ATI RN
Pathophysiology Practice Questions
1. Rhabdomyolysis can result in serious complications. In addition to muscle pain and weakness, a patient will complain of:
- A. paresthesias.
- B. bone pain.
- C. dark urine.
- D. diarrhea.
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Dark urine is a classic symptom of rhabdomyolysis. When muscle breakdown occurs, myoglobin is released into the bloodstream and filtered by the kidneys, leading to dark urine. Paresthesias (choice A) refer to abnormal sensations like tingling or numbness and are not typically associated with rhabdomyolysis. Bone pain (choice B) is not a prominent symptom of rhabdomyolysis. Diarrhea (choice D) is not a common complaint in rhabdomyolysis cases and is not directly related to muscle breakdown.
2. What is the priority nursing intervention for a child with epiglottitis?
- A. Administer antibiotics
- B. Maintain airway patency
- C. Provide hydration
- D. Monitor vital signs
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Maintain airway patency. When dealing with a child with epiglottitis, the priority nursing intervention is to ensure airway patency to prevent airway obstruction, which can lead to respiratory distress or failure. Administering antibiotics (choice A) is important to treat the infection, but airway management takes precedence. Providing hydration (choice C) and monitoring vital signs (choice D) are essential aspects of care but are secondary to securing the airway in a child with epiglottitis.
3. Which of the following is an example of a secondary prevention activity?
- A. Blood pressure screening
- B. Administering medications
- C. Developing a care plan
- D. Providing rehabilitation
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A, blood pressure screening. Secondary prevention aims to identify and treat conditions early to prevent their progression. Blood pressure screening helps in early detection of hypertension, allowing for timely intervention. Choices B, C, and D are not examples of secondary prevention activities. Administering medications (B) can be part of treatment after a condition is diagnosed, developing a care plan (C) is more related to organizing and coordinating care rather than prevention, and providing rehabilitation (D) focuses on recovery and improvement post-diagnosis rather than early detection and prevention.
4. When starting amitriptyline, a client should be instructed to monitor for which of the following adverse effects?
- A. Diarrhea
- B. Urinary retention
- C. Bradycardia
- D. Dry cough
Correct answer: B
Rationale: When a client starts taking amitriptyline, an important adverse effect to monitor for is urinary retention. Amitriptyline is a tricyclic antidepressant that can cause anticholinergic effects, including urinary retention. It is crucial to educate the client on recognizing and reporting this adverse effect to their healthcare provider. Diarrhea is not a common adverse effect of amitriptyline and is more associated with other medications. Bradycardia is a possible adverse effect of amitriptyline, but urinary retention is a more common and significant concern. Dry cough is not a typical adverse effect of amitriptyline.
5. A patient is admitted to the hospital with complaints of nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and severe abdominal pain. Which of the following would immediately alert the healthcare provider that the patient has bleeding from the GI tract?
- A. Complete blood count
- B. Guaiac test
- C. Vital signs
- D. Abdominal girth
Correct answer: B
Rationale: A positive guaiac test is used to detect the presence of occult (hidden) blood in the stool, suggesting bleeding from the gastrointestinal tract. It is a rapid screening test that can provide immediate information to the healthcare provider about possible gastrointestinal bleeding in patients presenting with symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and severe abdominal pain.
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