A nurse is having difficulty eliciting a patellar reflex. Which of the following would be most appropriate for the nurse to have the client do?

Lock the fingers together and pull against each other.

Squeeze a thigh with the opposite hand.

Stretch the arms over the head.

Clench the jaw tightly

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is A

A.   This maneuver is intended to engage other muscle groups and increase overall muscle tone. It can help facilitate the patellar reflex by increasing muscle tension and sensitivity. This technique can enhance the reflex response by engaging the client in a physical action that might make the reflex more pronounced.
B.   Squeezing the thigh might create discomfort or involuntary muscle contraction, which could interfere with the reflex response. It is not a recommended technique for eliciting the patellar reflex and may not have a significant effect on reflex assessment.
C.   Stretching the arms over the head does not directly influence the patellar reflex. Reflexes are typically assessed in a relaxed state, and this action might not be relevant for improving the patellar reflex response.
D.   Clenching the jaw might increase overall muscle tone temporarily, but it does not directly impact the patellar reflex. This technique is less likely to influence the patellar reflex compared to techniques that engage lower body muscle groups.

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Correct Answer is B

Explanation

A. The trigeminal nerve (CN V) primarily controls sensation in the face and the muscles of mastication (chewing). While it is crucial for sensory input and motor control related to chewing, it does not directly control the movement of the tongue.
B. The hypoglossal nerve (CN XII) is responsible for controlling the movements of the tongue. A lesion of CN XII can cause the tongue to deviate towards the side of the weakness or damage. This is because the hypoglossal nerve innervates the muscles of the tongue, and damage to it results in weakness of the muscles on the affected side, causing the tongue to deviate towards that side when protruded.
C. The facial nerve (CN VII) controls the muscles of facial expression. While it affects facial movements and expressions, it does not control the movements of the tongue. A lesion in CN VII would typically result in facial asymmetry or weakness rather than tongue deviation.
D. The olfactory nerve (CN I) is responsible for the sense of smell. It does not have any role in controlling tongue movement. Therefore, a lesion in CN I would not cause deviation of the tongue.

A. Check for a Babinski reflex B. Position the client prone C. Ensure no injury to the cervical spine D. Check for evidence of fever and chills

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

A. The Babinski reflex is a test used to assess the integrity of the corticospinal tract and is particularly useful in evaluating neurological function in infants and adults with neurological conditions. However, it is not specifically related to testing for meningeal irritation.
B. Positioning the client prone (lying on their stomach) is not typically used when testing for meningeal irritation. The tests for meningeal irritation, such as the Brudzinski sign and Kernig sign, are performed with the client in a supine (lying on their back) position to accurately assess reactions to neck flexion and leg movements.
C. Before performing tests for meningeal irritation, such as neck flexion, it is important to ensure that the client does not have an injury to the cervical spine. If there is a possibility of cervical spine injury, performing neck flexion could exacerbate the injury. Ensuring that there is no cervical spine injury helps to avoid causing harm and ensures a safe examination.
D. While fever and chills can be associated with infections that may cause meningeal irritation (such as meningitis), checking for these symptoms is not the first step in assessing meningeal irritation itself.

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A nurse is having difficulty eliciting a patellar reflex. Which of the following would be most appropriate for the nurse to have the client do?

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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A nurse is performing a physical examination on a patient. When the patient is asked to protrude his tongue, the nurse noticed a deviation from the midline to the right side. This is related to a lesion of:

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

When preparing to test a client for meningeal irritation, what would the nurse do first?

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

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