A nurse in a provider's office is assessing a client who reports shoulder pain. Which of the following findings by the nurse indicates a rotator cuff injury?
Inability to abduct the arm at the shoulder.
Negative drop arm test.
Alteration in the contour of the joint.
A positive Tinel's sign.
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A reason:
The inability to abduct the arm at the shoulder is a classic sign of a rotator cuff injury. The rotator cuff is responsible for stabilizing the shoulder joint and aiding in various movements, including abduction. When there is a tear or significant weakness in the rotator cuff muscles, especially the supraspinatus muscle, the patient may be unable to lift the arm away from the body or may experience pain while doing so.
Choice B reason:
A negative drop arm test would actually indicate that there is no rotator cuff injury. The drop arm test is performed by asking the patient to fully abduct the arm to 90 degrees and then slowly lower it. If the patient can control the motion and lower the arm smoothly, the test is negative. A positive drop arm test, where the patient cannot control the descent of the arm, would suggest a rotator cuff tear.
Choice C reason:
While an alteration in the contour of the joint may indicate some form of shoulder pathology, it is not specific to a rotator cuff injury. Changes in the contour could be due to various conditions, including dislocation, arthritis, or other musculoskeletal disorders.
Choice D reason:
A positive Tinel's sign is used to diagnose nerve compression or nerve damage, not rotator cuff injuries. It is performed by tapping over the course of a nerve to elicit a tingling sensation or pain in the distribution of the nerve. This sign is commonly associated with conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome.

Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A reason:
Hemodialysis does not typically result in a significant decrease in RBC count. While there can be a minimal loss of red blood cells during the process, it is not the primary focus of the treatment. The main purpose of hemodialysis is to remove waste products and excess fluid from the blood when the kidneys are not functioning properly.
Choice B reason:
Calcium levels may vary during hemodialysis, and the treatment can be adjusted to prevent significant changes in calcium levels. Hemodialysis can remove some calcium from the blood, but it is usually not the most affected value, and calcium can be added to the dialysate solution if necessary.
Choice C reason:
Potassium is one of the primary electrolytes removed during hemodialysis. High levels of potassium, which can be life-threatening, are commonly seen in clients with renal failure. Hemodialysis effectively reduces high potassium levels, which is crucial for preventing complications such as cardiac arrhythmias.
Choice D reason:
Protein levels are not directly targeted by hemodialysis, and significant protein loss is not a usual outcome of the treatment. The dialysis membrane is designed to allow smaller molecules like urea and potassium to pass through while retaining larger molecules like proteins.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A reason:
This choice suggests a pH of 7.50, which is indicative of alkalosis, and not typically expected in a client with chronic kidney disease (CKD). CKD often leads to metabolic acidosis due to the accumulation of acids in the body as the kidneys fail to excrete them. The HCO₃⁻ level of 20 mEq/L is slightly lower than the normal range (22-26 mEq/L), and the PaCO₂ of 32 mm Hg is within the normal range (35-45 mm Hg), but these values do not align with the expected acidosis associated with CKD.
Choice B reason:
This set of values is consistent with metabolic acidosis, which is commonly seen in clients with CKD. A pH of 7.25 indicates acidemia, and an HCO₃⁻ level of 19 mEq/L is below the normal range, suggesting a primary metabolic acidosis. The PaCO₂ of 30 mm Hg is at the lower end of the normal range, which may indicate a compensatory respiratory response to the metabolic acidosis.
Choice C reason:
A pH of 7.30, while on the lower side, is not as acidic as one would expect in a client with CKD. The HCO₃⁻ level of 26 mEq/L is within the normal range, and a PaCO₂ of 50 mm Hg suggests respiratory acidosis, which is not the primary disorder in CKD.
Choice D reason:
This choice indicates a pH of 7.55, which is too alkaline and not characteristic of CKD, where metabolic acidosis is the expected finding. An HCO₃⁻ level of 30 mEq/L is higher than the normal range, suggesting metabolic alkalosis. The PaCO₂ of 31 mm Hg is slightly below the normal range, possibly indicating a compensatory response, but it does not align with the metabolic acidosis typically seen in CKD.
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