how should a nurse assess for signs of dehydration in an elderly patient
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Nursing Elites

ATI RN

ATI RN Comprehensive Exit Exam 2023

1. How should signs of dehydration in an elderly patient be assessed?

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Corrected Rationale: Monitoring skin turgor is a reliable method to assess dehydration in elderly patients. Skin turgor refers to the skin's elasticity or the skin's ability to return to its normal position after being pinched. In dehydration, the skin loses its elasticity, becoming less flexible and slower to return to its original state. Checking for dry mucous membranes (Choice B), monitoring for sunken eyes (Choice C), and checking capillary refill (Choice D) are all relevant assessments in dehydration but are not as specific or sensitive as monitoring skin turgor. Dry mucous membranes and sunken eyes are indicators of dehydration, while capillary refill is more related to circulatory status and less specific to dehydration.

2. What is the most important nursing action for a patient post-surgery?

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The most crucial nursing action for a patient post-surgery is to monitor vital signs. Monitoring vital signs helps in detecting early signs of complications such as hemorrhage, shock, or infection. While monitoring the surgical site is important for assessing wound healing and signs of infection, it is secondary to monitoring vital signs. Checking blood pressure and oxygen saturation are also important, but they are components of monitoring vital signs.

3. A healthcare professional is reviewing the laboratory findings of a client who has diabetes mellitus. Which of the following findings indicates a need to revise the client's plan of care?

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Elevated random serum glucose levels of 190 mg/dL indicate hyperglycemia and poor blood sugar control, requiring a revised plan of care. HbA1c levels above 7% also indicate long-term poor control of blood sugar. Serum sodium of 144 mEq/L and creatinine of 1.2 mg/dL are within normal ranges and do not directly indicate a need for a plan of care revision.

4. What is the most important nursing intervention for a patient experiencing an acute asthma attack?

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is to administer bronchodilators. During an acute asthma attack, bronchodilators like albuterol are crucial to help dilate the airways and improve breathing. Providing supplemental oxygen (Choice B) may be necessary but is not the priority intervention. Starting IV fluids (Choice C) and monitoring oxygen saturation (Choice D) are important aspects of care but are not the most critical interventions during an acute asthma attack.

5. A nurse is assessing a client who is receiving enteral feedings through a nasogastric tube. Which of the following findings requires immediate intervention?

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Auscultating crackles in the lung bases indicates fluid in the lungs, which can be a sign of aspiration pneumonia or pulmonary edema and requires immediate intervention to prevent respiratory distress. Aspirating 100 mL of gastric residual is within the acceptable range and does not require immediate intervention. A gastric pH of 4 is normal for gastric contents. Checking residual every 6 hours is a routine nursing intervention and does not indicate an urgent issue like pulmonary complications.

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