ATI RN COMPREHENSIVE EXIT EXAM
2025-2026 NEWEST UPDATED WITH
QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED COMPLETE
ANSWERS ALREADY UPGRADED A+
1. The nurse is concerned about the skin integrity of the patient in the intraoperative phase of
surgery. Which
action will the nurse take to minimize skin breakdown?
a.
Encouraging the patient to bathe before surgery
b.
Securing attachments to the operating table with foam padding
c.
Periodically adjusting the patient during the surgical procedure
d.
Measuring the time a patient is in one position during surgery
ANS: B
Although it may be necessary to place a patient in an unusual position, try to maintain correct
alignment and
protect the patient from pressure, abrasion, and other injuries. Special mattresses, use of foam
padding, and
,attachments to the operating suite table provide protection for the extremities and bony
prominences. Bathing
before surgery helps to decrease the number of microbes on the skin. Periodically adjusting the
patient during
the surgical procedure is impractical and can present a safety issue with regard to maintaining
sterility of the
field and maintaining an airway. Measuring the time the patient is in one position may help with
monitoring
the situation but does not prevent skin breakdown.
2. The nurse is assessing a postoperative patient with a history of obstructive sleep apnea for
airway
obstruction. Which assessment finding will best alert the nurse to this complication?
a.
Drop in pulse oximetry readings
b.
Moaning with reports of pain
c.
Shallow respirations
d.
Disorientation
ANS: A
One of the greatest concerns after general anesthesia is airway obstruction, especially in
patients with
obstructive sleep apnea. A drop in oxygen saturation by pulse oximetry is a sign of airway
obstruction in
patients with obstructive sleep apnea. Weak pharyngeal/laryngeal muscle tone from
anesthetics; secretions in
the pharynx, bronchial tree, or trachea; and laryngeal or subglottic edema also contribute to
airway obstruction.
, In the postanesthetic patient, the tongue is a major cause of airway obstruction. Shallow
respirations are
indicative of respiratory depression. Moaning and reports of pain are common in all surgical
patients and are
an expected event. Disorientation is common when first awakening from anesthesia but can be
a sign of
hypoxia.
3. The nurse is caring for a patient in the operating suite who is experiencing hypercarbia,
tachypnea,
tachycardia, premature ventricular contractions, and muscle rigidity. Which condition does the
nurse
suspect the patient is experiencing?
a.
Malignant hyperthermia
b.
Fluid imbalance
c.
Hemorrhage
d.
Hypoxia
ANS: A
A life-threatening, rare complication of anesthesia is malignant hyperthermia. Malignant
hyperthermia causes
hypercarbia, tachycardia, tachypnea, premature ventricular contractions, unstable blood
pressure, cyanosis,
skin mottling, and muscular rigidity. It often occurs during anesthesia induction. Hypoxia would
manifest with
decreased oxygen saturation as one of its signs and symptoms. Fluid imbalance would be
assessed with intake
2025-2026 NEWEST UPDATED WITH
QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED COMPLETE
ANSWERS ALREADY UPGRADED A+
1. The nurse is concerned about the skin integrity of the patient in the intraoperative phase of
surgery. Which
action will the nurse take to minimize skin breakdown?
a.
Encouraging the patient to bathe before surgery
b.
Securing attachments to the operating table with foam padding
c.
Periodically adjusting the patient during the surgical procedure
d.
Measuring the time a patient is in one position during surgery
ANS: B
Although it may be necessary to place a patient in an unusual position, try to maintain correct
alignment and
protect the patient from pressure, abrasion, and other injuries. Special mattresses, use of foam
padding, and
,attachments to the operating suite table provide protection for the extremities and bony
prominences. Bathing
before surgery helps to decrease the number of microbes on the skin. Periodically adjusting the
patient during
the surgical procedure is impractical and can present a safety issue with regard to maintaining
sterility of the
field and maintaining an airway. Measuring the time the patient is in one position may help with
monitoring
the situation but does not prevent skin breakdown.
2. The nurse is assessing a postoperative patient with a history of obstructive sleep apnea for
airway
obstruction. Which assessment finding will best alert the nurse to this complication?
a.
Drop in pulse oximetry readings
b.
Moaning with reports of pain
c.
Shallow respirations
d.
Disorientation
ANS: A
One of the greatest concerns after general anesthesia is airway obstruction, especially in
patients with
obstructive sleep apnea. A drop in oxygen saturation by pulse oximetry is a sign of airway
obstruction in
patients with obstructive sleep apnea. Weak pharyngeal/laryngeal muscle tone from
anesthetics; secretions in
the pharynx, bronchial tree, or trachea; and laryngeal or subglottic edema also contribute to
airway obstruction.
, In the postanesthetic patient, the tongue is a major cause of airway obstruction. Shallow
respirations are
indicative of respiratory depression. Moaning and reports of pain are common in all surgical
patients and are
an expected event. Disorientation is common when first awakening from anesthesia but can be
a sign of
hypoxia.
3. The nurse is caring for a patient in the operating suite who is experiencing hypercarbia,
tachypnea,
tachycardia, premature ventricular contractions, and muscle rigidity. Which condition does the
nurse
suspect the patient is experiencing?
a.
Malignant hyperthermia
b.
Fluid imbalance
c.
Hemorrhage
d.
Hypoxia
ANS: A
A life-threatening, rare complication of anesthesia is malignant hyperthermia. Malignant
hyperthermia causes
hypercarbia, tachycardia, tachypnea, premature ventricular contractions, unstable blood
pressure, cyanosis,
skin mottling, and muscular rigidity. It often occurs during anesthesia induction. Hypoxia would
manifest with
decreased oxygen saturation as one of its signs and symptoms. Fluid imbalance would be
assessed with intake
