ATI RN
Assessing Vital Signs ATI Questions
Question 1 of 5
When examining an older adult, the nurse should:
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D because older adults may have mobility issues, so minimizing position changes during the exam helps prevent discomfort or falls. This approach promotes patient safety and comfort. Choice A is incorrect as appropriate touch is essential for a thorough assessment. Choice B is incorrect as older adults may tire easily, so breaking up the exam into manageable parts is preferable. Choice C is incorrect as speaking loudly and slowly may be perceived as patronizing and is not necessary unless the patient has hearing difficulties.
Question 2 of 5
A nurse is helping at a health fair at a local mall. When taking blood pressures on a variety of people, the nurse keeps in mind that:
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B because research has shown that on average, Black adults tend to have higher blood pressure compared to White adults of the same age. This is due to a combination of genetic, lifestyle, and environmental factors. It is important for healthcare professionals to be aware of these differences to provide appropriate care and interventions. Choice A is incorrect because blood pressure readings in women after menopause actually tend to increase due to hormonal changes. Choice C is incorrect because being overweight is a risk factor for high blood pressure, so individuals who are overweight are more likely to have higher blood pressure readings compared to those at a normal weight. Choice D is incorrect because a teenager's blood pressure reading can vary, but it is not always lower than that of an adult. Teenagers can also have high blood pressure, especially if they have risk factors such as obesity or a family history of hypertension.
Question 3 of 5
The nurse is counting an infant's respirations. Which technique is correct?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct technique for counting an infant's respirations is to watch the abdomen for movement. This is because infants are obligate nasal breathers, so abdominal movement is a more accurate indicator of their breathing pattern. Watching the chest rise and fall (choice A) may not accurately reflect the infant's respiratory rate. Placing a hand across the infant's chest (choice C) may interfere with their breathing and is not recommended. Using a stethoscope to listen to breath sounds (choice D) is not necessary for counting respirations in infants.
Question 4 of 5
A black patient is in the intensive care unit because of impending shock after an accident. The nurse expects to find what characteristics in this patient's skin?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C, ashen, gray, or dull. In a black patient with impending shock, the skin often appears ashen or gray due to poor perfusion. This is a result of decreased blood flow and oxygen to the skin, indicating a serious condition. Choice A, ruddy blue, is incorrect as it suggests cyanosis, which is more common in Caucasians. Generalized pallor, choice B, is unlikely in a black patient due to the natural skin pigmentation. Patchy areas of pallor, choice D, are less indicative of impending shock compared to a more uniform ashen or gray appearance.
Question 5 of 5
A few days after a summer hiking trip, a 25-year-old man comes to the clinic with a rash. On examination, the nurse notes that the rash is red, macular, with a bull's eye pattern across his midriff and behind his knees. The nurse suspects:
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Lyme disease. The bull's eye rash, also known as erythema migrans, is a classic symptom of Lyme disease, caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi transmitted through tick bites. This distinctive rash pattern is a key diagnostic feature. Rubeola (A) presents with a different rash pattern and symptoms. Allergy to mosquito bites (C) typically results in localized redness and swelling, not a bull's eye rash. Rocky Mountain spotted fever (D) may present with a rash, but it typically does not have the characteristic bull's eye appearance seen in Lyme disease.