ATI RN
PN Vital Signs Assessment Questions
Question 1 of 5
A woman is leaving on a trip to Hawaii and has come in for a checkup. During the examination the nurse learns that she has diabetes and takes oral hypoglycemic agents. The patient needs to be concerned about which possible effect of her medications?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Importance of sunscreen and avoiding direct sunlight. Rationale: 1. Oral hypoglycemic agents can increase sensitivity to sunlight, leading to sunburn or skin damage. 2. Diabetic patients are at higher risk of skin complications, so protecting the skin from sunlight is crucial. 3. Sun exposure can also affect blood sugar levels, potentially causing fluctuations in glucose levels. 4. Use of sunscreen and avoiding direct sunlight can help prevent skin issues and maintain overall health for a diabetic patient. Summary: A: Increased possibility of bruising - Not directly related to diabetes or oral hypoglycemic agents. B: Skin sensitivity as a result of exposure to salt water - Not a common concern for diabetic patients on oral hypoglycemic agents. C: Lack of availability of glucose-monitoring supplies - Important but not directly related to the side effects of oral hypoglycemic agents.
Question 2 of 5
The nurse is assessing a patient who may have hearing loss. Which of these statements is true concerning air conduction?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Step 1: Air conduction is the normal pathway for hearing, where sound waves travel through the outer ear canal, eardrum, middle ear bones, and into the cochlea in the inner ear. Step 2: Vibrations of the bones in the skull (choice B) refer to bone conduction, not air conduction. Step 3: Amplitude of sound (choice C) determines loudness, not pitch. Step 4: Loss of air conduction (choice D) is called conductive hearing loss, but this is not the true statement about air conduction.
Question 3 of 5
In an individual with otitis externa, which of these signs would the nurse expect to find on assessment?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Rationale: In otitis externa, the infection usually involves the outer ear canal and surrounding tissues. Enlarged superficial cervical nodes are a common sign due to the lymphatic drainage in the area. Rhinorrhea (A) is associated with nasal congestion, not ear infections. Periorbital edema (B) is seen in conditions affecting the eyes or surrounding tissues. Pain over the maxillary sinuses (C) is indicative of sinusitis, not otitis externa. Ultimately, D is the correct answer as it aligns with the typical presentation of otitis externa.
Question 4 of 5
During an assessment of a 20-year-old patient with a 3-day history of nausea and vomiting, the nurse notices dry mucosa and deep vertical fissures in the tongue. These findings are reflective of:
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Step 1: Dry mucosa and deep vertical fissures in the tongue are classic signs of dehydration. Step 2: Dehydration can result from prolonged nausea and vomiting leading to fluid loss. Step 3: Lack of fluid intake contributes to dry mucosa and fissures in the tongue. Step 4: Therefore, the correct answer is A: Dehydration. Other choices are incorrect as they do not explain the specific physical signs observed in the patient.
Question 5 of 5
A patient comes into the clinic complaining of facial pain, fever, and malaise. On examination, the nurse notes swollen turbinates and purulent discharge from the nose. The patient also complains of a dull, throbbing pain in his cheeks and teeth on the right side and pain when the nurse palpates the areas. The nurse recognizes that this patient has:
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Maxillary sinusitis. The patient's symptoms of facial pain, fever, malaise, swollen turbinates, purulent nasal discharge, and pain in the cheeks and teeth on one side with palpation are indicative of maxillary sinusitis. The maxillary sinuses are located in the cheekbones, and inflammation can lead to these specific symptoms. Posterior epistaxis (A) refers to bleeding from the back of the nose, which is not consistent with the patient's symptoms. Frontal sinusitis (B) would present with symptoms in the forehead region, not in the cheeks and teeth. Nasal polyps (D) are growths in the nasal passages and usually do not cause the specific symptoms described in the case.