ATI LPN
LPN Fundamentals Study Guide Questions
Question 1 of 5
The low-exhaled volume (low-pressure) alarm sounds on a ventilator. The nurse rushes to the client's room and checks the client to determine the cause of the alarm but is unable to do so. Which would be the next immediate nursing action?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A low-pressure alarm suggests a leak or disconnection; manual ventilation with a resuscitation bag (B) ensures immediate oxygenation while troubleshooting continues. Calling teams (A, C, D) delays airway support. B is correct. Rationale: Manual bagging maintains ventilation, a life-saving priority per ACLS and ventilator protocols, addressing potential hypoxia swiftly.
Question 2 of 5
A client is admitted with head trauma after a fall. The client is being prepared for a supratentorial craniotomy with burr holes, and an intravenous infusion of mannitol is instituted. The nurse concludes that this medication primarily is given to do what?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Mannitol (D) is an osmotic diuretic given pre-craniotomy to decrease brain fluid, reducing ICP. It doesn't primarily lower BP (A), prevent hypoglycemia (B), or boost cardiac output (C). D is correct. Rationale: Mannitol draws fluid from brain tissue into the bloodstream, lowering ICP, a key pre-surgical intervention in head trauma, per neurosurgical standards, targeting cerebral edema directly.
Question 3 of 5
A client with a traumatic brain injury from a motor vehicle crash is being monitored in the intensive care unit. The client's intracranial pressure (ICP) is $22 \mathrm{mmHg}$. Which nursing intervention is appropriate based on this finding?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: ICP of 22 mmHg (elevated >20) requires mannitol (C) to reduce cerebral edema osmotically. Saline bolus (A) may worsen ICP. Flat bed (B) increases pressure. Coughing (D) raises ICP. C is correct. Rationale: Mannitol lowers ICP swiftly, a standard intervention in brain injury, per neurocritical care, preventing herniation unlike contraindicated actions.
Question 4 of 5
When a nurse is tried under criminal law, the nurse is being brought to trial by:
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: When a nurse faces a trial under criminal law, it involves a legal action initiated by the state or government, representing society as a whole, rather than a private entity or individual. Criminal law addresses offenses deemed harmful to the public, such as negligence causing harm or intentional misconduct. Unlike civil cases, where an individual or organization might sue for damages, criminal cases are prosecuted by the state to uphold public safety and justice. The nurse's actions are evaluated against legal standards that protect society, making this the most accurate description. Other options, like the plaintiff's lawyer or an individual, pertain more to civil litigation, while an organization might be involved in internal discipline but not a criminal trial. This distinction is critical in understanding the scope and authority behind criminal proceedings in nursing practice.
Question 5 of 5
When does the nurse chart an intervention that involves administering medication to a client?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Charting a medication intervention immediately after administration ensures accuracy and legal protection. Delaying until the shift ends, before the next dose, or within an hour risks forgetting details like dosage or client response compromising the record's reliability. Immediate documentation captures the exact time and outcome, such as pain relief post-analgesic, critical if issues arise later. This practice upholds standards, supports continuity of care, and defends the nurse in potential disputes, reflecting the urgency of real-time recording in dynamic clinical settings.