ATI RN
Basic Nursing Care of the Patient Questions
Question 1 of 5
The nurse is caring for a patient in the postanesthesia care unit. The patient has developed profuse bleeding from the surgical site, and the surgeon has determined the need to return to the operative area. How will the nurse classify this procedure?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Emergency. This classification is appropriate because the situation involves unexpected, life-threatening bleeding requiring immediate intervention to prevent serious harm or death. In an emergency, prompt action is crucial. The other options are not as fitting: A (Major) refers to a significant but planned procedure, B (Urgent) implies a serious but non-life-threatening situation that requires prompt attention, and C (Elective) indicates a non-urgent, planned surgery.
Question 2 of 5
A patient in cardiac arrest is being resuscitated. You identify ventricular fibrillation on the cardiac monitor. CPR is ongoing. What is the next immediate intervention?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct immediate intervention is to perform a defibrillation shock (Choice B). Ventricular fibrillation is a shockable rhythm, meaning it requires immediate defibrillation to restore normal heart rhythm. Defibrillation is the first-line treatment for ventricular fibrillation during cardiac arrest, as it aims to depolarize the heart and allow the normal pacemaker cells to resume control. Administering epinephrine (Choice A) is important but should follow defibrillation. Establishing an advanced airway (Choice C) and administering amiodarone (Choice D) are secondary interventions after achieving successful defibrillation.
Question 3 of 5
You are assessing a patient with an altered mental status and has a diabetic history. Which of the following would most likely indicate the patient is suffering from diabetic ketoacidosis?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D because the patient is showing signs of dehydration and metabolic imbalance characteristic of diabetic ketoacidosis. Dry skin and mucous membranes, along with increased thirst and frequent urination, are indicative of dehydration due to high blood sugar levels. Hypotension could be due to dehydration and electrolyte imbalances. Shallow rapid respirations are a compensatory mechanism for metabolic acidosis. Choices A, B, and C do not align with the typical presentation of diabetic ketoacidosis, as they do not include the key signs of dehydration, metabolic acidosis, and electrolyte imbalances seen in this condition.
Question 4 of 5
Which complex, interval, or segment of an electrocardiogram tracing represents the early part of ventricular repolarization?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: ST segment. The ST segment on an ECG tracing represents the early part of ventricular repolarization. It begins at the end of the QRS complex and ends at the beginning of the T wave. This segment reflects the time when the ventricles are preparing to relax and reset for the next cycle. The PR interval (B) represents the time for the electrical impulse to travel from the atria to the ventricles. The QT interval (C) represents the total time for ventricular depolarization and repolarization. The QRS complex (D) represents ventricular depolarization.
Question 5 of 5
When considering the administration of cardiac medication to a severely hypothermic patient in cardiac arrest, which of the following is true?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B because in a severely hypothermic patient in cardiac arrest, the decreased metabolism and altered drug distribution make standard medication intervals ineffective. By spacing IV medications at longer intervals, there is a reduced risk of toxicity due to the slowed drug metabolism. Option A is incorrect because simply administering warm fluids and initiating rewarming procedures does not address the altered drug metabolism in hypothermia. Option C is incorrect because it generalizes that the patient will not respond to cardiac medication, which may not be true in all cases. Option D is incorrect because higher than normal doses of cardiac medications can increase the risk of toxicity without providing any significant benefit due to the altered drug metabolism in hypothermia.