ATI RN
Assessing Vital Signs ATI Questions
Question 1 of 5
The nurse is assessing the mental status of a child. Which statement about children and mental status is true?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A because all aspects of mental status in children are indeed interdependent. This means that cognitive, emotional, and behavioral domains of mental status are interconnected and influence each other. It is crucial to assess all aspects together to gain a comprehensive understanding of a child's mental well-being. Choice B is incorrect because children are not necessarily highly labile and unstable until the age of 2 years. While children may exhibit rapid changes in behavior due to developmental milestones, it is not accurate to generalize them as highly labile. Choice C is incorrect as children's mental status is not solely a function of their parents' level of functioning. While parental influence plays a significant role, children's mental status is also influenced by various other factors such as genetics, environment, and individual experiences. Choice D is incorrect as it is possible to assess a child's mental status even before they develop the ability to concentrate. Assessment tools and techniques exist to evaluate different aspects of mental status in children, even at a
Question 2 of 5
A nurse is taking complete health histories on all of the patients attending a wellness workshop. On the history form, one of the written questions asks, 'You don't smoke, drink, or take drugs, do you?' This question is an example of:
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Using biased or leading questions. This question is leading because it assumes that the patients don't smoke, drink, or take drugs. It may influence the patients to answer in a certain way to please the nurse. This can result in inaccurate information being provided. Talking too much (A), using confrontation (B), and using blunt language (D) do not accurately describe the nature of the question being asked.
Question 3 of 5
When examining an older adult, the nurse should:
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D because older adults may have mobility issues, so minimizing position changes during the exam helps prevent discomfort or falls. This approach promotes patient safety and comfort. Choice A is incorrect as appropriate touch is essential for a thorough assessment. Choice B is incorrect as older adults may tire easily, so breaking up the exam into manageable parts is preferable. Choice C is incorrect as speaking loudly and slowly may be perceived as patronizing and is not necessary unless the patient has hearing difficulties.
Question 4 of 5
The nurse is assessing an 80-year-old male patient. Which assessment findings would be considered normal?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C because kyphosis and flexion in the knees and hips are common age-related changes in older adults. Kyphosis is the forward curvature of the spine, and flexion in the knees and hips can occur due to joint stiffness and muscle weakness. These changes are considered normal in older adults. Option A is incorrect because an increase in body weight is not necessarily normal with aging. Option B is incorrect as additional fat deposits on specific body parts may not necessarily be considered normal. Option D is incorrect because a change in overall body proportion with a longer trunk and shorter extremities is not a typical age-related change.
Question 5 of 5
A nurse is helping at a health fair at a local mall. When taking blood pressures on a variety of people, the nurse keeps in mind that:
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B because research has shown that on average, Black adults tend to have higher blood pressure compared to White adults of the same age. This is due to a combination of genetic, lifestyle, and environmental factors. It is important for healthcare professionals to be aware of these differences to provide appropriate care and interventions. Choice A is incorrect because blood pressure readings in women after menopause actually tend to increase due to hormonal changes. Choice C is incorrect because being overweight is a risk factor for high blood pressure, so individuals who are overweight are more likely to have higher blood pressure readings compared to those at a normal weight. Choice D is incorrect because a teenager's blood pressure reading can vary, but it is not always lower than that of an adult. Teenagers can also have high blood pressure, especially if they have risk factors such as obesity or a family history of hypertension.