VATI Medical Surgical Exam-Questions with Correct
Answers/Verified
A nurse is assessing a client who has suspected appendicitis. Which of the following
manifestations should the nurse expect? - ✔✔Elevated WBC Count
Rebound Tenderness
Anorexia
A nurse is caring for a client immediately following intubation with an endotracheal (ET)
tube. Which of the following methods should the nurse identify as the most reliable for
verifying placement of the ET tube? - ✔✔Check for end-tidal carbon dioxide levels.
According to evidence-based practice, the most reliable method for verifying ET tube
placement is checking for end-tidal carbon dioxide levels by using capnometry. A chest x-ray
is another reliable method for verifying placement.
A nurse is planning care for a. client who has a lump in their right breast. Which of the
following findings increases the client's risk of developing breast cancer? - ✔✔Menopausal
obesity
During menopause, increased fat tissue can lead to higher stores of estrogen. Higher levels
of estrogen in the body increase the risk for postmenopausal breast cancer.
A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client following a loop electrosurgical excision
procedure (LEEP) for the treatment of cervical cancer. Which of the following statements by
the client indicates an understanding of the teaching? - ✔✔"I may have mild cramping for
several hours."
The client should expect very little discomfort from the LEEP procedure, which is performed
in ambulatory care using a painless electrical current.
A nurse is assessing a client who has a history of type 2 diabetes mellitus. The nurse should
identify which of the following findings as an indication of a microvascular complication? -
✔✔Retinopathy
, Diabetic retinopathy is a microvascular complication of diabetes mellitus resulting from
pathologic changes in small blood vessels, which eventually cause tissue damage, cell death
in the retina, and blindness.
A nurse in an emergency department is caring for a client who is confused, has a
temperature of 104 F, a BP of 74/52 mm Hg, and a diagnosis of exertional heat stroke.
Which of the following actions should the nurse take first? - ✔✔Administer oxygen using a
high-concentration mask.
The first action the nurse should take when using the airway, breathing, and circulation
approach to client care is to ensure that the client has a patent airway and administer
oxygen using a high-concentration mask to promote oxygen perfusion to vital organs.
A nurse notes that a client's eyes are protruding slightly from their orbits. Which of the
following laboratory findings should the nurse expect? - ✔✔Increased T4 levels
Exophthalmos, an abnormal protrusion of the eyeballs, is a classic sign of hyperthyroidism.
Elevated thyroid hormone levels (T3 and T4) and a decreased thyroid stimulating hormone
level reflect primary hyperthyroidism.
A nurse is analyzing the ABG results of a client who is in respiratory acidosis. Which of the
following mechanisms should the nurse identify as responsible for this acid-base imbalance?
- ✔✔Retention of carbon dioxide
Respiratory acidosis results from the retention of carbon dioxide. Retention of carbon
dioxide can result from respiratory depression, inadequate chest expansion, airway
obstruction, or decreased alveolar capillary diffusion.
A nurse is caring for a client who is 3 hr postoperative and exhibiting signs of hypovolemia.
Which. Of the following findings should the nurse identify as a manifestation of
hypovolemia? - ✔✔Rapid pulse rate
A client who has hypovolemia has a rapid, weak pulse rate to compensate for the decrease
in blood volume in an attempt to increase blood pressure.
Answers/Verified
A nurse is assessing a client who has suspected appendicitis. Which of the following
manifestations should the nurse expect? - ✔✔Elevated WBC Count
Rebound Tenderness
Anorexia
A nurse is caring for a client immediately following intubation with an endotracheal (ET)
tube. Which of the following methods should the nurse identify as the most reliable for
verifying placement of the ET tube? - ✔✔Check for end-tidal carbon dioxide levels.
According to evidence-based practice, the most reliable method for verifying ET tube
placement is checking for end-tidal carbon dioxide levels by using capnometry. A chest x-ray
is another reliable method for verifying placement.
A nurse is planning care for a. client who has a lump in their right breast. Which of the
following findings increases the client's risk of developing breast cancer? - ✔✔Menopausal
obesity
During menopause, increased fat tissue can lead to higher stores of estrogen. Higher levels
of estrogen in the body increase the risk for postmenopausal breast cancer.
A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client following a loop electrosurgical excision
procedure (LEEP) for the treatment of cervical cancer. Which of the following statements by
the client indicates an understanding of the teaching? - ✔✔"I may have mild cramping for
several hours."
The client should expect very little discomfort from the LEEP procedure, which is performed
in ambulatory care using a painless electrical current.
A nurse is assessing a client who has a history of type 2 diabetes mellitus. The nurse should
identify which of the following findings as an indication of a microvascular complication? -
✔✔Retinopathy
, Diabetic retinopathy is a microvascular complication of diabetes mellitus resulting from
pathologic changes in small blood vessels, which eventually cause tissue damage, cell death
in the retina, and blindness.
A nurse in an emergency department is caring for a client who is confused, has a
temperature of 104 F, a BP of 74/52 mm Hg, and a diagnosis of exertional heat stroke.
Which of the following actions should the nurse take first? - ✔✔Administer oxygen using a
high-concentration mask.
The first action the nurse should take when using the airway, breathing, and circulation
approach to client care is to ensure that the client has a patent airway and administer
oxygen using a high-concentration mask to promote oxygen perfusion to vital organs.
A nurse notes that a client's eyes are protruding slightly from their orbits. Which of the
following laboratory findings should the nurse expect? - ✔✔Increased T4 levels
Exophthalmos, an abnormal protrusion of the eyeballs, is a classic sign of hyperthyroidism.
Elevated thyroid hormone levels (T3 and T4) and a decreased thyroid stimulating hormone
level reflect primary hyperthyroidism.
A nurse is analyzing the ABG results of a client who is in respiratory acidosis. Which of the
following mechanisms should the nurse identify as responsible for this acid-base imbalance?
- ✔✔Retention of carbon dioxide
Respiratory acidosis results from the retention of carbon dioxide. Retention of carbon
dioxide can result from respiratory depression, inadequate chest expansion, airway
obstruction, or decreased alveolar capillary diffusion.
A nurse is caring for a client who is 3 hr postoperative and exhibiting signs of hypovolemia.
Which. Of the following findings should the nurse identify as a manifestation of
hypovolemia? - ✔✔Rapid pulse rate
A client who has hypovolemia has a rapid, weak pulse rate to compensate for the decrease
in blood volume in an attempt to increase blood pressure.
