ATI RN
Assess Vital Signs Questions
Question 1 of 5
The nurse is reviewing risk factors for breast cancer. Which of these women have risk factors that place them at a higher risk for breast cancer?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Answer D is correct because having a first-degree relative (mother) with breast cancer is a significant risk factor for developing breast cancer. This increases the individual's risk compared to the general population. Choice A (37-year-old who is slightly overweight) is not a direct risk factor for breast cancer. Choice B (42-year-old who has had ovarian cancer) is not a known risk factor for breast cancer, although there is a link between ovarian and breast cancer. Choice C (45-year-old who has never been pregnant) is a risk factor for breast cancer but not as significant as having a family history of the disease.
Question 2 of 5
The nurse is using a Doppler device. This tool is primarily used to:
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Detect faint pulses. A Doppler device is used to detect and amplify weak pulses, making it an essential tool in assessing blood flow and circulation. It uses sound waves to detect movement, such as blood flow through vessels, and converts them into audible signals. This helps healthcare providers identify and monitor pulses in various parts of the body. A, C, and D are incorrect choices because: A: Assess joint range of motion. This is typically done using physical assessment techniques, such as observation and measurement, not with a Doppler device. C: Magnify low-pitched sounds. Doppler devices do not magnify sounds but rather detect and amplify specific types of movement-related signals. D: Examine the retina. Retinal examination is usually performed using specialized instruments like ophthalmoscopes, not Doppler devices.
Question 3 of 5
The nurse is reviewing the blood supply to the arm. The major artery supplying the arm is the _____ artery.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Brachial artery. The brachial artery is the major artery supplying the arm, running from the shoulder to the elbow. It is a continuation of the axillary artery and provides blood to the entire arm. The ulnar and radial arteries are branches of the brachial artery, supplying the forearm and hand. The deep palmar artery is a branch of the radial artery, supplying the palm of the hand. Therefore, the brachial artery is the correct choice as it is the main artery directly supplying the arm.
Question 4 of 5
The nurse is attempting to assess the femoral pulse in a patient who is obese. Which of these actions would be most appropriate?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B because asking the patient to bend their knees to the side in a froglike position helps to expose the femoral pulse in an obese patient. This position allows better access to the femoral artery, making it easier to palpate the pulse accurately. By bending the knees to the side, the nurse can avoid excess tissue and adipose obstruction, facilitating a more accurate assessment. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect: A: Asking the patient to assume a prone position would not be helpful in locating the femoral pulse as it does not provide better access to the artery. C: Firmly pressing against the bone in a semi-Fowler position may not improve the assessment of the femoral pulse in an obese patient. D: Listening with a stethoscope for pulsations is not the preferred method for assessing the femoral pulse; palpating the pulse is the standard practice, even in obese individuals.
Question 5 of 5
Alexandra is a 28-year-old editor who presents to the clinic with abdominal pain. The pain is a dull ache, located in the right upper quadrant, that she rates as a 3 at the least and an 8 at the worst. The pain started a few weeks ago, it lasts for 2 to 3 hours at a time, it comes and goes, and it seems to be worse a couple of hours after eating. She has noticed that it starts after eating greasy foods, so she has cut down on these as much as she can. Initially it occurred once a week, but now it is occurring every other day. Nothing makes it better. From this description, which of the seven attributes of a symptom has been omitted?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Associated manifestations. Associated manifestations refer to other symptoms or signs that accompany the primary symptom. In this case, the primary symptom is abdominal pain, and the description provided focuses solely on the characteristics of the pain itself (location, intensity, duration, aggravating factors), omitting any mention of other symptoms like nausea, vomiting, fever, or jaundice that may be present with certain conditions. By not including information about associated manifestations, the description lacks a complete picture of the symptom presentation, making choice B the correct answer. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because the description does cover the setting in which the symptom occurs (after eating greasy foods), the quality of the pain (dull ache), and the timing of the pain (2 to 3 hours after eating).