ATI RN
Vital Signs Assessment Chapter 7 Questions
Question 1 of 9
Core body temperature is highest at:
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Late afternoon, is correct because core body temperature peaks around 4 pm to 6 pm due to circadian rhythms governed by the hypothalamus. It rises throughout the day from a low of ~97°F (4-6 am) to a high of ~98.6°F-100°F, reflecting increased metabolic activity. Early morning, is the nadir, not peak. Noon, is midway, not the highest. Evening, sees a decline post-peak. Studies show this diurnal pattern in healthy adults, with late afternoon aligning with maximal alertness and physical performance. Nurses consider this when assessing fevere.g., a 99°F reading at 5 pm might be normal variation. Thus, C is accurate based on physiological circadian evidence.
Question 2 of 9
What is the most common cause of posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) injury?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: A dashboard injury, where the tibia is forced posteriorly, is the most common cause of PCL injury.
Question 3 of 9
G.R. is a 75-year-old male who presents to the emergency department with chest pain, palpitations, and appears pale and diaphoretic. As the history and physical are completed, the following problems emerge. Please label them first-, second-, or third-level priority problems. b. Serum potassium 2.7 mmol/L (low), Glucose 225 mg/dL (high)
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Low potassium and high glucose levels are critical and require immediate attention, making this a first-level priority.
Question 4 of 9
The nurse is assessing for clubbing of the fingernails and expects to find:
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The normal nail is firm at its base and has an angle of 160 degrees. In clubbing, the angle straightens to 180 degrees or greater and the nail base feels spongy.
Question 5 of 9
A nurse is conducting a health assessment for an African American patient. What should the nurse consider in terms of cultural sensitivity?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Cultural risk factors and racial variations , per the answer key, guide sensitive assessments (e.g., hypertension in African Americans). Uniformity , race questions , or emotional needs miss this focus. Nurses, per Taylor, adapt care culturally.
Question 6 of 9
The nurse is performing a musculoskeletal assessment and notes that the patient has a decreased range of motion in the knee joint. What is the most likely cause of this finding?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Decreased range of motion in the knee joint is often a result of osteoarthritis, a condition characterized by the degeneration of joint cartilage.
Question 7 of 9
During an assessment of a 20-year-old Asian patient, the nurse notices that he has dry, flaky cerumen in his canal. What is the significance of this finding? This finding:
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Asians and Native Americans are more likely to have dry cerumen, whereas Blacks and Whites usually have wet cerumen.
Question 8 of 9
A patient with longstanding COPD was told by another practitioner that his liver was enlarged and this needed to be assessed. Which of the following would be reasonable to do next?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Measuring the liver span is most appropriate as COPD can cause the diaphragm to flatten and push the liver down, giving a false impression of hepatomegaly. The total span measurement helps distinguish true enlargement from displacement.
Question 9 of 9
The nurse is performing a respiratory assessment and notes decreased tactile fremitus over the left lower lung field. What does this finding most likely indicate?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Decreased tactile fremitus is commonly associated with pleural effusion due to fluid accumulation.