ATI RN
RN ATI Capstone Proctored Comprehensive Assessment A
1. Which intervention is most effective in preventing postoperative complications?
- A. Encourage the patient to drink fluids.
- B. Ambulate the patient as soon as possible.
- C. Perform deep breathing exercises with the patient.
- D. Encourage the patient to perform range of motion exercises.
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The most effective intervention in preventing postoperative complications is to ambulate the patient as soon as possible. Early ambulation helps prevent complications like deep vein thrombosis and pneumonia by enhancing circulation and preventing respiratory issues. Encouraging the patient to drink fluids, perform deep breathing exercises, or range of motion exercises are beneficial interventions, but ambulation is the priority due to its overall impact on preventing various postoperative complications.
2. A nurse is observing a patient's use of a walker. Which observation indicates a need for further teaching?
- A. The patient advances the walker too far ahead.
- B. The patient uses the walker to assist in standing.
- C. The patient maintains their balance while using the walker.
- D. The patient walks with their back hunched over.
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A because advancing the walker too far ahead increases the risk of falls, indicating a need for further teaching. Choice B is correct as using the walker to assist in standing is a proper use. Choice C is correct as maintaining balance while using the walker shows proper technique. Choice D is incorrect as walking with the back hunched over is a posture issue, not directly related to walker use.
3. A nurse is caring for a patient who is postoperative day 1 following abdominal surgery. What is the nurse's priority action to prevent complications?
- A. Encourage the patient to perform incentive spirometry.
- B. Assist the patient in ambulating around the unit.
- C. Reposition the patient every 2 hours.
- D. Administer pain medication as prescribed.
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is to encourage the patient to perform incentive spirometry. Incentive spirometry helps prevent respiratory complications, such as atelectasis, by promoting deep breathing and optimal lung expansion. Ambulating, repositioning, and administering pain medication are important interventions but do not take precedence over preventing respiratory complications in the immediate postoperative period.
4. Which factor places a patient at the highest risk for infection?
- A. A healthy immune system
- B. Presence of chronic illness
- C. Being well-nourished
- D. Age over 65 years
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The presence of chronic illness is the factor that places a patient at the highest risk for infection. Chronic illness can compromise the immune system's ability to fight off infections effectively, making individuals more susceptible to getting sick. Option A, a healthy immune system, actually reduces the risk of infection. Option C, being well-nourished, can support overall health but does not directly correlate with infection risk. While age over 65 years is a risk factor for certain infections due to age-related immune system changes, chronic illness has a more significant impact on infection risk.
5. A client undergoing chemotherapy expresses concern about hair loss. What should the nurse suggest?
- A. Encourage the client to cut their hair short before chemotherapy.
- B. Provide resources for wigs or hairpieces.
- C. Assure the client that hair loss will be minimal.
- D. Offer the client medication to reduce the chances of hair loss.
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Providing wigs and other coping resources helps clients manage the emotional effects of chemotherapy-related hair loss. Encouraging the client to cut their hair short before chemotherapy (Choice A) is not necessary as hair loss may still occur. Assuring the client that hair loss will be minimal (Choice C) may provide false hope as hair loss is a common side effect of chemotherapy. Offering medication to reduce hair loss (Choice D) is not a typical approach as chemotherapy-related hair loss is often an expected side effect that cannot be entirely prevented with medication.
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