ATI RN
Vital Signs Assessment Questions
Question 1 of 5
When using an otoscope to examine a patient, the nurse:
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C because when using an otoscope, the nurse should direct light onto the tympanic membrane (eardrum) to visualize its condition. This helps in assessing ear health and identifying any abnormalities or infections. Choice A is incorrect as an otoscope is not used to visualize sinuses. Choice B is incorrect as it refers to examining inner ear structures which is beyond the scope of an otoscope. Choice D is incorrect as external lesions are not typically assessed using an otoscope.
Question 2 of 5
The nurse has collected the following information on a patient: palpated blood pressure–180 mm Hg; auscultated blood pressure–170/100 mm Hg; apical pulse–60 beats per minute; radial pulse–70 beats per minute. What is the patient's pulse pressure?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The pulse pressure is calculated by subtracting the diastolic blood pressure from the systolic blood pressure. In this case, the systolic blood pressure is 170 mm Hg and the diastolic blood pressure is 100 mm Hg. Therefore, 170 - 100 = 70 mm Hg, which is the patient's pulse pressure. A: 10 - Incorrect. This value is too low for the pulse pressure given the systolic and diastolic blood pressure readings. C: 80 - Incorrect. This value is too high for the pulse pressure given the systolic and diastolic blood pressure readings. D: 100 - Incorrect. This value is equal to the diastolic blood pressure, not the pulse pressure.
Question 3 of 5
The nurse is examining a patient who tells the nurse, 'I sure sweat a lot, especially on my face and feet but it doesn't have an odor.' The nurse knows that this condition could be related to:
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Eccrine glands. Eccrine glands are responsible for producing sweat that is mostly composed of water and salts. Excessive sweating on the face and feet without odor is characteristic of eccrine gland activity. Eccrine glands are distributed throughout the body and help regulate body temperature through sweat production. Apocrine glands, choice B, produce a thicker sweat that can lead to body odor. Choices C and D are related to the skin's outer layers and not directly associated with sweating.
Question 4 of 5
A 35-year-old pregnant woman comes to the clinic for a monthly appointment. During the assessment, the nurse notices that she has a brown patch of hyperpigmentation on her face. The nurse continues the skin assessment aware that another finding may be:
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Chloasma. Chloasma, also known as melasma, is a common skin condition characterized by brown patches of hyperpigmentation on the face, particularly during pregnancy. This is due to hormonal changes that increase melanin production. Keratoses (A) are rough, scaly skin growths. Xerosis (B) is dry skin. Acrochordons (D) are skin tags. The nurse should be aware that chloasma is a common finding during pregnancy and continue the assessment accordingly.
Question 5 of 5
The nurse needs to pull the portion of the ear that consists of movable cartilage and skin down and back when administering eardrops. This portion of the ear is called the:
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Auricle. The auricle is the visible part of the outer ear that consists of movable cartilage and skin. When administering eardrops, pulling the auricle down and back helps straighten the ear canal for proper medication delivery. The other choices are incorrect because: B: Concha is the concave bowl-shaped depression in the outer ear, C: Outer meatus is the ear canal, and D: Mastoid process is a bony prominence behind the ear.