A doctor is seeing a patient for complaints of pins and needles sensation to their left hand. Which of the following terms should the doctor indicate on their charting?
Dysesthesia
Paresthesia
Proprioception
Sprain
The Correct Answer is B
Choice A reason: Dysesthesia refers to abnormal sensations, often painful, like burning or aching, due to nerve damage. While related to sensory nerve dysfunction, it does not specifically describe the pins and needles sensation, which is better characterized by paresthesia, making this term less precise for the patient’s complaint.
Choice B reason: Paresthesia describes abnormal sensations like pins and needles, typically from nerve compression or irritation, as in carpal tunnel syndrome. It accurately captures the patient’s reported left-hand sensation, aligning with clinical terminology for documenting transient or chronic sensory nerve disturbances, making it the appropriate term.
Choice C reason: Proprioception is the sense of body position, mediated by sensory receptors in muscles and joints, not related to pins and needles sensations. It involves spatial awareness, not cutaneous sensory abnormalities, so this term is irrelevant to the patient’s sensory complaint in the left hand.
Choice D reason: A sprain is a ligament injury, causing pain and swelling, not sensory disturbances like pins and needles. It is a musculoskeletal issue, unrelated to neurological symptoms of nerve irritation, making this term inappropriate for documenting the patient’s sensory nerve-related complaint.
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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A reason: Normal blood pressure is <120/<80 mmHg, far below 148/92 mmHg, which is stage 2 hypertension per AHA guidelines. Assuming normal misclassifies the reading, risking untreated hypertension, leading to complications like stroke or heart failure. Accurate classification ensures proper management with lifestyle changes or medications.
Choice B reason: Stage 1 hypertension is 130-139/80-89 mmHg, lower than 148/92 mmHg, which is stage 2. Misclassifying as stage 1 underestimates severity, potentially delaying aggressive treatment like dual antihypertensives. Correct staging ensures timely intervention, critical for preventing cardiovascular damage in patients with elevated blood pressure readings.
Choice C reason: Stage 2 hypertension, per AHA, is ≥140/≥90 mmHg, matching 148/92 mmHg. This requires immediate lifestyle changes and likely medications to prevent cardiovascular events. Accurate classification guides treatment, ensuring blood pressure control, reducing risks of stroke, heart attack, or kidney damage in patients with significant hypertension.
Choice D reason: Elevated blood pressure is 120-129/<80 mmHg, below 148/92 mmHg, which is stage 2 hypertension. Assuming elevated underestimates the condition, risking inadequate intervention and progression to organ damage. Correct classification ensures appropriate management, critical for controlling hypertension and preventing long-term complications in affected patients.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A reason: Measuring pulse for 15 seconds and multiplying by 4 assumes a regular rhythm, which is inaccurate for an irregular pulse. Irregular rhythms, such as atrial fibrillation, require longer measurement to capture variability in heartbeats, ensuring an accurate rate. This method risks over- or underestimating the true pulse rate.
Choice B reason: Counting for 30 seconds and multiplying by 2 is insufficient for an irregular pulse, as it may miss variations in heart rate, common in arrhythmias. Accurate assessment of irregular rhythms, like premature ventricular contractions, demands a full minute to account for fluctuations, making this method less reliable.
Choice C reason: Measuring the pulse for 60 seconds is the standard for irregular rhythms, as it captures the full range of heart rate variability. Conditions like atrial fibrillation cause inconsistent beats, and a full minute ensures accuracy in counting, aligning with clinical guidelines for assessing cardiovascular status in such cases.
Choice D reason: Counting for 45 seconds and multiplying by 2 is not a standard practice for irregular pulses. It fails to account for the full variability in heart rate, potentially skewing results in conditions like arrhythmias. A 60-second count is necessary for precision in irregular rhythm assessments.
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