A group of nursing students are studying the conduction system of the heart. The nursing students should recognize that the pacemaker of the heart is known as

dropdown

A. Perform the confrontation test:

The confrontation test is a basic visual field screening test. It assesses the peripheral vision by having the patient cover one eye and the examiner covers the opposite eye. The patient and the examiner then bring their fingers into the visual field from the periphery, and the patient indicates when they see the fingers.

B. Ask the patient to read the print on a handheld Jaeger card:

Jaeger cards are used for near vision testing. The patient reads progressively smaller print to assess their near vision acuity.

C. Determine the patient's ability to read newsprint at a distance of 12 to 14 inches:

This method assesses near vision. It is often used informally in clinical settings, where the patient is asked to read a newspaper or similar print at a comfortable reading distance.

D. Use the Snellen chart positioned 20 feet away from the patient:

The Snellen chart is a standardized chart used for visual acuity testing. It is placed 20 feet away from the patient, and the patient is asked to read the letters or symbols on the chart with one eye covered at a time.

A. Continue with the assessment, looking for any other abnormal findings: This is the correct response. Tonsils in adults can have various appearances, and a granular appearance with deep crypts is within the range of normal. It's essential for the nurse to continue the assessment and observe for other signs or symptoms that might indicate an issue.

B. Refer the patient to a throat specialist: Referring the patient based solely on the appearance of the tonsils, especially if it's a normal variant, might be unnecessary and could cause undue concern for the patient. It's important to assess the patient comprehensively before considering a specialist referral.

C. No response is needed; this appearance is normal for the tonsils: This is the correct explanation. In adults, tonsils often appear granular with deep crypts, which is considered a normal variation. No further action is required regarding the tonsils.

D. Obtain a throat culture on the patient for possible streptococcal (strep) infection: Based on the description provided (involution, granular appearance, and deep crypts), there's no specific indication of a streptococcal infection. Conducting a throat culture should be based on the presence of specific symptoms and signs indicative of a streptococcal infection, such as sore throat, fever, and swollen tonsils with white patches, rather than just the appearance of the tonsils.