A nurse is assessing the anterior chest of a client. The nurse recognizes that which of the following should be included in the assessment? (Select all that apply.)
Kyphosis
Gastrointestinal sounds
Heart sounds
Breath sounds
Symmetric expansion
Correct Answer : C,D,E
A) Kyphosis: While kyphosis is an important physical finding that could impact a client's respiratory and musculoskeletal health, it is typically assessed during the general physical examination and postural assessment rather than as part of the anterior chest assessment. Therefore, kyphosis is not directly part of the anterior chest examination, though it could be a factor influencing respiratory mechanics.
B) Gastrointestinal sounds: Gastrointestinal sounds are assessed during the abdominal examination, not the chest examination. The anterior chest exam focuses on respiratory and cardiac assessments, which do not involve auscultating bowel sounds. Hence, gastrointestinal sounds are not part of the chest examination.
C) Heart sounds: Auscultation of heart sounds is a crucial part of assessing the anterior chest, as it helps the nurse evaluate cardiac function. The nurse listens to heart sounds at specific areas on the chest (e.g., aortic, pulmonic, tricuspid, and mitral areas) to identify any abnormalities such as murmurs, arrhythmias, or other issues.
D) Breath sounds: Breath sounds are an essential component of the chest assessment. By auscultating the lungs, the nurse can identify normal or abnormal breath sounds, such as wheezes, crackles, or decreased breath sounds, which may indicate respiratory issues like pneumonia, asthma, or emphysema.
E) Symmetric expansion: Symmetric expansion refers to the even movement of both sides of the chest during inhalation and exhalation. Assessing symmetric chest expansion helps the nurse identify any respiratory abnormalities, such as atelectasis, pneumonia, or other lung pathologies that may cause uneven chest expansion, signaling a potential underlying issue.
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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A) Simultaneously palpating both arteries to compare amplitude: Palpating both carotid arteries simultaneously is contraindicated as it can obstruct blood flow to the brain, potentially causing a decrease in cerebral perfusion and leading to syncope or other complications. Each artery should be palpated one at a time to prevent this risk.
B) Auscultating the artery at the base of the neck at the carotid bifurcation: The correct technique for assessing for carotid artery blockage is to auscultate the artery at the carotid bifurcation, which is located at the base of the neck. The nurse should use the bell of the stethoscope to listen for bruits, which are abnormal sounds caused by turbulent blood flow due to narrowing or blockage of the artery. This is a non-invasive method used to detect vascular abnormalities.
C) Listening with the diaphragm of the stethoscope to assess for bruits: The diaphragm of the stethoscope is generally used for high-pitched sounds like lung and bowel sounds. For auscultating bruits, the bell of the stethoscope is preferred because it is more sensitive to low-pitched sounds, which are characteristic of bruits caused by turbulent blood flow in narrowed arteries.
D) Instructing the client to take deep breaths during auscultation: Instructing the client to take deep breaths is unnecessary and could alter the sound being auscultated. The nurse should have the client breathe normally to avoid interference with the auscultation of the carotid arteries. The goal is to listen for any abnormal sounds (bruits) without any external factors affecting the findings.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A) These sounds are normally auscultated over the trachea:
This is incorrect. The tracheal breath sounds are harsh, loud, and high-pitched, typically heard over the trachea and larynx. These characteristics differ from the soft, low-pitched sounds described in the question, which are more consistent with vesicular breath sounds.
B) These are bronchial breath sounds and normal in that location:
This is incorrect. Bronchial breath sounds are typically heard over the trachea and larynx, not the lower lobes of the lungs. Bronchial sounds are loud, high-pitched, and have a longer expiration phase compared to inspiration, unlike the low-pitched, soft sounds with longer inspiration that are heard in the lower lobes.
C) These are bronchovesicular breath sounds and normal in that location:
This is incorrect. Bronchovesicular breath sounds are a mix of bronchial and vesicular sounds, with inspiration and expiration of about equal duration. They are typically heard over the major bronchi, near the sternum and between the scapulae, rather than over the posterior lower lobes. The description in the question suggests vesicular breath sounds, which have a longer inspiration phase.
D) These are vesicular breath sounds and normal in that location:
This is the correct answer. Vesicular breath sounds are soft, low-pitched, and typically heard over the peripheral lung fields, including the posterior lower lobes. These sounds have a longer inspiration phase than expiration and are considered normal in this location. The description in the question fits the characteristics of vesicular breath sounds perfectly.
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