The nurse observes that the lower legs of a client with diabetes mellitus are shiny with no hair growth. To obtain additional data to support these findings, which assessment should the nurse perform?
Palpate the client's dorsalis pedis pulses.
Ask If the client often feels weak or hungry.
Compare the range of motion of both legs.
Measure the client's capillary glucose.
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A Reason:
Palpating the client's dorsalis pedis pulses is appropriate because shiny lower legs with no hair growth are characteristic findings of peripheral arterial disease (PAD), which commonly occurs in individuals with diabetes mellitus. Palpating the client's dorsalis pedis pulses allows the nurse to assess peripheral arterial perfusion. Weak or absent dorsalis pedis pulses may indicate decreased blood flow to the feet and lower extremities, supporting the diagnosis of PAD.
Choice B Reason:
Asking if the client often feels weak or hungry is less relevant to the assessment findings of shiny lower legs with no hair growth. While it is important to assess for symptoms of hypoglycemia in clients with diabetes mellitus, such as weakness or hunger, these symptoms do not directly correlate with the observed peripheral vascular changes.
Choice C Reason:
Comparing the range of motion of both legs is less relevant to the assessment findings of shiny lower legs with no hair growth. Range of motion assessment is important for assessing joint function and mobility but does not provide information specifically related to peripheral vascular status.
Choice D Reason:
Measuring the client's capillary glucose is less relevant to the assessment findings of shiny lower legs with no hair growth. While it is important to monitor blood glucose levels in clients with diabetes mellitus, capillary glucose measurement does not provide information specifically related to peripheral vascular status or the observed findings of PAD.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A Reason:
Observing chest and upper neck for a rash is correct. This assessment is unrelated to tinnitus. Observing the chest and upper neck for a rash may be relevant in the context of other conditions, such as skin disorders or infectious diseases, but it does not provide information about the effects of tinnitus.
Choice B Reason:
Performing a hearing test is correct. Tinnitus is the perception of noise or ringing in the ears when no external sound is present. It can affect a person's hearing and overall quality of life. Therefore, the most appropriate assessment to evaluate the effects of tinnitus is to perform a hearing test. This test can assess the client's auditory function, including their ability to hear different frequencies and intensities of sound. By conducting a hearing test, the nurse can gather objective data on the client's hearing abilities and determine the extent to which tinnitus may be impacting their hearing sensitivity and perception.
Choice C Reason:
Evaluating for a loss of peripheral vision is incorrect. Loss of peripheral vision is not a typical effect of tinnitus. While tinnitus can affect auditory perception, it does not directly impact visual function, particularly peripheral vision. Therefore, evaluating for loss of peripheral vision is not relevant to assessing the effects of tinnitus.
Choice D Reason:
Assessing deep tendon reflexes is incorrect. Assessing deep tendon reflexes is unrelated to evaluating the effects of tinnitus. Deep tendon reflexes are assessed to evaluate the integrity of the neurological system and are typically tested in the context of assessing motor function and nerve responses. This assessment does not provide information about the auditory effects of tinnitus.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A Reason:
Hyperactive bowel sounds are incorrect. Hyperactive bowel sounds refer to increased or loud gurgling noises heard during auscultation of the abdomen, which may indicate increased intestinal motility or bowel obstruction. These sounds are typically high-pitched and occur in various abdominal quadrants, rather than specifically in the upper midline area.
Choice B Reason:
A minor variation is incorrect. A minor variation in abdominal sounds may occur and could be considered normal. However, a low-pitched blowing sound in the upper midline area is not typically categorized as a minor variation but rather as an abnormal finding that warrants further investigation.
Choice C Reason:
Normal borborygmic sounds is incorrect. Borborygmic refers to the normal rumbling or gurgling sounds produced by the movement of gas and fluid in the intestines. While borborygmic sounds may be heard during abdominal auscultation, they are typically described as high-pitched and occur in various abdominal quadrants, not specifically in the upper midline area. Therefore, they are not likely to be the indication of the finding described in the scenario.
Choice D Reason:
Possible renal artery stenosis is correct. Renal artery stenosis is a condition characterized by the narrowing of one or both renal arteries, which can lead to reduced blood flow to the kidneys. When auscultating the abdomen, a low-pitched blowing sound (bruit) heard over the upper midline area could indicate turbulence of blood flow in the renal arteries. This bruit is typically associated with renal artery stenosis and reflects the increased velocity of blood passing through a narrowed arterial lumen. Identifying a renal artery bruit during abdominal auscultation warrants further investigation, such as imaging studies or referral to a specialist for evaluation and management of renal artery stenosis.
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