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ATI MEDSURG FINAL EXAM
A nurse is caring for a client who has a new prescription for warfarin. The nurse should use the
results of which of the following diagnostic tests to monitor the effect of this therapy?
A. Prothrombin time (PT) 77% Most selected
B. Platelet count 9%
C. White blood cell count (WBC) 4%
D. Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) 8%
Answer and Explanation
Choice A:
Prothrombin time (PT): Warfarin affects the extrinsic pathway of the coagulation cascade, and PT is
the primary diagnostic test used to monitor the therapeutic effect of warfarin. It measuresthe time it
takes for blood to clot.
Choice B:
Platelet count: Platelet count assesses the number of platelets in the blood and is not specifically
used to monitor the effect of warfarin.
Choice C:
White blood cell count (WBC): WBC count assesses the number of white blood cells and is not
specifically used to monitor the effect of warfarin.
Choice D:
Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT): While aPTT is a valuable test for monitoring the
therapeutic effect of heparin, it is not the primary test for warfarin. Warfarin primarily affects the
extrinsic pathway, and PT is more appropriate for monitoring its effects.
,The nurse is caring for a client on the third day following abdominal surgery and assesses the
absence of bowel sounds, abdominal distention, and the client passing no flatus. These findings
indicate the client is experiencing which of the following postoperative complications?
A. Incisional infection 1%
B. Paralytic ileus 84% Most selected
C. Health care-associated Clostridium difficile 0%
D. Fecal impaction 13%
Answer and Explanation
Choice A:
Incisional infection: Signs of incisional infection typically include redness, warmth, swelling, and
increased pain at the surgical site. Absence of bowel sounds and abdominal distention are not
indicative of incisional infection.
Choice B:
Paralytic ileus: Absence of bowel sounds, abdominal distention, and no passage of flatus are
characteristic signs of paralytic ileus, which is a temporary impairment of bowel motility following
surgery.
Choice C:
Health care-associated Clostridium difficile: Clostridium difficile infection is associated with diarrhea,
abdominal pain, and fever. The absence of bowel sounds and abdominal distention is not consistent
with C. difficile infection.
Choice D:
Fecal impaction: Fecal impaction is characterized by a blockage of hardened stool in therectum or
colon, leading to difficulty passing stool. It may cause abdominal discomfort, but it does not typically
present with the absence of bowel sounds and abdominal distention seen in paralytic ileus.
, A nurse is collecting data from a client who has systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Which of the
following laboratory values should the nurse review to determine the client's renalfunction?
A. C-reactive protein 10%
B. Serum creatinine 70% Most selected
C. Antinuclear antibody 2%
D. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate 16%
Answer and Explanation
Choice A:
C-reactive protein: This is a marker of inflammation and is not specific to renal function. It is more
commonly used to assess inflammation in various conditions.
Choice B:
Serum creatinine: Elevated levels of serum creatinine are indicative of impaired renalfunction.
Creatinine is a waste product that is normally filtered by the kidneys. Increased levels suggest
decreased renal filtration.
Choice C:
Antinuclear antibody: This test is used to diagnose autoimmune diseases like SLE but does not
directly measure renal function.
Choice D:
Erythrocyte sedimentation rate: This is a nonspecific marker of inflammation and is not directly
related to renal function.
ATI MEDSURG FINAL EXAM
A nurse is caring for a client who has a new prescription for warfarin. The nurse should use the
results of which of the following diagnostic tests to monitor the effect of this therapy?
A. Prothrombin time (PT) 77% Most selected
B. Platelet count 9%
C. White blood cell count (WBC) 4%
D. Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) 8%
Answer and Explanation
Choice A:
Prothrombin time (PT): Warfarin affects the extrinsic pathway of the coagulation cascade, and PT is
the primary diagnostic test used to monitor the therapeutic effect of warfarin. It measuresthe time it
takes for blood to clot.
Choice B:
Platelet count: Platelet count assesses the number of platelets in the blood and is not specifically
used to monitor the effect of warfarin.
Choice C:
White blood cell count (WBC): WBC count assesses the number of white blood cells and is not
specifically used to monitor the effect of warfarin.
Choice D:
Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT): While aPTT is a valuable test for monitoring the
therapeutic effect of heparin, it is not the primary test for warfarin. Warfarin primarily affects the
extrinsic pathway, and PT is more appropriate for monitoring its effects.
,The nurse is caring for a client on the third day following abdominal surgery and assesses the
absence of bowel sounds, abdominal distention, and the client passing no flatus. These findings
indicate the client is experiencing which of the following postoperative complications?
A. Incisional infection 1%
B. Paralytic ileus 84% Most selected
C. Health care-associated Clostridium difficile 0%
D. Fecal impaction 13%
Answer and Explanation
Choice A:
Incisional infection: Signs of incisional infection typically include redness, warmth, swelling, and
increased pain at the surgical site. Absence of bowel sounds and abdominal distention are not
indicative of incisional infection.
Choice B:
Paralytic ileus: Absence of bowel sounds, abdominal distention, and no passage of flatus are
characteristic signs of paralytic ileus, which is a temporary impairment of bowel motility following
surgery.
Choice C:
Health care-associated Clostridium difficile: Clostridium difficile infection is associated with diarrhea,
abdominal pain, and fever. The absence of bowel sounds and abdominal distention is not consistent
with C. difficile infection.
Choice D:
Fecal impaction: Fecal impaction is characterized by a blockage of hardened stool in therectum or
colon, leading to difficulty passing stool. It may cause abdominal discomfort, but it does not typically
present with the absence of bowel sounds and abdominal distention seen in paralytic ileus.
, A nurse is collecting data from a client who has systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Which of the
following laboratory values should the nurse review to determine the client's renalfunction?
A. C-reactive protein 10%
B. Serum creatinine 70% Most selected
C. Antinuclear antibody 2%
D. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate 16%
Answer and Explanation
Choice A:
C-reactive protein: This is a marker of inflammation and is not specific to renal function. It is more
commonly used to assess inflammation in various conditions.
Choice B:
Serum creatinine: Elevated levels of serum creatinine are indicative of impaired renalfunction.
Creatinine is a waste product that is normally filtered by the kidneys. Increased levels suggest
decreased renal filtration.
Choice C:
Antinuclear antibody: This test is used to diagnose autoimmune diseases like SLE but does not
directly measure renal function.
Choice D:
Erythrocyte sedimentation rate: This is a nonspecific marker of inflammation and is not directly
related to renal function.
