ATI RN
clinical skills exam questions Questions
Question 1 of 9
The nurse is caring for a patient who has sustained blunt trauma to the left flank area, and is evaluating the patient’s urinalysis results. The nurse should become concerned when
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D because the presence of red blood cells and albumin in the urine indicates kidney damage, as these are not normally found in urine. A: Creatinine levels should be similar in blood and urine for proper kidney function. B: Sodium and chloride are normal components of urine. C: Uric acid levels can vary in urine and serum. Therefore, D is the correct answer as it signals potential kidney injury.
Question 2 of 9
Noninvasive diagnostic procedures used to determine kidney function include which of the following? (Select all that apply.)
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Kidney, ureter, bladder (KUB) x-ray. KUB x-ray is a noninvasive diagnostic procedure that provides information about the size, shape, and position of the kidneys, ureters, and bladder. It can help detect abnormalities such as kidney stones or structural issues. Rationale: 1. KUB x-ray is noninvasive, meaning it does not require any incisions or insertion of instruments into the body. 2. It is commonly used as an initial screening tool to assess kidney function. 3. Renal ultrasound (Choice B) is also noninvasive but primarily used for imaging the kidneys and not the entire urinary system. 4. MRI (Choice C) and IVP (Choice D) are more invasive procedures that involve injecting contrast agents and may not be routinely used for initial kidney function assessment. In summary, the KUB x-ray is the correct choice as it is a noninvasive procedure specifically designed to evaluate kidney
Question 3 of 9
Which of the following patients is at the greatest risk of developing acute kidney injury? A patient who
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C because the patient was recently discharged after a prolonged course of aminoglycoside therapy, which is a known risk factor for acute kidney injury due to its nephrotoxic effects. Choice A is incorrect because although aminoglycosides can cause kidney injury, the duration of therapy is shorter in this case. Choice B is incorrect because controlled hypertension is not a significant risk factor for acute kidney injury. Choice D is incorrect because fluid overload from heart failure may lead to other complications but is not directly associated with acute kidney injury.
Question 4 of 9
Continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) differs from conventional intermittent hemodialysis in that
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Step-by-step rationale: 1. CRRT removes solutes and water slowly to avoid hemodynamic instability. 2. Slow removal better tolerates fluid and electrolyte shifts in critically ill patients. 3. Unlike intermittent hemodialysis, CRRT provides continuous, gentle therapy. 4. Choice A is incorrect as both CRRT and intermittent hemodialysis use a hemofilter. 5. Choice B is incorrect as CRRT does not provide faster solute and water removal. 6. Choice C is incorrect as CRRT allows for diffusion to occur, albeit at a slower rate. Summary: Continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) removes solutes and water slowly to prevent hemodynamic instability, making it a gentler and more continuous process compared to intermittent hemodialysis. The other choices are incorrect as CRRT does use a hemofilter, does not provide faster removal, and still allows for diffusion to occur.
Question 5 of 9
A college student was admitted to the emergency department after being found unconscious by a roommate. The roommate informs emergency medical personnel that the student has diabetes and has been experiencing flulike symptoms, including vomiting, since yesterday. The patient had been up all night studying for exams. The patient used the last diabetes testing supplies 3 days ago and has not had time to go to the pharmacy to refill prescription supplies. Based upon the history, which laboratory findings would be anticipated in this client? (Select all that apply.)
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Blood glucose: 524 mg/dL. The patient likely has diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) due to missed insulin doses, stress, and illness leading to high blood glucose levels. DKA is characterized by hyperglycemia, ketosis, and metabolic acidosis. A low blood glucose level (Choice A) is not consistent with DKA. HCO3- of 10 mEq/L (Choice C) indicates metabolic acidosis, but it's not specific to DKA. A PaCO2 of 37 mm Hg (Choice D) is within the normal range and not directly related to DKA.
Question 6 of 9
The nurse is assessing a patient with a new arteriovenous fistula, but does not hear a bruit or feel a thrill. Pulses distal to the fistula are not palpable. The nurse should
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: notify the provider immediately. Lack of bruit, thrill, and distal pulse indicates potential complications like thrombosis or occlusion in the arteriovenous fistula. Prompt provider notification is crucial for timely intervention to prevent further complications such as ischemia or access failure. Reassessing the patient in an hour (A) may delay necessary intervention. Raising the arm above the level of the patient's heart (B) does not address the underlying issue. Applying warm packs (D) could worsen the situation if there is a clot present.
Question 7 of 9
An advantage of peritoneal dialysis is that
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: a decreased risk of peritonitis exists. Peritoneal dialysis involves using the peritoneum as a membrane for fluid exchange, reducing the risk of infections like peritonitis compared to hemodialysis. Option A is incorrect as peritoneal dialysis can be done at home and is less time-consuming than hemodialysis. Option C is incorrect as biochemical disturbances are corrected more gradually with peritoneal dialysis. Option D is incorrect as there is a risk of bleeding complications with peritoneal dialysis.
Question 8 of 9
The patient has a temporary percutaneous catheter in place for treatment of acute kidney injury. The catheter has been in place for 5 days. The nurse should
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: evaluate the patient for signs and symptoms of infection. After 5 days, infection risk increases. Signs of infection include fever, redness, swelling, and tenderness at the catheter site. Monitoring for these signs is crucial to prevent complications. A: Routine dialysis catheter change is not indicated after 5 days. C: Teaching long-term use is incorrect as temporary catheters are not meant for extended use. D: Using lumens for fluid administration can increase infection risk and is not recommended.
Question 9 of 9
Continuous venovenous hemodialysis is used to
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D because continuous venovenous hemodiafiltration (CVVHDF) combines ultrafiltration, convection, and dialysis to maximize fluid and solute removal. Ultrafiltration removes plasma water, convection removes fluids and solutes, and dialysis facilitates solute removal through diffusion. Choice A is incorrect because convection alone does not remove solutes, but CVVHDF combines convection with other methods. Choice B is incorrect because CVVHDF is not specifically used for volume overload, although it does remove fluids. Choice C is incorrect because CVVHDF does not involve adding dialysate to remove solutes; instead, it relies on diffusion for solute removal. In summary, the correct answer D is the best choice as it encompasses all the components needed for comprehensive fluid and solute removal in CVVHDF.