A client is admitted with high fever of 102°F orally and an elevated WBC of 15,000. They state they have had a sinus infection and a sore throat for over 24 hours. A nurse is preparing to palpate the client's lymph nodes. At what anatomic location should the nurse position his or her hands to assess the submental lymph node?

At the base of the client's skull

At the angle of the client's jaw

Behind the tip of the client's chin

On the area behind the client's ears

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is C

Choice A reason: The base of the skull houses occipital nodes, not submental ones, which drain the lower face. Palpating here misses the submental region, irrelevant to sinus or throat infections, misaligning with lymphatic drainage patterns in this case.

Choice B reason: The angle of the jaw targets submandibular nodes, not submental, which sit midline under the chin. This area drains the jaw and mouth but not specifically the submental zone tied to the client’s symptoms directly.

Choice C reason: Behind the chin tip is the submental node location, draining the lower lip, tongue, and anterior mouth. With sinus and throat infection, this spot is key for detecting lymphadenopathy linked to the client’s fever and elevated WBC.

Choice D reason: Behind the ears assesses postauricular nodes, unrelated to submental drainage of the chin and mouth. This misses the infection’s likely lymphatic response, focusing on a region not typically involved in sinus or throat pathology here.

Nursing Test Bank

Quiz #1: RN Exams Pharmacology Exams Quiz #2: RN Exams Medical-Surgical Exams Quiz #3: RN Exams Fundamentals Exams Quiz #4: RN Exams Maternal-Newborn Exams Quiz #5: RN Exams Anatomy and Physiology Exams Quiz #6: RN Exams Obstetrics and Pediatrics Exams Quiz #7: RN Exams Fluid and Electrolytes Exams Quiz #8: RN Exams Community Health Exams Quiz #9: RN Exams Promoting Health across the lifespan Exams Quiz #10: RN Exams Multidimensional care Exams

Get 100+ Naxlex Exit Exams for $79 Try Naxlex NCLEX-RN (14 Day Free-Trial)

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Quiz #1: Naxlex RN Comprehensive online practice 2019 B with NGN Quiz #2: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Quiz #3: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Exit Exam A Quiz #4: Naxlex HESI Exit LPN Exam Quiz #5: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor PN 2020 Quiz #6: Naxlex VATI PN Comprehensive Predictor 2020 Quiz #8: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 - Exam 1 Quiz #10: Naxlex HESI PN Exit exam Quiz #11: Naxlex HESI PN EXIT Exam 2

Free Nursing Study Resources

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Choice A reason: Morphine treats severe pain but isn’t first-line for headaches worsened by coughing, which may signal increased intracranial pressure. Without neurological assessment, this risks masking symptoms of serious conditions like brain tumors, delaying critical diagnosis and intervention.

Choice B reason: Palpating occipital lymph nodes checks for infection or inflammation, but headaches worsened by coughing or sneezing suggest intracranial issues, not lymphatic ones. This action misses the priority of assessing brain function tied to the client’s specific symptom pattern.

Choice C reason: Neurological assessment, like checking reflexes or pupil response, is vital for morning headaches worsening with coughing, hinting at possible intracranial pressure from masses or bleeds. It’s the most direct step to rule out life-threatening causes promptly.

Choice D reason: Explaining migraines assumes a diagnosis without evidence. Morning headaches improving later, worsened by strain, don’t align with typical migraine patterns, risking misdiagnosis of serious conditions like sinus thrombosis, necessitating neurological evaluation over premature reassurance.

A. At the base of the client's skull B. At the angle of the client's jaw C. Behind the tip of the client's chin D. On the area behind the client's ears

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

View Question and Answer

Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.

Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A client comes in with complaints of a headache. The client states, "I always wake up with a headache in the morning, but it gets better in a couple hours. I notice that it always gets worse if I cough or sneeze." What action by the nurse is most appropriate?

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

The nursing preceptor is observing the nursing student providing a neurological assessment focusing on various tests for cerebellar function. What would be the priority test the preceptors should expect the student to perform on their client?

A nurse is integrating health promotion education into the assessment of a client's mouth, nose and throat. What interview question is most likely to identify a risk factor for oral cancer?

The nurse is preparing to perform a nutritional assessment of a newly admitted client. What question would be most appropriate for the nurse to ask when initiating the assessment?

The nurse has completed the assessment of the client's ears. A small/moderate amount of brown cerumen was found in both ears. Which action by the nurse is warranted?

The nurse is performing a peripheral vascular assessment of an adult client. The nurse is palpating the client's peripheral pulses but knows that some are not palpable, even in healthy clients. What pulse is not palpable in a large proportion of healthy clients?

A client presents with a cluster of upper airway complaints that include rhinorrhea. Which area of assessment would yield the most pertinent information to the etiology of rhinorrhea?

A nurse is completing the Romberg's test on a patient. Which is the correct technique for conducting this?