ATI RN
Health Assessment Practice Questions Questions
Question 1 of 5
During assessment, the nurse notices that the skin of a patient of Asian descent is yellowish brown in colour. The skin on the hard and soft palate is, however, pink in colour. From this finding, the nurse could probably rule out:
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Jaundice. Yellowish brown skin coloration along with pink coloration of the hard and soft palate is indicative of jaundice, a condition characterized by elevated levels of bilirubin in the blood. Bilirubin causes a yellowish discoloration of the skin but does not affect the color of the mucous membranes like the hard and soft palate. Pallor (A) refers to paleness of the skin due to decreased blood flow or anemia, not relevant in this case. Cyanosis (C) is a bluish discoloration of the skin and mucous membranes due to low oxygen levels in the blood, which is not consistent with the presented findings. Iron deficiency (D) may lead to pallor, but it does not cause yellowish brown skin coloration like jaundice.
Question 2 of 5
A nurse is caring for a 70-year-old patient with a history of congestive heart failure. The nurse should monitor the patient for which of the following?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Orthostatic hypotension. In a patient with congestive heart failure, there is impaired cardiac function leading to decreased cardiac output. This can result in orthostatic hypotension, where blood pressure drops upon standing. Monitoring for orthostatic hypotension is important to prevent falls and other complications. B: Hyperkalemia is not typically associated with congestive heart failure. C: Hypoglycemia may occur in patients with diabetes, but it is not a common complication of congestive heart failure. D: Severe dehydration is not directly related to congestive heart failure unless the patient has concurrent issues such as diarrhea or excessive diuresis.
Question 3 of 5
A nurse is assessing a patient with a history of smoking. The patient reports a persistent cough that has worsened over the past few months. The nurse would be most concerned about the possibility of:
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The patient's history of smoking, persistent cough, and worsening symptoms over months are indicative of COPD, a progressive lung disease commonly caused by smoking. Asthma (A) typically presents with intermittent symptoms, bronchitis (C) may cause cough but not necessarily worsening over time, and pulmonary embolism (D) is characterized by sudden onset symptoms and is less likely in this case. COPD is the most concerning due to the patient's smoking history and progressive symptoms.
Question 4 of 5
A nurse is caring for a patient who is post-operative following abdominal surgery. Which of the following signs and symptoms would the nurse consider as an early indicator of infection?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Fever. Fever is an early indicator of infection as it is the body's natural response to fighting off pathogens. When the body detects an infection, it raises its temperature to create an inhospitable environment for the pathogens. Pain at the surgical site (B) is common post-operatively but may not necessarily indicate infection. Redness at the incision site (C) can be a sign of inflammation but is not specific to infection. Increased heart rate (D) can occur due to various reasons post-operatively, not just infection. Fever is a systemic response and a more reliable early indicator of infection in this context.
Question 5 of 5
A nurse is caring for a patient with pneumonia. Which of the following interventions should the nurse prioritize?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Administering oxygen as prescribed. Oxygen therapy is a critical intervention in pneumonia to improve oxygenation and prevent hypoxia. Priority is given to interventions that address the immediate physiological needs of the patient. Encouraging fluid intake (A) is important but not as urgent as oxygen therapy. Encouraging ambulation (C) can be beneficial for overall health but may not be suitable for a patient with pneumonia. Providing pain medication (D) is important for comfort but is not the priority in this case.