ATI RN
Medical Surgical ATI Proctored Exam
1. A home health nurse visits a client who has COPD and receives oxygen at 2 L/min via nasal cannula. The client reports difficulty breathing. Which of the following actions is the nurse's priority?
- A. Increase the oxygen flow to 3 L/min.
- B. Assess the client's respiratory status.
- C. Call emergency services for the client.
- D. Have the client cough and expectorate secretions.
Correct answer: B
Rationale: When a client with COPD on oxygen therapy reports difficulty breathing, the priority action for the nurse is to assess the client's respiratory status. This involves evaluating the client's oxygen saturation levels, respiratory rate, effort of breathing, lung sounds, and overall respiratory distress. By assessing the client's respiratory status, the nurse can determine the severity of the situation and make appropriate decisions regarding further interventions, such as adjusting oxygen flow rate, providing respiratory treatments, or seeking emergency assistance if necessary.
2. When preparing a client for transfer to the ICU for placement of a pulmonary artery catheter, the nurse should explain that this catheter is used to monitor which of the following conditions?
- A. Intracranial pressure
- B. Spinal cord perfusion
- C. Renal function
- D. Hemodynamic status
Correct answer: D
Rationale: A pulmonary artery catheter is primarily used to monitor hemodynamic status. It provides essential information on cardiac output, preload, afterload, and overall cardiovascular function. This data helps healthcare providers manage the client's fluid status, cardiac function, and guide treatment interventions in critically ill patients. Monitoring intracranial pressure, spinal cord perfusion, or renal function would require different monitoring devices and techniques, not a pulmonary artery catheter.
3. A client is planning to perform nasotracheal suction for a client who has COPD and an artificial airway. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
- A. Perform suctioning for up to four passes.
- B. Apply suction to the catheter when advancing it into the trachea.
- C. Preoxygenate the client with 100% oxygen for up to 3 min.
- D. Limit each suction pass to 25 seconds.
Correct answer: C
Rationale:
4. A healthcare professional is reviewing the arterial blood gas results for a client in the ICU who has kidney failure and determines the client has respiratory acidosis. Which of the following findings should the healthcare professional expect?
- A. Widened QRS complexes
- B. Hyperactive deep tendon reflexes
- C. Bounding peripheral pulses
- D. Warm, flushed skin
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Respiratory acidosis is a condition characterized by increased carbon dioxide levels in the blood, resulting in acidosis. One of the potential consequences of respiratory acidosis is the development of electrolyte imbalances, particularly hyperkalemia. Hyperkalemia can lead to cardiac conduction abnormalities, manifested as widened QRS complexes on an electrocardiogram (ECG). Therefore, in a client with respiratory acidosis, the healthcare professional should expect to find widened QRS complexes as a result of the associated hyperkalemia.
5. A healthcare provider is assessing a client immediately after the removal of the endotracheal tube. Which of the following findings should the provider report to the healthcare provider?
- A. Stridor
- B. Copious oral secretions
- C. Hoarseness
- D. Sore throat
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Stridor is a high-pitched, harsh respiratory sound that can indicate airway obstruction. It is a serious finding that requires immediate attention as it may lead to respiratory compromise. Copious oral secretions, hoarseness, and sore throat are common but expected findings after endotracheal tube removal and do not typically require urgent intervention.
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