ATI RN
Assessing Vital Signs Questions
Question 1 of 5
The nurse is performing a physical assessment and observes that the patient has a barrel-shaped chest. This finding is most commonly associated with which condition?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Barrel-shaped chest is most commonly associated with COPD due to chronic air trapping and hyperinflation of the lungs. In COPD, the increased residual volume leads to a more rounded appearance of the chest. Asthma typically presents with wheezing and chest tightness, not barrel chest. Pneumonia is characterized by lung consolidation and pleural effusion by fluid accumulation in the pleural space, neither of which directly causes a barrel-shaped chest.
Question 2 of 5
Is the following information subjective or objective? Mr. M. has shortness of breath that has persisted for the past 10 days; it is worse with activity and relieved by rest.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The information provided in the question describes Mr. M.'s personal experience of shortness of breath, which is based on his feelings and sensations. This subjective information cannot be measured or observed by others, making it open to interpretation. Therefore, it falls under the category of subjective. In contrast, objective information is factual and verifiable, typically based on measurable data or observations made by multiple individuals. In this case, since Mr. M.'s shortness of breath is described in terms of his personal experience and feelings, it is considered subjective. Hence, choice A is correct. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect as they do not accurately reflect the nature of the information provided.
Question 3 of 5
Which of the following examples includes information recorded in the 'assessment' portion of the clinical record?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D because tenderness in the right upper quadrant is a specific clinical finding that would typically be recorded in the 'assessment' portion of the clinical record. This information is objective and related to a physical examination finding, which is crucial for assessing the patient's condition. A, B, and C are incorrect because they are subjective observations or general statements that do not provide specific clinical assessment information. Option A describes the patient's overall appearance, B relates to the patient's subjective feeling, and C provides a vital sign measurement, all of which would typically be recorded in the 'subjective' or 'objective' portions of the clinical record.
Question 4 of 5
Which of the following best describes objective information?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B because it provides specific, measurable data (heart rate of 80 bpm) that is observable and quantifiable. Objective information is based on facts and observable phenomena, not subjective interpretations or feelings. Choices A, C, and D involve subjective statements from the patient, which can vary based on individual perception and interpretation, making them less reliable for making clinical decisions.
Question 5 of 5
The nurse is auscultating the abdomen and hears high-pitched, tinkling sounds. What does this finding most likely indicate?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The high-pitched, tinkling sounds heard during auscultation of the abdomen indicate bowel obstruction. This is due to the increased peristalsis and fluid and gas moving through the obstructed bowel, causing the tinkling noise. Normal peristalsis (choice A) would not produce such sounds. Gastrointestinal reflux (choice B) is associated with heartburn and regurgitation, not tinkling sounds. Ascites (choice D) is the accumulation of fluid in the peritoneal cavity and would not produce the described tinkling sounds. In summary, the tinkling sounds suggest bowel obstruction due to increased peristalsis and fluid and gas movement, making choice C the correct answer.