A nurse is preparing to test a client's plantar Babinski reflex. Which of the following instructions should the nurse give to prepare the client for this test?
"Place your foot in my hand and I will tap the back of your heel."
"Lie down and I will stroke the bottom of your foot."
"Sit on the edge of the bed while I tap your knee."
"Relax your arm across your chest and I will test your elbow extension."
The Correct Answer is B
The plantar Babinski reflex is assessed by stroking the sole of the foot from the heel towards the toes. A normal response is the flexion or curling of the toes. An abnormal response, known as a positive Babinski sign, is the extension and fanning out of the toes, which indicates an upper motor neuron lesion.

"Place your foot in my hand and I will tap the back of your heel": This instruction is more relevant to testing the Achilles tendon reflex, where the nurse taps the back of the heel to elicit a plantarflexion response.

"Sit on the edge of the bed while I tap your knee": This instruction is more relevant to testing the patellar reflex, also known as the knee-jerk reflex. The nurse taps the patellar tendon just below the kneecap to elicit a reflexive contraction of the quadriceps muscle.

"Relax your arm across your chest and I will test your elbow extension": This instruction is more relevant to testing the triceps reflex, where the nurse taps the triceps tendon to elicit a reflexive extension of the elbow.

Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Explanation
D, Wash hands with soap and water for 20 seconds
Hand hygiene is a critical practice in preventing the transmission of infections in healthcare settings. Here's why the other options are incorrect:
Wearing sterile gloves when in contact with body fluids in (option A) is incorrect because it is important for preventing the transmission of pathogens, but it is not directly related to hand hygiene. Hand hygiene refers to the cleaning of hands to remove pathogens, and sterile gloves provide a barrier to protect the healthcare worker and the patient.
B. Using an alcohol-based cleanser when hands are visibly soiled in (option B) is not recommended. Alcohol-based cleansers are effective in killing many types of germs, but they are not as effective in removing visible dirt, blood, or body fluids. In such cases, it is important to wash hands with soap and water to thoroughly clean them.
Artificial nails should not be worn when performing direct client care in (option C). They can harbor and transmit pathogens and make it more difficult to effectively clean hands. The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that healthcare workers maintain short, clean, and natural nails without the use of artificial nails or nail extensions.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Prednisone can cause blood glucose levels to increase.
The nurse should explain to the client that the reason for checking his blood glucose level is because prednisone, a medication he is receiving, can cause an increase in blood glucose levels. Prednisone is a corticosteroid medication that is commonly used in the treatment of various conditions, including COPD. It has the potential to raise blood glucose levels by promoting gluconeogenesis (the production of glucose from non-carbohydrate sources) and decreasing insulin sensitivity. Monitoring blood glucose levels is important to assess and manage any potential hyperglycaemia or changes in the client's blood sugar levels while on prednisone.
Older adults are not at increased risk for developing type 1 diabetes mellitus in (option A) is incorrect. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition that typically occurs in childhood or adolescence, and it is characterized by the destruction of insulin-producing cells in the pancreas.
Albuterol treatments, which are used to relieve bronchospasms in clients with COPD, are not known to cause blood glucose levels to decrease in (option C) is incorrect. Albuterol is a beta-2 adrenergic agonist that primarily acts on the respiratory system and does not have a direct effect on blood glucose levels.
Having COPD does not directly cause blood glucose levels to fluctuate in (option D) is incorrect. While there can be various factors that may indirectly affect blood glucose levels in individuals with COPD (e.g., medications, stress, comorbidities), the primary reason for monitoring blood glucose in this case is the use of prednisone.
In summary, the nurse should explain to the client that the blood glucose levels are being checked because prednisone, a medication he is taking for his COPD, can cause an increase in blood glucose levels. This allows for appropriate monitoring and management of any potential hyperglycemia associated with the use of prednisone.
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