ATI RN
EMT Vital Signs Assessment Questions
Question 1 of 5
Which is the proper sequence of examination for the abdomen?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct sequence for examining the abdomen is inspection, auscultation, percussion, and palpation. Inspection assesses overall appearance, distension, scars, and masses. Auscultation listens for bowel sounds and vascular bruits. Percussion helps identify organ borders and assess for fluid or air accumulation. Palpation evaluates tenderness, masses, and organ size. This order ensures a systematic and thorough assessment. Choice A is incorrect because palpation should occur after percussion. Choice B is incorrect as auscultation should come before percussion. Choice D is incorrect because inspection should precede auscultation.
Question 2 of 5
A patient has suddenly developed shortness of breath and appears to be in significant respiratory distress. After calling the physician and placing the patient on oxygen, which action should the nurse take next?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Percuss the thorax bilaterally, noting any differences in percussion tones. This action should be taken next because it can provide valuable information about the underlying cause of the patient's respiratory distress. Percussion can help identify abnormal air or fluid accumulation in the lungs or pleural space, which could be contributing to the breathing difficulties. It is an important assessment technique to determine if there are changes in lung density or presence of abnormal sounds. Counting respirations (A) is important but may not provide immediate information on the cause of distress. Waiting for a chest x-ray (C) can delay necessary interventions. Inspecting the thorax for masses or bleeding (D) is not as crucial as assessing for changes in percussion tones in a patient experiencing sudden respiratory distress.
Question 3 of 5
The nurse is assessing a patient for signs of dehydration. Which finding is consistent with dehydration?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Correct Answer: C - Dry, cracked lips. Rationale: 1. Dehydration leads to decreased fluid intake and can cause dryness in the body. 2. Dry, cracked lips are a common sign of dehydration due to lack of moisture. 3. Moist mucous membranes (A) and increased skin turgor (B) are actually signs of hydration. 4. Elevated blood pressure (D) is not typically associated with dehydration; it may indicate other health issues.
Question 4 of 5
A 78-year-old client is admitted to the emergency department with numbness and weakness of the left arm and slurred speech. Which nursing intervention is priority?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Schedule for a STAT computer tomography (CT) scan of the head. This is the priority intervention because the client is showing symptoms of a possible stroke, such as slurred speech and weakness. A CT scan will help determine if the symptoms are indeed caused by a stroke and guide further treatment. Administering rt-PA (choice A) should only be done after confirming a diagnosis of ischemic stroke to prevent complications. Discussing precipitating factors (choice B) and consulting a speech pathologist (choice D) are important but not as urgent as ruling out a stroke with a CT scan.
Question 5 of 5
A physical therapist receives a referral for a two-month-old infant diagnosed with osteogenesis imperfecta. After completing the examination, the therapist discusses the physical therapy plan of care with the infant's parents. The PRIMARY goal of therapy is to:
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Promote safe handling and positioning. For a two-month-old infant with osteogenesis imperfecta, the primary goal of therapy is to ensure safe handling and positioning to prevent fractures and injuries due to the fragile bones characteristic of the condition. This is crucial in the early stages to promote proper development and prevent complications. Improving muscle strength and diminishing tone (A) may not be appropriate at this stage due to the fragile nature of the bones. Facilitating protected weight bearing (B) is not suitable for an infant of this age with this condition. Diminishing pulmonary secretions (D) is not the primary concern in this case.