ATI RN
NCLEX Practice Questions Health Assessment Questions
Question 1 of 9
A woman in her second trimester of pregnancy mentions that since becoming pregnant she has had"more nosebleeds than ever." The nurse recognizes that this is due to:
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: increased vascularity in the upper respiratory tract as a result of the pregnancy. During pregnancy, hormonal changes lead to increased blood flow in the body, including the nasal passages, causing them to become more sensitive and prone to bleeding. This explains why the woman is experiencing more nosebleeds. Incorrect Choices: A: coagulation problems in the patient - This is incorrect as pregnancy is associated with hypercoagulability rather than coagulation problems. C: increased susceptibility to colds and nasal irritation - While pregnancy can lower immunity, this does not directly cause nosebleeds. D: inappropriate use of nasal sprays - This is not relevant to the situation described and does not explain the increased nosebleeds due to pregnancy.
Question 2 of 9
A 10-year-old is at the clinic for"a sore throat lasting 6 days." Which of the following would be consistent with an acute infection?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D. In an acute infection, such as streptococcal pharyngitis, the tonsils may exhibit yellowish exudates due to bacterial pus formation. This is consistent with the presence of inflammation and infection. Choices A, B, and C describe varying degrees of tonsillar enlargement and white debris, which could be present in different conditions but are not as specific to acute infection. Therefore, the presence of yellowish exudates on the tonsils is the key indicator of an acute bacterial infection like strep throat.
Question 3 of 9
Which of the following traditionally used hearing tests have been recently found to yield unreliable data?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Weber. The Weber test has been found to yield unreliable data recently due to its subjectivity and inconsistency in interpretation. The test involves placing a vibrating tuning fork on the midline of the head to assess lateralization of sound. However, factors like bone conduction and individual perception can influence the results, leading to inaccuracies. Romberg test (B) evaluates balance, Whisper test (C) assesses hearing sensitivity, and Audiometer (D) measures hearing thresholds objectively. These tests are more reliable in providing accurate data compared to the Weber test.
Question 4 of 9
During a well-baby checkup, the mother expresses concern that her 2-month-old infant is not able to hold her head up when she is pulled to a sitting position. Which of the following responses by the nurse is appropriate?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Correct Answer: A Rationale: 1. Head control typically develops around 4 months, so it is normal for a 2-month-old to lack this skill. 2. Reassuring the mother that her baby is within the normal developmental range is important for reducing parental anxiety. 3. Avoiding overly alarming responses helps maintain trust and open communication with the parent. Summary: - Choice B is incorrect as it does not address the mother's concern and may come across as dismissive. - Choice C is incorrect as it may unnecessarily worry the mother and lead to undue stress. - Choice D is incorrect as it introduces a serious and unlikely scenario without evidence at this stage of development.
Question 5 of 9
During an assessment of a 20-year-old Aboriginal patient, the nurse notices that he has dry, flaky cerumen in his ear canal. What is the significance of this finding?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D because dry, flaky cerumen can indicate a change in cilia in the ear canal, potentially leading to conductive hearing loss. This warrants further assessment by the nurse to ensure the patient's aural health is not compromised. A: Eczema lesions typically present differently and are not directly related to dry cerumen. B: While hygiene can contribute to cerumen buildup, dry, flaky cerumen alone does not necessarily indicate poor hygiene. C: Dry, flaky cerumen is not considered a normal finding in a healthy ear and should prompt further evaluation.
Question 6 of 9
During the oral assessment of a 30-year-old patient of African descent, the nurse notes bluish lips and a dark line along the gingival margin. What would the nurse do in response to this finding?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Correct Answer: B Rationale: 1. Bluish lips indicate cyanosis, a sign of inadequate oxygen supply. 2. Dark line along gingival margin suggests lead poisoning. 3. The nurse should assess for other signs of inadequate oxygen supply to determine the severity and underlying cause. 4. This finding is not normal and requires further evaluation to prevent complications. Summary: A: Checking hemoglobin for anemia is not the immediate priority when cyanosis and lead poisoning are suspected. C: Assuming this is a normal finding can lead to overlooking a potentially serious condition. D: Carbon monoxide exposure could be a consideration, but assessing for overall oxygen supply is more crucial in this scenario.
Question 7 of 9
The nurse is examining a patient's ears and notices cerumen in the external canal. Which of the following statements about cerumen is correct?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: The purpose of cerumen is to protect and lubricate the ear. Cerumen, commonly known as earwax, acts as a natural barrier to prevent dust, debris, and microorganisms from entering the ear canal. It also helps to lubricate the skin in the ear canal and prevent dryness and itching. Choice A is incorrect because sticky, honey-colored cerumen is not necessarily a sign of infection; it can occur due to various factors. Choice B is incorrect as the presence of cerumen does not solely indicate poor hygiene; everyone produces earwax regardless of hygiene practices. Choice D is incorrect as cerumen can sometimes block the ear canal and impair sound transmission rather than aid it.
Question 8 of 9
A patient reports a severe throbbing headache in the frontotemporal area of his head that he experienced while studying for an examination, He says that the headache was somewhat relieved when he lay down. He tells the nurse that his mother also used to get these headaches. The nurse suspects that he may be suffering from:
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: migraine headaches. The patient's symptoms of severe throbbing headache in the frontotemporal area, triggered by stress (studying for an exam), partially relieved by lying down, and family history of similar headaches are indicative of migraines. Migraines commonly present with these characteristics, often exacerbated by stress and have a genetic component. A: Hypertension does not typically present with throbbing headaches in a specific area or relief with lying down. B: Cluster headaches are characterized by severe, unilateral headaches around the eye area, not frontotemporal. C: Tension headaches usually present as dull, constant pressure-type headaches, not throbbing, and do not have the familial pattern described by the patient.
Question 9 of 9
During an admission assessment, the nurse notices that a male patient has an enlarged and rather thick skull. The nurse suspects acromegaly and would further assess for:
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Step 1: The nurse notices an enlarged and thick skull, which are common signs of acromegaly. Step 2: Acromegaly results from excess growth hormone, leading to changes in facial features. Step 3: Coarse facial features such as enlarged nose, lips, and jaw are classic signs of acromegaly. Step 4: Therefore, assessing for coarse facial features is crucial in confirming acromegaly. Summary: A: Exophthalmos is associated with hyperthyroidism, not acromegaly. B: Bowed long bones are seen in conditions like rickets, not acromegaly. D: An acorn-shaped cranium is not a typical feature of acromegaly.