ATI RN
Assessing Vital Signs Questions
Question 1 of 5
The nurse needs to increase heat conservation in a newborn. Which action will the nurse take?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Newborns lose heat rapidly, especially from the head, due to a large surface area and limited thermoregulation. Placing a cap conserves heat by covering this key area, a standard neonatal practice. A diaper alone offers minimal coverage, increasing heat loss. Doubling clothing helps but is less effective than a cap for head protection. Raising the room to 90°F risks overheating. Choice C is correct, supported by pediatric guidelines (e.g., AAP) emphasizing head coverage to maintain newborn temperature stability.
Question 2 of 5
Vital signs are measurements of...
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Vital signs measure essential physiological functionstemperature, pulse, respiration, blood pressure, and oxygen saturationreflecting the body's basic operations . Urination frequency isn't a vital sign, though it's monitored in specific contexts. Weight and height are anthropometric, not vital signs. BMI is a calculated health indicator, not a direct measurement. Choice A is correct, aligning with nursing fundamentals defining vital signs as core indicators of life-sustaining processes, routinely assessed to evaluate health status and detect deviations requiring intervention.
Question 3 of 5
The licensed practice nurse (LPN) provides you with the change-of-shift vital signs on four of your patients. Which patient do you need to assess first?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The 84-year-old with pneumonia, RR 28, SpO2 89% is priority due to hypoxemia and tachypnea, risking respiratory failure. BP 160/86 is elevated but stable. Temp 37.3°C is mild. RR 22, BP 148/62 is less acute. Choice A is correct, per ABC prioritization in nursing, addressing airway/breathing threats first.
Question 4 of 5
The patient is being admitted to the emergency department following a motor vehicle accident. His jaw is broken, and he has several broken teeth. He is ashen, and his skin is cool and diaphoretic. To obtain an accurate temperature, the nurse uses which of the following routes?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Failed to generate a rationale of 500+ characters after 5 retries.
Question 5 of 5
A nurse is assessing a client's radial pulse and finds it to be 50 beats per minute. What action should the nurse take?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: A pulse of 50 can be normal, especially in fit individuals, and should be documented unless symptomatic. Monitoring is premature without distress. Tachycardia doesn't apply. Beta-blockers lower pulse, not needed here. Choice A is correct, per the explanation, reflecting nursing judgment based on context.