ATI RN
health assessment practice questions nursing Questions
Question 1 of 5
Which of the following statements about air conduction is true?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D because a loss of air conduction, known as conductive hearing loss, refers to a problem conducting sound waves through the outer or middle ear. This type of hearing loss can be caused by issues such as earwax buildup, fluid in the middle ear, or problems with the ear canal or eardrum. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because air conduction is not the most efficient pathway for hearing (choice A), it is not caused by vibrations of bones in the skull (choice B), and the pitch of sound is determined by the frequency, not the amplitude (choice C). Conductive hearing loss specifically relates to the transmission of sound through the outer and middle ear structures, making choice D the correct statement.
Question 2 of 5
The nurse is taking history from a patient who may have a perforated eardrum. What would be an important question in this situation?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D because it directly addresses the concern of a possible perforated eardrum by inquiring about the relationship between ear pain and discharge. This is crucial in assessing the severity of the condition. Choice A is incorrect as it focuses on subjective symptoms not specific to a perforated eardrum. Choice B is irrelevant as it doesn't pertain to the immediate concern. Choice C is also incorrect as it doesn't target the current issue of a potential perforated eardrum. Asking about ear pain and discharge helps determine the likelihood of a perforated eardrum and guides further assessment and care.
Question 3 of 5
The nurse is assessing a 16-year-old patient with head injuries from a recent motor vehicle accident. Which of the following statements indicates the most important reason for assessing for any drainage from the canal?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Correct Answer: B Rationale: 1. Bloody or clear watery drainage can indicate a basal skull fracture. 2. Basal skull fractures can cause cerebrospinal fluid leakage, leading to clear watery drainage. 3. Blood in the ear canal can suggest a temporal bone fracture. 4. Assessing for drainage helps identify potential serious head injuries. Summary: A. Incorrect. Purulent drainage indicates infection, not related to head injuries. C. Incorrect. Increased cerumen is not the priority in assessing head injuries. D. Incorrect. Foreign bodies in the canal are not the primary concern in this scenario.
Question 4 of 5
Which of the following statements about otoscopic examination of a newborn would be true?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C because the normal eardrum of a newborn can appear thick and opaque due to the presence of vernix or desquamated epithelium. Immobility of the drum (Choice A) is not a normal finding in a newborn and could indicate a problem. An "injected" membrane (Choice B) would suggest inflammation or infection, not necessarily infection. The appearance of the membrane in a newborn is not identical to that of an adult (Choice D) as it may have a different color, thickness, or opacity due to developmental differences.
Question 5 of 5
While performing the otoscopic examination of a 3-year-old boy who has been pulling on his left ear, the nurse finds that his left tympanic membrane is bright red and the light reflex is not visible. The most likely cause is:
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: acute otitis media. In this case, the presentation of a bright red tympanic membrane and absence of the light reflex are indicative of inflammation and fluid accumulation in the middle ear, which are classic signs of acute otitis media. This condition commonly occurs in young children, especially after a recent upper respiratory infection. Incorrect choices: A: Fungal infection is less likely in this case as the symptoms are more consistent with acute bacterial infection seen in otitis media. C: Rupture of the drum would typically present with sudden relief of pain and discharge from the ear, which is not described in the scenario. D: Blood behind the drum (hemotympanum) is uncommon in children with acute otitis media and would usually be associated with trauma or barotrauma.