ATI RN
ATI Capstone Exam Questions
Extract:
Question 1 of 5
A nurse is assessing a client who has rheumatoid arthritis. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Ulnar deviation. In rheumatoid arthritis, ulnar deviation of the fingers is a common finding due to inflammation and destruction of the joints. This deformity leads to the fingers deviating towards the ulnar side of the hand. This is a characteristic feature seen in rheumatoid arthritis and is caused by the inflammation affecting the joints.
Choices A, C, and D are incorrect. A: Unilateral joint involvement is not typical of rheumatoid arthritis, as it usually affects multiple joints symmetrically. C: Decreased sedimentation rate is not expected in rheumatoid arthritis, as it is typically associated with an elevated sedimentation rate due to inflammation. D: Fractures of the spine are not a common finding in rheumatoid arthritis, as it primarily affects the joints.
Question 2 of 5
A nurse is caring for a client who sustained a femur fracture in an automobile accident and is placed into skin traction. The nurse may remove the weights from the traction device if which of the following occurs?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: The client develops a life-threatening situation. In this scenario, the nurse can remove the weights from the traction device to address the life-threatening situation promptly. Removing the weights in such a situation takes precedence over other concerns like repositioning, pain complaints, or even the need for an x-ray. Life-threatening situations must always be prioritized in patient care to ensure their safety and well-being. It is crucial for the nurse to act swiftly and appropriately in such emergencies to provide the necessary care and support to the client.
Question 3 of 5
A client arrived via ambulance to the emergency department with a chief complaint of gastrointestinal bleeding for 2 hours. What will the triage nurse do first?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Obtain vital signs. The first step in triaging a patient with gastrointestinal bleeding is to assess their vital signs to determine the severity of the situation. Vital signs, such as blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, and oxygen saturation, provide crucial information about the patient's condition and help prioritize the level of care needed. This immediate assessment allows the triage nurse to identify any signs of shock or instability, guiding further interventions and treatment. Inserting an NG tube (choice
A) or completing a head-to-toe assessment (choice
D) can wait until the patient's vital signs are stable and the immediate risk is addressed. Asking about precipitating events (choice
B) may provide important information but is not as urgent as assessing vital signs in this critical situation.
Question 4 of 5
A nurse is caring for an older adult client who had a femoral head fracture 24 hr ago and is in skin traction. The client reports shortness of breath and dyspnea. The nurse should suspect that the client has developed which of the following complications?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Fat embolism. Fat embolism can occur in clients with long bone fractures, like a femoral head fracture. Fat emboli can travel to the lungs leading to respiratory distress, shortness of breath, and dyspnea. This is a potential complication that can occur within the first 24-48 hours post-injury. Fat embolism is characterized by respiratory symptoms and can lead to hypoxia and respiratory failure.
Other choices are incorrect because:
A: Airway obstruction typically presents with choking or difficulty swallowing, not specifically with shortness of breath and dyspnea.
B: Pneumonia would typically present with fever, productive cough, and chest pain, not sudden-onset shortness of breath.
C: Pneumothorax presents with sudden chest pain and shortness of breath due to air in the pleural space, not directly related to a femoral head fracture.
Overall, the key to this question is
Question 5 of 5
A nurse is assessing a client who has cirrhosis. Which of the following is an expected finding for this client?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Spider angiomas. In cirrhosis, the liver is damaged leading to increased pressure in the portal vein. This results in dilated blood vessels on the skin surface known as spider angiomas. This finding is expected due to the liver's inability to process blood effectively.
Choice A (Moist skin) is incorrect as cirrhosis commonly causes dry and itchy skin.
Choice B (Blood in the urine) is incorrect because cirrhosis typically does not directly affect the kidneys.
Choice D (Tarry stools) is incorrect as it is a symptom of gastrointestinal bleeding, which can occur in cirrhosis but is not a specific finding.