ATI RN
Health Assessment Vital Signs Quizlet Questions
Question 1 of 5
During an interview, the nurse states, 'You mentioned having shortness of breath. Tell me more about that.' Which verbal skill is used with this statement?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Open-ended question. This type of question encourages the interviewee to provide detailed and descriptive responses, allowing them to freely express their thoughts and feelings. In this scenario, the nurse's question prompts the interviewee to elaborate on their experience with shortness of breath, leading to a more in-depth conversation. Reflection (A) involves restating the interviewee's words, Facilitation (B) involves encouraging the interviewee to continue talking, and Direct question (C) is closed-ended and limits the response to a specific answer, unlike the open-ended question used in this situation.
Question 2 of 5
When auscultating for bowel sounds, the nurse should:
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Use the diaphragm of the stethoscope. The diaphragm is the appropriate part of the stethoscope for listening to bowel sounds due to its ability to pick up higher frequency sounds. Bowel sounds are best heard with a higher frequency range, which the diaphragm is designed to capture. Using the bell of the stethoscope (choice A) is not ideal for bowel sounds as it is better suited for low-frequency sounds like heart murmurs. Ensuring the patient is standing upright (choice B) is unnecessary for auscultating bowel sounds. Avoiding pressing the stethoscope too firmly (choice D) is a good practice to prevent unnecessary noise interference, but it is not directly related to the optimal choice of stethoscope component for bowel sounds.
Question 3 of 5
When assessing a 75-year-old patient who has asthma, the nurse notes that he assumes a tripod position, leaning forward with arms braced on the chair. On the basis of this observation, the nurse should:
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D. A tripod position, where a patient leans forward with arms braced on a chair, is often used when a patient is having respiratory difficulties, such as in asthma exacerbation. This position helps improve airflow by allowing better expansion of the chest. The patient is likely trying to relieve breathing difficulty by maximizing lung expansion. Choosing option D is appropriate as it acknowledges the significance of the tripod position in respiratory distress. A: This choice is incorrect because assuming the patient is eager and interested in participating in the interview does not relate to the observation of the tripod position in a patient with asthma. B: Evaluating the patient for abdominal pain is not the priority in this scenario where respiratory distress is suspected. C: This option is incorrect as moving the patient to a supine position may worsen breathing difficulties.
Question 4 of 5
The nurse is helping another nurse to take a blood pressure reading on a patient's thigh. Which action is correct regarding thigh pressure?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C. When the blood pressure in the arm is high in an adolescent, it should be compared with thigh pressure. This is because in certain conditions like coarctation of the aorta, there can be a significant difference in blood pressure between the arms and thighs. By comparing arm and thigh pressures, the nurse can assess for potential underlying cardiovascular issues. A: Auscultating the popliteal or femoral vessels is not necessary for obtaining thigh pressure as the correct method is comparing arm and thigh pressures. B: The position for measuring thigh pressure is not specified, and the focus should be on comparing arm and thigh pressures. D: The difference in pressure between the arm and thigh is not solely due to distance from the heart and vessel size; it can be indicative of cardiovascular abnormalities.
Question 5 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.