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 teaching a group of assistive personnel about expected integumentary changes in older adults. What change should the nurse include?

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Decrease in elasticity. As individuals age, their skin tends to lose elasticity, becoming less flexible. This results in wrinkles and sagging skin. Option A, increase in oil production, is not typically an expected integumentary change in older adults. Option C, increase in pigmentation, may occur due to sun exposure or age spots but is not a universal change. Option D, decrease in moisture levels, is not a primary integumentary change associated with aging.

3. During a focused assessment for a client with dysrhythmias, what indicates ineffective cardiac contractions?

Correct answer: B

Rationale: A pulse deficit is a crucial finding in clients with dysrhythmias as it indicates ineffective cardiac contractions. A pulse deficit occurs when the apical heart rate is faster than the radial pulse rate, suggesting that some heartbeats are not generating a pulse. This can be a sign of serious heart conditions like atrial fibrillation or heart failure. The other options, such as an increased heart rate (choice A), elevated blood pressure (choice C), and bounding pulse (choice D), do not specifically indicate ineffective cardiac contractions and are not directly associated with dysrhythmias.

4. While assessing the IV infusion site of a client experiencing pain, redness, and warmth, what should the nurse do?

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is to discontinue the infusion. Pain, redness, and warmth at the IV site are signs of phlebitis, which is inflammation of the vein. Continuing the infusion can further irritate the vein and lead to complications. Increasing the IV flow rate would exacerbate the issue by delivering more irritants to the vein. Elevating the limb and applying a cold compress are not the appropriate interventions for phlebitis, as discontinuing the infusion is crucial to prevent further harm.

5. A nurse is teaching a client with diabetes mellitus about foot care. What is the most important instruction the nurse should include?

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Inspecting feet daily for injuries is crucial for clients with diabetes to prevent unnoticed wounds from becoming infected. This instruction is the most important as it helps in early detection and management of foot problems. Choice A is incorrect because applying lotion between the toes can lead to excessive moisture, increasing the risk of fungal infections. Choice C is wrong as wearing shoes indoors can also lead to foot issues. Choice D is incorrect because cutting toenails in a rounded shape can result in ingrown toenails, posing a risk for infection.

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