ATI RN
Vital Signs Assessment Nursing Questions
Question 1 of 5
During a neurological assessment, the nurse asks the patient to close their eyes and identify familiar objects. Which sensory function is being tested?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Stereognosis. This test assesses the patient's ability to identify familiar objects through touch and manipulation without visual cues. It specifically evaluates the integration of tactile, proprioceptive, and sensorimotor functions in the brain. The other options are incorrect because: A: Pain sensation is typically assessed using a pinprick test. B: Proprioception is evaluated through tests involving joint position sense and movement. C: Light touch sensation is tested by using a cotton wisp or a gentle touch stimulus.
Question 2 of 5
A 50-year-old man presents with shortness of breath, a cough, and a history of smoking. He has a barrel-shaped chest and wheezing on auscultation. What is the most likely diagnosis?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The patient's age, smoking history, barrel-shaped chest, wheezing, and chronic symptoms are indicative of COPD. COPD is a chronic lung condition characterized by airflow obstruction and difficulty breathing. Pneumonia (A) typically presents with acute symptoms like fever and productive cough, not chronic symptoms. Asthma (C) usually presents with episodic symptoms and may have a different pattern of wheezing. Pulmonary embolism (D) presents with acute onset of shortness of breath and chest pain, not chronic symptoms like in this case.
Question 3 of 5
During a musculoskeletal assessment, the nurse notes that the patient has limited range of motion in the shoulder. What is the most likely cause of this finding?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis). Frozen shoulder is characterized by pain and stiffness in the shoulder joint, leading to limited range of motion. The condition typically progresses through three stages: freezing, frozen, and thawing. During the freezing stage, inflammation and scarring of the shoulder capsule cause pain and restricted movement. In contrast, osteoarthritis primarily affects the joints, causing pain, stiffness, and reduced range of motion over time. Rheumatoid arthritis is a systemic autoimmune condition that can cause joint inflammation, but it usually affects multiple joints symmetrically. Bursitis involves inflammation of the bursae, fluid-filled sacs that cushion the joints, leading to pain and swelling but not necessarily restricted range of motion in the shoulder.
Question 4 of 5
The nurse is performing a cranial nerve assessment and asks the patient to follow a moving target with their eyes. Which cranial nerve is being tested?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Cranial nerve III (oculomotor nerve). This nerve controls most eye movements, including tracking a moving target. Cranial nerve II (optic nerve) is responsible for vision, not eye movements. Cranial nerve IV (trochlear nerve) controls downward and inward eye movements, not tracking. Cranial nerve VI (abducens nerve) controls lateral eye movements, not tracking. Therefore, the oculomotor nerve is specifically being tested in this scenario.
Question 5 of 5
The nurse is performing a respiratory assessment and notes that the patient has a prolonged inspiratory phase. What condition is most likely associated with this finding?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Upper airway obstruction. A prolonged inspiratory phase suggests difficulty in inhaling, which is common in upper airway obstructions like a foreign body or swollen tissues. Asthma (A) typically presents with wheezing and expiratory phase prolongation. Pneumonia (B) is characterized by crackles and decreased breath sounds. Pulmonary edema (C) manifests as crackles and shortness of breath. Therefore, based on the prolonged inspiratory phase, the most likely condition is an upper airway obstruction.