ATI RN
health assessment practice questions Questions
Question 1 of 5
An 85-year-old female patient is complaining about the fact that the bones in her face have become more noticeable. What explanation should the nurse provide?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C because as individuals age, there is a natural decrease in skin elasticity, subcutaneous fat, and moisture content in the skin. These factors contribute to the bones becoming more noticeable in the face. Choice A is incorrect because diets low in protein and high in carbohydrates do not directly cause enlargement of facial bones. Choice B is incorrect as the use of a specific moisturizer does not directly impact the visibility of facial bones. Choice D is incorrect because facial skin actually loses elasticity with age, leading to less taut skin and more prominent bones.
Question 2 of 5
The nurse suspects that a patient has hyperthyroidism, and laboratory data also indicate that the patient's T and T hormone levels are elevated. Which of the following would the nurse most likely find on 4 3 examination?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Step-by-step rationale for why choice A (Tachycardia) is correct: 1. Hyperthyroidism leads to increased production of thyroid hormones. 2. Thyroid hormones can increase metabolic rate and heart rate. 3. Tachycardia is a common symptom of hyperthyroidism due to increased metabolic demand. 4. Therefore, the nurse would most likely find tachycardia on examination in a patient with hyperthyroidism. Summary of why other choices are incorrect: B: Constipation - Constipation is more commonly associated with hypothyroidism, not hyperthyroidism. C: Rapid dyspnea - Dyspnea (shortness of breath) is not a typical symptom of hyperthyroidism. D: Atrophied, nodular thyroid - Hyperthyroidism often presents with an enlarged, not atrophied, thyroid gland due to overactivity. Nodules may be present in conditions like thyroid cancer, but not specific to hyper
Question 3 of 5
A mother who has brought her newborn infant for assessment tells the nurse that she has noticed that whenever her newborn's head is turned to the right side, the baby straightens out the arm and leg on the same side and flexes the opposite arm and leg. After confirming this on examination, the nurse would tell the mother that this is:
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Step 1: The described behavior is known as the asymmetric tonic neck reflex (ATNR), a normal infantile reflex. Step 2: The ATNR typically emerges around birth and should disappear between 3 and 4 months of age. Step 3: The reflex helps with hand-eye coordination and development of body awareness. Step 4: Choice A is incorrect as the behavior is not abnormal or related to atonic neck reflex. Step 5: Choice B is incorrect as the reflex typically disappears by 3-4 months, not by the first year of life. Step 6: Choice D is incorrect as it describes a different pattern of movement than what is observed in the ATNR. Summary: The correct answer is C because the behavior described is a normal infantile reflex that typically disappears between 3-4 months of age, aiding in the baby's development.
Question 4 of 5
A patient is at the clinic because he has recently noticed that the left side of his mouth is paralyzed. He states that he cannot raise his eyebrow or whistle. The nurse suspects that he has:
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Bell's palsy. Bell's palsy is characterized by sudden weakness or paralysis of the facial muscles, resulting in drooping of the face, inability to raise the eyebrow or close the eye, and difficulty with facial expressions and functions like whistling. In this case, the patient's symptoms of left-sided facial paralysis point towards Bell's palsy as the likely diagnosis. Cushing's syndrome (A) is a hormonal disorder, Parkinson's syndrome (B) is a neurodegenerative disorder affecting movement, and a cerebrovascular accident (D) typically presents with more generalized neurological deficits rather than isolated facial paralysis.
Question 5 of 5
During the assessment of an infant, the nurse notes that the fontanelles are depressed and sunken. Which condition does the nurse suspect?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Dehydration. Depressed and sunken fontanelles in an infant indicate dehydration due to decreased fluid volume. Dehydration causes a decrease in tissue turgor, leading to the fontanelles appearing sunken. Rickets (A) is a condition characterized by weak or soft bones due to vitamin D deficiency. Mental retardation (C) is a developmental disorder, not related to fontanelle appearance. Increased intracranial pressure (D) would cause bulging fontanelles, not depressed fontanelles. Therefore, the most likely condition in this case is dehydration.