ATI RN
Medical Surgical ATI Proctored Exam
1. A client develops a pulmonary embolism. Which of the following interventions should the nurse implement first?
- A. Give morphine IV.
- B. Administer oxygen therapy.
- C. Start an IV infusion of lactated Ringer's.
- D. Initiate cardiac monitoring.
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Administering oxygen therapy is the priority intervention for a client with a pulmonary embolism. Oxygen helps improve oxygenation levels and decrease the workload on the heart. It is crucial to ensure adequate oxygenation before other interventions are initiated. Morphine IV, starting an IV infusion of lactated Ringer's, and initiating cardiac monitoring are important interventions but come after ensuring adequate oxygenation.
2. A client with asthma has developed viral pharyngitis. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?
- A. Petechiae on the chest and abdomen
- B. WBC 16,000/mm3
- C. Negative throat culture
- D. Severe hyperemia of pharyngeal mucosa
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Viral pharyngitis is typically caused by a virus, not bacteria, so a negative throat culture is an expected finding. The presence of petechiae on the chest and abdomen (Choice A) is not a common manifestation of viral pharyngitis. Elevated WBC count (Choice B) is more indicative of a bacterial infection rather than a viral one. Severe hyperemia of the pharyngeal mucosa (Choice D) is a possible finding in pharyngitis but is not specific to viral pharyngitis.
3. A healthcare professional is reviewing the arterial blood gas results for a client in the ICU who has kidney failure and determines the client has respiratory acidosis. Which of the following findings should the healthcare professional expect?
- A. Widened QRS complexes
- B. Hyperactive deep tendon reflexes
- C. Bounding peripheral pulses
- D. Warm, flushed skin
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Respiratory acidosis is a condition characterized by increased carbon dioxide levels in the blood, resulting in acidosis. One of the potential consequences of respiratory acidosis is the development of electrolyte imbalances, particularly hyperkalemia. Hyperkalemia can lead to cardiac conduction abnormalities, manifested as widened QRS complexes on an electrocardiogram (ECG). Therefore, in a client with respiratory acidosis, the healthcare professional should expect to find widened QRS complexes as a result of the associated hyperkalemia.
4. During assessment, a healthcare provider is evaluating a client with chronic bronchitis. Which of the following percussion sounds should the healthcare provider expect?
- A. Dullness
- B. Resonance
- C. Tympany
- D. Flatness
Correct answer: B
Rationale: In a client with chronic bronchitis, the nurse or healthcare provider would expect to hear resonant sounds upon percussion. Resonance is the normal percussion sound heard over healthy lung tissue. The other options such as dullness, tympany, and flatness are associated with different conditions or abnormalities, not typically expected in chronic bronchitis.
5. A college health nurse interprets the peak expiratory flow rate for a student who has asthma and finds that the student is in the yellow zone of his asthma action plan. The nurse should not base her actions on which of the following information?
- A. The student should use his quick-relief inhaler.
- B. The student's asthma is not well controlled.
- C. The student's peak flow is 50% to 80% of his best peak flow.
- D. The student needs to go to the hospital
Correct answer: D
Rationale: In an asthma action plan, the yellow zone indicates caution and signals a need to monitor symptoms closely. When a student is in the yellow zone, the appropriate action is to follow the prescribed steps, which typically include using a quick-relief inhaler and closely monitoring peak flow. Going to the hospital is usually reserved for severe asthma exacerbations in the red zone. Therefore, the information that the student needs to go to the hospital is not typically appropriate when the student is in the yellow zone.
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