ATI RN
ATI Fundamental Exams Questions
Extract:
Question 1 of 5
A nurse is assessing a client who has a sodium level of 116 mEq/L. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Hyponatremia (sodium <135 mEq/L) causes cellular swelling, leading to neurological symptoms like nausea and vomiting. Flushed skin and thirst are associated with hypernatremia, and fever is unrelated to hyponatremia.
Question 2 of 5
A nurse is assessing a client who is nonverbal for acute pain. Which of the following findings is a manifestation of pain?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Elevated blood pressure is a common response to acute pain due to sympathetic nervous system activation. Pain typically increases respiratory and heart rates and dilates pupils, not the opposite.
Question 3 of 5
A nurse is caring for a postoperative patient. Which finding will alert the nurse to a potential wound dehiscence?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A patient reporting 'something has given way' is a significant indicator of potential wound dehiscence, as it suggests partial or complete separation of surgical wound layers. Chronic drainage may indicate infection or poor healing, purulent drainage suggests infection, and protrusion of organs indicates evisceration, a later stage of dehiscence, not an early warning sign.
Question 4 of 5
A nurse is assessing a client who has fluid overload. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect? (Select all that apply.)
Correct Answer: C,D,E
Rationale: Fluid overload increases blood volume, causing increased heart rate to maintain cardiac output, increased respiratory rate due to pulmonary congestion, and increased blood pressure from vessel pressure. Hematocrit decreases due to dilution, and temperature is not directly affected.
Question 5 of 5
A nurse is caring for an older adult client. The nurse informs the client that straining while defecating can cause which of the following?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Straining during defecation triggers the Valsalva maneuver, increasing intrathoracic pressure and potentially causing dysrhythmias, especially in older adults. It doesn’t cause pupil dilation, gastric ulcers, or diarrhea.