ATI Skin 3.0 Test | Comprehensive
Questions with Answers & Rationales
1. A nurse is teaching a client about risk factors for
developing melanoma. Which of the following client
statements indicates an understanding of the teaching?
A) "The fact that I have five moles increases my risk for
developing melanoma."
B) "My cousin had squamous cell carcinoma, which
increases my risk for melanoma."
C) "Having a light complexion decreases my risk for
developing melanoma."
D) "The blistering sunburns I had as a child increase my risk
for melanoma as an adult."
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Excessive sun exposure and severe or blistering
sunburns in childhood increase the risk for developing
melanoma as an adult. Having more than 50 moles, a family
history of melanoma, and light complexion are also risk
factors.
2. A nurse is caring for a client who has a stage 1 pressure
injury. Which of the following information should the nurse
include when documenting the characteristics of the
wound? (Select all that apply)
A) Location of the pressure injury
,B) Size of the injury in centimeters
C) Depth of the injury in centimeters
D) Color and odor of drainage from the wound
E) Integrity of the skin surrounding the wound
Correct Answer: A, B, E
Rationale: A stage 1 pressure injury presents with intact,
nonblanchable redness of the skin. There is no loss of skin
or drainage associated with this stage. The nurse should
document location, size, and integrity of surrounding skin.
3. A nurse is palpating a client's extremities and notes the
lower left leg is cooler to the touch than the client's right leg
or arms. How should the nurse interpret this finding?
A) The client might have a blood clot
B) The client might have an infection
C) The client is experiencing complications of kidney failure
D) The client's blood oxygen levels are lower
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Unilateral coolness is associated with decreased
blood flow to the extremity, which can occur with a blood
clot blocking blood flow. Other causes include chronic
vascular disease or a physical obstruction such as a cast
that is too tight.
,4. A nurse is planning care for a client who has a stage 1
pressure injury on their coccyx. Which of the following
interventions should the nurse plan to include?
A) Limit elevation of the head of the bed to 30º or less
B) Apply baby powder and massage the area every 2 hr
C) Reposition the client every 4 hr
D) Ensure that the client uses a donut-shaped cushion when
sitting in a chair
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Raising the head of the bed more than 30º
increases the risk for skin damage due to shearing forces.
Shearing occurs when the client slides downward, causing
twisting of blood vessels and potential skin damage.
Massaging bony prominences and using donut-shaped
cushions are not recommended.
5. A nurse is examining a lesion on a client's back. Which of
the following characteristics should the nurse identify as a
possible indication of a malignant skin lesion?
A) Smooth, defined border
B) Uniform color
C) Greater than 6 mm in diameter
D) Symmetrical appearance
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Lesions greater than 6 mm (size of a pencil
eraser) in diameter should be recognized as possible
, malignant skin lesions. The ABCDEs of melanoma include
Asymmetry, Border irregularity, Color variation, Diameter
>6mm, and Evolving/changing.
6. A nurse is providing teaching to a client who reports
extremely dry skin. Which of the following interventions
should the nurse recommend?
A) Increase the frequency of bathing
B) Use a dehumidifier to reduce air moisture
C) Apply an alcohol-free lotion
D) Cover the dry areas with a thin coating of powder
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Alcohol-free lotions create a film on the skin to
decrease moisture evaporation and dryness. Lanolin, cocoa
butter, and petroleum-based products retain skin moisture.
Increasing bathing frequency, using dehumidifiers, and
applying powder can worsen dryness.
7. A nurse is assessing a client's skin color. Which of the
following findings should the nurse report to the provider?
(Select all that apply)
A) Patches of increased pigmentation on the client's cheeks
B) Pinpoint areas of purplish-red coloration across the
abdomen
C) Pale-colored nail beds
D) Dark pigmented area across the client's sacral area
Questions with Answers & Rationales
1. A nurse is teaching a client about risk factors for
developing melanoma. Which of the following client
statements indicates an understanding of the teaching?
A) "The fact that I have five moles increases my risk for
developing melanoma."
B) "My cousin had squamous cell carcinoma, which
increases my risk for melanoma."
C) "Having a light complexion decreases my risk for
developing melanoma."
D) "The blistering sunburns I had as a child increase my risk
for melanoma as an adult."
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Excessive sun exposure and severe or blistering
sunburns in childhood increase the risk for developing
melanoma as an adult. Having more than 50 moles, a family
history of melanoma, and light complexion are also risk
factors.
2. A nurse is caring for a client who has a stage 1 pressure
injury. Which of the following information should the nurse
include when documenting the characteristics of the
wound? (Select all that apply)
A) Location of the pressure injury
,B) Size of the injury in centimeters
C) Depth of the injury in centimeters
D) Color and odor of drainage from the wound
E) Integrity of the skin surrounding the wound
Correct Answer: A, B, E
Rationale: A stage 1 pressure injury presents with intact,
nonblanchable redness of the skin. There is no loss of skin
or drainage associated with this stage. The nurse should
document location, size, and integrity of surrounding skin.
3. A nurse is palpating a client's extremities and notes the
lower left leg is cooler to the touch than the client's right leg
or arms. How should the nurse interpret this finding?
A) The client might have a blood clot
B) The client might have an infection
C) The client is experiencing complications of kidney failure
D) The client's blood oxygen levels are lower
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Unilateral coolness is associated with decreased
blood flow to the extremity, which can occur with a blood
clot blocking blood flow. Other causes include chronic
vascular disease or a physical obstruction such as a cast
that is too tight.
,4. A nurse is planning care for a client who has a stage 1
pressure injury on their coccyx. Which of the following
interventions should the nurse plan to include?
A) Limit elevation of the head of the bed to 30º or less
B) Apply baby powder and massage the area every 2 hr
C) Reposition the client every 4 hr
D) Ensure that the client uses a donut-shaped cushion when
sitting in a chair
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Raising the head of the bed more than 30º
increases the risk for skin damage due to shearing forces.
Shearing occurs when the client slides downward, causing
twisting of blood vessels and potential skin damage.
Massaging bony prominences and using donut-shaped
cushions are not recommended.
5. A nurse is examining a lesion on a client's back. Which of
the following characteristics should the nurse identify as a
possible indication of a malignant skin lesion?
A) Smooth, defined border
B) Uniform color
C) Greater than 6 mm in diameter
D) Symmetrical appearance
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Lesions greater than 6 mm (size of a pencil
eraser) in diameter should be recognized as possible
, malignant skin lesions. The ABCDEs of melanoma include
Asymmetry, Border irregularity, Color variation, Diameter
>6mm, and Evolving/changing.
6. A nurse is providing teaching to a client who reports
extremely dry skin. Which of the following interventions
should the nurse recommend?
A) Increase the frequency of bathing
B) Use a dehumidifier to reduce air moisture
C) Apply an alcohol-free lotion
D) Cover the dry areas with a thin coating of powder
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Alcohol-free lotions create a film on the skin to
decrease moisture evaporation and dryness. Lanolin, cocoa
butter, and petroleum-based products retain skin moisture.
Increasing bathing frequency, using dehumidifiers, and
applying powder can worsen dryness.
7. A nurse is assessing a client's skin color. Which of the
following findings should the nurse report to the provider?
(Select all that apply)
A) Patches of increased pigmentation on the client's cheeks
B) Pinpoint areas of purplish-red coloration across the
abdomen
C) Pale-colored nail beds
D) Dark pigmented area across the client's sacral area
