A group of nursing students are studying the conduction system of the heart. The nursing students should recognize that the pacemaker of the heart is known as

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A. Have the client breathe quickly:

This choice is incorrect because having the client breathe quickly is not a technique for assessing tactile fremitus. Tactile fremitus is assessed by feeling vibrations on the chest wall while the patient speaks, not during normal breathing.

B. Palpate the chest symmetrically:

This choice is correct. To assess tactile fremitus, the nurse places the palms or ulnar aspects of both hands firmly against the patient's chest while the patient speaks a phrase. The nurse should palpate the chest symmetrically to detect vibrations equally on both sides, which can help identify abnormalities in the lungs.

C. Ask the client to cough:

This choice is incorrect. Asking the client to cough is not a technique for assessing tactile fremitus. Tactile fremitus is evaluated by feeling vibrations while the patient speaks, not while coughing.

D. Use the bell of the stethoscope:

This choice is incorrect. Tactile fremitus is assessed by palpation, not auscultation with a stethoscope. Using the bell of the stethoscope is a technique for listening to low-pitched sounds, not for assessing tactile fremitus.

A. Perform the confrontation test:

The confrontation test is a basic visual field screening test. It assesses the peripheral vision by having the patient cover one eye and the examiner covers the opposite eye. The patient and the examiner then bring their fingers into the visual field from the periphery, and the patient indicates when they see the fingers.

B. Ask the patient to read the print on a handheld Jaeger card:

Jaeger cards are used for near vision testing. The patient reads progressively smaller print to assess their near vision acuity.

C. Determine the patient's ability to read newsprint at a distance of 12 to 14 inches:

This method assesses near vision. It is often used informally in clinical settings, where the patient is asked to read a newspaper or similar print at a comfortable reading distance.

D. Use the Snellen chart positioned 20 feet away from the patient:

The Snellen chart is a standardized chart used for visual acuity testing. It is placed 20 feet away from the patient, and the patient is asked to read the letters or symbols on the chart with one eye covered at a time.