ATI RN
CNS Vital Signs Assessment Questions
Question 1 of 5
During a skin assessment, the nurse observes a patient's mole and notes that it has an irregular border, varied colors, and a diameter of 8 mm. What is the appropriate action?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Refer the patient for further evaluation. The patient's mole exhibits characteristics associated with melanoma, such as irregular border, varied colors, and a diameter larger than 6 mm (8 mm in this case). Referring the patient for further evaluation by a dermatologist or healthcare provider specializing in skin assessments is crucial for prompt diagnosis and appropriate treatment if necessary. Options A, B, and D are incorrect because ignoring or delaying evaluation of suspicious moles can lead to potential complications or missed opportunities for early intervention in case of skin cancer.
Question 2 of 5
Which physical assessment finding is most indicative of chronic hypoxia?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Clubbing of the fingers. Clubbing is a sign of chronic hypoxia due to prolonged oxygen deprivation, leading to changes in the nails and fingertips. This occurs in conditions like chronic lung disease. Barrel chest (choice A) is typically seen in emphysema due to lung hyperinflation. Use of accessory muscles (choice C) and intercostal retractions (choice D) are signs of acute respiratory distress, not chronic hypoxia.
Question 3 of 5
A 25-year-old woman presents with a complaint of fatigue and muscle weakness. On examination, she has ptosis and weakness of the proximal muscles of the upper limbs. Her vital signs are stable, and laboratory tests reveal a positive anti-acetylcholine receptor antibody test. Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Myasthenia gravis. This autoimmune disorder is characterized by muscle weakness and fatigability due to antibodies attacking acetylcholine receptors at the neuromuscular junction. The presence of anti-acetylcholine receptor antibodies in this patient supports the diagnosis. Ptosis and weakness of proximal muscles are classic features. Choice A, Multiple sclerosis, is a central nervous system disorder and typically presents with sensory and motor deficits, not ptosis or fluctuating weakness. Guillain-Barré syndrome (Choice C) is characterized by ascending weakness and is typically preceded by an infection, unlike the chronic presentation in myasthenia gravis. Lambert-Eaton syndrome (Choice D) involves antibodies against presynaptic calcium channels and presents with proximal muscle weakness but often includes autonomic symptoms, which are not evident in this patient.
Question 4 of 5
A 45-year-old woman presents with a complaint of a persistent cough for the past 3 weeks. She denies any fever, chills, or chest pain but reports some shortness of breath. What is the most likely diagnosis?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The most likely diagnosis is bronchitis because it presents with a persistent cough lasting more than 2-3 weeks without fever, chest pain, or chills. Shortness of breath can be seen in bronchitis due to airway inflammation. Asthma would typically present with wheezing and can have triggers like allergies. Pneumonia is accompanied by fever, chest pain, and productive cough with yellow or green sputum. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) usually occurs in older patients with a history of smoking and presents with a chronic cough and progressive shortness of breath.
Question 5 of 5
A 60-year-old woman with a history of breast cancer presents with a complaint of a new mass in her left breast. On examination, the mass is firm, non-tender, and fixed to the underlying tissue. What is the most likely diagnosis?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The most likely diagnosis is breast cancer recurrence (Choice C) due to the patient's history of breast cancer and the characteristics of the mass (firm, non-tender, fixed). Recurrence is common in breast cancer survivors. Fibrocystic changes (Choice A) typically present with lumpy or tender breasts and are not usually fixed. Breast abscess (Choice B) would present with more acute symptoms like redness, warmth, and fever. Fat necrosis (Choice D) may mimic a cancerous mass but is usually not fixed to underlying tissue. In this case, the history and characteristics of the mass strongly suggest breast cancer recurrence.