A patient presents to the Emergency Department (ED) reporting right facial weakness. The nurse understands that a patient suffering from Bell's Palsy will exhibit which assessment findings related to the cranial nerve involvement?
painful areas on the affected side following 3 branches of the nerve
decreased visual acuity when tested with Snellen Chart
unilateral upper and lower facial weaknesses including forehead
facial dropping, with arm and leg weakness on the affected side
The Correct Answer is C
A) Painful areas on the affected side following 3 branches of the nerve:
This is not typically a feature of Bell's Palsy. Bell's Palsy is primarily a motor dysfunction of the facial nerve (cranial nerve VII), leading to facial weakness. The pain associated with Bell's Palsy, if present, is usually mild and localized to the jaw, behind the ear, or along the jawline rather than along all three branches of the trigeminal nerve (cranial nerve V), which controls sensation in the face. Therefore, this choice is not consistent with the typical presentation of Bell's Palsy.
B) Decreased visual acuity when tested with Snellen Chart:
Decreased visual acuity is not a primary feature of Bell's Palsy. This condition specifically affects facial nerve function, which controls the muscles of facial expression, including those responsible for closing the eyes tightly. However, Bell's Palsy does not typically result in visual changes such as decreased visual acuity or problems with vision itself. Decreased vision would be more indicative of an issue with the optic nerve (cranial nerve II) or other eye-related conditions.
C) Unilateral upper and lower facial weakness including forehead:
This is the hallmark sign of Bell's Palsy. The facial nerve (cranial nerve VII) controls the muscles of the face, and when it becomes affected by Bell's Palsy, both the upper and lower parts of the face on one side can be weak or paralyzed. Importantly, Bell's Palsy causes inability to wrinkle the forehead, which distinguishes it from stroke, where the forehead is typically spared because the upper part of the facial muscles receives bilateral input from the brain. Thus, both upper and lower facial weakness, including inability to raise the eyebrow (forehead), is characteristic of Bell's Palsy.
D) Facial dropping, with arm and leg weakness on the affected side:
Facial drooping is a common symptom of Bell's Palsy, but arm and leg weakness is not associated with it. Arm and leg weakness on the same side would be more suggestive of a stroke affecting the cerebrovascular system, rather than a peripheral nerve issue like Bell's Palsy. Bell's Palsy is confined to facial nerve dysfunction and does not cause weakness in the limbs.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A) Clubbing of the fingers
Clubbing of the fingers is typically associated with chronic hypoxia, often due to conditions like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), congenital heart defects, or chronic respiratory disorders. While mitral valve stenosis can lead to pulmonary congestion and sometimes hypoxia, clubbing is not a hallmark finding of mitral valve stenosis.
B) A heart murmur
Mitral valve stenosis is commonly characterized by a heart murmur. The stenosis (narrowing) of the mitral valve obstructs blood flow from the left atrium to the left ventricle, leading to turbulent blood flow. This creates a characteristic diastolic murmur (a low-pitched, rumbling murmur heard best at the apex of the heart with the patient in the left lateral decubitus position).
C) Barrel chest
A barrel chest is more commonly associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), emphysema, and other conditions that cause long-term hyperinflation of the lungs. It is not a typical finding in mitral valve stenosis. The shape of the chest may change over time in patients with severe left-sided heart failure, but this is not a primary or direct consequence of mitral valve stenosis.
D) Bradycardia
Bradycardia (a slow heart rate) is not a characteristic finding of mitral valve stenosis. In fact, mitral valve stenosis can lead to increased heart rates due to reduced cardiac output and compensatory mechanisms. As the left atrium becomes increasingly distended from the obstruction, atrial fibrillation (a rapid, irregular heartbeat) is common in mitral valve stenosis.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A) Isolate away from the family in a separate room:
Isolation is unnecessary for a client with HIV. HIV is primarily transmitted through specific bodily fluids such as blood, semen, vaginal fluids, and breast milk. The virus is not transmitted through casual contact, so there is no need for the client to isolate from their family.
B) Retest for opportunistic infections monthly:
While it is important for clients with HIV to be regularly monitored for opportunistic infections, monthly testing is not typically necessary unless specific symptoms or clinical indicators warrant it. Routine follow-up with a healthcare provider to monitor CD4 count, viral load, and overall health status is essential, but frequent opportunistic infection screening is not a general requirement.
C) Live alone to prevent any transmission of HIV:
There is no need for individuals with HIV to live alone to prevent transmission. As mentioned earlier, HIV is not spread through casual contact, so the client can live with family members without concern, as long as they follow proper precautions regarding handling blood or bodily fluids.
D) Clean any of their blood that spills with bleach:
Blood and other bodily fluids containing HIV are the primary sources of transmission. If any blood spills, cleaning the area with bleach (a disinfectant known to destroy HIV) is an important safety measure to reduce the risk of transmission. The client should also be taught to use gloves when cleaning blood spills, and to follow universal precautions when handling items contaminated with blood or other potentially infectious fluids.
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