ATI RN
Pathophysiology Practice Exam
1. When a child jumps out of the tub, crying and stating her feet are 'burning,' what pathophysiologic principle is responsible for this response?
- A. Pain receptors (nociceptors) have been activated in response to a thermal stimulus.
- B. The child's skin thermal receptors have undergone adaptation.
- C. The child is exhibiting a psychogenic pain response due to anxiety.
- D. The child is experiencing a conditioned pain response based on previous experiences.
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The child's reaction is due to the activation of nociceptors, which are pain receptors that respond to thermal stimuli. This response is an immediate protective mechanism to prevent tissue damage caused by extreme temperatures. Option B is incorrect because adaptation does not explain the child's immediate and intense response. Option C is incorrect as there is a clear physical stimulus present, ruling out a psychogenic response. Option D is incorrect as the child's response is not based on previous experiences but rather on the current thermal stimulus.
2. A 50-year-old woman has had a relapse of her multiple sclerosis (MS) after several years of being symptom-free. Which of the following factors is most likely to have contributed to her relapse?
- A. Emotional stress
- B. Dietary indiscretion
- C. Physical overexertion
- D. Adequate rest and relaxation
Correct answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Physical overexertion. In individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS), physical overexertion can exacerbate symptoms and contribute to a relapse. It is important for individuals with MS to balance physical activity to avoid triggering symptom reoccurrence. Choices A, B, and D are less likely to have directly contributed to the relapse. Emotional stress and dietary indiscretion may play a role in exacerbating symptoms in some individuals, but physical overexertion is more commonly associated with MS relapses. Adequate rest and relaxation are important for overall well-being but are not typically linked to MS relapses.
3. A nurse on a postsurgical unit is providing care for a 76-year-old female client who is two days post-hemiarthroplasty (hip replacement) and who states that her pain has been out of control for the last several hours, though she is not exhibiting signs of pain. Which guideline should the nurse use for short-term and long-term treatment of the client's pain?
- A. Pain is what the client says it is, even if she is not exhibiting outward signs.
- B. Pain should be treated only when it is associated with observable symptoms.
- C. Long-term opioid use is generally safe for elderly clients in a hospital setting.
- D. The client's pain should be reassessed after every dose of pain medication.
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Pain is a subjective experience, and the client's report of pain should be taken seriously even if there are no outward signs. Choice B is incorrect because pain can be present without observable symptoms, and waiting for observable signs may delay appropriate pain management. Choice C is incorrect because the safety of long-term opioid use in elderly clients is a complex issue and should be carefully evaluated due to the risk of adverse effects. Choice D is incorrect because while pain reassessment is important, it should not be limited to just after medication administration but should occur regularly to ensure adequate pain control.
4. A nurse practitioner is assessing a 7-year-old boy who has been brought to the clinic by his mother, who is concerned about her son's increasingly frequent, severe headaches. Which of the nurse's questions is least likely to yield data that will confirm or rule out migraines as the cause of his problem?
- A. Does your son have a family history of migraines?
- B. When your son has a headache, does he ever have nausea and vomiting as well?
- C. Does your son have any food allergies that have been identified?
- D. Is your son generally pain-free during the intervals between headaches?
Correct answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C. In assessing a child for migraines, asking about food allergies is least likely to yield data that will confirm or rule out migraines as the cause of his headaches. Food allergies are unrelated to the typical symptoms and triggers of migraines, such as family history, associated symptoms like nausea and vomiting, and pain-free intervals between headaches. Therefore, in this scenario, focusing on food allergies is less relevant for identifying migraines as the cause of the boy's headaches.
5. A group of nursing students at Nurseslabs University is currently learning about family violence. Which of the following is true about the topic mentioned?
- A. Family violence affects every socioeconomic level.
- B. Family violence is caused by drugs and alcohol abuse.
- C. Family violence predominantly occurs in lower socioeconomic levels.
- D. Family violence rarely occurs during pregnancy.
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Family violence affects individuals across all socioeconomic levels. Family violence is not limited to any specific socioeconomic level; it can happen in any family, regardless of their economic status. Choice B is incorrect because while substance abuse can contribute to family violence, it is not the sole cause. Choice C is incorrect as family violence can occur in families from all socioeconomic backgrounds. Choice D is incorrect as family violence can indeed occur during pregnancy, posing serious risks to both the mother and the unborn child.
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