ATI RN
ATI Hematologic System Questions
Question 1 of 5
The nurse is assessing a patient with chronic lung disease. Which finding indicates long-term hypoxia?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Clubbed fingertips. Clubbing of the fingertips is a sign of long-term hypoxia due to chronic lung disease, causing changes in the nail bed angle and soft tissue around the nails. Pallor (A) is a paleness of the skin and not specific to hypoxia. Dyspnea (B) is difficulty breathing, which can occur in acute or chronic conditions. Pulmonary crackles (D) are abnormal lung sounds indicating fluid in the lungs, commonly seen in conditions like pneumonia. Clubbed fingertips specifically point towards long-term hypoxia in chronic lung disease.
Question 2 of 5
An older adult patient is receiving a transfusion of packed red blood cells after being injured in a car accident. On assessment, the nurse notes a new finding of bounding pulse, crackles, and increasing dyspnea. What should the nurse do first, after stopping the transfusion?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Raise the head of the bed. After stopping the transfusion due to signs of fluid overload, the priority is to alleviate symptoms and improve respiratory function. Elevating the head of the bed helps reduce venous return, decreasing preload and cardiac workload, which can help manage symptoms like dyspnea and crackles. This action promotes better oxygenation and reduces the risk of complications like pulmonary edema. Assessing vital signs (Choice A) is important but not the immediate priority. Encouraging deep breathing and coughing (Choice C) may exacerbate respiratory distress in this situation. Administering diphenhydramine (Choice D) is not indicated for fluid overload.
Question 3 of 5
A female patient's hematocrit level is 50% and oxygen saturation is 98% on room air. What should the nurse suspect as being the cause for this patient's hematocrit level?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Dehydration. Dehydration can lead to hemoconcentration, resulting in an elevated hematocrit level. When a person is dehydrated, the plasma volume decreases, causing an increase in the proportion of red blood cells in the blood, leading to a higher hematocrit level. In this case, the patient's high hematocrit level of 50% is likely due to dehydration rather than the other options. Oxygen saturation being 98% on room air indicates adequate oxygenation, ruling out chronic renal failure, bone marrow suppression, and bleeding esophageal varices as potential causes for the high hematocrit level in this patient.
Question 4 of 5
A patient with pancytopenia has a bone marrow aspiration from the left posterior iliac crest. Which action would be important for the nurse to take after the procedure?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Have the patient lie on the left side for 1 hour. This position helps prevent bleeding by applying pressure to the site. Elevating the head of the bed (A) is not necessary for this procedure. Applying a 2-inch gauze dressing (B) may disrupt the site and increase the risk of bleeding. Using half-inch sterile gauze to pack the wound (C) is not recommended for bone marrow aspiration sites as it can lead to infection.
Question 5 of 5
A nursing student wants to know why clients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease tend to be polycythemic. What response by the nurse instructor is best?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D because in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), the lungs are unable to efficiently oxygenate the blood, leading to tissue hypoxia. Polycythemia is the body's compensatory mechanism to increase red blood cell production in an attempt to improve oxygen-carrying capacity to tissues. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect as polycythemia in COPD is primarily a response to tissue hypoxia rather than medication side effects, overactive bone marrow, or combating anemia related to increased metabolic rate.