ATI RN
foundation of nursing questions and answers Questions
Question 1 of 5
During the admission assessment of an HIV-positive patient whose CD4+ count has recently fallen, the nurse carefully assesses for signs and symptoms related to opportunistic infections. What is the most common life-threatening infection?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Pneumocystis pneumonia. This is the most common life-threatening infection in HIV-positive patients with low CD4+ counts. Pneumocystis pneumonia is caused by the opportunistic pathogen Pneumocystis jirovecii, which can lead to severe respiratory distress and mortality in immunocompromised individuals. The other choices, A: Salmonella infection, B: Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and C: Clostridium difficile, can also cause infections in HIV-positive patients, but they are not as commonly associated with life-threatening complications in this population compared to Pneumocystis pneumonia. It is crucial for the nurse to prioritize assessment for signs and symptoms of Pneumocystis pneumonia in this patient to promptly intervene and prevent further complications.
Question 2 of 5
A 16-year-old has come to the clinic and asks to talk to a nurse. The nurse asks the teen what she needs and the teen responds that she has become sexually active and is concerned about getting HIV. The teen asks the nurse what she can do keep from getting HIV. What would be the nurses best response?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D because it emphasizes the importance of consistent and correct condom use in preventing HIV transmission. Here's the rationale: 1. Abstinence is the most effective way to prevent HIV, but since the teen is sexually active, abstinence may not be feasible for her. 2. Using condoms consistently and correctly is the next best method for preventing HIV transmission during sexual activity. 3. Choice A is incorrect because it implies that using condoms is not effective, which is not true. 4. Choice B is incorrect because it only mentions female condoms, while both male and female condoms can be effective in preventing HIV. 5. Choice C is incorrect because while new prevention methods are being researched, the established method of consistent condom use remains the most effective.
Question 3 of 5
A patient with HIV is admitted to the hospital because of chronic severe diarrhea. The nurse caring for this patient should expect the physician to order what drug for the management of the patients diarrhea?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Sandostatin. This drug is a somatostatin analog that can help manage HIV-related chronic severe diarrhea by reducing gastrointestinal secretions. Sandostatin works by inhibiting the release of various hormones and neurotransmitters in the gut, which can help control diarrhea in HIV patients. Rationale: A: Zithromax is an antibiotic that is not typically used to manage chronic severe diarrhea in HIV patients. C: Levaquin is also an antibiotic and not indicated for managing diarrhea in HIV patients. D: Biaxin is another antibiotic and not the appropriate choice for managing chronic severe diarrhea in HIV patients. In summary, Sandostatin is the correct choice as it specifically targets the underlying cause of diarrhea in HIV patients by reducing gastrointestinal secretions, whereas the other options are antibiotics that are not indicated for this purpose.
Question 4 of 5
A patient has been diagnosed with AIDS complicated by chronic diarrhea. What nursing intervention would be appropriate for this patient?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Obtain a stool culture to identify possible pathogens. This is the most appropriate nursing intervention because chronic diarrhea in a patient with AIDS can be caused by various pathogens such as parasites, bacteria, or viruses. By obtaining a stool culture, the healthcare team can identify the specific pathogen responsible for the diarrhea and initiate targeted treatment. A: Positioning the patient in the high Fowler's position is not directly related to addressing the underlying cause of chronic diarrhea in this patient. B: Temporarily eliminating animal protein from the patient's diet may not be necessary or effective in treating chronic diarrhea without knowing the specific cause identified through stool culture. C: Making sure the patient eats raw fruit is not recommended as raw fruits can sometimes worsen diarrhea due to their high fiber content and potential for carrying pathogens. In summary, obtaining a stool culture is the most appropriate intervention as it helps identify the specific pathogen causing the diarrhea, while the other options do not directly address the underlying cause.
Question 5 of 5
A nurse is preparing a patient for allergy skin testing. Which of the following precautionary steps is most important for the nurse to follow?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D. Having emergency equipment readily available is crucial during allergy skin testing as it can lead to severe allergic reactions. This precaution ensures prompt intervention in case of anaphylaxis. Other choices are incorrect because: A) Recent immunizations do not directly impact the skin testing process. B) Administering albuterol is not a standard pre-test requirement. C) Prophylactic epinephrine is not routinely given before allergy skin testing.