ATI RN
ATI N200 Med Surg Exam Questions
Extract:
Question 1 of 5
The purpose of the nurse providing pre-operative teaching to clients undergoing surgery is to:
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Pre-operative teaching improves post-operative outcomes (
C). Time-outs (
A), consent (
B), and collaboration (
D) are secondary.
Question 2 of 5
The nurse is performing a physical assessment on the respiratory system. Although the client is currently confined to bed, they have the strength and ability to move and reposition themselves. The nurse instructs the client to assume which position for the assessment?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Sitting upright (
A) optimizes lung expansion for assessment. Semi-Fowler's (
B), supine (
C), and side-lying (
D) limit accuracy.
Question 3 of 5
A nurse is assessing a client on the first post-operative day after a L3-4 laminectomy and diskectomy. The client now complains of numbness and tingling in the left leg. What is the nurse's first priority?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The first priority is to assess whether the numbness and tingling in the left leg are new or a preexisting symptom. This helps identify if there are complications like nerve injury or issues with the surgical site. While documenting the findings is important, it's more critical to compare these new symptoms with preoperative findings to identify potential complications. Drawing blood for serum calcium is not directly relevant to the immediate issue of nerve symptoms after a laminectomy. Telling the client that the symptoms are normal could lead to delayed intervention if there is a more serious issue, like nerve damage or surgical complications.
Question 4 of 5
A patient is prescribed alendronate at 0800 for the treatment of osteoporosis. As the nurse you know you must administer this medication:
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The patient should not lie down after taking alendronate, as it increases the risk of esophageal irritation. Alendronate should be taken on an empty stomach, and while dairy products should generally be avoided when taking certain medications, this specific instruction applies more to calcium or iron supplements. Alendronate should be taken on an empty stomach, ideally first thing in the morning, with a full glass of water to enhance absorption. The patient must remain upright for 30 minutes to prevent esophageal irritation and reduce the risk of esophageal ulcers. The medication should not be taken with milk or juice, as they can interfere with absorption.
Question 5 of 5
A client diagnosed with cervical spine degeneration has undergone a laminectomy. Which intervention should the nurse implement?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Measuring drainage from the Jackson-Pratt drain is important, but this is not the primary intervention to address post-laminectomy complications. The patient should generally be positioned in a neutral, stable position, but not specifically prone with knees elevated, which may be uncomfortable or inappropriate for the cervical region. Narcotics may be required for pain control, especially postoperatively, so advising the patient to avoid them is inappropriate. Following a cervical spine laminectomy, the nurse should assess the client for any signs of nerve or spinal cord injury, such as difficulty speaking or breathing. These symptoms may indicate spinal cord compression or other complications.