A 16-year-old client with a history of chronic ear infections when younger comes to the clinic for a health exam. No ear pain, vertigo or hearing loss is reported during history taking. Inspection of the tympanic membranes (TM) reveals the presence of dense white patches on the TMs in both ears. Both TMs are a translucent gray with a light reflex at 5:00. All landmarks are visible. Based on these findings, which action should the nurse take next?

Record the findings in the client's record.

Clean the ears to remove excess wax build up.

Referral to an audiologist for a hearing evaluation.

Culture the white patches for possible fungal growth.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is A

A.   This is an appropriate first step in documenting any unusual findings during the assessment. However, based on the presence of dense white patches, the nurse should consider a referral for further evaluation, rather than just recording the findings.
B.   The dense white patches seen on the tympanic membrane are more likely related to past ear infections (such as tympanosclerosis) or other conditions, not excess wax. Cleaning the ears would not address the underlying cause and could potentially cause harm.
C.   This could be a reasonable action if there were concerns about hearing loss. However, the tympanic membranes appear mostly normal apart from the white patches, so hearing loss is not strongly indicated by the findings alone. A referral might be premature unless hearing issues are suspected.
D.   The dense white patches on the tympanic membranes could be indicative of tympanosclerosis, a benign condition related to previous infections or tube insertions, but fungal growth is not the most likely cause in this case.

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Free Nursing Study Resources

Correct Answer is {"A":{"answers":"A"},"B":{"answers":"A"},"C":{"answers":"A"},"D":{"answers":"A"},"E":{"answers":"B"},"F":{"answers":"A"},"G":{"answers":"B"}}

Explanation

Morning stiffness quickly resolves:

Rheumatoid Arthritis: Morning stiffness is a hallmark of rheumatoid arthritis, although it typically lasts more than just a brief period.

Small joints of the hand:

Rheumatoid Arthritis: Rheumatoid arthritis commonly affects the small joints of the hands and wrists, leading to pain, stiffness, and swelling.

Fatigue and fever:

Rheumatoid Arthritis: Systemic symptoms like fatigue and low-grade fever are often associated with rheumatoid arthritis due to its inflammatory nature.

Joint swelling:

Rheumatoid Arthritis: Swelling of the joints is a key symptom of rheumatoid arthritis, typically due to inflammation and fluid accumulation within the joint.

Heberden nodes:

Not Applicable: Heberden nodes are associated with osteoarthritis, not rheumatoid arthritis. These nodes occur at the distal interphalangeal joints.

Symmetrical involvement:

Rheumatoid Arthritis: One of the classic features of rheumatoid arthritis is symmetrical involvement of joints, particularly in the hands and wrists.

Pain increases with motion:

Rheumatoid Arthritis: Joint pain that increases with motion is a common symptom of rheumatoid arthritis, reflecting active inflammation in the joints.

A. Normal reflex response for age. B. Exaggerated reflex response. C. Beginning meningeal irritation. D. Pyramidal tract disease.

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

A. An extension of the great toe and fanning of other toes is known as a positive Babinski sign, which is abnormal in adults. This response is typically seen in infants but indicates neurological damage or dysfunction in adults.
B. An exaggerated reflex would usually refer to hyperreflexia, but the Babinski sign specifically involves the abnormal extension of the toes, not just an exaggerated reflex. This response is more associated with neurological damage than simple exaggeration.
C. The Babinski sign can sometimes be associated with central nervous system issues, including meningeal irritation. However, meningeal irritation often involves other symptoms such as neck stiffness, fever, and photophobia, which are not mentioned here.
D. A positive Babinski sign is a classic indication of pyramidal tract disease, which affects the corticospinal tract. This type of neurological dysfunction can be seen in conditions like stroke, multiple sclerosis, or brain injury.

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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Patient Data Exhibits Nurse analyzes the assessment findings. Click to indicate which findings are indicative of rheumatoid arthritis or are not applicable to that disease. Each row must have only one response option selected.

Correct Answer is {"A":{"answers":"A"},"B":{"answers":"A"},"C":{"answers":"A"},"D":{"answers":"A"},"E":{"answers":"B"},"F":{"answers":"A"},"G":{"answers":"B"}}

Explanation

When assessing the left foot planter reflex of an adult client, the nurse observes an extension of the great toe and fanning of other toes. Which interpretation of this finding is accurate?

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

While auscultating for bowel sounds in an adult client, the nurse notes a series of gurgles that last about 3 seconds and occur every 5 to 10 seconds in all quadrants. How should the nurse document this finding?

A nurse performs a Tinetti assessment on an older adult client and calculates a balance score of 12 and a gait score of 8. Which do these results indicate?

While completing an admission assessment for a client with fatigue, weakness, and unexplained weight loss, the nurse notes scleral jaundice. Which finding during percussion of the abdomen should the nurse document indicating hepatomegaly?

The nurse is obtaining a health history for a client being admitted for new onset seizures. Which action should the nurse implement to accurately record the health history findings?

The nurse assesses that a client has nailbed clubbing. Which additional information is consistent with this finding?

An adult male client tells the nurse that he smokes approximately one pack of cigarettes daily. How can the nurse expect smoking to affect this client's sleep?

During a health assessment, the client reports being treated for osteoarthritis. The nurse examines a client's hands and finds Heberden's nodes. Which finding should the nurse document in the client's medical record?