ATI RN
health assessment exam 1 test bank Questions
Question 1 of 9
Which of the following positions is most appropriate for performing an abdominal examination on an obese patient?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Place the patient in the supine position. This position allows optimal access to the abdomen for examination due to gravitational forces aiding in organ palpation. Having the patient lie flat (choice B) may not provide adequate access. Positioning the patient on their side (choice D) may limit visibility and palpation. Elevating the head to 45 degrees (choice A) is unnecessary for an abdominal examination on an obese patient.
Question 2 of 9
A patient tells the nurse that he is allergic to penicillin. Which of the following would be the nurse's best response to this information?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: "Please describe what happens to you when you take penicillin." This response allows the nurse to gather detailed information about the patient's allergic reaction to penicillin, which is crucial for assessing the severity of the allergy and determining appropriate treatment options. By understanding the specific symptoms experienced by the patient, the nurse can help prevent potential adverse reactions in the future. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because: A: This question does not address the immediate concern of the patient's penicillin allergy and does not help in understanding the nature of the allergic reaction. B: The frequency of penicillin usage is not as relevant as understanding the nature and severity of the allergic reaction. C: While recording allergy information is important, it does not address the need for understanding the patient's specific allergic response to penicillin.
Question 3 of 9
A patient drifts off to sleep when there is no stimulation. The nurse can arouse her easily by calling her name, but she remains drowsy during the conversation. The best description of this patient's level of consciousness would be:
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Lethargic. Lethargic is defined as a state of drowsiness or diminished alertness where the patient can be easily aroused by simple stimuli like calling their name, but they remain drowsy and may drift back to sleep. This patient's ability to be aroused by verbal stimuli and their drowsiness during conversation fits the description of lethargic. Explanation for other choices: B: Obtunded - Obtunded refers to a more severe level of decreased consciousness where the patient is difficult to fully arouse and may have limited interactions with the nurse. C: Stuporous - Stuporous indicates an even deeper state of unconsciousness where the patient requires significant stimulation to be aroused and has minimal responsiveness. D: Semialert - Semialert would describe a patient who is more responsive than lethargic, showing better awareness of their surroundings and able to maintain a conversation more effectively.
Question 4 of 9
Which of the following is the appropriate health promotion question to ask during a review of symptoms?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: "Do you use sunscreen while outside?" because it directly relates to health promotion by addressing preventive measures. Sunscreen helps prevent skin cancer and other skin conditions. Choice B is incorrect as it focuses on assessing skin condition rather than promoting health. Choice C is incorrect as it relates to symptoms rather than prevention. Choice D is incorrect as it is related to assessing a specific symptom rather than promoting overall health.
Question 5 of 9
A nurse is assessing a 45-year-old male patient with a history of smoking. The nurse would be most concerned if the patient reports:
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A because shortness of breath with minimal exertion indicates possible respiratory distress, which can be a sign of significant lung damage from smoking. This symptom suggests a decreased ability to exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide efficiently, potentially leading to serious health complications. Choice B is incorrect because an occasional cough with mucus production is common in smokers and may not be as alarming as shortness of breath. Choice C is incorrect as slight wheezing after physical activity could be due to exercise-induced asthma rather than solely smoking-related issues. Choice D is incorrect because even though the patient may not be experiencing symptoms related to smoking currently, it does not rule out potential underlying lung damage or future health risks associated with smoking.
Question 6 of 9
A 32-year-old female patient complains that she has noticed several small, slightly raised, bright-red dots on her chest. On examination, the nurse thinks that the spots are probably:
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Senile angiomas. Senile angiomas are common benign growths of small blood vessels that appear as bright-red dots on the skin, commonly seen in older individuals. In this case, the patient is 32 years old, which is relatively young for an appearance of senile angiomas, but still within the possible age range. Anasarca (A) is generalized edema, not related to the described skin condition. Scleroderma (B) is a connective tissue disorder characterized by skin thickening and not associated with bright-red dots. Latent myeloma (D) is a type of bone marrow cancer and not related to the skin findings described.
Question 7 of 9
A patient is admitted to the hospital with suspected pneumoniWhat is the first step the nurse should take in the nursing process?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Assessment. The first step in the nursing process is to assess the patient's condition to gather data and information. In this case, assessing the patient's symptoms, vital signs, and history will help the nurse identify signs of pneumonia and determine the appropriate interventions. Diagnosis (A) comes after assessment, as it involves analyzing the data collected. Implementation (C) and Evaluation (D) are subsequent steps in the nursing process after assessment and diagnosis have been completed. Assessment is crucial for developing an effective care plan and ensuring the best possible outcomes for the patient.
Question 8 of 9
A First Nations family requires dental care. The nurse needs to determine which of the following in order to facilitate the best possible care for this family?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Do they have noninsured health benefits? This is because noninsured health benefits provide coverage for essential health services not covered by other plans for First Nations and Inuit people in Canada. It ensures access to necessary dental care for the family. Incorrect choices: A: Coverage under the Indian Act of 1876 is not directly related to accessing dental care; it pertains to legal and historical rights. B: Living on a reservation or in town may not necessarily impact access to dental care, as healthcare services can vary. D: Having provincial health cards is important for general healthcare, but specific benefits for First Nations may not be covered.
Question 9 of 9
Expert nurses learn to attend to a pattern of assessment data and act without consciously labelling it. This is referred to as:
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: intuition. Expert nurses develop intuition through years of experience, allowing them to recognize patterns in assessment data and act quickly without conscious labeling. This intuitive response is based on a deep understanding of situations and is often more efficient than consciously going through the nursing process. Clinical knowledge (C) is important but refers to theoretical understanding. The nursing process (B) involves systematic steps in patient care, not the automatic response seen in intuition. Diagnostic reasoning (D) involves a more deliberate thought process in identifying and treating health issues.