A nurse is performing an assessment on the fingers and toes of a patient.
What finding is consistent with clubbing?
Decreased angle between the cuticles and the nails.
Upward curving of the nails.
Blue nails.
Angle of nails > 160 degrees.
The Correct Answer is D
Choice A rationale
A decreased angle between the cuticles and the nails is not indicative of clubbing. In fact, it is often associated with healthy nails. Clubbing is recognized by changes that increase the angle between the nail bed and the cuticle.
Choice B rationale
An upward curving of the nails, known as koilonychia or spoon nails, is not characteristic of clubbing but is often associated with iron-deficiency anemia. Hence, this answer is incorrect for clubbing.
Choice C rationale
Blue nails indicate cyanosis, which is related to a lack of oxygen in the blood. This is distinct from clubbing, which is more about the shape and angle of the nails rather than their color.
Choice D rationale
Clubbing is recognized by an increase in the angle between the nail bed and the cuticle, often greater than 160 degrees. This is a hallmark feature and the correct indicator of clubbing.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A rationale
The optic nerve (CN II) is responsible for vision, transmitting visual information from the retina to the brain. Dysfunction of the optic nerve would result in visual disturbances, such as loss of vision or changes in visual acuity, rather than difficulty with tongue movement. This nerve does not control motor functions of the tongue.
Choice B rationale
The abducens nerve (CN VI) controls the lateral rectus muscle of the eye, which is responsible for moving the eye outward, away from the nose. Dysfunction of the abducens nerve would result in issues with eye movement, such as double vision or inability to move the eye laterally, not tongue movement. It does not play a role in tongue motor control.
Choice C rationale
The hypoglossal nerve (CN XII) controls the muscles of the tongue, enabling movements necessary for speech, swallowing, and mastication. Dysfunction of this nerve would result in difficulty protruding the tongue and reduced strength during resistance testing. Symptoms can include atrophy of the tongue muscles, fasciculations, and deviation of the tongue to one side when extended.
Choice D rationale
The vestibulocochlear nerve (CN VIII) is responsible for hearing and balance, transmitting sound and equilibrium information from the inner ear to the brain. Dysfunction of the vestibulocochlear nerve would lead to symptoms such as hearing loss, tinnitus, or balance disorders like vertigo. It does not affect the motor control of the tongue.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Lateralization to the unaffected ear in Weber's test actually indicates sensorineural hearing loss in the affected ear. This choice is incorrect as it doesn’t describe the correct procedure for the test.
Choice B rationale
The Weber's test involves placing an activated tuning fork in the midline of the skull and asking the patient if the sound is heard more loudly in either ear. This helps determine if there is lateralization, which is key in diagnosing the type of hearing loss. Thus, this is the correct procedure for the test.
Choice C rationale
Placing the tuning fork on the mastoid bone and then over air is actually part of the Rinne test, not the Weber test. This choice is, therefore, incorrect for the Weber test.
Choice D rationale
Similar to Choice C, this process describes the Rinne test, which compares air conduction and bone conduction of sound. This is not the correct method for performing Weber’s test.
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