The clinical nurse is precepting a group of students, and one student questions the nurse, "What is the primary purpose of health assessment?" What is the most appropriate response by the clinical nurse?

To gather information about the health status of the client.

To help the physician diagnose illness without further testing.

To decide on the best way to manage a client's illness based on the nurse's own views and beliefs.

To make judgments about the client's lifestyle and behaviors that contribute to the client's illness.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is A

Choice A reason:
The primary purpose of health assessment is to collect, analyze, and interpret data to identify the patient’s health status and needs, as well as to develop and implement appropriate nursing interventions to address these needs. It is a systematic process that is fundamental in promoting the health and well-being of patients. This involves a comprehensive evaluation of the patient's physical, psychological, and social health. Gathering this information is crucial for creating a care plan that addresses the individual needs of the client.
Choice B reason:
While health assessments can aid physicians in diagnosing illness, they are not solely for the purpose of diagnosis without further testing. Health assessments may indicate the need for additional tests to confirm a diagnosis. The nurse's role includes supporting the diagnostic process, but it is not the primary purpose of health assessment.
Choice C reason:
Health assessments are not meant to be subjective or based on the nurse's personal views and beliefs. The assessments are conducted to objectively determine the health status of a client, which then informs evidence-based practice and care planning. Personal biases should not influence the management of a client's illness.
Choice D reason:
Making judgments about a client's lifestyle and behaviors is not the primary purpose of health assessment. While lifestyle and behaviors may be assessed as part of understanding the client's overall health status, the goal is not to judge but to understand how these factors may impact the client's health and to provide education and support for healthy changes if needed.

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Correct Answer is B

Explanation

Choice a reason:
Immunization schedules are typically considered a part of primary prevention. They are intended to prevent diseases before they occur by using vaccines to provide immunity against infections.

Choice b reason:
Regular mammogram screenings are a form of secondary prevention. They are used to detect breast cancer lesions early before symptoms appear, which can lead to more effective treatment and better outcomes.

Choice c reason:
The consistent use of seat belts is a primary prevention strategy. It is a proactive measure to prevent injuries in the event of a motor vehicle accident.

Choice d reason:
Annual vision examinations can be considered part of secondary prevention if they are used to detect vision problems or eye diseases in their early stages. However, they can also be seen as primary prevention because they help maintain and protect eye health before issues arise.

A. The eye cannot look to the outside. B. Myopia. C. Ptosis will be evident and no pupillary constriction. D. Normal eye movement.

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Choice a reason:
The inability of the eye to look outward, known as lateral rectus palsy, is associated with cranial nerve VI, the abducens nerve, not the oculomotor nerve. The oculomotor nerve does not control the lateral rectus muscle which governs this movement.

Choice b reason:
Myopia, or nearsightedness, is a refractive error of the eye where distant objects appear blurry while close objects can be seen clearly. It is not related to oculomotor nerve paralysis, which affects eye movements and pupil response, not the shape of the eyeball or the refractive properties of the lens.

Choice c reason:
Ptosis, or drooping of the upper eyelid, and an absence of pupillary constriction are classic signs of oculomotor nerve paralysis. The oculomotor nerve controls most of the eye's movements, including lifting the eyelid via the levator palpebrae superioris muscle and constricting the pupil through the circular muscles of the iris.

Choice d reason:
Normal eye movement would not be expected in a patient with oculomotor nerve paralysis. This nerve controls the majority of the eye's movements, so paralysis would lead to abnormal eye movement, such as the inability to move the eye upward, downward, or inward.

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The clinical nurse is precepting a group of students, and one student questions the nurse, "What is the primary purpose of health assessment?" What is the most appropriate response by the clinical nurse?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

While conducting the health assessment, the nurse instructs the client about secondary prevention activities. What information did the nurse most likely provide to this client?

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

The nurse read the patient's health history and noted cranial nerve III oculomotor paralysis. Which of the following would the nurse expect?

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

The nurse is preparing to examine a client's mouth floor. To move the tongue to one side for this examination, which tool should the nurse use?

The nurse knows the importance of assessing vital signs is to:

While auscultating a client's 1st and 2nd intercostal spaces, close to the sternal body, the nurse would document these normal breath sounds as which of the following?

The nurse is planning to instruct a group of adolescents on ways to prevent traumatic brain injuries. What should be included in these instructions?

A client with a history of COPD is being assessed. When the nurse percusses the client's chest, which characteristic sound is expected?

A nurse is assessing a client who has myxedema. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?

A client has arrived at the clinic for a routine physical examination. Prior to assessing the client's blood pressure, what should the nurse do?

A nurse is assessing a client who has hypothyroidism. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?