When performing a neurologic assessment on an alert client, the nurse observes that the client's pupils are both round, 3 mm in size, and respond briskly to light. Which notation should the nurse use when documenting the assessment?

Pupils equal, round, reacts to light, and accommodation (PERLA).

Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) of 15.

Pupils equal, round, reacts to light (PERRL).

Neurological status intact.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is C

Choice A Reason:
Pupils equal, round, reacts to light, and accommodation (PERLA) is inappropriate. While PERLA includes accommodation, which involves constriction of the pupils when focusing on a near object, accommodation was not specifically assessed or mentioned in the scenario. Therefore, it would be inaccurate to include it in the documentation based solely on the information provided.
Choice B Reason:
Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) of 15 is inappropriate. The Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) assesses the level of consciousness based on eye, verbal, and motor responses. However, the scenario does not provide information about the client's verbal or motor responses, so using the GCS score of 15 would not accurately reflect the findings described in the assessment of the pupils.
Choice C Reason:
Pupils equal, round, reacts to light (PERRL) is appropriate. This notation describes the key observations made during the assessment of the client's pupils. "PERRL" stands for Pupils Equal, Round, and Reactive to Light. In the given scenario, both pupils are equal in size, round, and demonstrate a brisk response to light, indicating normal pupillary function.
Choice D Reason:
Neurological status intact is inappropriate. While the assessment findings suggest normal pupillary function, documenting "neurological status intact" is a broader statement that encompasses various aspects of neurological function beyond just pupillary assessment. It may be accurate to describe the pupillary findings within the context of a broader neurological assessment, but it does not specifically address the pupil findings as described in the scenario. Therefore, option C is the most appropriate notation for documenting the assessment findings of the pupils.

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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.

A. Observe pupil size when focusing on a near object and then a far object. B. Compare the shape of each of the pupils bilaterally with normal room light. C. Note the speed of pupil constriction when a penlight is shined into the eye. D. Determine if dilation of the pupils occurs when the room is darkened.

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Choice A Reason:
Observing pupil size when focusing on a near object and then a far object is correct. This choice is correct because it directly assesses the pupillary reaction to accommodation, which refers to the changes in pupil size that occur when the eyes shift focus between near and far objects. Observing the pupils while the client focuses on a near object and then a far object allows the nurse to assess how the pupils constrict (become smaller) or dilate (become larger) in response to changes in focus, providing valuable information about the client's accommodation reflex.
Choice B Reason:
Comparing the shape of each of the pupils bilaterally with normal room light is incorrect. While comparing the shape of each pupil bilaterally with normal room light is a valid assessment technique for evaluating pupillary size and symmetry, it does not specifically assess the pupillary reaction to accommodation. Therefore, this choice is not as directly relevant to assessing accommodation reflex as choice A.
Choice C Reason:
Noting the speed of pupil constriction when a penlight is shined into the eye is incorrect. This choice refers to assessing the pupillary light reflex, which involves observing the speed and extent of pupil constriction in response to a bright light stimulus. While this assessment is important for evaluating the pupillary response to light, it does not specifically assess accommodation, which involves changes in pupil size in response to changes in focus between near and far objects. Therefore, this choice is not directly relevant to assessing accommodation reflex.
Choice D Reason:
Determining if dilation of the pupils occurs when the room is darkened is incorrect. This choice involves assessing the pupillary response to changes in ambient light levels, which is known as the pupillary light reflex. While assessing pupil dilation in response to darkness is important for evaluating the pupillary response to changes in light, it does not specifically assess accommodation reflex. Therefore, this choice is not directly relevant to assessing accommodation reflex.

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When performing a neurologic assessment on an alert client, the nurse observes that the client's pupils are both round, 3 mm in size, and respond briskly to light. Which notation should the nurse use when documenting the assessment?

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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

While auscultating a client's abdomen, the nurse hears a low-pitched blowing sound in the upper midline area. Which is the likely indication of this finding?

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

To assess a client's pupillary reaction to accommodation, what action should the nurse take?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

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