ATI RN
Vital Signs Physical Assessment Techniques Questions
Question 1 of 5
The nurse is caring for an elderly patient and notes that his temperature is 96.8°F (36°C). She understands that this patient is
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Elderly often have lower baselines; 96.8°F is normal. Hypothermia is <95°F. Hyperthermia requires elevation. Metabolism slows with age. Choice B is correct, per geriatric norms.
Question 2 of 5
A nurse is assessing a client's pain and notes that the client has dilated pupils, increased blood pressure, and increased heart rate. Which type of pain is the client likely experiencing?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Dilated pupils, high BP, and HR indicate acute pain , a sudden stress response. Chronic lacks acute signs. Visceral and neuropathic aren't defined by these. Choice A is correct, per the explanation, reflecting acute pain physiology.
Question 3 of 5
A student is reading the medical record of an assigned patient and notes the patient has been afebrile for the past 12 hours. What does the term afebrile indicate?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Afebrile means normal temperature (no fever), per the answer key. Decreased suggests hypothermia, increased fever, and fluctuating instabilitynone match. Nurses use this term to confirm absence of fever, guiding care decisions.
Question 4 of 5
Conducting a health assessment involves collecting, validating, and analyzing subjective data and objective data. Which of the following is an example of subjective data?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Pain is subjective data, per the answer key, as it's the patient's personal experience, reported verbally (e.g., intensity, location). Rash , perspiration , and fever are objectivevisible or measurable by the nurse. Subjective data drives patient-centered care, relying on the patient's perception, unlike objective signs assessed directly. Nurses use this distinction, per Taylor's fundamentals, to build a holistic health picture, ensuring symptoms like pain inform the nursing process effectively.
Question 5 of 5
When conducting a physical assessment, what should the nurse assess and document about size and shape of body parts?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Symmetry , per the answer key, compares bilateral parts for abnormalities. Measurements , health status , or vitals are separate. Nurses, per Taylor, document symmetry to detect deviations effectively.