ATI Fundamental Practice Questions pt.2

A nurse is planning care for a group of clients who are receiving oxygen therapy. Which of the following clients should the nurse plan to see first? a. A client who has heart failure and is receiving 100% oxygen via a partial rebreather mask b. A client who has emphysema and is receiving oxygen at 3L/min via a transtracheal oxygen cannula c. A client who has an old tracheostomy and is receiving 40% humidified oxygen via tracheostomy collar d. A client who has COPD and is receiving oxygen at 2 L/min via nasal cannula.

A. A client who has heart failure and is receiving 100% oxygen via a partial rebreather mask rationale: The nurse should frequently check the bag on a rebreather mask to ensure it inflates properly. If the bag is deflated, the client will rebreathe his own exhaled carbon dioxide instead of receiving the prescribed oxygen dose. Therefore, the nurse should first see the client who has heart failure and is receiving 100% oxygen via a partial rebreather mask.

A nurse is caring for a client who postoperative and who has an indwelling urinary catheter to gravity drainage. The nurse notes no urine output in the past 2 hr. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first? a. Check to determine if the catheter tubing is kinked. b. Palpate the bladder. c. Obtain a prescription to irrigate the catheter with 0.9% sodium chloride. d. Encourage the client to drink more fluids.

A. Check to determine if the catheter tubing is kinked. rationale: The nurse should take interventions that are not invasive to the client before interventions that are invasive. This reduces the number of organisms introduced into the body, decreasing the number of facility-acquired infections. The first action the nurse should take is to inspect the tubing carefully, straightening out any kinks, and make certain that there are no dependent loops. A common reason a tube is not draining is that there is a kink in the tubing or that the client is lying on it.

A nurse is planning care for a client who has a prescription for collection of a sputum specimen for culture and sensitivity. Which of the following actions should the nurse take when obtaining the specimen? a. Collect the specimen upon arising in the morning. b. Force fluids during the day and collect the specimen in the evening. c. Collect the specimen after antibiotics have been started. d. Collect 2 mL of sputum before sending the specimen to the laboratory.

A. Collect the specimen upon arising in the morning. rationale: The nurse should plan to collect the sputum specimen when the client arises in the morning because the client is able to more easily cough up the secretions that have accumulated during the night.

A nurse is replacing the surgical dressings on a client who had abdominal surgery. Which of the following actions should the nurse take? a. Don clean gloves to remove the old dressing. b. Loosen the dressing by pulling the tape away from the wound. c. Remove the entire old dressing at once. d. Open sterile supplies after applying sterile gloves.

A. Don clean gloves to remove the old dressing rationale: The nurse should use standard precautions by applying clean gloves whenever there is a possibility of coming into contact with secretions. Removing a soiled dressing is a procedure that requires wearing clean, not sterile, gloves. Sterile gloves are not necessary until the nurse applies the new sterile dressing.

A nurse is preparing to administer eye drops to a client following surgery. Which of the following actions should the nurse take when instilling the eye drops? a. Drop the eye medication into the lower conjunctival sac. b. Apply gentle pressure in the outer opening of the eye for 2 min. c. Hold the eye dropper 0.5 cm (0.2 in) from the cornea. d. Instruct the client to close eyes tightly after administration.

A. Drop the eye medication into the lower conjunctival sac. rationale: The nurse should drop the eye medication in the lower conjunctival sac to avoid placing the drops on the cornea and causing damage.

A nurse is performing suctioning for a client who has a tracheostomy. Which of the following actions should the nurse take? a. Pull suction catheter back 1 cm (0.5 in) if the client starts coughing. b. Allow 30 seconds between suctioning passes. c. Hyperventilate the client with 50% oxygen for 30 seconds. d. Perform a maximum of 4 passes with the suction catheter.

A. Pull suction catheter back 1 cm (0.5 in) if the client starts coughing. rationale: The nurse should pull the suction catheter back 1 cm (0.5 in) when the client starts to cough, or resistance is met. This will remove the catheter from the mucosal wall of the trachea prior to suctioning.

A nurse is helping a client change his hospital gown. The client has an IV infusion on an infusion pump. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first? a. Remove the sleeve of the gown from the arm without the IV line. b. Slow the infusion using the roller clamp. c. Disconnect the IV line from the pump. d. Bring the IV solution and tubing from the outside to the end side of the sleeve of the gown.

A. Remove the sleeve of the gown from the arm without the IV line. rationale: Beginning this process will enable the nurse to move the gown fully off the client and last stop the system to remove the gown off the line, resulting in minimal interruption of the IV flow.

A nurse is planning care for a client who is confused and requires a prescription for wrist restraints. Which of the following interventions should the nurse include in the plan of care? a. Renew the prescription for the use of restrains within 24 hr. b. Secure the restraint with the buckle side next to the client's skin. c. Ensure 4 fingers can be inserted under the secured restraint. d. Remove the restraint every 3 hr.

A. Renew the prescription for the use of restrains within 24 hr. rationale: The nurse should plan to renew the prescription for the restraints within 24 hr, and only after the provider has evaluated the client.

A nurse is caring for a client who has a history of dysrhythmias. Upon entering the room, the nurse discovers the client is unresponsive to verbal or painful stimuli, has no respirations, and is pulseless. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first? a. Start chest compressions. b. Provide breaths with a manual resuscitation bag. c. Administer oxygen. d. Establish an airway.

A. Start chest compressions rationale: he nurse should perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation, which starts with chest compression, then opening the airway, and breathing for adults and pediatric clients because evidence indicates there is a great survival rate when chest compressions are started before a breath is initiated.

A nurse is preparing to assist with ambulation of an older adult client who was on bed rest for 3 days. Which of the following actions should the nurse take to decrease the risk of a fall? a. Use a gait belt during ambulation. b. Ensure the client is wearing socks before ambulating. c. Instruct the client to sit on the edge of the bed for 15 seconds before ambulating. d. Walk 2 feet behind the client during ambulation.

A. Use a gait belt during ambulation. rationale: The nurse should use a gait belt to keep the client's center of gravity midline and decrease the risk of a fall.

A nurse is planning to administer pain medication to a client who has pain following abdominal surgery. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first? a. Use the pain scale to determine the client's pain level. b. Discuss the adverse effects of pain medication with the client. c. Obtain the client's vital signs. d. Check the client's allergies.

A. Use the pain scale to determine the client's pain level. rationale: he nurse should consider Maslow's hierarchy of needs, which includes five levels of priority when caring for this client. The first level consists of physiological needs

A nurse is planning care for a client who has a wound infection following abdominal surgery. To promote healing and fight infection, which of the following vitamins and minerals should the nurse plan to increase in the client's diet? a. Vitamin C and zinc b. Vitamin D c. Vitamin K and iron d. Calcium

A. Vitamin C and Zinc rationale: The client's body needs both vitamin C and zinc to help fight a wound infection. The client should receive a multivitamin, and a mineral supplement of both. In addition, vitamin E supplements also are needed to aid in skin and wound healing.

A nurse is caring for a client who is postoperative following a vaginal hysterectomy and asks for a drink. Her postoperative diet prescription reads: clear liquids; advance diet as tolerated. Which of the following responses should the nurse make? a. "Lunch trays should be here within the hour." b. "I am going to listen to your abdomen." c. "I'll get you some water to drink." d. "I would wait a bit, or you could feel sick."

B. "I am going to listen to your abdomen." rationale: A common reason clients experience nausea and vomiting after surgery is delayed gastric emptying time or decreased peristalsis. The nurse should auscultate the client's abdomen to determine the presence of bowel sounds before clear liquids can be administered.

A nurse is providing teaching to a client who has a new colostomy about proper care. Which of the following information should the nurse include in the teaching? a. Change the colostomy bag following breakfast. b. Cleanse the skin around the stoma with warm water. c. Change the pouch every day. d. Place an aspirin in the ostomy pouch to decrease odor.

B. Cleanse the skin around the stoma with warm water. rationale: The nurse should instruct the client to cleanse the skin around the stoma with warm water, because using soap can leave a residue on the skin and cause poor adherence of the pouch adhesive.

A nurse is teaching a client who is recovering from gallbladder surgery how to use an incentive spirometer. Which of the following information should the nurse include in the teaching? a. Exhale slowly to reach goal volume. b. Hold breath for 5 seconds after goal volume is reached. c. Continue to deep breathe between each cycle. d. Limit repeat pattern of breathing to 5 breaths.

B. Hold breath for 5 secs after goal volume is reached. rationale: The nurse should instruct the client to hold her breath for 3 to 5 seconds after reaching maximal inspiratory volume. This decreases the collapse of alveoli, which helps to prevent the risk of atelectasis and pneumonia.

A nurse is changing the bed linens for a client who is on bed rest. Which of the following actions should the nurse plan to take? a. Place the soiled linens on the chair while making the bed. b. Hold the linens away from the body and clothing. c. Place the linens on the floor until able to place it in a linen bag. d. Shake the clean linens to unfold.

B. Hold the linens away from the body and clothing. rationale: The nurse should hold the linens away from the body and clothing to prevent soiling or the transfer of microorganisms. The microorganisms present on the nurse's clothing can expose other clients to microorganisms.

A nurse is caring for a toddler at a well-child visit when the mother calls to the nurse, "Help! My baby is choking on his food." Which of the following findings indicates the toddler has an airway obstruction? a. Flushing of the skin b. Inability of the toddler to cry or speak c. Presence of nausea and mild emesis d. Capillary refill time 1.5 sec

B. Inability of the toddler to cry or speak rationale: When the client has no sound passing through the vocal cords, the nurse should identify a complete airway obstruction is evident. The nurse should use the Heimlich maneuver to dislodge whatever is obstructing the trachea.

A nurse is preparing to insert an indwelling urinary catheter for a male client. Which of the following locations should the nurse secure the urinary catheter tubing? a. Lateral thigh b. Lower abdomen c. Mid-abdominal region d. Medial thigh

B. Lower Abdomen rationale: After inserting an indwelling urinary catheter, the nurse should secure the catheter tubing to the client's upper thigh or lower abdomen, by using adhesive tape or catheter securement device. This location will decrease tension and trauma to the urethra.

A nurse is changing the dressings for a client who has two Penrose drains near an abdominal incision. Which of the following adhering devices is the best choice for the nurse to use to decrease skin irritation? a. Abdominal binder b. Montgomery straps c. Hypoallergenic tape d. Plastic tape

B. Montgomery straps rationale: Montgomery straps are adhesive strips applied to the skin on either side of the surgical wound. The adhesive strips have holes for using gauze to tie the dressing securely. When the dressing is changed, the ties are released, the dressing replaced, and the ties secured again without removing the adhesive strips.

A nurse is caring for an older adult client who has dysphagia following a cerebrovascular accident. Which of the following actions should the nurse take when assisting the client at mealtime? a. Encourage the client to drink fluids before swallowing food. b. Offer the client tart or sour foods first. c. Tilt the client's head backward when swallowing. d. Turn on the television.

B. Offer the client tart or sour foods first. rationale: The client who has impaired pharyngeal swallowing should consume tart and sour foods at the beginning of the meal to stimulate saliva production, which helps with chewing and swallowing.

A nurse is preparing to administer an intramuscular injection to a client who is overweight. Which of the following sites should the nurse select for the injection? a. The lower, medial quadrant of the buttock near the coccyx b. The side hip between the iliac crest and anterior iliac spine c. The tissue of the posterior upper arm d. The lower, inner thigh 4 finger widths above the patella

B. The side hip between the iliac crest and anterior iliac spine rationale: This site is the preferred site for intramuscular injections for an adult client. The nurse should prepare for injection by placing a hand on the client's greater trochanter (right hand on left hip, for example) with the first two fingers touching the iliac crest and anterior superior iliac spine, forming a "V" shape.

A nurse is performing a straight urinary catheterization for a female client who has urinary retention. Which of the following actions indicates the nurse is maintaining sterile technique? a. Applies sterile gloves to open catheter package b. Wipes the labia minora in an anteroposterior direction c. Spreads the labia with the dominant hand d. Uses one cotton ball to wipe the right and left labia majora

B. Wipes the labia minora in an anteroposterior direction rationale: The nurse should wipe anteroposterior both the right and left labia minora with separate cotton swabs to destroy any microorganisms in the area that would contaminate the catheter.

A nurse is assessing a client who has an onset of severe back pain of unknown origin. Which of the following questions should the nurse ask to encourage discussion with the client? a. "Does the medication you're taking relieve the pain?" b. "Can you point to where the pain is the worst?" c. "What do you think caused the onset of your pain?" d. "Changing positions makes your pain worse, right?"

C. "What do you think caused the onset of your pain?" rationale: The nurse is using an open-ended question that allows the client to respond with a wide range of information by using more than one or two words.

A nurse is assisting a client who is eating at mealtime. The client grabs her neck with both hands and appears frightened. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first? a. Place an oxygen mask on the client. b. Check the client's pulse. c. Determine whether the client is able to breathe. d. Wrap arms around the client from behind.

C. Determine whether the client is able to breathe. rationale: The client is demonstrating the universal choking gesture. If the client is unable to move air in or out, severe airway obstruction is present. The client would need emergency interventions to clear a partial obstruction, indicated by stridor or minimal airway passage. As long there is good air exchange and she can cough and breathe spontaneously, the nurse should stay with the client and monitor her condition.

A nurse is caring for a client who has an NG tube for intermittent enteral feedings. Which of the following actions should the nurse take? a. Auscultate for bowel sounds after each feeding. b. Ensure the formula is cold before administering. c. Elevate the client's head of bed 45° before the feeding. d. Flush the tubing with 15 mL of water after the enteral feeding.

C. Elevate the client's head of bed 45° before the feeding. rationale: The nurse should elevate the client's head of bed between 30° to 45° to prevent aspiration.

A nurse is performing eye irrigation for a client who was exposed to smoke and ash. Which of the following actions should the nurse take? a. Hold the irrigator 1.25 cm (0.5 in) above the eye. b. Direct the irrigation solution upward toward the upper eyelid. c. Exert pressure on the bony prominences when holding the eyelids open. d. Direct the irrigation from the outer canthus to the inner canthus of the eye.

C. Exert pressure on the bony prominences when holding the eyelids open. rationale: The nurse should hold the upper lid against the eyebrow and the lower lid against the cheekbone when irrigating the eye.

A nurse is preparing to insert an NG tube for a client who has a bowel obstruction. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first? a. Provide the client with a glass of water. b. Assist the client to a sitting position. c. Explain the procedure to the client. d. Measure the length of tubing to be inserted.

C. Explain the procedure to the client. rationale: informing the client about the procedure reduces fear and assists in gaining the client's cooperation, which is important for NG tube insertion and is the priority nursing intervention.

A nurse is administering a cleansing enema to a client who is scheduled for a diagnostic procedure. Which of the following actions should the nurse take? a. Lubricate up to 3.2 cm (1.25 in) of the tip of the rectal tube. b. Position the client on his right side. c. Insert the tip of the tubing 8 cm (3.1 in). d. Hold the enema container 61 cm (24 in) above the rectum.

C. Insert the tip of the tubing 8 cm (3.1 in). rationale: The nurse should insert the tip of the tubing 7 to 10 cm (3 to 4 in) along the rectal wall to prevent dislodging of the tube during the procedure and injury to the rectal mucosa.

A nurse is preparing to remove an NG tube for a client who had a partial colectomy. Which of the following actions should the nurse take? a. Maintain suction while removing the NG tube. b. Instill 100 mL of air into the NG tube before removal. c. Pinch the NG tube while removing the tube. d. Instruct the client to breathe in and out during the removal of the NG tube.

C. Pinch the NG tube while removing the tube. rationale: The nurse should pinch the NG tube while removing the tube to decrease the risk of aspiration of any gastric contents.

A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving an IV fluid replacement. Which of the following findings should the nurse identify as infiltration of the IV infusion site? a. Redness at the IV catheter entry site b. A palpable cord is felt along the vein used for the infusion c. Taut skin around the IV catheter site that is cool to the touch d. Bleeding at the IV insertion site

C. Taut skin around the IV catheter site that is cool to the touch rationale: The client who has taut skin around the IV catheter site that is cool to touch might have an infiltrated IV site. The nurse should stop the IV infusion, elevate the extremity, and apply a warm moist compress, or a cold compress according to the type of infiltration.

A nurse is planning care for an adult client who has fluid volume excess. Which of the following interventions should the nurse plan to include to monitor the client's weight? a. Calibrate the scales weekly. b. Use a different scale each time. c. Weigh the client on arising. d. Weigh the client without clothing.

C. Weigh the client on arising. rationale: The nurse should weigh the client on arising each day, after voiding, and before breakfast. An accurate weight requires the client to be weighed wearing the same garments, and on the same carefully calibrated scale (balanced to zero before each use).

A nurse is changing the dressings for a client recovering from an appendectomy following a ruptured appendix. The client's surgical wound is healing by secondary intention. Which of the following observations should the nurse report to the provider? a. Tenderness when touched b. Pink, shiny tissue with a granular appearance c. Serosanguineous drainage d. A halo of erythema on the surrounding skin

D. A halo of erythema on the surrounding skin rationale: The nurse should report to the provider when the client has a ring of erythema (redness) on the surrounding skin, which might indicate underlying infection. This and any other manifestation of infection, such as purulent drainage, swelling, warmth, or a strong odor, should be reported to the provider.

A nurse is caring for a client who has major fecal incontinence and reports irritation in the perianal area. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first? a. Apply a fecal collection system. b. Apply a barrier cream. c. Cleanse and dry the area. d. Check the client's perineum.

D. Check the client's perineum. rationale: Before the nurse can formulate a plan of action, implement a nursing intervention, or notify a provider of a change in the client's status, she must first collect adequate data from the client. Assessing or collecting additional data will provide the nurse with knowledge to make an appropriate decision. The priority nursing action is for the nurse to collect more data by assessing the area of irritation.

A nurse is collecting a urine specimen for culture and sensitivity for a client who has a urinary tract infection. The client has an indwelling urinary catheter in place. Which of the following actions should the nurse take? a. Withdraw the specimen from the drainage bag. b. Cleanse the collection port with soap and water. c. Place the specimen in a clean specimen cup. d. Clamp the tubing below the collection port.

D. Clamp the tubing below the collection port. rationale: The nurse should clamp the tubing below the collection port to allow fresh uncontaminated urine to collect before withdrawing the specimen through the port and placing it in a sterile specimen cup.

A nurse is caring for a client who had a mastectomy and has a self-suction drainage evacuator in place. Which of the following actions should the nurse take to ensure proper operation of the device? a. Irrigate the tubing with sterile normal water once each shift. b. Cleanse the opening with soap and water after emptying. c. Maintain the tubing above the level of the surgical incision. d. Collapse the device of air after emptying.

D. Collapse the device of air after emptying. rationale: The nurse should collapse the device of air after emptying the contents periodically to create enough suction to pull fluid exudate into the collection area of the device.

A nurse is caring for a client who has a hearing impairment. Which of the following interventions should the nurse use when speaking with the client? a. Speak directly into the client's impaired ear. b. Exaggerate lip movements. c. Speak loudly. d. Face the client when speaking.

D. Face the client when speaking rationale: The nurse should always directly face the client who has a hearing impairment and stand or sit at the same level to maximize communication. Many clients who are hearing impaired combine lip reading with their residual hearing when communicating.

A nurse is providing teaching to a group of unit nurses about wound healing by secondary intention. Which of the following information should the nurse include in the teaching? a. The wound edges are well-approximated. b. The wound is closed at a later date. c. A skin graft is placed over the wound bed. d. Granulation tissue fills the wound during healing.

D. Granulation tissue fills the wound during healing. rationale: The nurse should include in the teaching that a beefy, red tissue called granulation tissue fills the wound during healing. The wound is left open to drain and heal by secondary intention that should occur within 5 to 21 days. Open wounds place the client at an increased risk for wound infection.

A nurse is planning to collect a stool specimen for ova and parasites from a client who has diarrhea. Which of the following actions should the nurse take when collecting the specimen? a. Instruct the client to defecate into the toilet bowl. b. Transfer the specimen to a sterile container. c. Refrigerate the collected specimen. d. Place the stool specimen collection container in a biohazard bag.

D. Place the stool specimen collection container in a biohazard bag. rationale: The nurse should place the specimen collection container in a biohazard bag with the client label placed on the container and the bag for easy identification, and to prevent contamination with microorganisms.

A nurse is changing the dressings for a client who is 3 days postoperative following a cholecystectomy. The nurse observes yellow, thick drainage on the dressing. The nurse should document this finding as which of the following types of drainage? a. Sanguineous exudate b. Serous exudate c. Serosanguineous exudate d. Purulent exudate

D. Purulent exudate rationale: Purulent exudate drainage on the client's dressings is thick yellow, green and brown drainage and usually indicates wound sloughing or infection.

A nurse is applying antiembolitic stockings for a client who has a history of deep vein thrombosis. Which of the following actions should the nurse take when applying the stockings? a. Roll the stocking partially down if too long. b. Remove the stocking once per day. c. Bunch and pull the stocking half way up the calf. d. Turn the stocking inside out up to the heel before applying.

D. Turn the stocking inside out up to the heel before applying. rationale: The nurse should turn the stocking inside out up to the client's heel to make the application of the stocking easier and cause less constrictive wrinkles.