During an inspection of a client's tonsils with a penlight and tongue depressor, the nurse notes that the tonsils contact the client's uvula. The patient states they have had a sore throat and have been using lidocaine spray as directed by the provider. What would be the most accurate documentation of this finding?

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is A

Choice A reason: Tonsils touching the uvula indicate 4+ grading, where they obstruct over 75% of the oropharynx. This severe enlargement, with sore throat, fits the highest scale, reflecting significant inflammation or infection impacting airway and swallowing, accurately documented here.

Choice B reason: 1+ tonsils are slightly enlarged, less than 25% of the oropharynx, visible but not near the uvula. This underestimates the finding of tonsils contacting the uvula, misrepresenting the degree of obstruction and inflammation present in this case entirely.

Choice C reason: 2+ tonsils occupy 25-50% of the oropharynx, not touching the uvula. This moderate grade doesn’t match the observed contact, understating the severity of enlargement and potential airway compromise noted during the inspection clearly and significantly.

Choice D reason: 3+ tonsils cover 50-75% of the oropharynx, nearing but not contacting the uvula. This is close but inaccurate, as the finding shows full contact, warranting the higher 4+ grade for precise documentation of this advanced tonsillar size fully.

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Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Choice A reason: Morphine treats severe pain but isn’t first-line for headaches worsened by coughing, which may signal increased intracranial pressure. Without neurological assessment, this risks masking symptoms of serious conditions like brain tumors, delaying critical diagnosis and intervention.

Choice B reason: Palpating occipital lymph nodes checks for infection or inflammation, but headaches worsened by coughing or sneezing suggest intracranial issues, not lymphatic ones. This action misses the priority of assessing brain function tied to the client’s specific symptom pattern.

Choice C reason: Neurological assessment, like checking reflexes or pupil response, is vital for morning headaches worsening with coughing, hinting at possible intracranial pressure from masses or bleeds. It’s the most direct step to rule out life-threatening causes promptly.

Choice D reason: Explaining migraines assumes a diagnosis without evidence. Morning headaches improving later, worsened by strain, don’t align with typical migraine patterns, risking misdiagnosis of serious conditions like sinus thrombosis, necessitating neurological evaluation over premature reassurance.

A. Macular degeneration B. Recent eye trauma C. Bilateral cataracts D. Narcotic use

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

Choice A reason: Macular degeneration impairs central vision, not pupil size. Pinpoint pupils and lethargy suggest systemic effects, not retinal aging, making this unrelated to the neurological and ocular findings in this emergency setting entirely and fully here.
Choice B reason: Eye trauma may dilate pupils from injury, not pinpoint them. Lethargy and change per the significant other point to systemic causes, not local trauma, excluding this as the likely explanation for this presentation comprehensively here.
Choice C reason: Bilateral cataracts cloud lenses, not affecting pupil size or alertness. Pinpoint pupils with lethargy suggest a neurological cause, not lens opacity, rendering this irrelevant to the acute change observed in this client fully here.
Choice D reason: Narcotic use, like opioids, causes pinpoint pupils via cranial nerve III stimulation and lethargy from CNS depression. This matches the sudden change and symptoms, making it the most likely interpretation in this emergency case accurately here.

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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A client comes in with complaints of a headache. The client states, "I always wake up with a headache in the morning, but it gets better in a couple hours. I notice that it always gets worse if I cough or sneeze." What action by the nurse is most appropriate?

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

While examining a client's mouth the nurse notes the presence of fasciculations, fine tremors of the client's tongue. How should the nurse best respond to the assessment finding?

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A nurse is planning a personal safety educational session for those who work in a manufacturing plant. Which of the following would be an important risk prevention measure to include regarding hearing?

The nurse is testing for motor functioning by having the client lie down and slide the heel of the right foot down the left shin and then slide the heel of the left foot down the right shin. Which response by the patient would indicate that there may be cerebellar dysfunction?

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The nurse's inspection of a client's extremities reveals a deep, circular, painful wound on the client's great toe. What should the nurse suspect as the etiology of the client's wound?

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