A nurse is caring for a client who has had a stroke. id assesses right-sided facial drooping. The nurse should also anticipate which of the following assessment findings?
Dysphagia
Rhinitis
Xerostomia
Epistaxis
The Correct Answer is A
A. Dysphagia:
Dysphagia, or difficulty swallowing, is a common issue in clients who have had a stroke, particularly when there is facial drooping or weakness on one side of the face, which can affect the muscles involved in swallowing. A stroke can cause motor impairment, affecting the coordination and strength required for effective swallowing. This condition increases the risk of aspiration (food or liquid entering the airway), which can lead to respiratory complications such as pneumonia. It is crucial to assess for dysphagia in stroke patients and provide appropriate interventions, such as speech therapy and modified diets, to ensure safe swallowing.
B. Rhinitis:
Rhinitis, which refers to inflammation of the nasal passages causing symptoms like congestion, sneezing, and runny nose, is not directly related to stroke. Although rhinitis can be caused by allergies, infections, or environmental irritants, it is not a typical finding following a stroke. The presence of facial drooping on one side is more suggestive of a neurological issue affecting motor control, rather than an issue with the nasal passages or upper respiratory system.
C. Xerostomia:
Xerostomia, or dry mouth, can occur for various reasons, such as medication side effects or dehydration, but it is not a primary concern directly associated with stroke-induced facial drooping. While facial nerve dysfunction can affect salivation (since the facial nerve helps control the salivary glands), dysphagia and facial drooping are more immediate concerns for stroke patients. Xerostomia may occur in some cases, but it is not as directly linked to stroke as dysphagia is.
D. Epistaxis:
Epistaxis, or nosebleeds, is not a typical complication of stroke and is not associated with facial drooping. While certain factors like dry air, medications (e.g., anticoagulants), or trauma could cause nosebleeds, they are not common findings directly related to a stroke. The focus should be on potential neurological deficits, such as difficulty swallowing, impaired speech, or weakness, rather than epistaxis.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A) Bronchial sounds:
Bronchial breath sounds are normal over the trachea and large bronchi but are considered abnormal if heard over the peripheral lung fields. In the case of pneumonia or other types of lung consolidation, bronchial sounds may be transmitted to more peripheral areas of the lungs where they are typically not heard. However, bronchial sounds themselves are not the specific adventitious sound produced by lung consolidation, though their presence can suggest consolidation.
B) Crackles:
Crackles (also known as rales) are the adventitious sounds most commonly associated with lung consolidation, such as in pneumonia. Crackles occur when air bubbles move through the fluid or mucus in the alveoli and small airways. In pneumonia, the inflammation and accumulation of fluid or pus in the alveoli (consolidation) causes crackling or popping sounds during inspiration. Crackles are a key indicator of consolidation in the lungs, making this the correct choice.
C) Whispered pectoriloquy:
Whispered pectoriloquy is a type of vocal fremitus that can be heard during auscultation when the patient whispers a phrase. It is an abnormal finding that can occur in the presence of lung consolidation, where the whispered sounds are heard more clearly or louder than normal. While it is related to lung consolidation, it is not an adventitious sound like crackles. Instead, it is a sign that can indicate the presence of consolidation when paired with other findings like bronchophony.
D) Bronchophony:
Bronchophony is the increased clarity and intensity of spoken sounds during auscultation, which occurs in areas of lung consolidation. When a patient says "99," the sound may become more distinct and louder when consolidation is present. Although bronchophony is another finding that may suggest consolidation, it is a vocal sound rather than an adventitious breath sound. Bronchophony refers specifically to changes in voice transmission, not to the crackling or popping sounds caused by consolidation itself.
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.
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