A patient's carotid pulse is weak, and the nurse is preparing to auscultate the carotid for the presence of a bruit.
A bruit is a:
Loud, whooshing, blowing sound best heard with the bell.
High-pitched tinkling sound best heard with the diaphragm.
Soft, trickling, pulsatile sound best heard with the bell.
Low gurgling sound best heard with the diaphragm of the stethoscope.
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A rationale
A bruit is an abnormal vascular sound, typically a loud, whooshing, or blowing murmur, caused by turbulent blood flow through a narrowed or partially obstructed artery. It is best auscultated with the bell of the stethoscope, which is more effective at detecting low-pitched sounds due to its larger surface area and ability to transmit vibrations from a broader area of contact. The turbulence creates vibratory patterns indicative of compromised blood flow.
Choice B rationale
A high-pitched tinkling sound is not characteristic of a bruit and is more commonly associated with bowel sounds in cases of intestinal obstruction, indicating fluid and gas movement within the bowel. The diaphragm of the stethoscope is indeed used for high-pitched sounds, but this specific sound quality does not align with the pathophysiology of a vascular bruit.
Choice C rationale
A soft, trickling, pulsatile sound does not describe a bruit. While pulsatile, the "soft, trickling" quality suggests a very low-flow state or venous hum rather than the turbulent arterial flow responsible for a true bruit. The bell is appropriate for low-pitched sounds, but the character of the sound is inconsistent with a bruit.
Choice D rationale
A low gurgling sound is generally associated with gastrointestinal motility, such as normal bowel sounds, and is not indicative of a vascular bruit. While low-pitched sounds can be detected with the bell, the diaphragm is used for higher-pitched sounds, and the "gurgling" description is inappropriate for arterial turbulence.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is ["4"]
Explanation
Step 1 is 1640 - 1200 = 440.
Step 2 is 440 = 4: PM.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A rationale
While documenting additional clothing could mitigate some error, the presence of a jacket and shoes adds variable, unmeasured mass. Accurate weight measurement is crucial for medication dosing, fluid balance assessment, and nutritional status monitoring. Even seemingly minor additions can significantly skew results, impacting clinical decisions and potentially leading to suboptimal patient care.
Choice B rationale
The type of scale significantly impacts accuracy and precision. Different scales, such as beam scales, electronic scales, or bed scales, have varying calibration standards and sensitivities. Using a consistent, properly calibrated scale minimizes measurement variability and ensures reliable data, which is essential for tracking trends and making valid comparisons over time in a clinical setting.
Choice C rationale
Diurnal variations in body weight occur due to factors like fluid shifts, food and fluid intake, and bowel elimination. Weighing at the same time minimizes these transient fluctuations, providing a more consistent and comparable baseline for monitoring weight changes over time. This consistency is vital for accurate assessment of a patient's fluid status, nutritional progress, or response to therapeutic interventions.
Choice D rationale
While weighing in undergarments provides the most accurate baseline, it may not always be practical or appropriate due to patient comfort, privacy concerns, or clinical urgency. The goal is to standardize the weighing procedure as much as possible, including minimizing clothing and documenting any deviations to ensure consistency and interpretability of serial weight measurements.
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