ATI RN
foundation of nursing practice questions Questions
Question 1 of 9
The nurse is planning the care of a patient who is adapting to the use of a hearing aid for the first time. What is the most significant challenge experienced by a patient with hearing loss who is adapting to using a hearing aid for the first time?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: One of the most significant challenges experienced by patients with hearing loss who are adapting to using a hearing aid for the first time is learning to cope with the amplification of background noise. When a person starts using a hearing aid after experiencing hearing loss, they may find that the device picks up not only the sounds they want to hear but also surrounding noises, such as background chatter, traffic noise, or ambient sounds. This sudden increase in volume and clarity of background noise can be overwhelming and challenging for the individual to adjust to. It can affect their ability to focus on conversations or specific sounds they are trying to hear, leading to frustration and potentially causing them to avoid using the hearing aid altogether. Supporting the patient in gradually acclimating to these new sounds and providing strategies for managing background noise can help improve their overall experience with the hearing aid.
Question 2 of 9
A female patient tells the nurse that she thinks she has a vaginal infection because she has noted inflammation of her vulva and the presence of a frothy, yellow-green discharge. The nurse recognizes that the clinical manifestations described are typical of what vaginal infection?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The clinical manifestations of inflammation of the vulva and the presence of frothy, yellow-green discharge are indicative of a vaginal infection caused by Trichomonas vaginalis. Trichomoniasis is a sexually transmitted infection caused by a protozoan parasite. It commonly presents with symptoms such as frothy, yellow-green vaginal discharge, vaginal itching, inflammation of the vulva, and sometimes a foul odor. Testing for Trichomonas vaginalis can be done through microscopic examination of the vaginal discharge or through nucleic acid amplification tests. Treatment usually involves the use of antibiotics such as metronidazole or tinidazole. It is important to promptly diagnose and treat trichomoniasis to prevent complications and further transmission.
Question 3 of 9
A patient with no prenatal care delivers a healthy male infant via the vaginal route, with minimal blood loss. During the labor period, vital signs were normal. At birth, significant maternal hypertension is noted. When the patient is questioned, she relates that there is history of heart disease in her family; but, that she has never been treated for hypertension. Blood pressure is treated in the hospital setting and the patient is discharged. The patient returns at her scheduled 6-week checkup and is found to be hypertensive. Which type of hypertension is the patient is exhibiting?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The patient in this scenario exhibits signs of chronic hypertension, particularly due to the history of heart disease in her family, the postpartum persistence of elevated blood pressure, and the diagnosis of hypertension at the 6-week checkup. While pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH), gestational hypertension, and preeclampsia can occur during pregnancy, they typically resolve within a few weeks after delivery. The fact that the patient's hypertension persists beyond the postpartum period suggests that she likely had preexisting, undiagnosed chronic hypertension. Therefore, option D is the most appropriate choice in this case.
Question 4 of 9
A 42 year-old patient tells the nurse that she has found a painless lump in her right breast during her monthly self-examination. She says that she is afraid that she has cancer. Which assessment finding would most strongly suggest that this patients lump is cancerous?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A nonmobile mass with irregular edges would most strongly suggest that the patient's lump is cancerous. Breast cancer lumps typically do not move easily and have irregular, poorly defined edges. These characteristics are concerning because they can indicate an invasive and aggressive growth pattern. Additionally, the fact that the lump is painless is another feature that raises suspicion for malignancy. It is important for the patient to undergo further evaluation, possibly including a mammogram, ultrasound, and biopsy, to determine the nature of the lump and provide appropriate treatment.
Question 5 of 9
While assessing the patient at the beginning of the shift, the nurse inspects a surgical dressing covering the operative site after the patients cervical diskectomy. The nurse notes that the drainage is 75% saturated with serosanguineous discharge. What is the nurses most appropriate action?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The most appropriate action for the nurse to take when observing the surgical dressing saturated with serosanguineous drainage is to reinforce the dressing and reassess in 1 to 2 hours. Serosanguineous discharge is a common type of drainage following surgery, as it is a mixture of blood and serum. It is expected in the early stages of wound healing and does not necessarily indicate infection. By reinforcing the dressing and closely monitoring the drainage over the next couple of hours, the nurse can assess if the amount of drainage is decreasing or escalating. If there are any signs of infection, such as increasing redness, warmth, swelling, or excessive purulent discharge, then the nurse should notify the physician promptly. Until then, it is appropriate to continue observing and managing the drainage within the expected range.
Question 6 of 9
The nurse is monitoring a patient with severe preeclampsia who is on IV magnesium sulfate. Which signs of magnesium toxicity should the nurse monitor for? (Select all that apply.)
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The signs of magnesium toxicity that the nurse should monitor for in a patient with severe preeclampsia on IV magnesium sulfate include an altered sensorium (confusion, lethargy, slurred speech) and a respiratory rate of less than 12 breaths per minute. Altered sensorium is a common symptom of magnesium toxicity, reflecting the drug's central nervous system depressant effects. A decreased respiratory rate can indicate respiratory depression, a potentially serious complication of magnesium toxicity. Monitoring for these signs is crucial to promptly identifying and managing magnesium toxicity in patients on magnesium sulfate therapy. Signs such as cool, clammy skin and a pulse oximeter reading of 95% would not be indicative of magnesium toxicity.
Question 7 of 9
A patient is being discharged home from the ambulatory surgical center after cataract surgery. In reviewing the discharge instructions with the patient, the nurse instructs the patient to immediately call the office if the patient experiences what?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Redness of the eye after cataract surgery can be a sign of infection or inflammation, which are serious complications that require immediate medical attention. Redness may be accompanied by pain, swelling, or discharge, and if left untreated, it can lead to complications that may affect the surgical outcome and the patient's vision. Therefore, it is crucial for the patient to contact the office immediately if they notice any redness in their eye following cataract surgery.
Question 8 of 9
A patient who has AIDS is being treated in the hospital and admits to having periods of extreme anxiety. What would be the most appropriate nursing intervention?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The most appropriate nursing intervention for a patient with AIDS experiencing extreme anxiety is to teach the patient guided imagery. Guided imagery is a relaxation technique that can help the patient reduce anxiety levels, promote a sense of calm, and improve overall well-being. By teaching the patient how to use guided imagery, the nurse empowers the patient to manage her anxiety in a non-pharmacological way. This intervention promotes self-care and allows the patient to have a tool to use independently beyond the hospital setting. Giving the patient more control of her antiretroviral regimen may be beneficial for adherence but does not directly address the anxiety symptoms. Increasing the patient's activity level may be helpful for overall well-being but may not specifically target the extreme anxiety. Collaborating with the patient's physician to obtain an order for hydromorphone, a potent opioid medication, is not appropriate unless it is indicated for severe pain management, not anxiety.
Question 9 of 9
A patient with AIDS is admitted to the hospital with AIDS-related wasting syndrome and AIDS- related anorexia. What drug has been found to promote significant weight gain in AIDS patients by increasing body fat stores?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Megestrol is a synthetic progestational agent that has been found to promote significant weight gain in AIDS patients with wasting syndrome by increasing body fat stores. It is commonly used to stimulate appetite and increase caloric intake in patients experiencing anorexia and weight loss due to various medical conditions, including AIDS-related wasting. Megestrol works by increasing appetite and improving food intake, leading to weight gain and improved nutritional status in patients with HIV/AIDS. It has been shown to be effective in reversing weight loss and improving quality of life in these patients. Therefore, the drug megestrol is the most appropriate choice for promoting weight gain in AIDS patients with wasting syndrome and anorexia.