health assessment practice questions nursing

Questions 46

ATI RN

ATI RN Test Bank

health assessment practice questions nursing Questions

Question 1 of 5

A physician has diagnosed a patient with purpura. After leaving the room, a nursing student asks the nurse what the physician saw that led to that diagnosis. The nurse should say:

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C because purpura is characterized by the presence of confluent and extensive patches of petechiae and ecchymoses. Petechiae are small, pinpoint hemorrhages less than 2mm in size, and ecchymoses are larger bruises. This presentation is indicative of a more severe underlying condition, such as a bleeding disorder or vasculitis. Choice A is incorrect as it describes spider veins or telangiectasias, not purpura. Choice B describes a birthmark, not purpura. Choice D is incorrect as it describes petechiae, not purpura, which involves larger areas of bleeding.

Question 2 of 5

Which of the following statements about air conduction is true?

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D because a loss of air conduction, known as conductive hearing loss, refers to a problem conducting sound waves through the outer or middle ear. This type of hearing loss can be caused by issues such as earwax buildup, fluid in the middle ear, or problems with the ear canal or eardrum. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because air conduction is not the most efficient pathway for hearing (choice A), it is not caused by vibrations of bones in the skull (choice B), and the pitch of sound is determined by the frequency, not the amplitude (choice C). Conductive hearing loss specifically relates to the transmission of sound through the outer and middle ear structures, making choice D the correct statement.

Question 3 of 5

A patient's laboratory data reveal an elevated thyroxine level. The nurse would examine the:

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: thyroid gland. Thyroxine is a hormone produced by the thyroid gland. An elevated thyroxine level indicates a potential thyroid gland dysfunction. The nurse would examine the thyroid gland to assess its size, texture, and any signs of abnormalities. Incorrect choices: B: Parotid gland - This gland is responsible for producing saliva, not thyroxine. C: Adrenal gland - Responsible for producing hormones like cortisol and adrenaline, not thyroxine. D: Thyroxine gland - There is no such thing as a "thyroxine gland." Thyroxine is a hormone produced by the thyroid gland.

Question 4 of 5

During a checkup, a 22-year-old woman tells the nurse that she uses an over-the-counter nasal spray for her allergies. She also reports that it does not work as well as it used to. The best response by the nurse would be:

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D because over-the-counter nasal sprays, especially those containing decongestants, can lead to rebound swelling when used for an extended period. Rebound swelling occurs when the nasal passages become more congested after the effects of the medication wear off. This can result in a cycle of dependency on the nasal spray to alleviate symptoms, leading to worsening congestion over time. It is important for the nurse to educate the patient about this potential risk and suggest alternative treatment options to address her allergies effectively without causing rebound swelling. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because: A: Incorrect, as not all over-the-counter nasal sprays carry a risk of addiction. B: Incorrect, as switching to another brand may not address the underlying issue of rebound swelling. C: Incorrect, as continuous use of the nasal spray without addressing rebound swelling can exacerbate the problem.

Question 5 of 5

Which of the following statements about otoscopic examination of a newborn would be true?

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C because the normal eardrum of a newborn can appear thick and opaque due to the presence of vernix or desquamated epithelium. Immobility of the drum (Choice A) is not a normal finding in a newborn and could indicate a problem. An "injected" membrane (Choice B) would suggest inflammation or infection, not necessarily infection. The appearance of the membrane in a newborn is not identical to that of an adult (Choice D) as it may have a different color, thickness, or opacity due to developmental differences.

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