ATI RN
Vital Signs Assessment Chapter 7 Questions
Question 1 of 9
What is the best position for the nurse to place the patient in when assessing jugular vein distension?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Jugular vein distension is best assessed with the head of the bed elevated 30 to 45 degrees.
Question 2 of 9
What is the Adson's test used for?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Adson's test is used to detect thoracic outlet syndrome by assessing changes in radial pulse with positional changes.
Question 3 of 9
The nurse is assessing a patient's peripheral pulses. Which pulse is located on the top of the foot?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The dorsalis pedis pulse is located on the top of the foot and is an important indicator of peripheral circulation.
Question 4 of 9
The patient is lying in bed under a ceiling fan. Which technique is the nurse using when the fan produces heat loss?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A ceiling fan moves air over the patient, causing heat loss via convection , where warm air around the body is replaced by cooler moving air. Radiation involves heat emission without contact, not fan-driven. Conduction requires direct contact (e.g., cold pack), not air movement. Evaporation involves moisture loss, not primarily fan-related here. Choice C is correct because convection matches the mechanism of air circulation enhancing heat dissipation, a principle nurses apply in thermoregulation strategies to cool patients effectively in clinical settings.
Question 5 of 9
The nurse is preparing to assess a hospitalized patient with significant shortness of breath. How should the nurse proceed?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: In emergencies, a focused assessment is prioritized to address immediate concerns, with the rest done later.
Question 6 of 9
The nurse is preparing for a class in early detection of breast cancer. Which statement is true with regard to breast cancer in black women in the United States?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Black women have a higher mortality rate from breast cancer than white women and are more likely to die of their disease. In addition, black women are significantly more likely to be diagnosed with regional or distant breast cancer than are white women. These racial differences in mortality rates may be related to an insufficient use of screening measures and a lack of access to health care.
Question 7 of 9
The nurse is performing a respiratory assessment and notes decreased tactile fremitus over the left lower lung field. What does this finding most likely indicate?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Decreased tactile fremitus is commonly associated with pleural effusion due to fluid accumulation.
Question 8 of 9
The glenohumeral joint (shoulder girdle complex) involves articulation of the humeral head with the glenoid fossa. Approximately what percentage of the humeral head articulates with the glenoid fossa?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Approximately 30% of the humeral head articulates directly with the glenoid fossa, with the labrum increasing this contact area.
Question 9 of 9
A physician orders an electrocardiogram (ECG) for a patient diagnosed with congestive heart failure. The medical record indicates the patient is currently taking digitalis. What effect would you expect digitalis to have on the patient's ECG?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Digitalis typically causes a lengthened PR interval due to its effect on atrioventricular conduction.