A nurse plans to take a patient's radial pulse. Which method of examination should be used by the nurse?
Auscultation
Percussion
Palpation
Inspection
The Correct Answer is C
A. Auscultation. Auscultation involves listening to internal body sounds, usually with a stethoscope, such as heart, lung, or bowel sounds. It is not used for assessing the radial pulse.
B. Percussion. Percussion is the technique of tapping on body surfaces to assess underlying structures, such as detecting fluid in the lungs or assessing organ size. It is not used to assess pulses.
C. Palpation. Palpation involves using the fingers to feel for the radial pulse by applying gentle pressure over the radial artery at the wrist. This is the correct method for assessing a patient's radial pulse.
D. Inspection. Inspection involves visually examining the patient for abnormalities such as skin color, swelling, or deformities. It does not provide information about pulse rate or rhythm.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. 104.4°F. This temperature is consistent with heatstroke, a life-threatening condition characterized by hot, dry skin, confusion, and tachycardia. Heatstroke occurs when the body fails to regulate temperature, often exceeding 104°F (40°C).
B. 99.2°F. A temperature of 99.2°F is only slightly elevated and does not match the severe hyperthermia expected in heatstroke.
C. 100.8°F. While this temperature is above normal, it is not high enough to indicate heatstroke, which typically involves temperatures above 104°F.
D. 102.2°F. This temperature suggests heat exhaustion, a milder form of heat-related illness, but heatstroke involves higher temperatures exceeding 104°F.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. Posterior-to-anterior comparison. While both the anterior and posterior lung fields should be assessed, auscultation should be performed in a systematic side-to-side manner rather than switching between front and back.
B. Side-to-side comparison. The correct method for auscultating breath sounds is to compare sounds bilaterally (right lung to left lung) at each level. This helps identify asymmetrical lung sounds, which could indicate conditions like pneumonia, pleural effusion, or atelectasis.
C. Top-to-bottom comparison. While lung auscultation progresses from the apices to the bases, it should always be done in a side-to-side manner to detect differences between the lungs.
D. Interspace-by-interspace comparison. Although breath sounds are assessed at different intercostal spaces, the key principle is to compare sounds bilaterally at each level, rather than focusing solely on individual interspaces.
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