ATI RN
Foundations and Adult Health Nursing Study Guide Answers Questions
Question 1 of 5
During a patient assessment, the nurse observes signs of distress and discomfort. What action should the nurse take to address the patient's needs?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct action for the nurse to take when observing signs of distress and discomfort in a patient during assessment is to offer emotional support and actively listen to the patient's concerns. Ignoring the patient's distress may lead to worsening of the patient's condition and can be detrimental to the patient's well-being. Documenting the findings and informing the healthcare provider later is important but should not be the immediate response when a patient is in distress. Administering pain medication without further assessment is also not appropriate as the nurse needs to understand the underlying cause of the distress before providing appropriate interventions. Offering emotional support and actively listening to the patient's concerns can help the nurse understand the patient's needs, provide comfort, and potentially address the root cause of the distress.
Question 2 of 5
A nurse is preparing to perform a central venous catheter (CVC) dressing change for a patient. What action should the nurse prioritize to minimize the risk of infection?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The nurse should prioritize removing the old dressing and applying a new dressing using sterile technique to minimize the risk of infection during a central venous catheter (CVC) dressing change. This is because the most critical step in preventing infection is maintaining a clean and sterile environment around the CVC insertion site. By using sterile technique, the nurse can reduce the introduction of microorganisms that could potentially lead to infection. Wearing sterile gloves and cleaning the insertion site with an alcohol-based antiseptic solution are important steps as well, but the key priority lies in applying the new dressing using sterile technique to prevent contamination and reduce the risk of infection.
Question 3 of 5
A nurse is preparing to perform a gastric lavage procedure for a patient with gastrointestinal bleeding. What action should the nurse prioritize to ensure procedural effectiveness?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The nurse should prioritize positioning the patient in a left lateral decubitus position during gastric lavage to ensure procedural effectiveness. This position helps to promote optimal drainage of fluid and gastric contents. Placing the patient in a left lateral position allows gravity to assist in the passage of fluid and prevents the risk of aspiration. It also helps to minimize the risk of complications such as reflux of lavage fluid into the respiratory tract. Proper positioning is essential in enhancing the success of the gastric lavage procedure and promoting patient safety.
Question 4 of 5
A nurse is preparing to assist with a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) procedure for a patient. What action should the nurse prioritize to ensure procedural safety?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The nurse should prioritize screening the patient for contraindications to MRI, such as metal implants or claustrophobia, to ensure procedural safety. Metallic objects can be hazardous in an MRI environment as they can be attracted to the magnet, potentially causing harm to the patient or staff. Claustrophobia can also be a significant issue for patients undergoing an MRI scan, and identifying this beforehand allows for appropriate measures to be taken to address the patient's anxiety or discomfort. Prioritizing this screening step helps ensure the safety and well-being of the patient during the MRI procedure.
Question 5 of 5
A patient presents with a painful, vesicular rash in a dermatomal distribution on the left thorax. The patient reports a history of chickenpox during childhood. Which of the following conditions is most likely responsible for this presentation?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The presentation of a painful, vesicular rash in a dermatomal distribution on the left thorax, specifically in a patient with a history of chickenpox, is most suggestive of herpes zoster, commonly known as shingles. Herpes zoster is caused by the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus, the same virus responsible for chickenpox. After a person recovers from chickenpox, the virus remains dormant in the nerve cells and can reactivate years later to cause shingles. The rash in herpes zoster typically progresses through different stages, including red patches leading to fluid-filled blisters. The characteristic rash typically appears unilaterally and is usually preceded by pain, burning, or tingling in the affected area. Unlike herpes simplex virus infection, which can cause similar lesions but is not typically localized to a specific dermatome, herpes zoster presents as a distinct unilateral cluster of vesicles along