The nurse notes an enlarged, visible lymph node on the client's neck. Which action should the nurse take next?
Cover the inflamed area and notify the healthcare provider.
Auscultate the lymph node for the presence of a bruit.
Ask the client about any localized tenderness at the site.
Record this normal finding in the assessment record.
The Correct Answer is C
Choice A Reason:
Covering the inflamed area and notify the healthcare provider suggests taking precautions to protect the inflamed area and promptly informing the healthcare provider. While it's important to notify the healthcare provider about any concerning findings, covering the area without further assessment may prevent the nurse from gathering additional information that could be helpful in determining the cause of the lymph node enlargement.
Choice B Reason:
Auscultating the lymph node for the presence of a bruit involves listening for abnormal sounds (bruits) over the lymph node, which could indicate underlying vascular abnormalities. While it's important to assess lymph nodes for abnormalities, such as tenderness or enlargement, auscultation for bruits is not a standard assessment technique for lymph nodes.
Choice C Reason:
Asking the client about any localized tenderness at the site involves directly gathering information from the client about their experience of tenderness at the site of the enlarged lymph node. This information can provide valuable clues about the nature of the lymph node enlargement, such as whether it is inflamed due to infection or inflammation.
Choice D Reason:
Recording this normal finding in the assessment record assumes that the nurse considers the enlarged and visible lymph node as a normal finding. However, enlarged and visible lymph nodes are not typically considered normal and may indicate an underlying health issue that requires further assessment and intervention.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A Reason:
Syncope is incorrect. Syncope, or fainting, can occur in individuals experiencing severe respiratory distress or hypoxia. Pursed-lip breathing is often used as a technique to manage dyspnea and improve oxygenation, which can help prevent syncope by ensuring adequate ventilation and oxygen delivery to the body's tissues. However, syncope is not the primary concern associated with the observation of pursed-lip breathing; instead, it is a potential consequence of inadequate oxygenation.
Choice B Reason:
Acute pain is not directly related to the observation of pursed-lip breathing. Pursed-lip breathing is a technique used to manage dyspnea and improve ventilation efficiency in individuals with respiratory conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or asthma exacerbation. While pain can exacerbate respiratory distress in some cases, the primary focus when observing pursed-lip breathing is to assess and address respiratory status rather than pain management.
Choice C Reason:
Tetany is incorrect. Tetany, characterized by muscle spasms due to low calcium levels, is not directly associated with the observation of pursed-lip breathing. Pursed-lip breathing is a respiratory technique used to manage dyspnea and improve ventilation in individuals with respiratory conditions such as COPD or asthma. While respiratory distress can lead to various physiological responses, tetany is not a typical manifestation observed in individuals using pursed-lip breathing.
Choice D Reason:
Dyspnea is correct. Pursed-lip breathing is a technique often used by individuals with respiratory conditions to relieve shortness of breath and improve breathing efficiency. The primary reason for using pursed-lip breathing is to help alleviate dyspnea, or difficulty breathing, by promoting more effective exhalation and preventing airway collapse during expiration. Monitoring for dyspnea is crucial in this situation to assess the client's respiratory status, including the severity of breathing difficulty and any associated symptoms, and to guide further interventions to address the underlying cause of dyspnea. While syncope (fainting), acute pain, and tetany (muscle spasms due to low calcium levels) are potential concerns in certain clinical contexts, they are not directly associated with the observation of pursed-lip breathing. Therefore, dyspnea is the most relevant problem for the nurse to monitor in this scenario.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A reason: Observing gait may reveal functional or neurological deficits but does not directly assess asymmetry in leg size or volume.
Choice B reason: Passive range of motion evaluates joint flexibility and muscular resistance but does not quantify asymmetry.
Choice C reason: Measuring the circumference of each extremity joint provides objective data on muscle mass, swelling, or atrophy, which is essential when asymmetry is noted.
Choice D reason: Measuring leg length assesses structural discrepancies but does not address differences in girth or muscle mass, which are more relevant in this context.
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
Report Wrong Answer on the Current Question
Do you disagree with the answer? If yes, what is your expected answer? Explain.
Kindly be descriptive with the issue you are facing.