Question

A student nurse is giving a presentation to a community group about measures to prevent atherosclerosis. Which of the following should the student nurse include as modifiable risk factors? (Select all that apply.)

Answer 1

Correct Answers:

Tobacco use
Elevated blood pressure
Obesity

Rationale :

Tobacco use

🔷 Tobacco use is a modifiable risk factor because the client can stop smoking or using nicotine products.

🔷 Smoking damages the vascular endothelium, which promotes plaque formation.

🔷 It also increases vasoconstriction, platelet aggregation, and oxygen demand.

🔷 Smoking cessation lowers the risk of atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction, and stroke.

🔷 Teaching should focus on cessation programs, nicotine replacement, and behavioral support.

Elevated blood pressure

🔷 Hypertension injures arterial walls and accelerates plaque buildup.

🔷 High pressure causes chronic stress on the vessels, making them more prone to narrowing.

🔷 Blood pressure can be modified through diet, exercise, medication adherence, and sodium restriction.

🔷 Controlling blood pressure reduces cardiovascular complications.

🔷 The nurse should encourage regular BP monitoring and lifestyle changes.

Obesity

🔷 Obesity increases the risk for hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and insulin resistance.

🔷 Excess body weight contributes to inflammation and vascular damage.

🔷 Weight loss can improve lipid levels, blood pressure, and cardiac workload.

🔷 Healthy nutrition and activity are key prevention measures.

🔷 Obesity is modifiable because lifestyle and medical interventions can reduce risk.

Genetic predisposition

🔷Genetic predisposition is not modifiable because it is inherited.

🔷The nurse should assess it as a risk factor, but it cannot be changed.

Family history

🔷Family history is a nonmodifiable risk factor for atherosclerosis.

🔷 It helps identify clients at higher risk but cannot be altered.

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Answer 2

Correct Answers:

Pedal pulses in the right lower extremity

Rationale :

🔶 The nurse should palpate the pedal pulses in the right lower extremity because the catheter was inserted through the right femoral artery.

🔶 Checking distal pulses helps determine whether blood flow below the insertion site is adequate.

🔶 A weak, absent, or diminished pedal pulse can indicate arterial occlusion, bleeding, or impaired circulation.

🔶 The nurse should also assess skin color, temperature, capillary refill, sensation, and movement of the affected leg.

🔶 This assessment is essential after cardiac catheterization to detect vascular complications early.

Radial pulse in the right upper extremity

🔶The radial pulse does not assess circulation distal to a right femoral insertion site.

🔶It would be more relevant if the catheter was inserted through the radial artery.

Popliteal pulse in the left lower extremity

🔶The left lower extremity is not the affected side.

🔶The nurse should focus on circulation in the limb used for catheter insertion.

Brachial pulse in the right upper extremity

🔶The brachial pulse assesses upper-extremity circulation.

🔶It does not evaluate blood flow below the right femoral catheter site.

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Answer 3

Correct Answers:

Hemorrhagic stroke

Rationale :

🔷 A hemorrhagic stroke is strongly suspected when a client reports the worst headache of their life, especially with vomiting, seizure, and decreased responsiveness.

🔷 The severely elevated blood pressure of 205/110 mm Hg increases concern for bleeding in the brain.

🔷 Hemorrhagic stroke occurs when a blood vessel ruptures, causing blood to enter brain tissue or surrounding spaces.

🔷 Vomiting, seizure activity, altered level of consciousness, and fever can occur due to increased intracranial pressure and brain irritation.

🔷 This presentation requires urgent neurologic evaluation and rapid imaging to identify bleeding.

Thrombotic stroke

🔷A thrombotic stroke usually develops from a clot forming in a cerebral artery.

🔷 It commonly presents with focal neurologic deficits rather than a sudden explosive headache with seizure and vomiting.

Transient ischemic attack (TIA)

🔷A TIA causes temporary neurologic symptoms that resolve without permanent infarction.

🔷Loss of responsiveness, seizure, and “worst headache” are not typical TIA findings.

Embolic stroke

🔷An embolic stroke occurs when a clot travels to the brain and blocks a vessel.

🔷It usually causes sudden focal deficits, but the severe headache and seizure pattern suggests bleeding.

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Answer 4

Correct Answers:

Hypertension
Irregular breathing patterns
Decrease in heart rate

Rationale :

Hypertension

🔶 Hypertension is part of Cushing’s triad, which signals severe increased intracranial pressure.

🔶 As ICP rises, cerebral perfusion decreases.

🔶 The body increases systemic blood pressure to maintain blood flow to the brain.

🔶 This compensatory response is a late and dangerous sign.

🔶 A sustained ICP of 35 mm Hg is critically elevated and requires immediate intervention.

Irregular breathing patterns

🔶 Irregular respirations occur because increased ICP affects the brainstem respiratory centers.

🔶 Breathing may become slow, irregular, or abnormal.

🔶 This finding indicates worsening neurologic compromise.

🔶 Respiratory pattern changes are a late sign of increased ICP.

🔶 The nurse should report this immediately.

Decrease in heart rate

🔶 A decreased heart rate, or bradycardia, is another component of Cushing’s triad.

🔶 It occurs due to pressure effects on the brainstem and baroreceptor response to hypertension.

🔶 Bradycardia with hypertension and irregular respirations suggests serious neurologic deterioration.

🔶 This is a late sign of increased ICP.

🔶 Immediate provider notification is required.

Slurred speech

🔶Slurred speech can occur with neurologic impairment.

🔶However, it is not one of the three classic findings of Cushing’s triad.

Neck stiffness

🔶Neck stiffness is more commonly associated with meningeal irritation.

🔶It is not part of Cushing’s triad.

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Answer 5

Correct Answers:

"I'll take my heart medications the morning of my test."

Rationale :

🔷 This statement requires further teaching because some cardiac medications, especially beta blockers, may need to be held before an exercise stress test.

🔷 These medications can limit the heart rate response during exercise.

🔷 If the heart rate does not rise appropriately, the test results may be inaccurate.

🔷 The client should follow the provider’s specific instructions about which medications to take or hold.

🔷 The nurse should clarify medication instructions before the test.

“I’ll get 8 hours of sleep the night before the test.”

🔷Adequate rest before the test is appropriate.

🔷Fatigue can affect the client’s ability to exercise during the test.

“I will not smoke prior to my test.”

🔷Avoiding smoking before the test is appropriate.

🔷Nicotine can affect heart rate, blood pressure, and test accuracy.

“I’ll skip my coffee the morning of my test.”

🔷Avoiding caffeine before the test is appropriate.

🔷Caffeine can alter heart rate and interfere with cardiovascular testing.

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Answer 6

Correct Answers:

Neck pain and stiffness
Disorientation
Pupillary changes
Headache

Rationale :

Neck pain and stiffness

🔶 Neck pain and stiffness can occur with increased intracranial pressure and meningeal irritation.

🔶 Increased pressure can stretch pain-sensitive structures in the brain and surrounding tissues.

🔶 This finding should be assessed with other neurologic changes.

🔶 It can indicate worsening pressure inside the skull.

🔶 The nurse should report new or worsening symptoms promptly.

Disorientation

🔶 Disorientation is an important sign of increased ICP because mental status changes often occur early.

🔶 The brain is sensitive to reduced oxygenation and reduced cerebral perfusion.

🔶 Confusion, restlessness, or decreased responsiveness can signal neurologic decline.

🔶 Frequent neurologic checks are essential.

🔶 Any change from baseline should be reported immediately.

Pupillary changes

🔶 Pupillary changes can indicate pressure on cranial nerves, especially the oculomotor nerve.

🔶 Pupils may become unequal, sluggish, or nonreactive.

🔶 This can suggest worsening brain compression.

🔶 Pupillary assessment is a priority in clients with hydrocephalus.

🔶 These changes require urgent intervention.

Headache

🔶 Headache is a common manifestation of increased ICP.

🔶 It occurs because pressure stretches pain-sensitive intracranial structures.

🔶 The headache may worsen with coughing, movement, or lying flat.

🔶 In hydrocephalus, excess cerebrospinal fluid increases pressure in the ventricles.

🔶 Persistent or worsening headache should be treated as a serious finding.

Anuria

🔶Anuria means absence of urine output.

🔶It is not a typical neurologic manifestation of increased ICP.

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Answer 7

Correct Answers:

Kernig's sign

Rationale :

🔷 Kernig’s sign is present when the client experiences pain or resistance when the leg is extended from a flexed hip and knee position.

🔷 It is associated with meningeal irritation, commonly seen in meningitis.

🔷 Inflammation of the meninges causes pain when the spinal meninges are stretched.

🔷 This finding supports the nurse’s concern for meningitis.

🔷 The nurse should maintain appropriate precautions and continue neurologic monitoring.

Brudzinski’s sign

🔷Brudzinski’s sign occurs when flexion of the neck causes involuntary flexion of the hips and knees.

🔷It is also associated with meningitis but does not describe pain with leg extension.

Nuchal rigidity

🔷Nuchal rigidity refers to neck stiffness.

🔷It does not specifically describe pain when extending the leg from a flexed position.

Bradykinesia

🔷Bradykinesia means slowed movement.

🔷It is commonly associated with Parkinson’s disease, not meningitis assessment.

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Answer 8

Correct Answers:

Prepare client for a cardiac catheterization

Rationale :

🔶 A confirmed ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) requires rapid reperfusion therapy.

🔶 Cardiac catheterization allows visualization of coronary arteries and possible percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

🔶 PCI can open the blocked artery and restore blood flow to the myocardium.

🔶 Early intervention reduces heart muscle damage and improves survival.

🔶 The nurse should anticipate preparing the client for emergent catheterization.

Prepare client for a non-contrast CT scan

🔶A non-contrast CT scan is commonly used to evaluate suspected stroke or intracranial bleeding.

🔶It is not the priority intervention for a confirmed STEMI.

Hold anticoagulant therapies

🔶Anticoagulants are commonly used in STEMI management unless contraindicated.

🔶Holding them without a reason could increase the risk of clot progression.

Discontinue intravenous access

🔶IV access should be maintained for emergency medications, fluids, and procedures.

🔶Discontinuing IV access would delay urgent treatment.

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Answer 9

Correct Answers:

Reduce edema of the brain.

Rationale :

🔷 An osmotic diuretic, such as mannitol, is used to reduce cerebral edema in clients with increased ICP.

🔷 It pulls fluid from brain tissue into the bloodstream through osmotic movement.

🔷 The excess fluid is then eliminated by the kidneys.

🔷 This decreases brain swelling and helps lower intracranial pressure.

🔷 The nurse should monitor urine output, serum osmolality, electrolytes, and neurologic status.

Provide fluid hydration

🔷Osmotic diuretics do not primarily hydrate the client.

🔷They promote fluid removal to decrease pressure.

Increase cell size in the brain

🔷Increasing brain cell size would worsen cerebral edema.

🔷The goal is to decrease swelling, not enlarge cells.

Expand extracellular fluid volume

🔷Osmotic diuretics may temporarily pull fluid into the vascular space.

🔷Their therapeutic purpose in increased ICP is reduction of brain edema through diuresis.

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Answer 10

Correct Answers:

MRI of the heart and great vessels

Rationale :

🔶 The nurse should clarify the order for an MRI because many pacemakers are not MRI-compatible.

🔶 MRI magnets can interfere with pacemaker function and cause device malfunction.

🔶 The client may be at risk for altered pacing, lead heating, or serious rhythm problems.

🔶 MRI may be possible only if the pacemaker is specifically labeled MRI-conditional and safety protocols are followed.

🔶 The nurse must verify device compatibility before the procedure.

Low impact physical therapy

🔶Low-impact physical therapy can be appropriate after pacemaker placement when ordered safely.

🔶The client should avoid strenuous activity and excessive arm movement on the affected side initially.

Serum cardiac enzyme levels

🔶Cardiac enzymes may be monitored depending on the client’s condition.

🔶This order does not pose the same device-related safety concern as MRI.

Low-sodium diet

🔶A low-sodium diet may be appropriate for clients with cardiac disease or hypertension.

🔶 It does not conflict with pacemaker placement.

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RN ATI medsurg Exam 2026

No.

1 :
A student nurse is giving a presentation to a community group about measures to prevent atherosclerosis. Which of the following should the student nurse include as modifiable risk factors? (Select all that apply.)

2 :
A newly licensed nurse is assessing a client who had a cardiac catheterization with a right femoral insertion site. Which of the following pulses should the nurse palpate?

4 :
A nurse is caring for a client who has a sustained intracranial pressure (ICP) reading of 35 mm Hg. Which of the following findings indicate that the client is experiencing Cushing's triad? (Select all that apply.)

5 :
A nurse is caring for a client who is scheduled for an exercise stress test. Which of the following comments made by the client should indicate to the nurse that the client requires further teaching?

6 :
A nurse is monitoring a client who has hydrocephalus. Which of the following manifestations should indicate to the nurse the client is experiencing an increase in intracranial pressure (ICP)? (Select all that apply.)

7 :
A nurse is assessing a client who has meningitis and notices the client grimace in pain when extending the leg from a flexed position. Which of the following conditions is the client displaying?

8 :
A client in the intensive care unit is experiencing an ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) confirmed by the 12-lead EKG. Which of the following interventions will the nurse anticipate for this client?

9 :
A nurse is preparing to administer an osmotic diuretic IV to a client with increased intracranial pressure. Which of the following should the nurse identify as the purpose of the medication?

10 :
A nurse is caring for a client who recently had surgery for insertion of a permanent pacemaker. Which of the following orders should the nurse clarify with the provider?

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RN ATI medsurg Exam 2026

No.

1 : A student nurse is giving a presentation to a community group about measures to prevent atherosclerosis. Which of the following should the student nurse include as modifiable risk factors? (Select all that apply.)

2 : A newly licensed nurse is assessing a client who had a cardiac catheterization with a right femoral insertion site. Which of the following pulses should the nurse palpate?

4 : A nurse is caring for a client who has a sustained intracranial pressure (ICP) reading of 35 mm Hg. Which of the following findings indicate that the client is experiencing Cushing's triad? (Select all that apply.)

5 : A nurse is caring for a client who is scheduled for an exercise stress test. Which of the following comments made by the client should indicate to the nurse that the client requires further teaching?

6 : A nurse is monitoring a client who has hydrocephalus. Which of the following manifestations should indicate to the nurse the client is experiencing an increase in intracranial pressure (ICP)? (Select all that apply.)

7 : A nurse is assessing a client who has meningitis and notices the client grimace in pain when extending the leg from a flexed position. Which of the following conditions is the client displaying?

8 : A client in the intensive care unit is experiencing an ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) confirmed by the 12-lead EKG. Which of the following interventions will the nurse anticipate for this client?

9 : A nurse is preparing to administer an osmotic diuretic IV to a client with increased intracranial pressure. Which of the following should the nurse identify as the purpose of the medication?

10 : A nurse is caring for a client who recently had surgery for insertion of a permanent pacemaker. Which of the following orders should the nurse clarify with the provider?

1 :
A student nurse is giving a presentation to a community group about measures to prevent atherosclerosis. Which of the following should the student nurse include as modifiable risk factors? (Select all that apply.)

2 :
A newly licensed nurse is assessing a client who had a cardiac catheterization with a right femoral insertion site. Which of the following pulses should the nurse palpate?

4 :
A nurse is caring for a client who has a sustained intracranial pressure (ICP) reading of 35 mm Hg. Which of the following findings indicate that the client is experiencing Cushing's triad? (Select all that apply.)

5 :
A nurse is caring for a client who is scheduled for an exercise stress test. Which of the following comments made by the client should indicate to the nurse that the client requires further teaching?

6 :
A nurse is monitoring a client who has hydrocephalus. Which of the following manifestations should indicate to the nurse the client is experiencing an increase in intracranial pressure (ICP)? (Select all that apply.)

7 :
A nurse is assessing a client who has meningitis and notices the client grimace in pain when extending the leg from a flexed position. Which of the following conditions is the client displaying?

8 :
A client in the intensive care unit is experiencing an ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) confirmed by the 12-lead EKG. Which of the following interventions will the nurse anticipate for this client?

9 :
A nurse is preparing to administer an osmotic diuretic IV to a client with increased intracranial pressure. Which of the following should the nurse identify as the purpose of the medication?

10 :
A nurse is caring for a client who recently had surgery for insertion of a permanent pacemaker. Which of the following orders should the nurse clarify with the provider?