ATI RN
Pathophysiology Practice Exam
1. A person is given an attenuated antigen as a vaccine. When the person asks what was given in the vaccine, how should the nurse respond? The antigen is:
- A. Alive, but less infectious
- B. Mutated, but highly infectious
- C. Normal, but not infectious
- D. Inactive, but infectious
Correct answer: A
Rationale: An attenuated antigen used in a vaccine is alive but less infectious, aiming to stimulate an immune response. Choice B is incorrect because an attenuated antigen is not highly infectious. Choice C is incorrect as the antigen is intentionally altered to be less infectious. Choice D is incorrect as an attenuated antigen is not infectious.
2. While in an induced coma for 3 weeks, a badly burned firefighter awakens and thanks his son for singing Happy Birthday to him a week earlier. Which part of the brain is responsible for allowing him to hear and comprehend while comatose?
- A. Cerebellum
- B. Thalamus
- C. Temporal lobe
- D. Occipital lobe
Correct answer: C
Rationale: The temporal lobe is responsible for processing auditory information, allowing the patient to hear and comprehend while in a coma. The cerebellum is primarily associated with coordination and balance, not auditory processing. The thalamus serves as a relay station for sensory information but is not specifically responsible for auditory processing. The occipital lobe is mainly involved in processing visual information, not auditory functions.
3. A male patient with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is prescribed finasteride (Proscar). What should the nurse include in the patient education?
- A. The medication is expected to reduce the size of the prostate, which should improve urinary symptoms over time.
- B. The medication will improve symptoms within a few days.
- C. The medication will cure BPH after treatment is complete.
- D. The medication may cause erectile dysfunction as a side effect.
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Finasteride is expected to reduce the size of the prostate, which should improve urinary symptoms over time, although the effects may take several weeks or months to become noticeable.
4. A 70-year-old patient is seen in the family practice clinic. Which of the following vaccines should be administered to prevent shingles?
- A. Zoster vaccine
- B. Haemophilus influenzae Type b (Hib) vaccine
- C. Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine
- D. Pneumococcal polyvalent vaccine
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Zoster vaccine. The Zoster vaccine is recommended for the prevention of shingles in individuals aged 50 years and older. Shingles is caused by the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus, the same virus that causes chickenpox. The vaccine helps reduce the risk of developing shingles and decreases the severity and duration of the illness if it occurs. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect: Haemophilus influenzae Type b (Hib) vaccine is used to prevent infections caused by Haemophilus influenzae type b, Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine is used to prevent HPV infections that can lead to cervical cancer and other cancers, and Pneumococcal polyvalent vaccine is used to protect against infections caused by the bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae.
5. A healthcare professional is assessing a client with suspected myasthenia gravis. Which symptom would the healthcare professional expect to find?
- A. Muscle atrophy
- B. Facial weakness
- C. Ptosis and diplopia
- D. Increased muscle tone
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Ptosis (drooping eyelid) and diplopia (double vision) are classic symptoms of myasthenia gravis. Muscle atrophy (Choice A) is not a typical early manifestation of myasthenia gravis. While facial weakness (Choice B) can occur, it is not as specific as ptosis and diplopia. Increased muscle tone (Choice D) is more indicative of conditions like spasticity, not myasthenia gravis.
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