A nurse is admitting an elderly client into a unit. During the initial assessment, the nurse notes an erythematous wound with partial-thickness skin loss. The wound does not contain slough and is located on the patient's right heel. How will the nurse stage this pressure ulcer?
Stage I Pressure ulcer.
Stage II Pressure ulcer.
Stage IV Pressure ulcer.
Stage II Pressure ulcer.
The Correct Answer is B
Choice A rationale:
Stage I Pressure ulcer - This choice is not correct because a Stage I pressure ulcer is characterized by intact skin with non-blanchable redness over a bony prominence. There is no partial-thickness skin loss at this stage.
Choice B rationale:
Stage II Pressure ulcer - This is the correct choice. A Stage II pressure ulcer involves partial-thickness skin loss that presents as a shallow open ulcer with a red-pink wound bed, without slough. It may also manifest as an intact or open/ruptured serum-filled blister.
Choice C rationale:
Stage IV Pressure ulcer - This choice is not correct because a Stage IV pressure ulcer involves full-thickness tissue loss with exposed bone, tendon, or muscle. There is no mention of such extensive tissue loss in the given scenario.
Choice D rationale:
Stage II Pressure ulcer - This choice is a duplicate of Choice B and is not correct for the reasons stated above.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Repositioning the client every 3 hours is a crucial intervention to prevent skin breakdown in older adults who are immobile or have limited mobility. Prolonged pressure on certain areas can lead to ischemia and tissue damage, particularly over bony prominences. Repositioning helps to distribute pressure evenly, maintain circulation, and reduce the risk of pressure ulcers.
Choice B rationale:
Massage of bony prominences is not recommended as a preventive measure for skin breakdown. Massaging these areas can actually cause friction and shear forces, leading to further damage to the delicate skin of older adults. Gentle repositioning and maintaining proper skin hygiene are more effective strategies.
Choice C rationale:
While a diet high in protein is important for overall health, it is not a direct intervention for maintaining the integrity of the client's skin. Protein is necessary for wound healing and tissue repair, but it doesn't address the primary concern of preventing skin breakdown due to pressure.
Choice D rationale:
Applying cornstarch to keep the skin dry is not a recommended practice for preventing skin breakdown. Excessive moisture can contribute to skin breakdown, but cornstarch may not be the best solution. Proper hygiene, gentle cleansing, and appropriate use of moisture-barrier products are more effective in maintaining skin integrity.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Unequal chest expansion is the correct choice. In a patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), the airways are often narrowed and obstructed, leading to difficulty in moving air in and out of the lungs. This can result in unequal chest expansion during breathing, where one side of the chest expands less than the other. This finding is commonly observed in patients with COPD due to the imbalance in lung function between different areas of the lungs.
Choice B rationale:
Atrophied neck and trapezius muscle is not a typical finding in COPD. Muscle atrophy can occur in conditions of prolonged disuse or immobility, but it is not a characteristic manifestation of COPD itself.
Choice C rationale:
Increased tactile fremitus refers to increased vibrations felt on the chest wall during speech. This finding is more commonly associated with conditions that cause lung consolidation, such as pneumonia. In COPD, there is often air trapping and hyperinflation of the lungs, which would not lead to increased tactile fremitus.
Choice D rationale:
An anterior-to-posterior chest diameter ratio of 1:1 is not a typical finding in a healthy individual, let alone in a patient with COPD. In COPD, there is often an increase in the anterior-to-posterior chest diameter ratio, giving the chest a barrel-like appearance. This is due to the trapped air and hyperinflation of the lungs, which is characteristic of the disease.
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