A clinic nurse is performing a physical assessment on a client who has systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?
Pitting edema of the hands and fingers
Grey colored, non-purpuric papular rash
Dry, red rash across the bridge of the nose and on the cheeks
Subcutaneous nodules on the ulnar side of the arm
The Correct Answer is C
Choice A rationale:
Pitting edema of the hands and fingers is not a typical finding in SLE. It can occur in some cases, but it is more commonly associated with other conditions such as kidney disease or heart failure.
Choice B rationale:
Grey colored, non-purpuric papular rash is not a characteristic of SLE. This type of rash is more commonly seen in conditions such as lichen planus or sarcoidosis.
Choice C rationale:
A dry, red rash across the bridge of the nose and on the cheeks, also known as a malar rash, is a classic sign of SLE. It is often described as a "butterfly rash" because of its shape. The rash is caused by inflammation of the small blood vessels in the skin. It is typically worsened by sun exposure.
Choice D rationale:
Subcutaneous nodules on the ulnar side of the arm are a characteristic finding in rheumatoid arthritis, not SLE.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Coughing and deep breathing are essential for mobilizing and removing secretions from the airways, which is crucial for improving airway clearance in patients with pneumonia. These techniques help to loosen mucus and bring it up from the lungs, allowing it to be expelled through coughing.
Hydration maintenance is also critical because it helps to thin secretions, making them easier to cough up. Adequate hydration helps to keep mucus moist and less sticky, which promotes easier expectoration.
Choice B rationale:
Keeping the head of the bed elevated can help to improve oxygenation and reduce the work of breathing, but it does not directly address the issue of airway clearance. It may be a helpful adjunct intervention, but it's not the priority for this specific nursing diagnosis.
Choice C rationale:
Preparation for insertion of a tracheostomy tube is a more invasive intervention that may be necessary in severe cases of airway obstruction, but it is not the first-line intervention for ineffective airway clearance related to pneumonia. It would be considered if other measures fail to maintain adequate ventilation.
Choice D rationale:
Providing supplemental oxygen can help to improve oxygenation in patients with pneumonia, but it does not directly address the issue of airway clearance. It's important to support oxygenation, but it's not the primary intervention to clear secretions.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Serum creatinine is a waste product that is produced by muscle metabolism and is normally excreted by the kidneys.
When kidney function is impaired, creatinine levels in the blood increase, making it a sensitive and specific indicator of renal function.
It is considered one of the most reliable markers for assessing kidney function and is routinely used to screen for and monitor kidney disease.
Choice B rationale:
Serum sodium is an electrolyte that is regulated by the kidneys, but it is not a direct measure of renal function. Sodium levels can be affected by various factors, including fluid intake, medications, and hormonal imbalances.
While abnormal sodium levels can sometimes be a sign of kidney dysfunction, they can also occur due to other conditions, making it less specific as an indicator of renal function.
Choice C rationale:
Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) is another waste product that is produced by the breakdown of proteins and is normally excreted by the kidneys.
However, BUN levels can be influenced by factors other than kidney function, such as dietary protein intake, dehydration, and gastrointestinal bleeding.
This makes BUN less specific than serum creatinine as a marker of renal function.
Choice D rationale:
Urine-specific gravity measures the concentration of solutes in urine, which can provide some information about kidney function.
However, it is not as sensitive or specific as serum creatinine.
Urine-specific gravity can be affected by factors such as fluid intake and hydration status, which can make it less reliable as an indicator of renal function.
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