ATI RN
Vital Signs Assessment Questions
Question 1 of 5
The nurse is preparing to assess the dorsalis pedis artery. Where is the correct location for palpation?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct location for palpating the dorsalis pedis artery is lateral to the extensor tendon of the great toe. This is because the dorsalis pedis artery is located on the dorsum of the foot, slightly lateral to the midline, and can be palpated just lateral to the extensor hallucis longus tendon. This location allows for accurate assessment of the pulse. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect as they do not correspond to the correct anatomical location of the dorsalis pedis artery.
Question 2 of 5
Jason is a 41-year-old electrician who presents to the clinic for evaluation of shortness of breath. The shortness of breath occurs with exertion and improves with rest. It has been going on for several months and initially occurred only a couple of times a day with strenuous exertion; however, it has started to occur with minimal exertion and is happening more than a dozen times per day. The shortness of breath lasts for less than 5 minutes at a time. He has no cough, chest pressure, chest pain, swelling in his feet, palpitations, orthopnea, or paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea. Which of the following symptom attributes was not addressed in this description?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Severity. The description of the patient's shortness of breath includes information on the setting (exertion), timing (improves with rest, occurs more frequently), and associated manifestations (no cough, chest pain, etc.). Severity of the symptom, which refers to how intense or distressing it is for the patient, is not explicitly mentioned. In this case, severity may be implied by the progression of symptoms from occurring with strenuous exertion to minimal exertion, but it is not directly addressed in the description. Therefore, the correct answer is A. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because they were all addressed in the patient's presentation.
Question 3 of 5
What is the expected moisture and texture of the skin of a patient with hypothyroidism?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D, dry and rough. In hypothyroidism, there is a decrease in thyroid hormone production, leading to reduced metabolic activity. This results in decreased oil and sweat gland function, leading to dry skin. Additionally, the reduced metabolic rate can cause a buildup of dead skin cells, contributing to rough texture. Choices A and B are incorrect because moisture levels are decreased in hypothyroidism. Choice C is incorrect as dryness is a key characteristic of hypothyroidism, and smooth skin is less likely due to the rough texture caused by decreased cell turnover.
Question 4 of 5
Which of the following are open-ended questions? Select all that apply.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C because open-ended questions encourage patients to provide detailed responses without limiting them to specific options. Choice A and B are closed-ended questions as they prompt specific information. Choice D is a leading question that suggests a specific response, making it closed-ended.
Question 5 of 5
What provocative maneuver is used to test for lateral epicondylitis?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Cozen's test. This test is used to assess for lateral epicondylitis by asking the patient to make a fist, pronate the forearm, radially deviate the wrist, and extend the elbow against resistance. Pain over the lateral epicondyle indicates a positive test. The other choices are incorrect because: A: Empty can test is used to assess for supraspinatus tendon injury. B: Valgus stress test is used to assess for medial collateral ligament injury of the elbow. C: Elbow flexion test is not a specific test for lateral epicondylitis.