ATI RN
RN ATI Capstone Proctored Comprehensive Assessment A
1. A patient has just undergone a tracheostomy. What is the nurse's priority intervention?
- A. Suction the tracheostomy to maintain a patent airway.
- B. Administer pain medication as prescribed.
- C. Change the tracheostomy dressing every 4 hours.
- D. Monitor the patient's oxygen saturation closely.
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is to suction the tracheostomy to maintain a patent airway. After a tracheostomy, the priority intervention is to ensure a clear airway to prevent respiratory distress. Administering pain medication, changing the tracheostomy dressing, and monitoring oxygen saturation are important but are secondary to maintaining a patent airway in a patient who has just undergone a tracheostomy.
2. A community health nurse is providing an educational session on childhood poisoning at a local school. What should the nurse advise as the first action if poisoning occurs?
- A. Call the poison control center
- B. Bring the child to the emergency department (ED)
- C. Induce vomiting
- D. Call an ambulance
Correct answer: A
Rationale: In the event of poisoning, the recommended first action is to call the poison control center. Poison control specialists can provide immediate guidance on how to manage the situation effectively. Bringing the child to the emergency department (Choice B) may be necessary depending on the severity of the poisoning, but contacting poison control first is crucial for appropriate and timely intervention. Inducing vomiting (Choice C) is not advised in all cases of poisoning and should only be done under the guidance of healthcare professionals. Calling an ambulance (Choice D) may be necessary in some severe cases, but the initial step should be to contact poison control for expert advice.
3. A patient with a history of asthma is admitted with shortness of breath. What is the nurse's priority intervention?
- A. Administer a bronchodilator as prescribed.
- B. Encourage the patient to use an incentive spirometer.
- C. Place the patient in a high Fowler's position.
- D. Monitor the patient's oxygen saturation closely.
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is to administer a bronchodilator as prescribed. This intervention is the priority for a patient with asthma experiencing shortness of breath as it helps relax the airways, making breathing easier. Encouraging the use of an incentive spirometer (Choice B) is beneficial for lung expansion but not the priority in this acute situation. Placing the patient in a high Fowler's position (Choice C) can also help with breathing but is not as immediate as administering a bronchodilator. While monitoring the patient's oxygen saturation closely (Choice D) is important, the immediate action to address the breathing difficulty is administering a bronchodilator.
4. Which intervention is essential when caring for a patient with a nasogastric (NG) tube?
- A. Suction the NG tube every 4 hours.
- B. Check the placement of the NG tube before each feeding.
- C. Flush the NG tube with water before and after each medication administration.
- D. Remove the NG tube once the patient feels comfortable.
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Checking the placement of the NG tube before each feeding is crucial to ensure it is correctly positioned and safe to use. Option A is incorrect as routine suctioning can lead to complications and should only be done as needed. Option C is not necessary unless there are specific instructions for flushing. Option D is incorrect as the NG tube should only be removed by healthcare professionals based on medical criteria, not solely based on the patient's comfort.
5. Which action by the nurse will help reduce the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in a postoperative patient?
- A. Encourage early ambulation and leg exercises.
- B. Apply compression stockings to the patient's legs.
- C. Administer anticoagulants as prescribed.
- D. Elevate the patient's legs to promote circulation.
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is to encourage early ambulation and leg exercises. By promoting early ambulation and leg exercises, blood flow is enhanced, reducing the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in postoperative patients. Choice B, applying compression stockings, helps prevent VTE but is not as effective as early ambulation and exercises. Choice C, administering anticoagulants, is important in VTE prevention but does not directly address improving circulation through physical activity. Choice D, elevating the patient's legs, may be beneficial for circulation in specific cases but is not as effective in preventing VTE as early ambulation and leg exercises.
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