ATI RN
ATI Medsurg Proctored Final Exam Questions
Extract:
Question 1 of 5
A nurse is caring for a client who has a history of exposure to TB and symptoms of night sweats and hemoptysis. Which of the following tests should the nurse realize is the most reliable to confirm the diagnosis of active pulmonary TB?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Sputum culture for acid-fast bacillus. This test is the most reliable for confirming active pulmonary TB because it directly detects the presence of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria in the sputum sample. Bronchoscopy (
A) may help visualize the airways but does not definitively confirm TB. Chest X-ray (
B) can show characteristic findings suggestive of TB but cannot confirm the diagnosis. TB skin test (
C) indicates exposure but not active disease. Sputum culture is the gold standard for diagnosing TB, as it allows for definitive identification of the bacteria.
Question 2 of 5
A nurse is caring for a client who has heart failure and a new prescription for furosemide. For which of the following adverse effects should the nurse monitor?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Hypokalemia. Furosemide is a loop diuretic that can cause potassium loss through increased urine output. This can lead to hypokalemia, which can be dangerous in a client with heart failure as it can worsen cardiac function and lead to arrhythmias. The nurse should monitor the client's potassium levels regularly to prevent this adverse effect.
Summary of other choices:
B: Hyperkalemia - Furosemide does not typically cause hyperkalemia.
C: Hypernatremia - Furosemide is a diuretic that can lead to sodium loss, not hypernatremia.
D: Hypertension - Furosemide is actually used to treat hypertension, so it is not an adverse effect of the medication in this scenario.
Question 3 of 5
A nurse is preparing dietary instructions for a client who has episodes of biliary colic from chronic cholecystitis. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include in the teaching plan?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Avoid foods high in fat. Biliary colic is caused by gallstones, and high-fat foods can trigger gallbladder contractions leading to pain.
Therefore, advising the client to avoid foods high in fat can help prevent biliary colic episodes.
Choice B is incorrect as carbohydrates do not directly affect biliary colic.
Choice C is incorrect because while a high-protein, low-fat diet may be beneficial for some conditions, it is not specifically recommended for biliary colic.
Choice D is incorrect as increasing intake of high-fat foods can worsen symptoms.
Question 4 of 5
A nurse in a burn treatment center is caring for a client who is admitted with severe burns to both lower extremities and is scheduled for an escharotomy. The client's spouse asks the nurse what the procedure entails. Which of the following nursing statements is appropriate?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Large incisions will be made in the eschar to improve circulation. Escharotomy involves making incisions through the eschar (dead tissue) to relieve constriction and improve circulation in the burned area. By performing escharotomy, blood flow is restored, reducing the risk of compartment syndrome and tissue necrosis.
Choice A is incorrect because skin grafting is a separate procedure done to replace damaged tissue, not part of an escharotomy.
Choice C is incorrect as it describes debridement, not escharotomy.
Choice D is incorrect since escharotomy aims to improve circulation rather than remove the burned area entirely.
Question 5 of 5
A nurse is reviewing the EKG strip of a client who has prolonged vomiting. Which of the following abnormalities on the client's EKG should the nurse interpret as a sign of hypokalemia?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Abnormally prominent U wave. In hypokalemia, low potassium levels can lead to U wave prominence on an EKG. The U wave becomes more visible and prominent due to delayed repolarization of the Purkinje fibers. This is a classic EKG finding in hypokalemia. Tachycardia (choice
B) is a non-specific finding and can be caused by various conditions. Flattened P wave (choice
C) is seen in hyperkalemia, not hypokalemia. Prolonged PR interval (choice
D) is more indicative of first-degree heart block or other conduction abnormalities, not specifically hypokalemia.