ATI RN
health assessment test bank Questions
Question 1 of 9
Which is included only in a comprehensive assessment?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Complete health history. In a comprehensive assessment, obtaining a complete health history is essential to gather information about the patient's past and present health conditions, including medical history, family history, social history, and current symptoms. This information helps the healthcare provider understand the patient's overall health status, identify risk factors, and develop an appropriate treatment plan. Assessing the circulatory system (A) and airway (B) are important components of a physical assessment, but they alone do not constitute a comprehensive assessment. Disability assessment (D) focuses on the functional limitations caused by a disability and is not always included in a comprehensive health assessment.
Question 2 of 9
What is the priority nursing intervention for a client with a history of asthma experiencing wheezing?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The priority nursing intervention for a client with asthma experiencing wheezing is to administer oxygen. Wheezing indicates airway constriction and decreased oxygenation, making oxygen crucial for adequate tissue perfusion. Administering oxygen helps improve oxygen levels, alleviate respiratory distress, and prevent hypoxemia. Applying a bronchodilator (Choice B) may be beneficial after oxygen is administered. Applying a cold compress (Choice C) is not indicated for asthma exacerbations, and encouraging deep breathing (Choice D) may worsen respiratory distress in a client with wheezing. In summary, administering oxygen is the priority intervention to address the immediate respiratory needs of the client with asthma and wheezing.
Question 3 of 9
What should the nurse monitor when caring for a client receiving anticoagulant therapy?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Monitor INR levels. INR (International Normalized Ratio) is a crucial parameter to monitor for clients on anticoagulant therapy, as it measures the effectiveness of the medication in preventing blood clots. By monitoring INR levels, the nurse can ensure the client is within the therapeutic range to prevent both bleeding and clotting complications. Choice A (Monitor platelet count) is incorrect because anticoagulant therapy does not directly affect platelet count, and monitoring platelets is more relevant for clients on antiplatelet therapy. Choice C (Monitor bleeding) is partially correct, but focusing solely on monitoring bleeding may not provide a comprehensive assessment of the client's response to anticoagulant therapy. Choice D (Monitor renal function) is incorrect as anticoagulant therapy primarily affects coagulation factors and not renal function. Renal function monitoring may be necessary for certain medications but is not a primary consideration for anticoagulant therapy.
Question 4 of 9
When observing a patient's verbal and nonverbal communication, the nurse notices a discrepancy. Which of the following statements about this situation is true?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B because asking someone who knows the patient well can provide valuable insight into the meaning behind the verbal and nonverbal communication discrepancy. This helps in understanding the context and potential reasons for the inconsistency. Option A is incorrect as ignoring nonverbal behaviors can lead to missing important cues. Option C of interpreting messages as an 'average' may oversimplify the complexity of communication. Option D is incorrect as while nonverbal behaviors can provide valuable information, solely focusing on them may not give a complete understanding of the situation.
Question 5 of 9
A nurse is assessing a patient who has a history of deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Which of the following findings would be most concerning?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Shortness of breath and chest pain. This is most concerning because it could indicate a pulmonary embolism, a serious complication of DVT where a blood clot travels to the lungs. Shortness of breath and chest pain are signs of compromised respiratory and cardiac function. A: Pain and swelling in the leg are common symptoms of DVT but not as concerning as symptoms of a pulmonary embolism. B: Redness and warmth around the affected area are typical signs of inflammation associated with DVT but do not indicate a life-threatening complication like a pulmonary embolism. D: Pale skin and decreased pulse in the affected leg could be signs of compromised circulation due to DVT, but they are not as immediately life-threatening as symptoms of a pulmonary embolism.
Question 6 of 9
A nurse is caring for a patient with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Which of the following lab results would the nurse expect to be elevated in this patient?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Blood urea nitrogen (BUN). In CKD, the kidneys are unable to effectively filter waste products, leading to an increase in BUN levels. Elevated BUN indicates impaired kidney function. Calcium, potassium, and sodium levels may also be affected in CKD, but they are more likely to be imbalanced rather than consistently elevated. Calcium levels may be low due to impaired vitamin D activation, potassium levels may be high due to decreased excretion, and sodium levels can fluctuate based on fluid status. Therefore, while these lab values may be abnormal in CKD, BUN is the most consistently elevated marker of kidney dysfunction.
Question 7 of 9
A 47-year-old woman who is a recent immigrant to Canada is being seen at the clinic today for her uncontrolled diabetes. The nurse knows that the patient lives with her husband and a large extended family. The nurse concludes that part of the patient's inability to maintain and comply with her diet and diabetic regime is the foods that this patient eats. This conclusion is an example of:
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: culturalism. The nurse's conclusion that the patient's inability to maintain her diet and diabetic regime is due to the foods she eats reflects culturalism. Culturalism refers to the belief that a person's behaviors and beliefs are solely determined by their culture. In this case, the nurse is attributing the patient's struggles solely to her cultural background without considering other factors. A: Cultural sensitivity is about being aware and respectful of different cultures, but it does not involve making assumptions based on culture alone. B: Cultural safety is about creating a safe and respectful environment for individuals from different cultures, but it does not involve making assumptions about behavior solely based on culture. C: Cultural perspective involves understanding different cultural viewpoints, but it does not involve making assumptions about behavior solely based on culture. In summary, the nurse's conclusion is an example of culturalism as it oversimplifies the patient's situation by attributing her struggles solely to her cultural background.
Question 8 of 9
Which medication should be administered first for a client with acute asthma exacerbation?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Step-by-step rationale for choosing Albuterol as the correct answer: 1. Albuterol is a rapid-acting bronchodilator that provides immediate relief by relaxing the airway muscles during asthma exacerbation. 2. It is the first-line medication recommended by guidelines for acute asthma attacks due to its quick onset of action. 3. Albuterol helps in opening the airways, improving airflow, and relieving symptoms like shortness of breath and wheezing. 4. Epinephrine is not the first choice for asthma exacerbation as it can have more systemic side effects. 5. Levalbuterol is a similar medication to Albuterol but may not be as widely available or cost-effective. 6. IV corticosteroids are important for long-term control but take longer to show effects, making them less suitable as the initial treatment for acute exacerbation.
Question 9 of 9
What term describes excessive stretching of a ligament, as seen in a client with a pulled ligament?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: strain. A strain refers to excessive stretching or tearing of a muscle or tendon, not a ligament. A sprain (choice A) is the correct term for excessive stretching of a ligament. Subluxation (choice C) refers to partial dislocation of a joint, not a ligament injury. Distortion (choice D) is a general term that does not specifically describe ligament stretching. Therefore, the correct term for excessive stretching of a ligament is a sprain, making choice A the correct answer.