As you review an elderly patient’s chart, you see osteoporosis listed as a diagnosis. Which of the following spinal deformities should the nurse expect to see during the nurse’s assessment?
Kyphosis.
Scoliosis.
Lordosis.
Ankylosis.
The Correct Answer is D
Choice A reason: Kyphosis, an exaggerated thoracic curvature, is expected in osteoporosis due to vertebral compression fractures from weakened bones, common in elderly patients. Recognizing this guides interventions like bracing or bisphosphonates, critical for preventing further fractures, improving posture, and reducing pain, enhancing quality of life in osteoporosis patients.
Choice B reason: Scoliosis, lateral spinal curvature, is typically congenital or idiopathic, not caused by osteoporosis, which leads to kyphosis. Assuming scoliosis risks misdiagnosis, diverting focus from fracture-related kyphosis, delaying treatments like calcium supplementation, critical for managing osteoporosis and preventing spinal deformities in elderly patients.
Choice C reason: Lordosis, exaggerated lumbar curvature, is not typical in osteoporosis, which primarily causes thoracic kyphosis from vertebral fractures. Misidentifying lordosis risks overlooking kyphosis, delaying interventions like physical therapy, essential for managing spinal deformities and preventing further bone loss in elderly patients with osteoporosis.
Choice D reason: Ankylosis, spinal joint fusion, is associated with ankylosing spondylitis, not osteoporosis, which causes kyphosis. Assuming ankylosis misguides assessment, risking neglect of osteoporosis-related fractures, delaying bisphosphonates or bracing, critical for preventing deformity progression and maintaining mobility in elderly patients with weakened bones.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A reason: Painful urination, or dysuria, involves discomfort during voiding, often due to urinary tract infections or inflammation. It is not synonymous with nocturia, which specifically refers to frequent nighttime urination. Dysuria requires distinct clinical evaluation, including urinalysis, to identify causes like bacterial infection or urethral irritation, making this an incorrect description of the patient’s complaint.
Choice B reason: Nocturia is the medical term for frequent urination at night, disrupting sleep. In elderly patients, it may result from reduced bladder capacity, overactive bladder, or conditions like benign prostatic hyperplasia. This matches the patient’s complaint, as it directly addresses the symptom without implying unrelated issues like pain or incontinence, making it the accurate choice.
Choice C reason: Bladder incontinence involves involuntary urine leakage, distinct from nocturia, which is voluntary urination at night. Incontinence may stem from neurological disorders or weakened pelvic muscles but does not describe the patient’s symptom of frequent nighttime voiding. This choice is incorrect, as it misaligns with the clinical presentation described.
Choice D reason: An inability to void, or urinary retention, is the opposite of nocturia, where the patient voids frequently. Retention may result from obstructions like an enlarged prostate or neurological issues, requiring catheterization or imaging for diagnosis. This choice does not reflect the patient’s symptom of active, frequent urination at night.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A reason: Pain level assessment is important but unrelated to orientation, which evaluates mental state via time, place, and person questions. Assuming pain assesses orientation risks missing cognitive deficits, delaying diagnosis of delirium or dementia, critical for tailoring care and interventions in patients with altered mental status.
Choice B reason: Personal hygiene reflects self-care ability, not orientation to time, place, or person, which assesses mental state. Assuming hygiene evaluates orientation misguides assessment, risking oversight of cognitive impairments, essential for diagnosing conditions like Alzheimer’s or acute confusion, requiring targeted interventions in clinical practice.
Choice C reason: Orientation questions assess mental state, evaluating cognitive function through awareness of time, place, and person. This detects impairments in conditions like delirium or dementia, guiding care planning. Accurate assessment ensures timely interventions, critical for managing cognitive decline and supporting patient safety and communication in healthcare settings.
Choice D reason: Family medical history provides genetic context but doesn’t assess orientation, which targets mental state. Assuming history evaluates orientation risks missing cognitive issues, delaying diagnosis of acute or chronic cognitive impairments, critical for implementing cognitive support or pharmacological interventions in patients with suspected mental status changes.
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