ATI LPN
Nursing Fundamentals Exam for LPN Questions
Question 1 of 5
Alarm, resistance, and exhaustion are concepts related to
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: General Adaptation Syndrome, by Hans Selye, describes stress responses: alarm (fight-or-flight), resistance (coping), and exhaustion (depletion). The Health Belief Model addresses behavior via perceived risks, the Transtheoretical Model focuses on change stages, and the Health Promotion Model targets wellness actions. In nursing, recognizing these stages helps manage stress-related conditions, like burnout or chronic illness, adjusting care to support adaptation or recovery during prolonged stressors.
Question 2 of 5
Jake is complaining of shortness of breath. The nurse assesses his respiratory rate to be 30 breaths per minute and documents that Jake is tachypneic. The nurse understands that tachypnea means:
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Tachypnea refers to an abnormally rapid breathing rate, specifically defined as a respiratory rate exceeding 20 breaths per minute in adults at rest. In this scenario, Jake's respiratory rate is 30 breaths per minute, which clearly fits the definition of tachypnea. This condition often signals an underlying issue such as respiratory distress, infection, or anxiety, requiring further investigation by the healthcare team. The nurse's recognition and documentation of tachypnea are critical for ensuring timely intervention. The other options are unrelated: a pulse rate over 100 beats per minute defines tachycardia, not tachypnea; blood pressure of 140/90 indicates hypertension, which is a cardiovascular parameter; and frequent bowel sounds pertain to gastrointestinal activity, not respiration. Thus, the correct understanding of tachypnea aligns with a respiratory rate greater than 20 breaths per minute, making it the most accurate choice in this context.
Question 3 of 5
When performing an abdominal examination, the patient should be in a supine position with the head of the bed at what position?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: For an abdominal examination, the patient should lie supine with the head of the bed at 0 degrees flat. This position relaxes abdominal muscles, optimizing access for inspection, auscultation, percussion, and palpation, and allowing clear assessment of organ contours or tenderness. Elevating the head (30 or 45 degrees) tenses muscles, hindering palpation and potentially masking findings, while 90 degrees (sitting upright) distorts abdominal layout, unsuitable for a thorough exam. The flat supine position ensures uniformity, aiding detection of abnormalities like masses or distension, and aligns with clinical standards for accuracy. Nurses use this to establish baseline data or monitor conditions (e.g., post-surgery), making 0 degrees the essential choice for effective, reliable abdominal assessment.
Question 4 of 5
The foundation of research is based on which of the following
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The scientific method hypothesizing, experimenting, analyzing, concluding grounds research, offering a systematic, objective way to build knowledge. In nursing, it validates practices (e.g., hand hygiene efficacy), ensuring evidence is reliable. Evidence is research's product, not its foundation; it emerges from the method. Experience informs hypotheses but is subjective, lacking rigor without structure e.g., a nurse's hunch needs testing. Self-actualization, a Maslow need, relates to personal growth, not research's basis; it's irrelevant here. The scientific method's disciplined approach distinguishes research from intuition, enabling nurses to trust findings for practice (e.g., wound care protocols), making it the cornerstone of credible, reproducible research in healthcare.
Question 5 of 5
The nurse notes that the apical heart rate of a newborn is 152 beats per minute and regular. The nurse should:
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: A newborn's normal heart rate ranges from 120-160 beats per minute at rest, per pediatric norms. At 152 bpm and regular, this falls within healthy limits, reflecting a typical neonatal cardiovascular response e.g., higher rates due to immature regulation. Notifying the physician is unnecessary without distress signs (e.g., cyanosis), as this isn't abnormal. Monitoring is routine but not the priority action documentation suffices unless trends shift. Assessing for circulatory distress (e.g., poor perfusion) is proactive, but with regularity and no symptoms, it's not indicated. Documenting as normal aligns with evidence-based practice, ensuring accurate records without escalating a non-issue, standard for stable newborns.