A patient reports feeling dizzy when standing up. What is the most appropriate nursing intervention?

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ATI Capstone Comprehensive Assessment B Questions

Question 1 of 9

A patient reports feeling dizzy when standing up. What is the most appropriate nursing intervention?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is to assist the patient to sit down slowly. This intervention is appropriate for a patient experiencing dizziness when standing up, as it helps prevent falls due to orthostatic hypotension. Encouraging deep breaths (Choice A) may not address the underlying cause of dizziness, which is related to postural changes. Instructing the patient to use a walker for support (Choice C) or teaching the patient how to change positions safely (Choice D) are not the most immediate and direct interventions to address the immediate risk of falling when feeling dizzy upon standing.

Question 2 of 9

A nurse delegates a position change to a nursing assistive personnel. The nurse instructs the assistive personnel (AP) to place the patient in the lateral position. Which finding by the nurse indicates a correct outcome?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B because the lateral position means lying on the side with body weight on the dependent hip and shoulder. Choice A is incorrect as 'semiprone' means lying on the abdomen with one leg flexed. Choice C is incorrect as 'prone' means lying face down. Choice D is incorrect as 'supine' means lying on the back.

Question 3 of 9

Which action by the nurse demonstrates effective infection control measures?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Perform hand hygiene before and after patient contact. Effective hand hygiene is a fundamental infection control measure that helps prevent the spread of pathogens. Wearing gloves when administering medications (choice B) is important for protecting both the patient and the nurse but is not a direct demonstration of infection control. Disposing of used equipment in designated containers (choice C) is more related to proper waste management than infection control. Wearing a mask when interacting with the patient (choice D) is essential in certain situations, but hand hygiene is a more universal and critical practice for infection control.

Question 4 of 9

The patient experienced a surgical procedure, and Betadine was utilized as the surgical prep. Two days postoperatively, the nurse's assessment indicates that the incision is red and has a small amount of purulent drainage. The patient reports tenderness at the incision site. The patient's temperature is 100.5°F, and the WBC is 10,500/mm³. Which action should the nurse take first?

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The patient is showing signs of a possible surgical site infection, including redness, purulent drainage, tenderness, elevated temperature, and increased white blood cell count. These symptoms suggest the need for immediate action to address a potential complication. Utilizing SBAR to notify the primary health care provider is crucial as it allows for effective communication of the patient's condition and the need for further assessment and intervention. Reevaluating the temperature and white blood cell count later, checking the solution used for skin preparation, or planning to change the dressing do not address the urgent need for intervention and communication with the healthcare provider.

Question 5 of 9

What is the recommended procedure for a healthcare professional to follow when applying sterile gloves?

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct procedure for applying sterile gloves is to do so before touching any sterile equipment or surfaces. This helps maintain the sterility of the gloves. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because they suggest incorrect sequences that may compromise the sterility of the gloves. Using non-sterile gloves first can introduce contamination, putting on gloves before a gown can lead to contamination of the gloves during gowning, and applying gloves after donning a mask can risk contamination of the gloves from the mask.

Question 6 of 9

A patient is at risk for impaired skin integrity. What is the priority intervention for the nurse?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is to turn and reposition the patient every 2 hours. This intervention is crucial in preventing pressure ulcers and maintaining skin integrity by relieving pressure on bony prominences. Applying a moisture barrier (Choice B) is important for moisture-associated skin damage but is not the priority in this case. Massaging the patient's skin (Choice C) can potentially cause friction and shear, increasing the risk of skin breakdown. Applying a heating pad (Choice D) can lead to burns or thermal injuries, exacerbating skin integrity issues.

Question 7 of 9

A nurse enters a client's room to administer a prescribed medication, and the client asks about the medication. What is the most appropriate response by the nurse?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The most appropriate response for the nurse when a client asks about a medication is to refer the client to the healthcare provider for more information. This ensures that the client receives accurate and detailed information from the appropriate source. Providing detailed information or a brief explanation as choices A and C suggest may not be within the nurse's scope of practice and could potentially lead to misinformation or confusion. Asking another nurse to explain the medication, as in choice D, may not guarantee accurate information, so it is best to involve the healthcare provider directly.

Question 8 of 9

A healthcare professional is reviewing the notes written by a previous shift. Which documentation reflects proper guidelines?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B. Proper documentation should include objective observations and detailed notes to ensure continuity of care. Choice A is incorrect because incomplete entries can lead to gaps in information and compromise patient care. Choice C is not completely accurate as corrections should be made in a manner that does not obscure the original entry but does not necessarily require a signature. Choice D is incorrect as entries should ideally be corrected by the original author to maintain accountability and accuracy.

Question 9 of 9

A nurse is preparing to administer morphine sulfate to a client. What should the nurse assess before administration?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Correct answer: Before administering morphine sulfate, the nurse should monitor for respiratory depression as it is a significant side effect of this medication. Assessing for pain relief (Choice A) is important but not a pre-administration assessment. Checking the infusion site for complications (Choice C) is relevant for IV medications, not specifically for morphine sulfate. Increasing the dosage if the client reports more pain (Choice D) is not appropriate without further assessment and medical orders.

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