ATI RN
foundation of nursing questions and answers Questions
Question 1 of 5
You are caring for a patient who has just been told that her stage IV colon cancer has recurred and metastasized to the liver. The oncologist offers the patient the option of surgery to treat the progression of this disease. What type of surgery does the oncologist offer?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Palliative surgery. In this scenario, the patient's colon cancer has already progressed to stage IV with metastasis to the liver, indicating an advanced and incurable condition. Palliative surgery aims to alleviate symptoms, improve quality of life, and prolong survival without aiming for a cure. Reconstructive surgery (B) is typically done to restore form or function, which is not the primary goal in this case. Salvage surgery (C) is usually performed to rescue a situation where initial treatment has failed, which is not the case here. Prophylactic surgery (D) is preventive and is not appropriate in a situation where cancer is already present and advanced.
Question 2 of 5
A nurse who works in the specialty of palliative care frequently encounters issues and situations that constitute ethical dilemmas. What issue has most often presented challenging ethical issues, especially in the context of palliative care?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Ability of technology to prolong life beyond meaningful quality of life. In palliative care, the focus is on improving the quality of life for patients with serious illnesses. The use of technology to prolong life can sometimes conflict with this goal, leading to ethical dilemmas. Technology may extend life without considering the patient's comfort or dignity, raising questions about the meaningfulness of prolonging life in such situations. This issue is particularly challenging in palliative care as it requires balancing the benefits of technology with the patient's quality of life. Other choices are incorrect: A: The increase in cultural diversity in the United States - While cultural diversity can present challenges in palliative care, it is not the most often presented challenging ethical issue. B: Staffing shortages in health care and questions concerning quality of care - Staffing shortages are important issues in healthcare, but they do not directly relate to the ethical dilemmas specific to palliative care. C: Increased costs of health care coupled with
Question 3 of 5
A clinic nurse is providing patient education prior to a patients scheduled palliative radiotherapy to her spine. At the completion of the patient teaching, the patient continues to ask the same questions that the nurse has already addressed. What is the plausible conclusion that the nurse should draw from this?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D. The plausible conclusion the nurse should draw is that the patient has not achieved the desired learning outcomes. 1. The patient's repeated questions indicate a lack of understanding despite the nurse's teaching efforts. 2. This suggests that the patient has not grasped the information provided. 3. It does not necessarily mean the patient is not listening effectively, noncompliant, or has low intelligence. 4. The focus should be on reassessing the teaching methods and providing additional support to help the patient achieve the desired learning outcomes.
Question 4 of 5
A 66-year-old patient is in a hospice receiving palliative care for lung cancer which has metastasized to the patients liver and bones. For the past several hours, the patient has been experiencing dyspnea. What nursing action is most appropriate to help to relive the dyspnea the patient is experiencing?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Initiate high-flow oxygen therapy. Dyspnea in a patient with lung cancer can be caused by hypoxia due to compromised lung function. High-flow oxygen therapy can help improve oxygenation and alleviate dyspnea. Administering a bolus of normal saline (A) would not directly address the underlying cause of dyspnea. Administering high doses of opioids (C) may lead to respiratory depression and should be used cautiously in patients experiencing dyspnea. Administering bronchodilators and corticosteroids (D) may be appropriate for certain types of dyspnea, but in this case, addressing hypoxia with high-flow oxygen therapy is the most appropriate initial nursing action.
Question 5 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.