a nurse is preparing to perform a routine abdominal assessment what action should the nurse take first
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Nursing Elites

ATI RN

ATI Capstone Fundamentals Assessment Proctored

1. A healthcare provider is preparing to perform a routine abdominal assessment. What action should the healthcare provider take first?

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct first action in a routine abdominal assessment is to inspect the abdomen. This allows the healthcare provider to visually assess for any visible abnormalities such as scars, distention, or masses. Auscultating bowel sounds comes after inspection as the second step to assess bowel motility. Palpation and percussion follow in the sequence of a comprehensive abdominal assessment. Therefore, inspecting the abdomen is the priority to gather initial information before proceeding with further assessment techniques.

2. A nurse is preparing to perform an abdominal assessment on a client. Which action should the nurse take first?

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is to auscultate before palpation. This ensures that bowel sounds are not altered by physical manipulation. Inspecting the abdomen is a valid step but not the first. Percussing and palpating should come after auscultation to prevent altering bowel sounds or causing discomfort to the client.

3. A nurse is caring for a client who reports pain and burning around the peripheral IV site. What is the nurse's priority action?

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Discontinue the IV line. When a client reports pain and burning around the peripheral IV site, it indicates possible phlebitis, which is inflammation of the vein. The priority action is to discontinue the IV line to prevent further complications such as infection or thrombosis. Applying a warm compress (Choice A) may worsen the inflammation. Increasing the IV flow rate (Choice C) can exacerbate the symptoms and elevate the risk of complications. Elevating the limb (Choice D) may provide comfort, but it does not address the underlying issue of phlebitis. Therefore, the priority action is to discontinue the IV line.

4. A nurse is caring for a client who is postop following abdominal surgery. What behavior should the nurse identify as increasing the client's risk for constipation?

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Decreased physical activity. Following abdominal surgery, reduced physical activity can contribute to constipation due to decreased bowel motility. Increased fiber intake (choice A) generally helps prevent constipation by adding bulk to the stool. Frequent urge suppression (choice C) may lead to issues like urinary retention but is not directly linked to constipation. Adequate sleep (choice D) is important for overall recovery but does not significantly impact constipation risk.

5. A nurse is monitoring a client who is receiving continuous enteral feedings. What is a sign of intolerance to the feeding?

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Nausea is a common sign of intolerance to enteral feedings and should be addressed promptly. Weight gain (Choice A) is not typically a sign of intolerance to enteral feedings but may indicate other health issues. Constipation (Choice C) is not a common sign of feeding intolerance. Decreased heart rate (Choice D) is not typically associated with intolerance to enteral feedings.

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