ATI RN Predictor Study 2022
(Comprehensive Q&A)
Addison's Disease {ANSWER} - Is an endocrine disorder that occurs when the adrenal glands do not
produce enough of the hormone cortisol and in some cases, the hormone aldosterone.
- The disease is characterized by weight loss, muscle weakness, fatigue, low BP and hyperpigmentation
(darkening) of the skin in both exposed and non-exposed parts of the body.
Common symptoms of Addison's Disease {ANSWER} - Weight loss
- Hyperpigmentation
- Weakness/fatigue
- Low BP
- Loss of Body hair
Cushing's Disease {ANSWER} - S/S: Hirsutism (excessive hair), moon face, purple striatum (typically in
the skin of the abdomen, thighs or breast), thin extremities, buffalo hump
Testing for TB {ANSWER} - A Mantoux skin test is the most accurate and valuable screening tool
available for TB. A positive result means only that the client has been exposed to TB; it does not meant
that the client has active TB.
- A sputum culture for acid fast bacillus (AFB) is used to confirm the diagnosis of pulmonary TB after a
screening test and chest x-ray come back positive.
Teaching instructions for the use of a cane: {ANSWER} (1) The cane is moved forward about 12 inches
(2) Then, the weak leg is moved even with the cane.
(3) Finally, the strong leg is brought forward and ahead of the cane and weak leg.
,- Canes are held on the strong side
- The grip of the cane should be level with the trochanter of the femur
Veracity {ANSWER} - Is truthfulness. This is the value that requires the nurse to tell the truth to every
client and to make sure that the client fully understands the message.
Autonomy {ANSWER} - Is the right to independence and personal freedom, which leads to the primacy
of self-determination
Fidelity {ANSWER} - Is the duty to keep promises. It refers to the obligation to be faithful to agreements,
commitments and responsibilities that are made.
Nonmaleficence {ANSWER} - Is the obligation and duty to do no harm.
Meningococcal vaccine {ANSWER} - Recommended that this vaccine be given to children who are 11
through 12 years of age and then given a booster dose at age 16.
When should the single dose of Herpes zoster vaccine be given? {ANSWER} - To adults 60 years or older
whether or not they report a previous episode of herpes zoster.
Rotavirus should be given at what age? {ANSWER} - During the child's first year of life.
Alendronate (Fosamax) {ANSWER} - This medication is used to prevent and treat postmenopausal
osteoporosis and Paget's Disease.
- Alendronate must be taken first thing in the morning on an empty stomach.
- The pt must be instructed to wait at least 30 minutes after taking Alendronate before eating, drinking,
or taking other medications.
What to expect with a pt having a chest tube? {ANSWER} - Continuous gentle bubbling in the suction
control chamber
- Crepitus (with a pneumothorax, this will persist for several hours depending)
- Oscillations or also called tidaling in the water seal chamber upon respiration are also expected.
,Symptoms of hypocalcemia {ANSWER} - Numbness and tingling in the hands, soles of the feet and
around the lips.
- A nurse would assess the client for a positive reaction by eliciting the Chvostek's sign.
What is a potential complication of a thyroidectomy? {ANSWER} - Hypocalcemia, which can include
numbness and tingling in the hands, soles of the feet and around the lips.
What assessment tool would a nurse use to determine hypocalcemia? {ANSWER} - Chvostek's sign
What is Chvostek's sign? And how is it done? {ANSWER} Tap on the pt's face at a point just anterior to
the ear and just below the zygomatic bone. A positive response would be twitching of the ipsilateral
(same side only) facial muscles, suggestive of neuromuscular excitability caused by hypocalcemia.
Brudzinski's sign {ANSWER} - Is an indication of meningeal irritation, which may be positive with pt's
with meningitis.
- To perform this, the client needs to be supine. The nurse places one hand behind the pt's head and
places the other hand on the clients chest. The nurse then raises the clients head (with the hand behind
the head) while the hand on the chest restrains the clients and prevents the client from rising. Flexion of
the clients lower extremities constitutes a positive sign.
Kernig's sign {ANSWER} - Is an indication of meningeal irritation. The maneuver is usually performed
with the client supine with hips and knees in flexion. Extension of the knees is attempted and the
inability to extend the clients knee beyond 135 degrees w/out causing pain constitutes a positive test.
Babinski sign {ANSWER} - This is used to test for brain damage or upper motor neuron damage. It is
considered positive if the toes flare up upon stroking the plantar aspect of the foot.
Cataract surgery discharge instructions {ANSWER} - Do not lift anything heavier than 10lbs for at least
one week
- Sleep on your back or unaffected side to lessen the pressure.
- Need to report any pain, decrease in vision or increase in discharge in the eye.
, - It is normal to feel itching and mild discomfort after surgery, but the pt should be instructed not to rub
or place pressure on the eye.
Exposure or possible exposure to anthrax {ANSWER} - Administer an antibiotic prophylaxis to all pt's
newly exposed
**Those exposed to anthrax do not require decontamination and are not considered contagious**
Botulism treatment {ANSWER} - Give an antitoxin
Why would lidocaine (Xylocaine) be given to someone following cardiac arrest? {ANSWER} - Lidocaine is
an antiarrhythmic med that is commonly used to restore a regular heartbeat in a client who has
arrhythmia. This effect is produced by delaying abnormal nerve pulses to the heart and reducing
irritability of the heart tissue.
Factors that can trigger an exacerbation of SLE? {ANSWER} - Infection (especially a strep or viral
infection. This can be a major stressor and can trigger an exacerbation)
- Pregnancy (due to hormonal changes. The pt should be advised of the risks and must be monitored
closely for effects on the renal and cardiovascular system if she decides to get pregnant)
- Sunlight (Exposure to sunlight and artificial UV light is the leading cause of SLE exacerbation
manifestations, especially the characteristic skin manifestations of lesions and butterfly rash)
Hemoptysis {ANSWER} Coughing up blood or bloody sputum
Normal BUN value {ANSWER} 7-20 mg/dL
Normal Hemoglobin levels {ANSWER} Male: 13-18 g/100mL
Female: 12-16 g/100mL
Normal Hematocrit levels {ANSWER} Male: 45%-52%
Female: 37-48%
(Comprehensive Q&A)
Addison's Disease {ANSWER} - Is an endocrine disorder that occurs when the adrenal glands do not
produce enough of the hormone cortisol and in some cases, the hormone aldosterone.
- The disease is characterized by weight loss, muscle weakness, fatigue, low BP and hyperpigmentation
(darkening) of the skin in both exposed and non-exposed parts of the body.
Common symptoms of Addison's Disease {ANSWER} - Weight loss
- Hyperpigmentation
- Weakness/fatigue
- Low BP
- Loss of Body hair
Cushing's Disease {ANSWER} - S/S: Hirsutism (excessive hair), moon face, purple striatum (typically in
the skin of the abdomen, thighs or breast), thin extremities, buffalo hump
Testing for TB {ANSWER} - A Mantoux skin test is the most accurate and valuable screening tool
available for TB. A positive result means only that the client has been exposed to TB; it does not meant
that the client has active TB.
- A sputum culture for acid fast bacillus (AFB) is used to confirm the diagnosis of pulmonary TB after a
screening test and chest x-ray come back positive.
Teaching instructions for the use of a cane: {ANSWER} (1) The cane is moved forward about 12 inches
(2) Then, the weak leg is moved even with the cane.
(3) Finally, the strong leg is brought forward and ahead of the cane and weak leg.
,- Canes are held on the strong side
- The grip of the cane should be level with the trochanter of the femur
Veracity {ANSWER} - Is truthfulness. This is the value that requires the nurse to tell the truth to every
client and to make sure that the client fully understands the message.
Autonomy {ANSWER} - Is the right to independence and personal freedom, which leads to the primacy
of self-determination
Fidelity {ANSWER} - Is the duty to keep promises. It refers to the obligation to be faithful to agreements,
commitments and responsibilities that are made.
Nonmaleficence {ANSWER} - Is the obligation and duty to do no harm.
Meningococcal vaccine {ANSWER} - Recommended that this vaccine be given to children who are 11
through 12 years of age and then given a booster dose at age 16.
When should the single dose of Herpes zoster vaccine be given? {ANSWER} - To adults 60 years or older
whether or not they report a previous episode of herpes zoster.
Rotavirus should be given at what age? {ANSWER} - During the child's first year of life.
Alendronate (Fosamax) {ANSWER} - This medication is used to prevent and treat postmenopausal
osteoporosis and Paget's Disease.
- Alendronate must be taken first thing in the morning on an empty stomach.
- The pt must be instructed to wait at least 30 minutes after taking Alendronate before eating, drinking,
or taking other medications.
What to expect with a pt having a chest tube? {ANSWER} - Continuous gentle bubbling in the suction
control chamber
- Crepitus (with a pneumothorax, this will persist for several hours depending)
- Oscillations or also called tidaling in the water seal chamber upon respiration are also expected.
,Symptoms of hypocalcemia {ANSWER} - Numbness and tingling in the hands, soles of the feet and
around the lips.
- A nurse would assess the client for a positive reaction by eliciting the Chvostek's sign.
What is a potential complication of a thyroidectomy? {ANSWER} - Hypocalcemia, which can include
numbness and tingling in the hands, soles of the feet and around the lips.
What assessment tool would a nurse use to determine hypocalcemia? {ANSWER} - Chvostek's sign
What is Chvostek's sign? And how is it done? {ANSWER} Tap on the pt's face at a point just anterior to
the ear and just below the zygomatic bone. A positive response would be twitching of the ipsilateral
(same side only) facial muscles, suggestive of neuromuscular excitability caused by hypocalcemia.
Brudzinski's sign {ANSWER} - Is an indication of meningeal irritation, which may be positive with pt's
with meningitis.
- To perform this, the client needs to be supine. The nurse places one hand behind the pt's head and
places the other hand on the clients chest. The nurse then raises the clients head (with the hand behind
the head) while the hand on the chest restrains the clients and prevents the client from rising. Flexion of
the clients lower extremities constitutes a positive sign.
Kernig's sign {ANSWER} - Is an indication of meningeal irritation. The maneuver is usually performed
with the client supine with hips and knees in flexion. Extension of the knees is attempted and the
inability to extend the clients knee beyond 135 degrees w/out causing pain constitutes a positive test.
Babinski sign {ANSWER} - This is used to test for brain damage or upper motor neuron damage. It is
considered positive if the toes flare up upon stroking the plantar aspect of the foot.
Cataract surgery discharge instructions {ANSWER} - Do not lift anything heavier than 10lbs for at least
one week
- Sleep on your back or unaffected side to lessen the pressure.
- Need to report any pain, decrease in vision or increase in discharge in the eye.
, - It is normal to feel itching and mild discomfort after surgery, but the pt should be instructed not to rub
or place pressure on the eye.
Exposure or possible exposure to anthrax {ANSWER} - Administer an antibiotic prophylaxis to all pt's
newly exposed
**Those exposed to anthrax do not require decontamination and are not considered contagious**
Botulism treatment {ANSWER} - Give an antitoxin
Why would lidocaine (Xylocaine) be given to someone following cardiac arrest? {ANSWER} - Lidocaine is
an antiarrhythmic med that is commonly used to restore a regular heartbeat in a client who has
arrhythmia. This effect is produced by delaying abnormal nerve pulses to the heart and reducing
irritability of the heart tissue.
Factors that can trigger an exacerbation of SLE? {ANSWER} - Infection (especially a strep or viral
infection. This can be a major stressor and can trigger an exacerbation)
- Pregnancy (due to hormonal changes. The pt should be advised of the risks and must be monitored
closely for effects on the renal and cardiovascular system if she decides to get pregnant)
- Sunlight (Exposure to sunlight and artificial UV light is the leading cause of SLE exacerbation
manifestations, especially the characteristic skin manifestations of lesions and butterfly rash)
Hemoptysis {ANSWER} Coughing up blood or bloody sputum
Normal BUN value {ANSWER} 7-20 mg/dL
Normal Hemoglobin levels {ANSWER} Male: 13-18 g/100mL
Female: 12-16 g/100mL
Normal Hematocrit levels {ANSWER} Male: 45%-52%
Female: 37-48%
