The patient who is confined to bed in the supine position has gained 5 lbs. in the last 48 hours. In which area does the nurse assess skin turgor for accurate determination of dependent edema?
Foot
Forehead
Ankle
Chest
Sacrum
The Correct Answer is E
Dependent edema refers to the accumulation of fluid in the dependent parts of the body, which are areas that are most affected by gravity when a person is in a supine or sitting position for an extended period. The sacrum, which is the triangular bone at the base of the spine, is one such dependent area. It is prone to developing edema when there is increased fluid retention in the body, as seen in the patient's weight gain.
To assess for dependent edema accurately, the nurse can gently press the skin over the sacral area with their fingers and observe the skin turgor or the return of the skin to its normal position after releasing the pressure. If there is edema, the skin may have reduced elasticity and take longer to return to its normal position (poor skin turgor).
While edema can occur in other dependent areas such as the feet, ankles, and lower legs, assessing skin turgor in these areas may not provide an accurate determination of dependent edema as they are located further away from the sacrum and may be influenced by other factors.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is ["A","D","E"]
Explanation
The teaching that the nurse will provide to the Patient Care Technician (PCT) when delegating ambulation for a client includes:
● "Please let me know how the client does after each ambulation": This instruction ensures that the PCT communicates any relevant information or changes observed during or after the ambulation, allowing the nurse to stay informed about the client's condition.
● "Be certain to use a gait belt when performing this activity": Using a gait belt is an important safety measure during ambulation. It helps provide support and stability for the client and allows the PCT to maintain control and assist in case the client becomes unsteady or falls.
● "Each ambulation should last 10 minutes": Providing a specific time frame for the ambulation helps guide the PCT in determining the duration of the activity. This ensures consistency in the care provided and allows for proper scheduling of ambulation throughout the day.
The other options provided ("Ambulate the client every four hours," "Come and get me for lunch") do not pertain to specific instructions or teaching related to the delegated ambulation task. The frequency of ambulation and the PCT's lunch break are not relevant to the teaching for this specific task.
Correct Answer is E
Explanation
Dependent edema refers to the accumulation of fluid in the dependent parts of the body, which are areas that are most affected by gravity when a person is in a supine or sitting position for an extended period. The sacrum, which is the triangular bone at the base of the spine, is one such dependent area. It is prone to developing edema when there is increased fluid retention in the body, as seen in the patient's weight gain.
To assess for dependent edema accurately, the nurse can gently press the skin over the sacral area with their fingers and observe the skin turgor or the return of the skin to its normal position after releasing the pressure. If there is edema, the skin may have reduced elasticity and take longer to return to its normal position (poor skin turgor).
While edema can occur in other dependent areas such as the feet, ankles, and lower legs, assessing skin turgor in these areas may not provide an accurate determination of dependent edema as they are located further away from the sacrum and may be influenced by other factors.
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