ATI RN
RN ATI Capstone Proctored Comprehensive Assessment A
1. When the nurse discovers a patient on the floor, and the patient states, 'I fell out of bed,' the nurse assesses the patient and then places the patient back in bed. What action should the nurse take next?
- A. Re-assess the patient.
- B. Complete an incident report.
- C. Notify the healthcare provider.
- D. Do nothing, as no harm has occurred.
Correct answer: C
Rationale: After a patient has fallen, it is crucial to notify the healthcare provider. The provider needs to be informed so that further assessment, evaluation, or intervention can be carried out to ensure the patient's safety and well-being. Re-assessing the patient (Choice A) is important but notifying the healthcare provider takes precedence. Completing an incident report (Choice B) is necessary but should follow notifying the healthcare provider. Doing nothing (Choice D) is not appropriate as patient safety and potential underlying issues need to be addressed promptly.
2. The nurse is caring for a patient who is susceptible to infection. Which instruction will the nurse include in an educational session to decrease the risk of infection?
- A. Teaching the patient to take a temperature
- B. Teaching the patient to select nutritious foods
- C. Teaching the patient about the effects of alcohol
- D. Teaching the patient about fall prevention
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Teaching the patient to select nutritious foods. A nutritious diet plays a crucial role in strengthening the body's immune system, making it more capable of fighting off infections. Vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients found in healthy foods support immune function and overall health. Teaching the patient about taking a temperature (choice A) may be important for monitoring for signs of infection but does not directly decrease the risk of infection. Teaching about the effects of alcohol (choice C) and fall prevention (choice D) are important aspects of patient education but are not directly related to decreasing the risk of infection in a susceptible patient.
3. After surgery, a patient is experiencing pain. What is the nurse's priority action?
- A. Administer pain medication as prescribed.
- B. Assess the patient's pain using a pain scale.
- C. Offer the patient non-pharmacological pain relief methods.
- D. Reassess the patient's pain level after 30 minutes.
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is to assess the patient's pain using a pain scale. This is the priority action because it allows the nurse to obtain an objective measure of the patient's pain intensity. By accurately assessing the pain level, the nurse can determine the appropriate intervention, which may include administering pain medication as prescribed (choice A) or offering non-pharmacological pain relief methods (choice C). Reassessing the patient's pain level after 30 minutes (choice D) is important but comes after the initial assessment to evaluate the effectiveness of the interventions implemented.
4. A patient on mechanical ventilation experiences a sudden drop in oxygen saturation. What should the nurse check first?
- A. Check the ventilator tubing for disconnection.
- B. Increase the patient's oxygen flow.
- C. Perform a full physical assessment.
- D. Reassess the patient's oxygen levels after 5 minutes.
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is to check the ventilator tubing for disconnection first when a patient on mechanical ventilation experiences a sudden drop in oxygen saturation. This is crucial because equipment malfunction, such as tubing disconnection, can lead to decreased oxygen delivery, resulting in a drop in oxygen saturation. Checking the tubing ensures that the ventilation system is functioning properly and that the patient is receiving the necessary oxygen. Option B is incorrect because increasing oxygen flow without checking for equipment issues may not address the root cause of the drop in saturation. Option C is not the priority in this situation as the immediate focus should be on assessing and ensuring the functioning of the ventilation equipment. Option D delays addressing the potential equipment malfunction, which could worsen the patient's condition if not promptly resolved.
5. A client complains of pain in their leg, and the nurse notes swelling and pallor. What is the priority nursing action?
- A. Administer pain medication.
- B. Elevate the limb and monitor closely.
- C. Encourage movement to reduce swelling.
- D. Notify the provider immediately about the symptoms.
Correct answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Notify the provider immediately about the symptoms. Swelling and pallor in a limb can be indicative of serious circulatory issues or compartment syndrome. It is crucial to inform the healthcare provider promptly to assess and address the situation. Administering pain medication (choice A) may temporarily alleviate the symptoms but does not address the underlying cause. Elevating the limb and monitoring closely (choice B) can be beneficial but does not replace the need for immediate professional evaluation. Encouraging movement to reduce swelling (choice C) is contraindicated in this scenario as it may worsen the condition if a circulatory issue or compartment syndrome is present.
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