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?
Prolonged tonsillar enlargement
History of allergies
Incomplete immunization record
History of epistaxis nosebleeds
The Correct Answer is B
Choice A reason: Prolonged tonsillar enlargement may cause throat issues or obstruction, but rhinorrhea stems from nasal inflammation, not tonsils. This focuses on oropharyngeal anatomy, missing the direct nasal etiology tied to runny nose in upper airway complaints here entirely.
Choice B reason: Allergies trigger nasal inflammation via histamine, causing rhinorrhea as IgE-mediated mast cells release mediators. A history of this is key, directly linking environmental triggers to the client’s runny nose, making it the most relevant assessment area accurately.
Choice C reason: Incomplete immunizations increase infection risk, but rhinorrhea more commonly ties to allergies or viruses than vaccine-preventable diseases here. This is less specific to the symptom’s etiology without fever or systemic signs, reducing its pertinence significantly.
Choice D reason: Epistaxis (nosebleeds) relates to vascular fragility, not mucus production like rhinorrhea. Past bleeding doesn’t explain runny nose, focusing on a separate nasal issue, making it less relevant to the upper airway complaint’s root cause in this case fully.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A reason: Macular degeneration impairs central vision, not pupil size. Pinpoint pupils and lethargy suggest systemic effects, not retinal aging, making this unrelated to the neurological and ocular findings in this emergency setting entirely and fully here.
Choice B reason: Eye trauma may dilate pupils from injury, not pinpoint them. Lethargy and change per the significant other point to systemic causes, not local trauma, excluding this as the likely explanation for this presentation comprehensively here.
Choice C reason: Bilateral cataracts cloud lenses, not affecting pupil size or alertness. Pinpoint pupils with lethargy suggest a neurological cause, not lens opacity, rendering this irrelevant to the acute change observed in this client fully here.
Choice D reason: Narcotic use, like opioids, causes pinpoint pupils via cranial nerve III stimulation and lethargy from CNS depression. This matches the sudden change and symptoms, making it the most likely interpretation in this emergency case accurately here.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A reason: Turning the head against resistance assesses neck muscles, not the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), which hinges the jaw. TMJ evaluation requires jaw-specific movements, not cervical rotation, indicating a misunderstanding of TMJ anatomy and function, misaligning with headache assessment needs.
Choice B reason: Opening the mouth wide while fingers are placed near the ear directly tests TMJ range of motion and joint integrity. This is a standard technique to detect dysfunction or pain, correctly targeting the jaw’s articulation point relevant to headaches.
Choice C reason: Moving the jaw side to side evaluates TMJ lateral excursion, a key diagnostic motion. Pain reporting during this action helps identify joint issues tied to chronic headaches, making it an appropriate and precise instruction for TMJ assessment.
Choice D reason: Pushing out and pulling in the jaw tests TMJ protrusion and retraction, critical for assessing joint stability and sounds like popping, which may link to headache etiology. This instruction correctly focuses on TMJ mechanics and symptoms.
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