a nurse is preparing to perform a routine abdominal assessment what action should the nurse take first
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Nursing Elites

ATI RN

ATI Capstone Fundamentals Assessment Proctored

1. A healthcare provider is preparing to perform a routine abdominal assessment. What action should the healthcare provider take first?

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct first action in a routine abdominal assessment is to inspect the abdomen. This allows the healthcare provider to visually assess for any visible abnormalities such as scars, distention, or masses. Auscultating bowel sounds comes after inspection as the second step to assess bowel motility. Palpation and percussion follow in the sequence of a comprehensive abdominal assessment. Therefore, inspecting the abdomen is the priority to gather initial information before proceeding with further assessment techniques.

2. A nurse is preparing to administer medications to a client through a nasogastric (NG) tube. Which action should the nurse take?

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct action for the nurse to take when administering medications through an NG tube is to dissolve each medication separately and flush with water between medications. This practice helps prevent interactions between medications and ensures that each medication is delivered effectively. Option A is incorrect as mixing all medications together can lead to chemical interactions or alter the effectiveness of the medications. Option B is incorrect because flushing the NG tube with air is not recommended and may cause harm. Option D is incorrect as administering all medications at the same time does not allow for proper absorption and interaction control.

3. A nurse receives a report from an assistive personnel that a client's BP is 160/95. What should the nurse do first?

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct first action for the nurse in this scenario is to recheck the blood pressure. This step is crucial to confirm the accuracy of the initial reading. Administering antihypertensive medication without verifying the blood pressure could lead to inappropriate treatment. Notifying the healthcare provider can be done after ensuring the accuracy of the reading. Simply documenting the blood pressure without validation may result in acting on potentially incorrect information. Therefore, the priority is to recheck the blood pressure.

4. A nurse is monitoring a client who is receiving continuous enteral feedings. What is a sign of intolerance to the feeding?

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Nausea is a common sign of intolerance to enteral feedings and should be addressed promptly. Weight gain (Choice A) is not typically a sign of intolerance to enteral feedings but may indicate other health issues. Constipation (Choice C) is not a common sign of feeding intolerance. Decreased heart rate (Choice D) is not typically associated with intolerance to enteral feedings.

5. A nurse is caring for a client who is undergoing surgery for a hip fracture. What is a priority intervention to reduce the risk of postoperative complications?

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Encouraging early ambulation is crucial in reducing the risk of postoperative complications, such as blood clots and pneumonia. Early mobilization helps prevent complications like deep vein thrombosis and pneumonia by promoting circulation and preventing respiratory complications. Providing intravenous antibiotics (Choice B) is important for preventing infections but is not the priority immediately post-surgery. Applying anti-embolism stockings (Choice C) is beneficial in preventing venous thromboembolism but does not address the immediate need for mobility. Placing a Foley catheter (Choice D) may be necessary during surgery but is not a priority intervention to reduce postoperative complications related to immobility.

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