ATI RN
CNS Vital Signs Assessment Questions
Question 1 of 5
The nurse is performing a neurological assessment and asks the patient to walk in a straight line. The patient sways significantly and loses balance. What does this finding suggest?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Cerebellar dysfunction. When a patient sways significantly and loses balance while walking in a straight line, it suggests dysfunction of the cerebellum. The cerebellum is responsible for coordination, balance, and fine motor control. Impairment in the cerebellum can lead to ataxia, which is characterized by uncoordinated movements and difficulty maintaining balance. Vestibular impairment (B) primarily affects the inner ear's balance system, not coordination of movement. Motor weakness (C) typically presents as muscle weakness and affects strength, not balance. Peripheral neuropathy (D) involves damage to peripheral nerves, leading to sensory and motor deficits, but not specifically related to coordination and balance issues like cerebellar dysfunction.
Question 2 of 5
The nurse is performing a musculoskeletal assessment and notes that the patient has a decreased range of motion in the shoulder with pain on movement. What is the most likely cause of this finding?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis). Frozen shoulder is characterized by decreased range of motion in the shoulder joint with pain on movement. This is due to inflammation and thickening of the shoulder joint capsule, leading to adhesions that restrict movement. Other choices are incorrect because: A: Osteoarthritis primarily affects the joints, causing pain and stiffness but typically doesn't lead to severe restriction of range of motion like in frozen shoulder. C: Rheumatoid arthritis is a systemic autoimmune disorder that can affect multiple joints, causing inflammation and deformities, but it doesn't typically present with the characteristic pattern of restricted movement seen in frozen shoulder. D: Bursitis involves inflammation of the bursae (fluid-filled sacs) around joints, leading to pain and swelling, but it doesn't typically result in the severe restriction of movement and pain on movement seen in frozen shoulder.
Question 3 of 5
Surface and Core:
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Vital signs include measurable indicators like pulse, temperature, blood pressure, and sometimes pain, but the question Surface and Core specifically refers to temperature, making Choice B correct. Temperature can be measured at surface sites (e.g., skin, oral) or core sites (e.g., rectal, tympanic), reflecting internal body heat. Pulse, measures heart rate, not divided into surface and core. Blood pressure, assesses vascular pressure, not temperature distribution. Pain, is subjective and not measured in this dual context. The distinction between surface (less stable, affected by environment) and core (stable, reflecting true body temperature) is a key concept in nursing, especially when monitoring fever or hypothermia. Thus, B aligns with the questions focus on temperatures dual measurement nature.
Question 4 of 5
A nurse assesses an oral temperature for an adult patient and records that the patient is afebrile. What would be the nurses best response to this finding?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Afebrile means the patient has no fever, indicating a temperature within the normal range for an adult (typically 36.6°C to 38°C or 97.9°F to 100.4°F). When a nurse records a patient as afebrile, it suggests the absence of an elevated temperature that would require intervention. Choice A (checking for antipyretics) is unnecessary unless theres evidence of recent fever management, which isnt indicated here. Choice B (reporting to the provider) is not warranted for a normal finding unless other symptoms suggest a need for escalation. Choice C (using a different method) is redundant since the oral method is reliable and the result is normal. Choice D is correct because no further action is needed for a temperature within normal limits. This reflects standard nursing practice where routine findings dont prompt additional steps unless contextual factors suggest otherwise.
Question 5 of 5
A nurse responds to an order to place an infant in an overhead radiant heater. Which of the following are recommended guidelines the nurse should follow?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Radiant heaters regulate infant temperature safely. A bony area probe is incorrect; it's placed on soft tissue (e.g., abdomen). Warming blankets first ensures comfort and gradual warming, a recommended step. An uncovered probe is true but less critical than B. Manual adjustment every 15 minutes risks instability; servo-control is preferred. Choice B is correct as pre-warming blankets aligns with guidelines (e.g., AAP) to prevent cold stress, enhancing safety and effectiveness in neonatal thermoregulation.