ATI RN
foundation of nursing questions and answers Questions
Question 1 of 5
You are caring for a patient, a 42-year-old mother of two children, with a diagnosis of ovarian cancer. She has just been told that her ovarian cancer is terminal. When you admitted this patient, you did a spiritual assessment. What question would it have been most important for you to evaluate during this assessment?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Does she have a sense of peace of mind and a purpose to her life? This question is crucial during a spiritual assessment because it addresses the patient's emotional well-being and coping mechanisms in the face of a terminal diagnosis. It helps assess the patient's spiritual beliefs, values, and sources of strength, which can impact their ability to find meaning and comfort during difficult times. It also provides insights into the patient's resilience and ability to navigate their emotions and find peace amidst uncertainty. Choice A is incorrect because it focuses on the patient's ability to deliver negative news to her family, which is important but not as central to the patient's spiritual well-being in this context. Choice C is incorrect as it assumes the patient needs to let go of her husband, which may not be relevant to her spiritual assessment. Choice D is incorrect as it centers on bargaining with God for a cure, which may not be reflective of the patient's spiritual beliefs or needs.
Question 2 of 5
A nurse has made a referral to a grief support group, knowing that many individuals find these both comforting and beneficial after the death of a loved one. What is the most important accomplishment available by attending a grief support group?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Normalization of feelings and experiences. Attending a grief support group helps individuals feel validated and understood by others who are going through similar emotions. This normalization can reduce feelings of isolation and provide a sense of belonging, which is crucial in the grieving process. It also allows individuals to recognize that their feelings and experiences are common reactions to loss. Choice A is incorrect because a grief support group focuses more on accepting and processing the new reality rather than incorporating the old life into it. Choice B is incorrect as it suggests maintaining the old life rather than adjusting to a new normal. Choice C is incorrect because the focus of a grief support group is not solely on social skills but on emotional support and coping mechanisms.
Question 3 of 5
The hospice nurse is caring for a 45-year-old mother of three young children in the patients home. During the most recent visit, the nurse has observed that the patient has a new onset of altered mental status, likely resulting from recently diagnosed brain metastases. What goal of nursing interventions should the nurse identify?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D. The goal of nursing interventions in this scenario is to teach family members how to interact with and ensure safety for the patient with impaired cognition. This is the most appropriate response because it addresses the immediate need to provide the patient with appropriate care and support in their home environment. By educating the family on how to interact with the patient and ensure their safety, the nurse can help maintain a sense of normalcy for the patient and promote their well-being. Choice A is incorrect because sedating the patient may not be the best approach without considering other interventions first. Choice B is incorrect as moving the patient to an acute-care facility may not be necessary or feasible at this time. Choice C is incorrect as it focuses on end-of-life care rather than addressing the immediate need of supporting the patient with altered mental status.
Question 4 of 5
A patient has come into the free clinic asking to be tested for HIV infection. The patient asks the nurse how the test works. The nurse responds that if the testing shows that antibodies to the AIDS virus are present in the blood, this indicates what?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: The patient has been infected with HIV. Antibodies to the AIDS virus in the blood indicate a past or current infection with HIV. This is because the body produces antibodies in response to the presence of the virus. A: The patient is immune to HIV is incorrect because antibodies indicate exposure, not immunity. B: The patient's immune system is intact is incorrect because the presence of antibodies does not necessarily reflect the overall functionality of the immune system. C: The patient has AIDS-related complications is incorrect because the presence of antibodies does not directly indicate the presence of AIDS-related complications.
Question 5 of 5
During the admission assessment of an HIV-positive patient whose CD4+ count has recently fallen, the nurse carefully assesses for signs and symptoms related to opportunistic infections. What is the most common life-threatening infection?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Pneumocystis pneumonia. This is the most common life-threatening infection in HIV-positive patients with low CD4+ counts. Pneumocystis pneumonia is caused by the opportunistic pathogen Pneumocystis jirovecii, which can lead to severe respiratory distress and mortality in immunocompromised individuals. The other choices, A: Salmonella infection, B: Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and C: Clostridium difficile, can also cause infections in HIV-positive patients, but they are not as commonly associated with life-threatening complications in this population compared to Pneumocystis pneumonia. It is crucial for the nurse to prioritize assessment for signs and symptoms of Pneumocystis pneumonia in this patient to promptly intervene and prevent further complications.