ATI RN
ATI Capstone Exam Questions
Extract:
Question 1 of 5
A nurse is caring for a client who has heart failure and is experiencing atrial fibrillation. Which of the following findings should the nurse plan to monitor for and report to the provider immediately?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Slurred speech. Slurred speech can be a sign of a potential stroke, which can occur in patients with atrial fibrillation due to the risk of blood clots forming in the heart. This finding should be reported immediately to the provider for further evaluation and intervention to prevent further complications. Monitoring for slurred speech helps in early detection and prompt management of a potential stroke.
Other choices such as A: Irregular pulse, B: Persistent fatigue, and C: Dependent edema are common in patients with heart failure and atrial fibrillation but are not immediate concerns requiring urgent intervention like slurred speech indicating a potential stroke.
Question 2 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.
Question 3 of 5
A nurse is providing teaching to a group of clients. Which of the following clients is at risk for developing peripheral arterial disease?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: A client who has diabetes mellitus. Diabetes mellitus is a major risk factor for developing peripheral arterial disease (PA
D) due to atherosclerosis caused by high blood sugar levels damaging blood vessels over time. This leads to reduced blood flow to the extremities, increasing the risk of PAD.
Choice A is incorrect as fat intake alone does not directly correlate with PAD development.
Choice C is incorrect as moderate alcohol consumption is not a significant risk factor for PAD.
Choice D is incorrect as hypothyroidism is not a primary risk factor for PAD. It is essential to focus on diabetes management and lifestyle modifications to reduce the risk of developing PAD in clients with diabetes mellitus.
Question 4 of 5
The nurse, caring for a client with Buck’s traction, is monitoring the client for complications of the traction. Which assessment finding indicates a complication of this form of traction?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Weak pedal pulses. Buck's traction is used for immobilization and alignment of fractures, particularly femoral fractures. Weak pedal pulses indicate impaired circulation, which could lead to complications like compartment syndrome or deep vein thrombosis. Monitoring pulses is crucial in assessing the circulation to the affected limb.
Choice B (Complaints of leg discomfort) is common and expected with traction but doesn't indicate a complication.
Choice C (
Toes are warm and demonstrate a brisk capillary refill) indicates good circulation.
Choice D (Drainage at the pin sites) may indicate infection but is not a specific complication related to traction.
Question 5 of 5
When considering the risk for heart failure, what would the nurse monitor the client diagnosed with infective endocarditis for on an ongoing basis?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Crackles, peripheral edema, and weight gain. In infective endocarditis, there is a risk of developing heart failure due to damage to the heart valves. Monitoring for crackles indicates fluid accumulation in the lungs, a sign of left-sided heart failure. Peripheral edema is a result of right-sided heart failure, which can occur in infective endocarditis. Weight gain is a common symptom of heart failure due to fluid retention. Flank pain with radiation to the groin and hematuria (choice
A) are more indicative of kidney issues rather than heart failure. Respiratory distress, chest pain, and use of accessory muscles (choice
B) are more suggestive of acute pulmonary conditions. Confusion, decreasing level of consciousness, and aphasia (choice
D) are symptoms of neurological issues, not heart failure.