RN VATI Adult Medical Surgical Assessment Exam
200 Questions with Correct Answers and Detailed Rationales
(Graded A+)
SECTION 1: HEALTH PROMOTION & WELLNESS
Question 1
A nurse in a health care clinic is evaluating the level of wellness for clients using the
illness-wellness continuum tool. The nurse should identify which client as being at the
center of the continuum?
A. A college student who has influenza
B. An older adult who has a new diagnosis of type 2 diabetes mellitus
C. A new mother who has a urinary infection
D. A young male who has a long history of well-controlled rheumatoid arthritis
Correct Answer: D. A young male who has a long history of well-controlled
rheumatoid arthritis
Rationale: The illness-wellness continuum ranges from premature death to high-level
wellness, with the center point representing a neutral level where the individual is not
experiencing significant illness or optimal wellness. A client with a well-controlled
chronic condition is considered at the center of the continuum, as they are managing
their condition effectively without acute exacerbation.
,Question 2
A nurse is evaluating clients at a health fair for modifiable variables affecting health and
wellness. Which variables should the nurse identify as modifiable? (Select all that apply)
A. Smoking on social occasions
B. BMI of 28
C. Alopecia
D. Trisomy 21
E. History of reflux
Correct Answer: A, B, E
Rationale: Modifiable risk factors are those that can be changed or controlled through
lifestyle modifications or medical interventions. Smoking (A) is a behavioral choice that
can be modified. BMI (B) can be altered through diet and exercise. History of reflux (E)
can be managed with dietary changes and medications. Alopecia (C) and Trisomy 21 (D)
are non-modifiable genetic or autoimmune conditions.
Question 3
A nurse is caring for a client who was just informed of a new diagnosis of breast cancer.
Which statement by the client reflects a lack of understanding of an illness perspective?
A. "I have no family history of breast cancer."
B. "I need a second opinion. There is no lump."
C. "I am glad we live in the city near several large hospitals."
D. "I will schedule surgery next week, over the holidays."
Correct Answer: B. "I need a second opinion. There is no lump."
,Rationale: This statement indicates denial and a lack of understanding of the diagnosis.
The client is minimizing the diagnosis by stating there is no lump, despite being
diagnosed with breast cancer. Denial is a common coping mechanism but represents a
lack of acceptance of the illness perspective.
Question 4
A nurse is providing teaching to a client about modifiable risk factors for cardiovascular
disease. Which of the following should the nurse include? (Select all that apply)
A. Hypertension
B. Family history
C. Smoking
D. Hyperlipidemia
E. Age
Correct Answer: A, C, D
Rationale: Hypertension, smoking, and hyperlipidemia are modifiable risk factors for
cardiovascular disease. Family history and age are non-modifiable risk factors.
Modifiable factors can be addressed through lifestyle changes and medical
management.
Question 5
A nurse is teaching a client about the importance of immunizations for older adults.
Which vaccine should the nurse recommend for all adults aged 65 and older?
, A. MMR vaccine
B. Pneumococcal vaccine
C. Varicella vaccine
D. Hepatitis A vaccine
Correct Answer: B. Pneumococcal vaccine
Rationale: The pneumococcal vaccine is recommended for all adults aged 65 and older
to prevent pneumococcal pneumonia and invasive pneumococcal disease. Other
vaccines recommended for older adults include annual influenza vaccine and zoster
vaccine.
Question 6
A nurse is assessing a client's health beliefs using the Health Belief Model. Which factor
is most important in predicting whether a client will engage in health-promoting
behaviors?
A. Perceived susceptibility to illness
B. Perceived severity of illness
C. Perceived benefits of action
D. Perceived barriers to action
Correct Answer: C. Perceived benefits of action
Rationale: According to the Health Belief Model, the perceived benefits of taking action
are a key predictor of health behavior. Clients are more likely to engage in health-
promoting behaviors when they believe the benefits outweigh the barriers and costs.
200 Questions with Correct Answers and Detailed Rationales
(Graded A+)
SECTION 1: HEALTH PROMOTION & WELLNESS
Question 1
A nurse in a health care clinic is evaluating the level of wellness for clients using the
illness-wellness continuum tool. The nurse should identify which client as being at the
center of the continuum?
A. A college student who has influenza
B. An older adult who has a new diagnosis of type 2 diabetes mellitus
C. A new mother who has a urinary infection
D. A young male who has a long history of well-controlled rheumatoid arthritis
Correct Answer: D. A young male who has a long history of well-controlled
rheumatoid arthritis
Rationale: The illness-wellness continuum ranges from premature death to high-level
wellness, with the center point representing a neutral level where the individual is not
experiencing significant illness or optimal wellness. A client with a well-controlled
chronic condition is considered at the center of the continuum, as they are managing
their condition effectively without acute exacerbation.
,Question 2
A nurse is evaluating clients at a health fair for modifiable variables affecting health and
wellness. Which variables should the nurse identify as modifiable? (Select all that apply)
A. Smoking on social occasions
B. BMI of 28
C. Alopecia
D. Trisomy 21
E. History of reflux
Correct Answer: A, B, E
Rationale: Modifiable risk factors are those that can be changed or controlled through
lifestyle modifications or medical interventions. Smoking (A) is a behavioral choice that
can be modified. BMI (B) can be altered through diet and exercise. History of reflux (E)
can be managed with dietary changes and medications. Alopecia (C) and Trisomy 21 (D)
are non-modifiable genetic or autoimmune conditions.
Question 3
A nurse is caring for a client who was just informed of a new diagnosis of breast cancer.
Which statement by the client reflects a lack of understanding of an illness perspective?
A. "I have no family history of breast cancer."
B. "I need a second opinion. There is no lump."
C. "I am glad we live in the city near several large hospitals."
D. "I will schedule surgery next week, over the holidays."
Correct Answer: B. "I need a second opinion. There is no lump."
,Rationale: This statement indicates denial and a lack of understanding of the diagnosis.
The client is minimizing the diagnosis by stating there is no lump, despite being
diagnosed with breast cancer. Denial is a common coping mechanism but represents a
lack of acceptance of the illness perspective.
Question 4
A nurse is providing teaching to a client about modifiable risk factors for cardiovascular
disease. Which of the following should the nurse include? (Select all that apply)
A. Hypertension
B. Family history
C. Smoking
D. Hyperlipidemia
E. Age
Correct Answer: A, C, D
Rationale: Hypertension, smoking, and hyperlipidemia are modifiable risk factors for
cardiovascular disease. Family history and age are non-modifiable risk factors.
Modifiable factors can be addressed through lifestyle changes and medical
management.
Question 5
A nurse is teaching a client about the importance of immunizations for older adults.
Which vaccine should the nurse recommend for all adults aged 65 and older?
, A. MMR vaccine
B. Pneumococcal vaccine
C. Varicella vaccine
D. Hepatitis A vaccine
Correct Answer: B. Pneumococcal vaccine
Rationale: The pneumococcal vaccine is recommended for all adults aged 65 and older
to prevent pneumococcal pneumonia and invasive pneumococcal disease. Other
vaccines recommended for older adults include annual influenza vaccine and zoster
vaccine.
Question 6
A nurse is assessing a client's health beliefs using the Health Belief Model. Which factor
is most important in predicting whether a client will engage in health-promoting
behaviors?
A. Perceived susceptibility to illness
B. Perceived severity of illness
C. Perceived benefits of action
D. Perceived barriers to action
Correct Answer: C. Perceived benefits of action
Rationale: According to the Health Belief Model, the perceived benefits of taking action
are a key predictor of health behavior. Clients are more likely to engage in health-
promoting behaviors when they believe the benefits outweigh the barriers and costs.
