ATI RN
EMT Vital Signs Assessment Questions
Question 1 of 5
The nurse is assessing a patient for signs of dehydration. Which finding is consistent with dehydration?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Correct Answer: C - Dry, cracked lips. Rationale: 1. Dehydration leads to decreased fluid intake and can cause dryness in the body. 2. Dry, cracked lips are a common sign of dehydration due to lack of moisture. 3. Moist mucous membranes (A) and increased skin turgor (B) are actually signs of hydration. 4. Elevated blood pressure (D) is not typically associated with dehydration; it may indicate other health issues.
Question 2 of 5
A physical therapist receives a referral for a two-month-old infant diagnosed with osteogenesis imperfecta. After completing the examination, the therapist discusses the physical therapy plan of care with the infant's parents. The PRIMARY goal of therapy is to:
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Promote safe handling and positioning. For a two-month-old infant with osteogenesis imperfecta, the primary goal of therapy is to ensure safe handling and positioning to prevent fractures and injuries due to the fragile bones characteristic of the condition. This is crucial in the early stages to promote proper development and prevent complications. Improving muscle strength and diminishing tone (A) may not be appropriate at this stage due to the fragile nature of the bones. Facilitating protected weight bearing (B) is not suitable for an infant of this age with this condition. Diminishing pulmonary secretions (D) is not the primary concern in this case.
Question 3 of 5
A physical therapist assesses a patient's perception of pain using a visual analog scale (VAS). What type of data does the VAS provide?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Ordinal. A visual analog scale (VAS) provides data that can be ranked in order of magnitude (e.g., mild pain, moderate pain, severe pain). This indicates an ordinal scale, where the categories have a meaningful order but the differences between them may not be equal. Nominal data (choice A) is used for categories with no inherent order. Interval (choice C) and ratio (choice D) scales involve equal intervals and a true zero point, which are not present in VAS data.
Question 4 of 5
A physical therapist completes an evaluation on a patient with a T12 spinal cord injury. Which functional outcome is MOST likely based on this level of injury?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A because a T12 spinal cord injury typically results in intact upper extremity function, allowing the patient to use crutches for ambulation with bilateral KAFOs for stability. Choice B is incorrect as a single-point cane is not typically sufficient for this level of injury. Choice C is incorrect as T12 injury usually allows for some level of independence in mobility. Choice D is incorrect as requiring a power wheelchair for community mobility is less likely with a T12 injury.
Question 5 of 5
A physical therapist evaluates a patient with patellofemoral pain syndrome. Which exercise is MOST appropriate to target the vastus medialis oblique (VMO)?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Terminal knee extensions. This exercise specifically targets the VMO due to the positioning of the knee at the end range of extension, where the VMO is most activated. This helps to strengthen and stabilize the patella. Straight leg raises (A) mainly target the hip flexors. Short arc quadriceps exercises (B) primarily activate the entire quadriceps muscle group. Step-down exercises (C) focus on overall lower limb strength and control, not specifically targeting the VMO. Thus, terminal knee extensions are the most appropriate choice to isolate and strengthen the VMO in the context of patellofemoral pain syndrome.