ATI RN
ATI Medical Surgical Proctored Exam
1. A client with a long history of smoking is being assessed by a nurse. Which finding is a common complication of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)?
- A. Decreased anteroposterior chest diameter
- B. Increased breath sounds
- C. Prolonged expiratory phase
- D. Increased chest expansion
Correct answer: C
Rationale: In COPD, a prolonged expiratory phase is a typical finding caused by airway obstruction and air trapping. This results in difficulty expelling air from the lungs, leading to the characteristic prolonged exhalation in individuals with COPD.
2. A client with a history of gastrointestinal bleeding is taking warfarin (Coumadin). Which instruction should the nurse include in the teaching plan?
- A. Avoid eating foods high in vitamin K.
- B. Take aspirin for pain relief.
- C. Report any signs of bruising or bleeding to your healthcare provider.
- D. Limit fluid intake to 2 liters per day.
Correct answer: C
Rationale: The correct instruction for a client taking warfarin, an anticoagulant, is to report any signs of bruising or bleeding to the healthcare provider promptly. This is crucial as these symptoms may indicate over-anticoagulation, which can lead to serious complications. Monitoring for signs of bleeding is essential to adjust the medication dosage or take appropriate measures to ensure the client's safety.
3. When working as a professional nurse, what is the priority for a new nurse working on an inpatient medical-surgical unit with a preceptor?
- A. Attending to holistic client needs
- B. Ensuring client safety
- C. Avoiding medication errors
- D. Providing client-focused care
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The priority for a nurse working on an inpatient medical-surgical unit is to ensure client safety. This is crucial as errors in hospital care can lead to preventable deaths. While attending to holistic client needs and providing client-focused care are important aspects of nursing, ensuring client safety takes precedence to prevent harm and promote positive patient outcomes.
4. When caring for an older adult client with a pulmonary infection, what action should the nurse take first?
- A. Encourage the client to increase fluid intake.
- B. Assess the client's level of consciousness.
- C. Raise the head of the bed to at least 45 degrees.
- D. Provide the client with humidified oxygen.
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Assessing the client's level of consciousness is the priority because it provides crucial information on the client's neurological status and response to the infection. Changes in consciousness can indicate deterioration or improvement in the client's condition, guiding further interventions and treatment.
5. A client with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) is receiving hemodialysis. Which assessment finding indicates a need for immediate action?
- A. Weight gain of 1 kg since the last dialysis session
- B. Blood pressure of 150/90 mm Hg
- C. Potassium level of 6.5 mEq/L
- D. Hemoglobin level of 10 g/dL
Correct answer: C
Rationale: A potassium level of 6.5 mEq/L is critically high and can lead to life-threatening cardiac dysrhythmias, requiring immediate intervention. Hyperkalemia is a common complication in clients with ESRD due to the kidneys' inability to excrete potassium effectively. High potassium levels can result in serious cardiac consequences such as arrhythmias, cardiac arrest, and death. Prompt action is necessary to prevent these severe complications.
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