ATI RN
Assess Vital Signs Questions
Question 1 of 5
Which of the following statements is true regarding the internal structures of the breast? The breast is made up of:
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Rationale: 1. The breast is composed of fibrous tissue, which provides structural support. 2. Glandular tissue is present for milk production. 3. Adipose tissue is essential for storing energy and padding. 4. Option A is incorrect as the breast contains minimal muscle tissue. 5. Option C is incorrect as lactiferous ducts are part of the milk delivery system, not the entire breast. 6. Option D is incorrect as glandular tissue does not attach to the chest wall.
Question 2 of 5
In assessing a 70-year-old man, the nurse finds the following: blood pressure 140/100 mm Hg; heart rate 104 beats per minute and slightly irregular; and the split S2 heart sound. Which of these findings can be explained by expected hemodynamic changes related to age?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Correct Answer: B - Increase in systolic blood pressure Rationale: 1. Age-related vascular changes lead to decreased arterial compliance. 2. Decreased arterial compliance results in increased systolic blood pressure. 3. This explains the elevated systolic blood pressure in the 70-year-old man. Other Choices: A. Increase in resting heart rate - Not typically age-related; may indicate other issues. C. Decrease in diastolic blood pressure - Usually remains stable or slightly increases with age. D. Increase in diastolic blood pressure - Not a common age-related change; may indicate other underlying conditions.
Question 3 of 5
The nurse is using a Doppler device. This tool is primarily used to:
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Detect faint pulses. A Doppler device is used to detect and amplify weak pulses, making it an essential tool in assessing blood flow and circulation. It uses sound waves to detect movement, such as blood flow through vessels, and converts them into audible signals. This helps healthcare providers identify and monitor pulses in various parts of the body. A, C, and D are incorrect choices because: A: Assess joint range of motion. This is typically done using physical assessment techniques, such as observation and measurement, not with a Doppler device. C: Magnify low-pitched sounds. Doppler devices do not magnify sounds but rather detect and amplify specific types of movement-related signals. D: Examine the retina. Retinal examination is usually performed using specialized instruments like ophthalmoscopes, not Doppler devices.
Question 4 of 5
The nurse is reviewing the blood supply to the arm. The major artery supplying the arm is the _____ artery.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Brachial artery. The brachial artery is the major artery supplying the arm, running from the shoulder to the elbow. It is a continuation of the axillary artery and provides blood to the entire arm. The ulnar and radial arteries are branches of the brachial artery, supplying the forearm and hand. The deep palmar artery is a branch of the radial artery, supplying the palm of the hand. Therefore, the brachial artery is the correct choice as it is the main artery directly supplying the arm.
Question 5 of 5
The nurse is attempting to assess the femoral pulse in a patient who is obese. Which of these actions would be most appropriate?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B because asking the patient to bend their knees to the side in a froglike position helps to expose the femoral pulse in an obese patient. This position allows better access to the femoral artery, making it easier to palpate the pulse accurately. By bending the knees to the side, the nurse can avoid excess tissue and adipose obstruction, facilitating a more accurate assessment. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect: A: Asking the patient to assume a prone position would not be helpful in locating the femoral pulse as it does not provide better access to the artery. C: Firmly pressing against the bone in a semi-Fowler position may not improve the assessment of the femoral pulse in an obese patient. D: Listening with a stethoscope for pulsations is not the preferred method for assessing the femoral pulse; palpating the pulse is the standard practice, even in obese individuals.