ATI RN
Vital Signs Assessment ATI Quizlet Questions
Question 1 of 5
The nurse notices a colleague is preparing to check the blood pressure of a patient who is obese by using a standard-sized blood pressure cuff. The nurse should expect the reading to:
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Yield a falsely high blood pressure. Using a standard-sized cuff on an obese patient will lead to inaccurate readings because the cuff will not fit properly around the arm. This can result in increased pressure on the brachial artery, leading to a falsely high blood pressure reading. The other choices are incorrect because: A: Using a standard cuff on an obese patient will result in a falsely high, not low, blood pressure reading. C: The cuff size plays a significant role in blood pressure accuracy, so the reading will not be the same with a standard-sized cuff. D: While technique can impact blood pressure readings, in this scenario, the inaccurate reading is primarily due to the incorrect cuff size, not the technique of the person performing the assessment.
Question 2 of 5
An older adult woman is brought to the emergency department after being found lying on the kitchen floor for 2 days; she is extremely dehydrated. What would the nurse expect to see during the examination?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Dry mucous membranes and cracked lips. Dehydration leads to reduced moisture in the body, resulting in dryness of mucous membranes and lips. This is a sign of fluid imbalance and severe dehydration. Smooth mucous membranes (choice A) may indicate adequate hydration. Pale mucous membranes (choice C) could suggest anemia or poor perfusion, not solely dehydration. White patches on mucous membranes (choice D) are usually associated with fungal infections, not dehydration.
Question 3 of 5
A 52-year-old woman has a papule on her nose that has rounded, pearly borders and a central red ulcer. She said she first noticed it several months ago and that it has slowly grown larger. The nurse suspects which condition?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Basal cell carcinoma. This type of skin cancer commonly presents as a pearly papule with rolled borders and a central ulcer. The slow growth over months is also characteristic of basal cell carcinoma. Acne (choice A) typically presents with comedones and inflammatory papules, not with the described characteristics. Melanoma (choice C) usually presents as an asymmetric, irregularly bordered lesion with variable colors. Squamous cell carcinoma (choice D) often appears as a scaly or crusted plaque, not a pearly papule with central ulcer.
Question 4 of 5
The nurse is performing an otoscopic examination on an adult. Which of these actions is correct?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct action is pulling the pinna up and back before inserting the speculum. This helps straighten the ear canal for better visualization. Tilting the head forward (A) does not aid in the examination. Releasing traction (B) can cause the speculum to move out of place. Using the smallest speculum (D) may not provide adequate visualization.
Question 5 of 5
The nurse is assessing an 80-year-old patient. Which of these findings would be expected for this patient?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C, decreased ability to identify odors, for an 80-year-old patient due to age-related changes. As people age, the sense of smell tends to decline, affecting the ability to identify odors accurately. This is a common phenomenon in older adults due to changes in olfactory receptors and decreased sensitivity. Hypertrophy of the gums (A) is not typically associated with aging. Increased production of saliva (B) is not a common age-related change. Finer and less prominent nasal hair (D) is more likely to occur in younger individuals due to hormonal changes rather than in older adults.