ATI RN
Health Assessment Vital Signs Quizlet Questions
Question 1 of 5
During an examination, the nurse finds that a patient has excessive dryness of the skin. The best term to describe this condition is:
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Step 1: Identify the patient's symptom - excessive dryness of the skin. Step 2: Recall the term for this condition - xerosis, characterized by dry skin. Step 3: Eliminate other choices - pruritus means itching, alopecia refers to hair loss, seborrhea is excessive oiliness. Step 4: Confirm xerosis as the best fit due to matching symptomatology. Step 5: Choose option A as the correct answer for precise description of the patient's condition.
Question 2 of 5
A patient with a middle ear infection asks the nurse, 'What does the middle ear do?' The nurse responds by telling the patient that the middle ear functions to:
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Conduct vibrations of sounds to the inner ear. The middle ear consists of the eardrum and three small bones that transmit sound vibrations from the eardrum to the inner ear. This process allows sound waves to be converted into electrical signals that can be interpreted by the brain. Choice A is incorrect because balance is primarily controlled by structures in the inner ear, not the middle ear. Choice B is incorrect as interpreting sounds happens in the inner ear and brain, not the middle ear. Choice D is incorrect because the middle ear does not increase the amplitude of sound; rather, it amplifies and transmits sound vibrations to the inner ear for further processing.
Question 3 of 5
While performing the otoscopic examination of a 3-year-old boy who has been pulling on his left ear, the nurse finds that his left tympanic membrane is bright red and that the light reflex is not visible. The nurse interprets these findings to indicate a(n):
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Acute otitis media. In this case, the bright red tympanic membrane and the absence of the light reflex suggest inflammation and infection of the middle ear, which are characteristic of acute otitis media. The child's symptoms of pulling on his ear also support this diagnosis. A: Fungal infection typically presents with white patches and not necessarily redness or absence of light reflex. C: Perforation of the eardrum would show a visible hole in the tympanic membrane. D: Cholesteatoma is a noncancerous growth that would present differently on otoscopic examination.
Question 4 of 5
The nurse is palpating the sinus areas. If the findings are normal, then the patient should report which sensation?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Firm pressure. When palpating sinus areas, normal findings should elicit a sensation of firm pressure. This is because the sinuses are air-filled cavities that should not cause pain or discomfort when palpated. Sensing firm pressure indicates normal sinus function. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because normal sinus palpation should not result in no sensation, pain during palpation, or pain sensation behind the eyes. These sensations could indicate sinus inflammation, infection, or other abnormalities that should be further assessed.
Question 5 of 5
During a checkup, a 22-year-old woman tells the nurse that she uses an over-the-counter nasal spray because of her allergies. She also states that it does not work as well as it used to when she first started using it. The best response by the nurse would be:
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct response is D. Using nasal medications can irritate the nasal lining, leading to rebound swelling, which causes the medication to become less effective over time. This explains why the woman's nasal spray is not working as well as before. It is important for the nurse to address this issue to prevent worsening of symptoms. Choice A is incorrect as not all over-the-counter nasal sprays carry a risk of addiction. Choice B is not the best response as switching brands may not address the underlying issue of rebound swelling. Choice C is incorrect as it does not address the potential problem of rebound swelling caused by the nasal spray.