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 D

Explanation

Choice A Reason:
Black tarry stools are inappropriate. Black tarry stools may indicate gastrointestinal bleeding, which is not directly related to the client's symptoms of suprapubic tenderness and pressure after urination. While it's important to consider other potential health issues, such as gastrointestinal bleeding, it may not be directly relevant to the client's current urinary symptoms.
Choice B Reason:
A cloudy discharge is inappropriate. A cloudy discharge may suggest an infection or inflammation in the urinary tract, but it is not specifically associated with the symptoms described by the client (suprapubic tenderness and pressure after urination). While urinary tract infections (UTIs) can occur in older adults, they may present with symptoms such as urinary urgency, frequency, dysuria, and hematuria, rather than suprapubic tenderness and pressure after urination.
Choice C Reason:
An overactive bladder is inappropriate. While overactive bladder can cause urinary urgency and frequency, it is less likely to present with suprapubic tenderness and pressure after urination. Overactive bladder is characterized by sudden, involuntary contractions of the bladder muscles, leading to a frequent and urgent need to urinate. It may not directly explain the client's symptoms of suprapubic tenderness and pressure after urination, which are more suggestive of urinary obstruction due to BPH.
Choice D Reason:
A weak urinary stream is appropriate. Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a common condition in older men characterized by noncancerous enlargement of the prostate gland, which can lead to compression of the urethra and urinary symptoms. A weak urinary stream is a classic symptom of BPH due to the obstruction caused by the enlarged prostate gland, which interferes with the normal flow of urine. Therefore, the nurse should expect a weak urinary stream as an additional finding during the client interview, which is consistent with the suspected diagnosis of BPH.

A. Fluid volume excess. B. Unbalanced nutrition, less than body needs. C. Unbalanced nutrition, greater than body needs. D. Fluid volume deficit.

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

Choice A Reason:
Fluid volume excess is incorrect. Fluid volume excess refers to an overabundance of fluid in the body, leading to symptoms such as edema, weight gain, and hypertension. However, a BMI of 14 kg/m^2 indicates underweight, not fluid volume excess. Therefore, this choice is incorrect.
Choice B Reason:
Unbalanced nutrition, less than body needs is correct. A BMI of less than 18.5 indicates underweight according to the provided reference range. Underweight individuals often do not consume enough nutrients to meet their body's needs, leading to potential nutritional deficiencies. Therefore, the nursing problem of "Unbalanced nutrition, less than body needs" is appropriate for addressing the client's low BMI.
Choice C Reason:
Unbalanced nutrition, greater than body needs is incorrect. This choice would be more applicable if the client's BMI indicated overweight or obesity, as it suggests an excess intake of nutrients relative to the body's needs. However, a BMI of 14 kg/m^2 indicates underweight, not excess weight. Therefore, this choice is incorrect.
Choice D Reason:
Fluid volume deficit is incorrect. Fluid volume deficit refers to a decreased amount of fluid in the body, leading to symptoms such as dehydration, decreased urine output, and hypotension. However, a low BMI does not necessarily indicate fluid volume deficit; it primarily reflects undernutrition. Therefore, this choice is incorrect.

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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

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Correct Answer is D

Explanation

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

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