The nurse examines a client's auditory canal and tympanic membrane with an otoscope. The nurse recognizes that which of the following is considered an abnormal finding?

A shiny, pearly white color tympanic membrane

The presence of cerumen

The presence of a cone of light

A yellow or amber color to the tympanic membrane.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is D

A. A shiny, pearly white color tympanic membrane: This is a normal finding. A healthy tympanic membrane often appears shiny and pearly white.

B. The presence of cerumen: This is a normal finding. Cerumen, or earwax, is a natural substance that helps protect the ear canal.

C. The presence of a cone of light: This is a normal finding. The cone of light is a reflection of the otoscope light on the tympanic membrane and is a normal variation.

D. A yellow or amber color to the tympanic membrane: This is considered an abnormal finding. A yellow or amber coloration of the tympanic membrane can indicate the presence of fluid or infection behind the eardrum, which may be a sign of otitis media or other ear conditions.

Nursing Test Bank

Quiz #1: RN Exams Pharmacology Exams Quiz #2: RN Exams Medical-Surgical Exams Quiz #3: RN Exams Fundamentals Exams Quiz #4: RN Exams Maternal-Newborn Exams Quiz #5: RN Exams Anatomy and Physiology Exams Quiz #6: RN Exams Obstetrics and Pediatrics Exams Quiz #7: RN Exams Fluid and Electrolytes Exams Quiz #8: RN Exams Community Health Exams Quiz #9: RN Exams Promoting Health across the lifespan Exams Quiz #10: RN Exams Multidimensional care Exams

Get 100+ Naxlex Exit Exams for $79 Try Naxlex NCLEX-RN (14 Day Free-Trial)

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Quiz #1: Naxlex RN Comprehensive online practice 2019 B with NGN Quiz #2: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Quiz #3: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Exit Exam A Quiz #4: Naxlex HESI Exit LPN Exam Quiz #5: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor PN 2020 Quiz #6: Naxlex VATI PN Comprehensive Predictor 2020 Quiz #8: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 - Exam 1 Quiz #10: Naxlex HESI PN Exit exam Quiz #11: Naxlex HESI PN EXIT Exam 2

Free Nursing Study Resources

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

A. Friction rub:

A friction rub is a grating or rubbing sound or sensation heard or felt during auscultation or palpation. It occurs when inflamed pleural or pericardial surfaces rub against each other during breathing or heartbeats, respectively.

B. Tactile fremitus:

Tactile fremitus refers to the palpable vibrations transmitted through the bronchopulmonary tree to the chest wall as the patient speaks. It is assessed by placing hands on the patient's back while the patient speaks certain words. Increased tactile fremitus can occur in conditions with lung consolidation, such as pneumonia.

C. Crepitus:

Crepitus is a crackling or grating sensation felt under the skin or heard when the ends of a broken bone rub against each other. It can also occur when air leaks into subcutaneous tissue, leading to a crackling sensation upon palpation.

D. Adventitious sounds:

Adventitious sounds refer to abnormal lung sounds heard during auscultation. These sounds include crackles (rales), wheezes, rhonchi, and pleural friction rubs. Adventitious sounds can indicate various respiratory conditions, such as pneumonia, bronchitis, or asthma.

A. The third heart sound (S3) B. A friction rub C. The fourth heart sound (S4) D. A split second heart sound S2

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A. The third heart sound (S3):

The third heart sound (S3) is an abnormal heart sound that occurs during early diastole, immediately after S2 (the second heart sound). It is caused by the rapid filling of the ventricles and is often associated with conditions like heart failure. In heart failure, the ventricles become stiff, causing vibrations that produce the S3 sound.

B. A friction rub:

A friction rub is a high-pitched, scratchy sound heard during both systole and diastole. It is caused by the rubbing together of inflamed pericardial layers (pericarditis) and is usually heard best at the left lower sternal border. Friction rubs can indicate pericardial inflammation and are often heard in conditions such as pericarditis or after a myocardial infarction.

C. The fourth heart sound (S4):

The fourth heart sound (S4) occurs late in diastole, just before S1, and is caused by atrial contraction. It is associated with increased resistance to ventricular filling, often due to conditions like hypertension or aortic stenosis. The S4 sound is heard as a low-pitched "atrial gallop."

D. A split second heart sound S2:

The second heart sound (S2) represents the closure of the aortic and pulmonic valves. Normally, S2 has two components: A2 (aortic valve closure) and P2 (pulmonic valve closure). A split S2 occurs when A2 and P2 do not close simultaneously. A physiological split S2 is common during inspiration and occurs due to delayed closure of the pulmonic valve. An abnormal or fixed split S2 can indicate underlying heart conditions such as atrial septal defect (ASD) or right bundle branch block (RBBB).

View Question and Answer

Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.

Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today

The nurse examines a client's auditory canal and tympanic membrane with an otoscope. The nurse recognizes that which of the following is considered an abnormal finding?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

The nurse is palpating a client's anterior chest wall and notices a course, crackling sensation over the skin surface. Which of the following should the nurse suspect from her findings?

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

The nurse is auscultating heart sounds on a client and hears an extra sound late in diastole, just before the S1. How should the nurse document this finding?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

The nurse is listening to the breath sounds of young adult client with severe asthma. The nurse recognizes that air passing through narrowed bronchioles would produce which of these adventitious sounds?

The nurse is conducting a class on Breast Self Examination (BSE). The nurse should include which of these statements that indicates the proper BSE technique.

The nurse is discussing the blood flow pattern of the heart. The nurse should recognize which of the following as the accurate blood flow pattern of the heart?

The nurse is examining an adult client within normal weight limit. The nurse notices that he has bilateral gynecomastia. Which of the following describes the nurse's best course of action?

The nurse recognizes that the following statement is true regarding the internal structures of the breast: The breast is made up of:

The nurse is performing the diagnostic positions test. The nurse recognizes that normal findings from the diagnostic positions test should be which of these results?

The nurse is assessing the carotid arteries of a client with cardiovascular disease. What action should be performed next by the nurse?