A homeless male client with a history of alcohol abuse had a cerebrovascular accident (CVA) 10 years ago that resulted in left hemiparesis. Today he is reporting pain in his left leg, is afebrile, has 4+ pitting edema in the lower left leg, and minimal swelling of the right leg. Which action should the nurse implement first?

Complete a mental status exam.

Obtain a blood alcohol level.

Inspect legs for infection or trauma.

Inquire about dietary salt intake.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is C

A.   The client’s current symptoms—pain, significant leg edema, and swelling—are more pressing and suggest a need to evaluate the physical cause of these symptoms rather than focusing immediately on mental status.
B.   Obtaining a blood alcohol level might be relevant if there is a suspicion that recent alcohol use is contributing to the client’s condition or affecting his overall health. However, the primary concern in this case is the significant edema and pain in the left leg.
C.   This is the most pertinent action to take first. The client’s symptoms of severe edema and pain in one leg, along with a history of CVA and alcohol abuse, raise concerns about possible causes such as deep vein thrombosis (DVT), infection, or trauma. Inspecting the legs for signs of infection or trauma (bruising, cuts) is crucial to determine the underlying cause of the symptoms and guide appropriate treatment.

D.   While excessive salt intake can contribute to fluid retention and edema, the degree of swelling described (4+ pitting edema) and the localized nature of the problem in the left leg make it less likely that dietary salt alone is the cause.

Nursing Test Bank

Quiz #1: RN Exams Pharmacology Exams Quiz #2: RN Exams Medical-Surgical Exams Quiz #3: RN Exams Fundamentals Exams Quiz #4: RN Exams Maternal-Newborn Exams Quiz #5: RN Exams Anatomy and Physiology Exams Quiz #6: RN Exams Obstetrics and Pediatrics Exams Quiz #7: RN Exams Fluid and Electrolytes Exams Quiz #8: RN Exams Community Health Exams Quiz #9: RN Exams Promoting Health across the lifespan Exams Quiz #10: RN Exams Multidimensional care Exams

Get 100+ Naxlex Exit Exams for $79 Try Naxlex NCLEX-RN (14 Day Free-Trial)

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Quiz #1: Naxlex RN Comprehensive online practice 2019 B with NGN Quiz #2: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Quiz #3: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Exit Exam A Quiz #4: Naxlex HESI Exit LPN Exam Quiz #5: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor PN 2020 Quiz #6: Naxlex VATI PN Comprehensive Predictor 2020 Quiz #8: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 - Exam 1 Quiz #10: Naxlex HESI PN Exit exam Quiz #11: Naxlex HESI PN EXIT Exam 2

Free Nursing Study Resources

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A. A firm mass palpated at the bottom of the left rib cage can indicate an enlarged spleen, which is an abnormal finding. Splenomegaly may occur due to various conditions, including infections, liver disease, or blood disorders.
B. Rebound tenderness in the right upper quadrant is indicative of potential inflammation or irritation in the abdominal cavity, often associated with appendicitis or other conditions affecting the right lower quadrant. This finding is not specific to the spleen but rather to the general abdominal assessment and does not indicate an abnormal response related to spleen palpation.
C. Normally, the spleen is not palpable in most people. However, if the spleen is slightly enlarged, its tip may be palpable during deep palpation or when the client is asked to exhale forcefully. While this can be an abnormal finding, it may still fall within a range of normal variability depending on the clinical context.
D. McBurney's point is located in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen and is associated with the appendix. Pain at this location is indicative of potential appendicitis, not an abnormal finding related to spleen palpation. This finding does not provide information about the condition of the spleen.

A. Musical intermittent sounds. B. Irregular dicks and gurgles. C. High pitched tinkling. D. Longed prolonged

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

A. Musical sounds or high-pitched, tinkling noises are not typically considered normal bowel sounds. These types of sounds might indicate increased bowel activity or bowel obstruction. They are usually associated with abnormal conditions like bowel obstruction or early signs of a bowel problem.
B. This description is consistent with normal bowel sounds. Bowel sounds are usually described as clicks and gurgles that occur irregularly. They are typically heard as a mix of low to moderate pitched sounds and are a normal part of the gastrointestinal activity. Normal bowel sounds usually have an irregular pattern and may vary in frequency and intensity.
C. High-pitched tinkling sounds are not considered normal and could indicate abnormal bowel activity. These sounds are often associated with increased intestinal motility, which can occur in conditions such as bowel obstruction. They suggest that the bowel is more active than normal, which could be a sign of an underlying problem.
D. Prolonged gurgling sounds can sometimes be heard in cases of increased bowel activity but are not typical of normal bowel sounds. Normal bowel sounds are generally intermittent and irregular rather than prolonged. Prolonged gurgles might suggest issues like increased bowel activity or a bowel condition requiring further investigation.

View Question and Answer

Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.

Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

The nurse examines a client's abdomen. Which finding indicates an abnormal response when palpating the spleen?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

The nurse places the diaphragm of a warmed stethoscope on a client's abdomen to auscultate the bowel sounds. Which finding is considered normal?

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

The nurse is assessing the visual acuity of a client who reports changes in vision. How many feet away from the Snellen chart should the client stand? (Enter a whole number only.)

In assessing a client's sensory nerve function, the nurse prepares to assess the client's response to temperature. What action should the nurse include during this assessment?

While performing a health history the nurse asks the client, "You don't use recreational drugs, do you?" This approach is most likely to elicit which response from the client?

A client is concerned about developing carpal tunnel syndrome. Which screening technique should the nurse perform to provide the client with useful information?

Which finding should raise the greatest concern for a nurse who is performing an ear nose and throat (ENT) examination?

Which assessment technique should the nurse use to confirm the presence of papilledema in a client with a rapidly decreasing level of consciousness?

While assessing a client, the nurse observes that the client has a frequent productive cough. What follow-up assessment should the nurse evaluate first?

A 75-year-old client with a recent history of a cerebrovascular accident (CVA) presents with right hemiparesis. The nurse tests the deep tendon reflexes on the right side and elicits a brisk 4+ response. Which interpretation of this finding is accurate?