ATI RN
Rn Vital Signs Assessment ATI Questions
Question 1 of 5
A physical therapist employed by a home health care agency knocks on the door of a patient that has a scheduled therapy session. After waiting several minutes, the therapist concludes the patient is not at home. The MOST appropriate therapist action is:
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Contact the patient and reschedule. This is the most appropriate action because it allows for communication with the patient to confirm their absence and to reschedule the therapy session. It shows professionalism, concern for the patient's well-being, and ensures continuity of care. Choice B (Notify the patient's insurance provider) is incorrect as it does not address the immediate need to reschedule the therapy session. Choice C (Notify the referring physician) is also incorrect as the therapist should first attempt to directly contact the patient. Choice D (Discharge the patient from physical therapy) is not appropriate without attempting to contact the patient first and providing an opportunity to reschedule.
Question 2 of 5
A physical therapist prepares to perform manual muscle testing on a patient with suspected quadriceps weakness. Which patient position would BEST isolate this muscle group?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D, sitting. Sitting position isolates quadriceps as it eliminates involvement of other muscle groups. In sitting, gravity minimally affects the quadriceps, allowing for accurate testing. Side-lying (A) engages hip abductors, supine (B) involves hip flexors, and prone (C) activates hip extensors, interfering with accurate quadriceps testing.
Question 3 of 5
A patient recovering from a stroke demonstrates neglect on the left side. Which intervention is MOST appropriate to address this deficit?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Encourage scanning to the left side. This intervention is appropriate because it helps the patient actively engage in exploring their neglected side, promoting awareness and attention to that side. By encouraging scanning to the left, the patient can improve their ability to attend to and interact with stimuli on the neglected side. A: Position objects on the unaffected side does not actively engage the patient in addressing the neglect on the left side. C: Providing verbal cues to the right side may not effectively stimulate the neglected side and may not promote active engagement. D: Focusing therapy on the unaffected side does not directly address the neglect on the left side and may not lead to improvement in neglect symptoms.
Question 4 of 5
The nurse is assessing a patient with suspected deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Which test is most useful for confirming this diagnosis?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: D-dimer test. The D-dimer test is a blood test that measures the presence of a substance released when a blood clot dissolves. In patients with suspected DVT, an elevated D-dimer level suggests the presence of a blood clot. This test is non-invasive, easy to perform, and can help confirm the diagnosis of DVT. A: Homan's sign is not a reliable test for DVT as it lacks specificity and sensitivity. C: Ankle-brachial index is used to assess peripheral arterial disease, not DVT. D: Chest X-ray is not useful for diagnosing DVT as it primarily shows lung and heart abnormalities.
Question 5 of 5
During a cardiovascular assessment, the nurse palpates a thrill at the base of the heart. What does this finding suggest?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Turbulent blood flow. A thrill at the base of the heart indicates turbulent blood flow, which is often associated with structural abnormalities like stenosis or regurgitation of heart valves. However, the presence of a thrill does not specifically point to a particular valve issue like mitral valve stenosis (A) or aortic regurgitation (B). It is a general indicator of turbulent blood flow, which can occur in various conditions. Heart failure (D) is a broader diagnosis that may have multiple signs and symptoms, but a thrill specifically suggests turbulent blood flow rather than heart failure.