ATI RN
ATI Med Surg Exam N300 Exam Day Questions
Extract:
Question 1 of 5
A patient presents to the emergency department with a cervical spinal cord injury immediately after a motor vehicle crash. What should the nurse explain to the family as the reason for the patient being placed on mechanical ventilation? The:
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The nerves that control lung function may be injured in a cervical spinal cord injury, particularly at higher levels like C3-C5, leading to respiratory muscle paralysis and necessitating mechanical ventilation.
Question 2 of 5
A physician prescribes clindamycin 10 mg/kg/day IV in two divided doses for respiratory tract infection. The medication is supplied 150 mg/mL. The patient weighs 88 lbs. How much will the nurse administer per dose? (round to the nearest tenth)
Correct Answer: 1.3 mL
Rationale:
To calculate the dosage of clindamycin, first convert the patient's weight from pounds to kilograms (88 lbs / 2.2 = 40 kg). The prescribed dose is 10 mg/kg/day, so the patient requires 400 mg/day (10 mg/kg * 40 kg). Since the medication is administered in two divided doses, each dose is 200 mg. The medication is supplied at 150 mg/mL, so 200 mg / 150 mg/mL = 1.33 mL, rounded to 1.3 mL per dose.
Question 3 of 5
A patient diagnosed with a seizure disorder tells the nurse that they feel like they have 'butterflies' in their stomach. The patient has felt this in the past before having a seizure. The nurse recognizes that this feeling is:
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: An aura is a perceptual disturbance experienced by some patients with seizure disorders that precedes a seizure. It can manifest as various sensations, including gastrointestinal feelings like 'butterflies,' which serve as a warning sign.
Question 4 of 5
The nurse is caring for a patient in the acute care setting with a spinal cord injury (SCI) at the level of C-3. What is the main cause of complications or death related to this injury?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Respiratory compromise is the primary cause of complications or death in patients with a high cervical spine injury (C-3 and above) due to loss of innervation to the diaphragm and intercostal muscles, which impairs spontaneous breathing.
Question 5 of 5
The nurse is caring for a patient with a spinal cord injury who has a flaccid or atonic bladder. The nurse would provide discharge education to the patient and family regarding which bladder management technique?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Intermittent catheterization is the preferred management technique for a flaccid or atonic bladder, allowing the bladder to empty at regular intervals and reducing the risk of infection associated with continuous catheters.