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.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A reason: Full range of motion against gravity only corresponds to a 3/5 muscle strength rating, indicating the muscle can move the joint against gravity but not additional resistance. This is weaker than 4/5, which includes some resistance, making this choice incorrect for the described strength level.
Choice B reason: Visible muscle contraction without joint movement indicates a 1/5 rating, reflecting minimal strength, often seen in severe neurological or muscular disorders. This is far below a 4/5 rating, which requires full range of motion and resistance, making this choice irrelevant to the question.
Choice C reason: A 4/5 muscle strength rating indicates full range of motion against gravity with some resistance, but not maximal. This reflects good muscle function, slightly below normal, often due to minor injury or fatigue. It aligns with standard muscle strength scales, making it the correct choice.
Choice D reason: Full range of motion against gravity with full resistance corresponds to a 5/5 rating, indicating normal muscle strength. This is stronger than 4/5, which involves only some resistance, reflecting a slight deficit. This choice does not match the described strength level.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A reason: A heart rate below normal (e.g., <60 bpm) indicates bradycardia, not necessarily arrhythmia, which is characterized by irregular rhythm. Irregular heart rate defines arrhythmia. Assuming low rate risks misdiagnosis, potentially missing treatments like antiarrhythmics, critical for stabilizing rhythm and preventing complications in arrhythmic patients.
Choice B reason: Irregular heart rate is the hallmark of arrhythmia, reflecting disrupted electrical conduction (e.g., atrial fibrillation). This sign, detected via pulse or ECG, guides diagnosis and treatment like anticoagulants or cardioversion. Accurate identification ensures timely intervention, critical for preventing stroke or heart failure in patients with cardiac rhythm disturbances.
Choice C reason: Low respiratory rate is unrelated to arrhythmia, which affects heart rhythm, not breathing. Irregular heart rate is the key sign. Assuming respiratory rate misdirects focus, risking neglect of cardiac monitoring or treatment, potentially delaying management of arrhythmia and increasing risks of thromboembolism or hemodynamic instability.
Choice D reason: Decreased blood pressure upon standing (orthostatic hypotension) is unrelated to arrhythmia, which involves irregular heart rhythm. Misidentifying this risks overlooking cardiac signs like irregular pulse, delaying ECG or antiarrhythmic therapy, critical for managing arrhythmia and preventing complications like syncope or heart failure in affected patients.
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