During the admission assessment, a client admitted with chest pain reports having no breathing problems and no trouble sleeping at night. To obtain further data regarding possible orthopnea, which action should the nurse take?
Observe for jugular vein distention while the client is flat in bed.
Measure the blood pressure when the client is lying and standing.
Auscultate breath sounds while the client is supine.
Ask the client how many pillows are used to sleep on at night.
The Correct Answer is D
A) Observe for jugular vein distention while the client is flat in bed: While jugular vein distention can indicate fluid overload or heart failure, it is not a direct assessment of orthopnea, which is the difficulty breathing while lying flat.
B) Measure the blood pressure when the client is lying and standing: This action assesses for orthostatic hypotension, which is a drop in blood pressure upon standing. While orthostatic hypotension can contribute to symptoms of dizziness or fainting upon assuming an upright position, it does not directly assess orthopnea.
C) Auscultate breath sounds while the client is supine: Auscultating breath sounds while the client is supine can provide information about lung function and the presence of abnormal breath sounds, but it does not specifically address orthopnea.
D) Ask the client how many pillows are used to sleep on at night: Orthopnea is a condition in which individuals have difficulty breathing while lying flat and may need to sleep with multiple pillows or in a more upright position to alleviate symptoms. Therefore, asking the client about the number of pillows used for sleep can provide valuable information about the presence and severity of orthopnea.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A) Diabetes mellitus: While diabetes can lead to various complications affecting the nails, such as yellowing or thickening due to poor circulation and infections, it is not typically associated with brittle, concave (spoon-shaped) nails.
B) Recent candida infection: Candida infections can affect the nails, causing them to become discolored, thickened, or separated from the nail bed, but they do not typically cause the nails to become brittle and concave.
C) Iron deficiency anemia: This condition is often associated with brittle, spoon-shaped (concave) nails, known as koilonychia. Iron deficiency anemia affects the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood, which can lead to changes in the nail beds, making them appear concave and brittle.
D) Coronary heart disease: While coronary heart disease can lead to changes in the nails due to poor circulation, it is not commonly associated with the specific finding of brittle, concave nails. Other nail changes might include clubbing or cyanosis, but not typically koilonychia.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
B. Cardiac enlargement:
This is the most likely interpretation of the findings. A significant area of dullness across a larger portion of the chest, as described, suggests that the heart is enlarged (cardiomegaly). Enlargement of the heart may result from various conditions, such as heart failure, hypertension, or valvular disease, leading to increased cardiac size and the shift in the percussion borders. This could indicate that the heart has expanded beyond its normal anatomical limits, and further assessment, such as imaging, would be necessary to confirm the diagnosis.
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