ATI RN
Neurological Vital Signs Assessment Questions
Question 1 of 5
The nurse is assessing a patient's nutritional status. Which laboratory value is the most reliable indicator of long-term nutritional status?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Serum albumin. Serum albumin is the most reliable indicator of long-term nutritional status because it has a longer half-life compared to other lab values, reflecting protein intake over a longer period. Low serum albumin levels indicate chronic malnutrition. B: Serum potassium is not a reliable indicator of long-term nutritional status. C: Hematocrit reflects hydration status and can be influenced by factors other than nutrition. D: Blood glucose levels can fluctuate throughout the day and are not specific to long-term nutritional status.
Question 2 of 5
A physical therapist assesses the functional strength of a patient's quadriceps by observing the patient rise from a chair. What type of contraction occurs in the quadriceps during this activity?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Concentric. During the activity of rising from a chair, the quadriceps contract and shorten to lift the body upward, which is a concentric contraction. This type of contraction generates force while the muscle is shortening. Choice B, Eccentric, involves the muscle lengthening while generating force, which does not occur when rising from a chair. Choice C, Isometric, involves the muscle contracting without changing length, which is not the case during this activity. Choice D, Isokinetic, refers to a type of muscle contraction at a constant speed, which is not specific to the scenario of rising from a chair.
Question 3 of 5
A patient reports significant improvement in function following physical therapy intervention. Which component of the patient management model is being evaluated?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Outcomes. The patient's significant improvement in function after physical therapy intervention directly relates to the evaluation of outcomes. Outcomes refer to the results or effects of an intervention on a patient's health status or function. In this scenario, the improvement in function is a measurable outcome of the physical therapy intervention. Prognosis (choice A) relates to predicting the course of a condition, diagnosis (choice C) involves identifying the nature of a patient's condition, and intervention (choice D) refers to the specific treatment provided. Therefore, the patient's improvement in function aligns most closely with the evaluation of outcomes in the patient management model.
Question 4 of 5
A patient demonstrates limited active range of motion in shoulder abduction but has normal passive range of motion. The MOST likely cause of this limitation is:
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Rotator cuff tear. Limited active range of motion with normal passive range of motion in shoulder abduction suggests a muscle-related issue, such as a rotator cuff tear. In this case, the patient can move the shoulder when someone else assists, indicating intact passive structures and a problem with the muscles. Adhesive capsulitis (choice A) typically presents with limitations in both active and passive range of motion. Glenohumeral arthritis (choice C) usually results in decreased passive range of motion as well. Shoulder impingement (choice D) may lead to pain during certain movements, but it would not explain the specific limitation described in the question.
Question 5 of 5
The nurse is performing an abdominal assessment and detects a bruit over the renal arteries. What does this finding suggest?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Renal artery stenosis. A bruit over the renal arteries indicates turbulent blood flow due to narrowed or blocked arteries, which is a classic sign of renal artery stenosis. This condition can lead to hypertension and renal dysfunction. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect: A is incorrect because a bruit is not a normal vascular sound; C is incorrect as aortic aneurysm would typically present with a pulsatile mass and not just a bruit; D is incorrect as increased peristalsis would not be detected as a bruit in the renal area.