ATI RN
health assessment exam 1 test bank Questions
Question 1 of 9
Which of the following statements about mental health assessment is true?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C because mental status is indeed inferred through assessment of an individual's behaviors. Mental health assessment involves observing and evaluating a person's thoughts, emotions, behaviors, and overall mental functioning to determine their mental status. This includes assessing speech, mood, cognition, and perception. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because: A: Mental health assessment does not solely focus on diagnosing specific psychiatric disorders; it is a broader evaluation of an individual's mental well-being. B: Mental disorders can result from a variety of factors beyond everyday life stressors, such as genetic predisposition or traumatic experiences. D: Mental health assessment is more complex than assessing physical characteristics and involves subjective interpretation of behaviors rather than direct observation like physical assessments.
Question 2 of 9
The nurse is unable to identify any changes in sound when percussing over the abdomen of an obese patient. What should the nurse do next?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Use less force to percuss over the abdomen. When percussing an obese patient's abdomen, more force may not be effective due to the increased tissue thickness. Using less force allows for better transmission of sound waves through the tissues, improving the nurse's ability to assess for changes in sound. Asking the patient to take deep breaths (choice A) may help relax the abdominal muscles but won't address the issue of increased tissue thickness. Considering it a normal finding (choice B) without attempting to improve assessment techniques could lead to missed abnormalities. Using more force (choice D) can be uncomfortable for the patient and may still not produce clear sounds due to the tissue barrier.
Question 3 of 9
The interview portion of data collection obtains:
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Subjective data. During the interview portion of data collection, subjective data is obtained as it involves personal opinions, feelings, and experiences shared by the interviewee. This data is based on individual perspectives and cannot be measured objectively. Physical data (A) refers to tangible measurements, historical data (B) relates to past events or records, and objective data (C) is based on observable and measurable facts. In contrast, subjective data (D) captures the interviewee's viewpoints and interpretations, making it the most appropriate choice for the given scenario.
Question 4 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 5 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 6 of 9
A nurse is caring for a patient who is post-operative following an appendectomy. The nurse should prioritize which of the following in the immediate post-operative period?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C, monitoring vital signs and fluid status, because it is crucial for assessing the patient's immediate post-operative condition and detecting any signs of complications like hemorrhage or shock. This step ensures early intervention if any issues arise, promoting patient safety and recovery. Administering pain medication (A) is important but not the top priority. Encouraging early ambulation (B) and providing wound care (D) are also essential but come after ensuring the patient's vital signs and fluid status are stable.
Question 7 of 9
When a nurse is performing a neurological assessment, which of the following is most important to assess first?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Patient's level of consciousness. Assessing the patient's level of consciousness is crucial in a neurological assessment as it provides immediate information on the overall function of the brain. Changes in consciousness can indicate serious neurological issues such as head injuries or stroke. It is essential to prioritize assessing consciousness first to determine the urgency of the situation. Assessing reflexes (A), cranial nerve function (B), and pupil response (D) are also important in a neurological assessment but come after assessing the patient's level of consciousness, as they provide more specific and detailed information about the neurological status.
Question 8 of 9
A nurse is caring for a patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The nurse should monitor for signs of which of the following complications?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Respiratory failure. Patients with COPD are at risk for respiratory failure due to impaired gas exchange and respiratory muscle weakness. This can lead to hypoxia and hypercapnia. Monitoring for signs such as increased work of breathing, decreased oxygen saturation, and altered mental status is crucial. Hypoglycemia (A) is not a common complication of COPD. Hyperkalemia (C) is less likely to occur in COPD unless the patient is on medications that can cause elevated potassium levels. Anemia (D) may be present in COPD due to chronic inflammation, but it is not a direct complication that requires monitoring for signs of respiratory failure.
Question 9 of 9
In the socioenvironmental model, the focus of the health care provider includes:
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D because in the socioenvironmental model, the health care provider aims to help the patient view health as a resource. This approach emphasizes empowering patients to take control of their health by recognizing it as an asset that enables them to lead fulfilling lives. By focusing on health as a resource, the provider encourages positive health behaviors and preventive measures. A, changing the patient's perceptions of disease, is incorrect because the socioenvironmental model does not solely target disease perceptions but rather prioritizes health promotion. B, identification of biomedical model interventions, is incorrect as the socioenvironmental model places more emphasis on holistic and social determinants of health rather than solely biomedical interventions. C, identifying the negative health behaviors of the patient, is also incorrect as the model aims to address health behaviors in a positive and empowering way rather than focusing solely on negatives.