The nurse is assessing a client with gallstones for jaundice. Which action should the nurse perform to confirm this information?
Assess conjunctival sacs of lower lids for pallor.
Observe the client's urine for dark orange color.
Examine client's sclera for icterus.
Review recent serum bilirubin levels.
The Correct Answer is C
Choice A Reason:
Assessing conjunctival sacs of lower lids for pallor is incorrect. Pallor of the conjunctival sacs, or inner eyelids, may indicate anemia or decreased blood flow. While it can be a sign of various health conditions, it is not specific to jaundice. Jaundice is characterized by yellowing of the skin and sclerae (the white part of the eyes) due to elevated bilirubin levels in the blood, so assessing for pallor would not directly confirm jaundice.
Choice B Reason:
Observing the client's urine for dark orange color is incorrect. Dark orange urine may indicate concentrated urine or dehydration, but it is not specific to jaundice. Jaundice primarily manifests as yellowing of the skin and sclerae due to elevated bilirubin levels, rather than a change in urine color. While changes in urine color may occur in certain liver conditions, such as obstructive jaundice, it is not the most direct or reliable method to confirm jaundice.
Choice C Reason:
Examining client's sclera for icterus is correct. Icterus, or yellowing of the sclerae (the white part of the eyes), is a classic sign of jaundice. Elevated levels of bilirubin in the blood lead to the yellow discoloration of the sclerae, providing a direct visual confirmation of jaundice. Examining the sclerae for icterus is a quick and reliable method to confirm jaundice during a physical assessment.
Choice D Reason:
Reviewing recent serum bilirubin levels is incorrect. Reviewing recent serum bilirubin levels can provide objective data on bilirubin levels in the blood, which may support the diagnosis of jaundice. Elevated serum bilirubin levels are characteristic of jaundice. While this option provides valuable information, it may not be immediately available during a physical assessment and does not directly confirm jaundice visually, unlike examining the sclerae for icterus.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is ["C","D","E"]
Explanation
C. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): COPD is a chronic respiratory condition characterized by airflow limitation, typically caused by chronic bronchitis and/or emphysema. In COPD, the airways become narrowed and inflamed, leading to difficulty breathing. Over time, chronic hypoxia (low oxygen levels in the blood) can develop due to impaired gas exchange in the lungs. Chronic hypoxia can trigger compensatory mechanisms in the body, including vascular changes that result in clubbing of the nails. Therefore, clubbed nails can often be seen in individuals with COPD as a consequence of chronic tissue hypoxia.
D. Lung cancer: Lung cancer is a malignant tumor that arises from the cells of the lungs. It is often associated with long-term smoking, as in the case of this client. Lung cancer can impair lung function and compromise gas exchange, leading to chronic hypoxia. As with COPD, chronic hypoxia can induce vascular changes that result in clubbing of the nails. Therefore, clubbed nails can be a manifestation of advanced lung cancer, particularly in cases where chronic hypoxia is present due to impaired lung function.
E. Chronic bronchitis: Chronic bronchitis is a type of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) characterized by inflammation and narrowing of the airways, leading to excessive mucus production and persistent cough. Similar to other forms of COPD, chronic bronchitis can result in chronic hypoxia due to impaired gas exchange in the lungs. The chronic hypoxia associated with chronic bronchitis can lead to vascular changes that cause clubbing of the nails over time. Therefore, individuals with chronic bronchitis may also exhibit clubbed nails as a consequence of chronic tissue hypoxia.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A Reason:
Audible thud without pain is incorrect. An audible thud without pain would not be an expected response when percussing the costovertebral angle (CVA) in a client with pyelonephritis. Pyelonephritis typically presents with tenderness upon percussion of the CVA due to inflammation or infection of the kidneys. The absence of pain in this scenario would not be consistent with the expected response.
Choice B Reason:
Rigidity and firmness are incorrect. Rigidity and firmness upon percussion of the costovertebral angle (CVA) may suggest muscle tension or guarding, rather than the tenderness typically associated with kidney inflammation or infection such as pyelonephritis. While guarding can occur in response to pain, it is not the expected response when assessing for kidney tenderness.
Choice C Reason:
Rebound tenderness is incorrect. Rebound tenderness refers to the exacerbation of pain upon release of pressure, typically observed in conditions such as peritonitis. While rebound tenderness may be present in some abdominal conditions, it is not the expected response when percussing the costovertebral angle (CVA) to assess for kidney tenderness in pyelonephritis. In pyelonephritis, tenderness upon initial percussion is more indicative of the condition.
Choice D Reason:
Sharp, severe pain is correct. Sharp, severe pain upon percussing the CVA suggests tenderness, which can be indicative of kidney inflammation or infection, such as pyelonephritis. This finding would support the diagnosis and help guide further assessment and treatment.
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