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.

Answer and Explanation

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.

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Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Choice A Reason:
Standing directly in front of the client and ask about any hearing loss is appropriate because the client's behavior of ignoring questions from the nurse and speaking loudly to her son suggests a potential hearing impairment. Standing directly in front of the client allows for better visibility of facial expressions and lip movements, which can aid in communication for individuals with hearing loss. Asking about any hearing loss helps the nurse gather important information to adapt communication strategies effectively.
Choice B Reason:
Obtaining a tuning fork to complete Rinne and Weber tuning fork tests involves conducting hearing tests using a tuning fork to assess for conductive or sensorineural hearing loss. While these tests are valuable for diagnosing hearing impairments, they are typically performed after obtaining a thorough history and initial assessment, including asking about any hearing loss. Therefore, this option is not the first action to take when communication difficulties are observed.
Choice C Reason:
Beginning to orient the client to her surroundings in the hospital room involves providing orientation to the client about her surroundings, which is important for promoting comfort and reducing anxiety, especially in a new environment like a hospital room. However, addressing potential hearing loss is the priority when the client's behavior suggests difficulty in communication. Once hearing impairment is ruled out or addressed, orientation to the surroundings can be initiated.
Choice D Reason:
Performing a mental status exam to assess the client's thought processes involves assessing the client's cognitive function and thought processes, which is important for understanding the client's overall mental status. While assessing mental status is an essential aspect of comprehensive nursing assessment, it may not directly address the observed communication difficulties related to potential hearing impairment. Therefore, addressing potential hearing loss should be the first action to ensure effective communication before proceeding with a mental status exam.

A. Audible thud without pain. B. Rigidity and firmness. C. Rebound tenderness. D. Sharp, severe pain.

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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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?

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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

While interviewing a newly admitted older female client, the nurse observes that the client ignores questions asked by the nurse, and speaks loudly to her son who brought her to the hospital. Which action should the nurse implement first?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

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Correct Answer is D

Explanation

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