ATI RN
ATI RN Fundamentals 2023 Exam 5 Questions
Extract:
Question 1 of 5
A nurse is performing an eye assessment for a newly admitted client. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Eyelashes that curl slightly outward are a normal finding in an eye assessment. This natural curl helps protect the eyes from debris and sweat, and it also aids in the distribution of tears across the eye surface. Eyelashes that curl outward are typical and expected in a healthy individual. Corneas with an opaque appearance are not a normal finding. The cornea should be clear and transparent, allowing light to pass through to the retina. An opaque cornea can indicate various conditions such as corneal edema, scarring, or infection.
Therefore, this finding would be abnormal and warrant further investigation. Eyelids that blink involuntarily 30 to 35 times per minute are not within the normal range. The average blink rate for a healthy adult is approximately 15 to 20 times per minute. A significantly higher blink rate could indicate an underlying condition such as dry eye syndrome, blepharospasm, or other neurological issues. Pupils that are 8 to 9 mm in diameter are abnormally large. The normal pupil size ranges from 2 to 4 mm in bright light and 4 to 8 mm in dim light. Pupils that are consistently larger than this range could indicate a condition such as mydriasis, which can be caused by various factors including medications, trauma, or neurological disorders.
Question 2 of 5
A nurse is assessing a client who received morphine for severe pain 30 minutes ago. Which of the following findings is the nurse's priority?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: While it is important to monitor bowel movements, especially since opioids like morphine can cause constipation, this is not the immediate priority. Opioid-induced constipation is a common side effect due to decreased gastrointestinal motility. However, it does not pose an immediate life-threatening risk compared to respiratory depression. A respiratory rate of 7 breaths per minute is significantly below the normal range for adults, which is typically 12-20 breaths per minute. This indicates severe respiratory depression, a known and potentially fatal side effect of morphine. Immediate intervention is required to ensure the patient's airway is maintained and to prevent respiratory arrest. Although the client reporting a pain level of 8 out of 10 indicates that the pain is not adequately controlled, this is not the most urgent concern compared to respiratory depression. Pain management is crucial, but ensuring the patient's respiratory function takes precedence. A distended bladder can be a side effect of morphine due to urinary retention. While this needs to be addressed to prevent discomfort and potential complications, it is not as critical as managing a severely low respiratory rate.
Question 3 of 5
A nurse is caring for a client who has a traumatic brain injury and needs to relearn how to use eating utensils. The nurse should refer the client to which of the following members of the interprofessional team?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Physical therapists primarily focus on improving a patient's physical function, mobility, and strength. They work on activities such as walking, balance, and coordination. While they play a crucial role in the rehabilitation of clients with traumatic brain injuries, their expertise is not specifically centered on activities of daily living (ADLs) like using eating utensils. Occupational therapists specialize in helping clients regain the ability to perform ADLs, which include tasks such as eating, dressing, and bathing. They use therapeutic techniques to improve fine motor skills, coordination, and cognitive function, which are essential for relearning how to use eating utensils. Their goal is to enhance the client's independence and quality of life by enabling them to perform everyday activities. Speech-language pathologists focus on communication disorders and swallowing difficulties. They work with clients to improve speech, language, and cognitive-communication skills. While they are essential for addressing issues related to speech and swallowing, they do not typically focus on the motor skills required for using eating utensils. Social workers provide support and resources to help clients and their families cope with the emotional, social, and financial aspects of a traumatic brain injury. They assist with discharge planning, accessing community resources, and providing counseling. However, they do not provide direct rehabilitation services related to the use of eating utensils.
Question 4 of 5
A nurse is providing discharge teaching to the partner of a client who has a linear incision site following an open cholecystectomy. Which of the following wound care instructions should the nurse include?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Changing the dressing four times per day is excessive and not typically recommended. Most guidelines suggest changing the dressing once a day or as needed if it becomes soiled or wet. Over-frequent dressing changes can disrupt the healing process and increase the risk of infection. Applying tincture of benzoin prior to removing the dressing is not a standard practice for wound care. Tincture of benzoin is usually used to increase the adhesion of bandages or tapes, not for removing dressings. Using it inappropriately could cause skin irritation or damage. Cleaning from the incision to the surrounding skin is the correct method. This technique helps prevent the spread of bacteria from the surrounding skin into the incision site, reducing the risk of infection. Always use a sterile solution and clean gauze for this process. Using sterile gloves when removing the old dressing is important to maintain a sterile environment and prevent infection. However, this is a general practice and not specific to the wound care instructions provided in the question.
Question 5 of 5
A nurse is preparing to assess a client's carotid arteries. Which of the following actions should the nurse plan to take?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Placing the client in a high-Fowler's position during the assessment is not necessary for assessing the carotid arteries. While this position can be useful for other assessments, it is not specifically required for carotid artery evaluation. The client can be in a seated or supine position with the head slightly elevated. Auscultating each carotid artery with the bell of the stethoscope is the most appropriate action. This technique allows the nurse to listen for bruits, which are abnormal sounds indicating turbulent blood flow due to partial obstruction or narrowing of the artery. Using the bell of the stethoscope is crucial because it is better suited for detecting low-pitched vascular sounds. Palpating the carotid arteries simultaneously is not recommended. Doing so can significantly reduce blood flow to the brain, potentially causing dizziness or fainting. Instead, each carotid artery should be palpated individually to assess the amplitude and contour of the pulse without compromising circulation. Massaging the carotid artery while assessing the client is inappropriate and potentially dangerous. Massaging the carotid artery can stimulate the carotid sinus, leading to a reflex drop in heart rate and blood pressure, which can cause syncope (fainting). This action should be avoided during assessment.