ATI COMPREHENSIVE PREDICTOR 2023 QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES COMPLETE SOLUTION
A 50-year-old female complains of severe pain to the right
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lower quadrant of her abdomen. You should:
• A:palpate the left upper quadrant of her abdomen first.
• B:keep her supine with her legs fully extended.
• C:quickly palpate that area first to assess for rigidity.
• D:suspect that she has an acute problem with her liver. -
CORRECT ANSWER-You selected A; This is correct!
Reason:When assessing a patient with abdominal pain,
determine where the pain is most severe (in this case, the right
lower quadrant) and then palpate the quadrant furthest from
that area first (in this case, the left upper quadrant). If you
palpate the painful area first, the patient is less likely to allow
you to assess the remainder of his or her abdomen; it also
causes the patient unnecessary pain. Pain to the right lower
quadrant suggests a problem with the appendix (eg,
appendicitis), not the liver. Patients with abdominal pain
commonly prefer to lie on their side with their legs drawn into
their abdomen; this position often provides pain relief by taking
pressure off of the abdominal muscles. If the patient prefers
this position, do not discourage it.
A 30-year-old man with a history of schizophrenia cut his wrists
and is bleeding profusely. He is confused, combative, and has
slurred speech. With the assistance of law enforcement
personnel, you and your partner physically restrain him in order
to provide care and transport. In this situation, a court of law
would MOST likely:
• A:conclude that you should have had a court order to
restrain.
• B:determine that the patient had decision-making capacity.
• C:agree that you and your partner are guilty of assault and
battery.
• D:consider your actions in providing care to be
appropriate. - CORRECT ANSWER-You selected D; This is correct!
Reason:An adult with decision-making capacity (ie, a mentally
competent adult) has the legal right to refuse medical
treatment, even if that treatment involves lifesaving care. In
psychiatric cases, however, a court of law would likely consider
your actions in providing lifesaving care to be appropriate,
particularly if you have a reasonable belief that the patient
would harm him- or herself or others without your intervention.
In addition, a patient who is in any way impaired, whether by
mental illness, medical condition, or intoxication, may not be [Show Less]