ATI RN
NCLEX Practice Questions Health Assessment Questions
Question 1 of 9
An assessment of a 23-year-old patient reveals the following: an auricle that is tender and reddish blue in colour and has small vesicles. What additional information would the nurse need to know?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Any recent drainage from the ear. This is crucial because drainage could indicate an infection or other underlying issue causing the auricle symptoms. Hearing changes (option A) may not be directly related to the auricle findings. Recent trauma (option C) would be more evident on inspection. Prolonged cold exposure (option D) is less likely to cause the described symptoms.
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
During an examination of a female patient, the nurse observes lymphadenopathy and suspects an acute infection. Acutely infected lymph nodes would be:
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: clumped. Acutely infected lymph nodes typically present as clumped due to inflammation and enlargement of multiple nodes in close proximity. This clustering is a result of the immune response to the infection. Choice B: unilateral is incorrect as lymphadenopathy in acute infection can be unilateral or bilateral. Choice C: firm but freely movable is incorrect as acutely infected lymph nodes are usually tender and may not be freely movable due to inflammation. Choice D: hard and nontender is incorrect as acutely infected lymph nodes are usually tender and may not be hard.
Question 4 of 9
A patient has had a"terrible itch" for several months that he has been scratching continuously. On examination, the nurse might expect to find:
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: lichenification. Lichenification is the thickening and hardening of the skin due to chronic scratching or rubbing. In this case, the patient's continuous scratching has led to lichenification. The term "terrible itch" indicates a persistent and severe itching sensation, which aligns with the chronic scratching behavior. Choices A, B, and C are not correct because a keloid is an overgrowth of scar tissue, a fissure is a small cut or crack in the skin, and keratosis is the thickening of the outer layer of the skin. These conditions are not directly related to chronic scratching behavior.
Question 5 of 9
While performing a well-child assessment on a 5-year-old, the nurse notes the presence of palpable bilateral cervical and inguinal lymph nodes. The nodes are approximately 5 cm in size, round, mobile, and nontender. The nurse suspects that this:
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: child may have an infection. Enlarged, palpable, mobile, and non-tender lymph nodes in multiple areas suggest an immune response to an infection. In children, common causes include viral or bacterial infections. The size and characteristics of the lymph nodes described in the question are not typical of chronic allergies or a normal finding in a healthy child. Referral for additional evaluation would be premature without first considering the possibility of an infection, which is the most likely cause based on the provided information.
Question 6 of 9
During the assessment of a 26-year-old, she states,"I have a spot on my lip I think is cancer." The nurse notes the following: a cluster of clear vesicles with an erythematous base around them located at the lip"“ skin border. The patient mentions that she just returned from Hawaii. What would be the most appropriate response by the nurse?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C because the presentation of clear vesicles with an erythematous base around them at the lip-skin border is characteristic of herpes simplex virus 1 infection, commonly known as cold sores. Given the patient's recent travel to Hawaii, exposure to the virus is likely. This infection is self-limiting and typically heals in 4 to 10 days without the need for specific treatment. Choice A is incorrect because seeing a skin specialist may not be necessary for a self-limiting viral infection. Choice B is incorrect as a biopsy is not typically indicated for a clear clinical diagnosis of herpes simplex virus infection. Choice D is incorrect as riboflavin deficiency does not present with clear vesicles and erythema at the lip-skin border.
Question 7 of 9
The nurse is assessing the skin of a patient who has acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Which of the following will the nurse most likely observe?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Erythematous scaly patch with sharp margins in the sacral area. In patients with AIDS, this presentation is most likely indicative of a common opportunistic infection called tinea corporis. This fungal infection often presents as erythematous scaly patches with well-defined borders. The location in the sacral area is also common due to the warm and moist environment. Choice A, tinea capitis, is a fungal infection of the scalp and is not typically associated with AIDS. Choice B describes a presentation more indicative of a condition like seborrheic dermatitis rather than an AIDS-related skin manifestation. Choice D describes a presentation more typical of tinea corporis, which is not commonly seen in the axilla region in patients with AIDS.
Question 8 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 9 of 9
The nurse notes the presence of periorbital edema when performing eye assessment on a 70-year-old patient. The nurse will:
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: suspect that the patient has hyperthyroidism. Periorbital edema is a common sign of hyperthyroidism due to the accumulation of fluid in the tissues around the eyes. By suspecting hyperthyroidism, the nurse can further assess for other associated symptoms and recommend appropriate diagnostic tests. Choice A (check for the presence of exophthalmos) is incorrect because exophthalmos refers to bulging eyes, which may be present in hyperthyroidism but is not directly related to periorbital edema. Choice C (ask the patient if he or she has a history of heart failure) is incorrect as periorbital edema is not typically associated with heart failure, which usually presents with generalized edema. Choice D (assess for blepharitis) is incorrect because while blepharitis can cause eyelid inflammation, it is not typically associated with periorbital edema seen in hyper