A nurse is performing a skin assessment on a client who has dark skin.
Which of the following locations on the client’s body should the nurse observe to assess for cyanosis?
Area of trauma.
Sacrum.
Shoulders.
Palms of the hands.
The Correct Answer is D
Cyanosis is a bluish discoloration of the skin and mucous membranes due to inadequate oxygenation of the blood. It is more difficult to detect in people who have dark skin, so the nurse should look for cyanosis in areas where the skin is thinner and the blood supply is richer, such as the palms of the hands, the lips, the gums, and around the eyes.
These areas are less affected by melanin, the pigment that gives skin its color.
Choice A is wrong because an area of trauma may have bruising or inflammation that can mask cyanosis.
Choice B is wrong because the sacrum is not a good site to assess for cyanosis in any skin tone, as it is prone to pressure ulcers and poor circulation.
Choice C is wrong because the shoulders are not a mucous membrane and may have more melanin than other areas of the body.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
This is because placing a wedge under one of the hips can help prevent compression of the inferior vena cava by the uterus, which can compromise placental blood flow and cause fetal hypoxia. Placing a wedge under the hip can also help reduce the risk of maternal hypotension, which can also affect fetal oxygenation.
Choice A is wrong because inserting a pillow under the client’s knees can increase the risk of thromboembolism, which is a potential complication of cesarean birth.
Choice B is wrong because positioning the client in reverse Trendelenburg can increase the risk of maternal aspiration, which is another potential complication of cesarean birth.
Choice C is wrong because assisting the client into the lithotomy position can also compress the inferior vena cava and reduce placental blood flow. The lithotomy position is also not necessary for cesarean birth, as the baby is delivered through an incision in the abdomen and uterus.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
This method involves feeling the radial pulse while inflating and deflating the cuff.
The systolic pressure is estimated by noting the pressure at which the pulse disappears and reappears. The diastolic pressure is not measured by this method, but it can be useful when the sounds are difficult to hear.
Choice A is wrong because applying the largest cuff available can result in a falsely low reading. The cuff size should be appropriate for the client’s arm circumference.
Choice C is wrong because placing the arm above the level of the client’s heart can also cause a falsely low reading. The arm should be at the level of the heart for an accurate measurement.
Choice D is wrong because deflating the cuff quickly can lead to missing or skipping sounds, resulting in an inaccurate reading. The cuff should be deflated slowly and evenly.
Normal ranges for blood pressure vary depending on age, sex, and health conditions, but generally, a systolic pressure below 120 mmHg and a diastolic pressure below 80 mmHg are considered normal for adults.
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