ATI RN
Vital Signs Assessment Questions
Question 1 of 5
The nurse has collected the following information on a patient: palpated blood pressure–180 mm Hg; auscultated blood pressure–170/100 mm Hg; apical pulse–60 beats per minute; radial pulse–70 beats per minute. What is the patient's pulse pressure?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The pulse pressure is calculated by subtracting the diastolic blood pressure from the systolic blood pressure. In this case, the systolic blood pressure is 170 mm Hg and the diastolic blood pressure is 100 mm Hg. Therefore, 170 - 100 = 70 mm Hg, which is the patient's pulse pressure. A: 10 - Incorrect. This value is too low for the pulse pressure given the systolic and diastolic blood pressure readings. C: 80 - Incorrect. This value is too high for the pulse pressure given the systolic and diastolic blood pressure readings. D: 100 - Incorrect. This value is equal to the diastolic blood pressure, not the pulse pressure.
Question 2 of 5
A 35-year-old pregnant woman comes to the clinic for a monthly appointment. During the assessment, the nurse notices that she has a brown patch of hyperpigmentation on her face. The nurse continues the skin assessment aware that another finding may be:
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Chloasma. Chloasma, also known as melasma, is a common skin condition characterized by brown patches of hyperpigmentation on the face, particularly during pregnancy. This is due to hormonal changes that increase melanin production. Keratoses (A) are rough, scaly skin growths. Xerosis (B) is dry skin. Acrochordons (D) are skin tags. The nurse should be aware that chloasma is a common finding during pregnancy and continue the assessment accordingly.
Question 3 of 5
The nurse needs to pull the portion of the ear that consists of movable cartilage and skin down and back when administering eardrops. This portion of the ear is called the:
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Auricle. The auricle is the visible part of the outer ear that consists of movable cartilage and skin. When administering eardrops, pulling the auricle down and back helps straighten the ear canal for proper medication delivery. The other choices are incorrect because: B: Concha is the concave bowl-shaped depression in the outer ear, C: Outer meatus is the ear canal, and D: Mastoid process is a bony prominence behind the ear.
Question 4 of 5
The nurse is preparing to perform an otoscopic examination of a newborn infant. Which statement is true regarding this examination?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Rationale: C is correct because in newborns, the normal tympanic membrane can appear thick and opaque due to a thinner eardrum and presence of amniotic fluid remnants. A: Immobility of the drum is not normal. B: An injected membrane indicates a hemorrhage, not necessarily infection. D: The appearance of the membrane differs in newborns due to their unique anatomy.
Question 5 of 5
While obtaining a health history from the mother of a 1-year-old child, the nurse notices that the baby has had a bottle in his mouth the entire time. The mother states, "It makes a great pacifier." The best response by the nurse would be:
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Correct Answer - D: "Prolonged use of a bottle can increase the risk for tooth decay and ear infections." Rationale: 1. Prolonged bottle use can lead to tooth decay due to exposure to sugars in milk or formula. 2. The constant sucking can also cause ear infections by pushing bacteria into the Eustachian tubes. 3. It is important for the nurse to educate the mother on these risks to promote the child's health. Summary of Other Choices: A: Incorrect. Encouraging the mother that bottles make good pacifiers does not address the potential health risks associated with prolonged bottle use. B: Incorrect. While it's true that bottle use may be better for teeth than thumb-sucking, it still poses risks for tooth decay and ear infections. C: Incorrect. The contents of the bottle do not negate the risks associated with prolonged bottle use.