region. D: Detecting fluid in the lungs is usually done through auscultation and imaging studies, not percussion over the costovertebral angle.