ATI RN
Dewits Fundamental Concepts and Skills for Nursing Test Bank Questions
Question 1 of 5
Which is true about the physiology of neuroendocrine compensatory mechanism?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B because the statement accurately reflects the physiology of the neuroendocrine compensatory mechanism. When there is a decrease in cardiac output, the body activates the sympathetic nervous system and releases catecholamines such as epinephrine and norepinephrine. These catecholamines help increase heart rate, contractility, and vasoconstriction to maintain blood pressure and perfusion to vital organs. This compensatory mechanism aims to overcome the decreased cardiac output and maintain adequate tissue perfusion in response to stress or reduced blood flow.
Question 2 of 5
Which property of cardiac cells is mechanical in nature?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Contractility is the property of cardiac cells that is mechanical in nature. It refers to the ability of cardiac muscle cells to contract in response to an electrical stimulus. This contraction is what enables the heart to pump blood throughout the body. Contractility is essential for maintaining cardiac output and overall cardiovascular function. While automaticity, excitability, and conductivity are also important properties of cardiac cells, they are primarily related to the electrical activity of the heart rather than the mechanical function of contraction.
Question 3 of 5
The nurse is planning care for a client with a pulmonary embolism. Which nursing action would assist with the client's decrease in cardiac output?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Providing oxygen will help increase the oxygen supply to the tissues, thus supporting the heart in maintaining cardiac output. A decrease in cardiac output is a concern with pulmonary embolism as it can lead to inadequate tissue perfusion and possible complications. Oxygen therapy can improve oxygenation and support the heart in meeting the body's demands, helping to stabilize cardiac output. Monitoring and assessing pulmonary arterial pressures would be important in managing a pulmonary embolism but would not directly assist in increasing cardiac output. Keeping protamine sulfate at the bedside is more relevant for managing heparin overdose, not specifically for addressing a decrease in cardiac output. Assessing for bleeding is important in monitoring for potential complications of anticoagulant therapy but does not directly address the decrease in cardiac output seen in pulmonary embolism.
Question 4 of 5
What type of shock is characterized by increased pulse and respirations, normal blood pressure, elevated body temperature, and warm and flushed skin?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Neurogenic shock is characterized by decreased vascular resistance due to loss of sympathetic tone. In this type of shock, there is widespread vasodilation leading to pooling of blood in the peripheral vessels, resulting in decreased venous return to the heart. The decreased vascular resistance results in relative hypovolemia despite normal blood volume, leading to compensatory mechanisms such as increased pulse and respirations to maintain tissue perfusion. The warm and flushed skin in neurogenic shock is a result of peripheral vasodilation, while the normal blood pressure is maintained due to the compensatory mechanisms and the lack of actual blood volume loss. Additionally, the elevated body temperature is a possible manifestation due to the systemic response to the shock state.
Question 5 of 5
The nurse is preparing to assess a patient’s thyroid gland. For which criteria is the nurse assessing this gland?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: When assessing the thyroid gland, the nurse primarily focuses on evaluating its size and consistency. The size of the thyroid can give indications of potential abnormalities such as enlargement (goiter) or nodules. Consistency refers to the feel of the gland, which can vary depending on conditions such as inflammation or malignancy. Monitoring size and consistency helps the nurse in detecting common thyroid issues and determining appropriate interventions for the patient. Pain, pulse rate, character, texture, edema, and movement are not the primary criteria used to assess the thyroid gland.