In assessing a client's neck, the nurse hears a blowing swish when auscultating the area over the left carotid artery, but hears no sound over the right carotid artery. How should the nurse document this finding?

Left carotid artery has strong pulse; right carotid artery occluded.

Left carotid pulse volume of 4+; right carotid pulse volume of 0.

Left carotid artery occlusion present; no occlusion of right carotid artery.

Left carotid artery bruit present; no bruit heard in right carotid artery.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is D

A) Left carotid artery has strong pulse; right carotid artery occluded:
This documentation is incorrect because the presence of a bruit does not indicate a strong pulse or occlusion. A bruit suggests turbulent blood flow, often due to partial obstruction or narrowing of the artery, not necessarily a strong pulse or complete occlusion.

B) Left carotid pulse volume of 4+; right carotid pulse volume of 0:
This documentation focuses on the pulse volume rather than the presence of a bruit. The nurse's assessment was related to auscultation findings (bruit) rather than palpation findings (pulse volume).

C) Left carotid artery occlusion present; no occlusion of right carotid artery:
A bruit indicates turbulent blood flow, which may be due to partial obstruction, but it does not confirm complete occlusion. Therefore, this documentation would be inaccurate.

D) Left carotid artery bruit present; no bruit heard in right carotid artery:
This documentation accurately reflects the nurse's findings. A bruit is a blowing, swishing sound indicating turbulent blood flow, often due to narrowing or partial obstruction of the artery. Documenting the presence of a bruit provides essential information for further evaluation and management.

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Correct Answer is C

Explanation

A) Ask the client to complete a common proverb or saying:
While completing a common proverb or saying can provide some insight into speech patterns, it may not offer a comprehensive assessment of the client's speech abilities. Additionally, the client's familiarity with specific proverbs or sayings could influence their performance.

B) Have the client repeat a phrase containing alliteration:
Having the client repeat a phrase containing alliteration can assess specific aspects of speech, such as articulation and fluency. However, it may not provide a holistic assessment of speech patterns and may not be suitable for all clients.

C) Note the client's responses during the initial interview:
This approach allows the nurse to observe the client's spontaneous speech patterns, including articulation, fluency, rate, and coherence, during the natural flow of conversation. It provides a comprehensive assessment of speech abilities in various contexts.

D) Listen while the client reads items listed on the menu:
While listening to the client read items on a menu can assess reading ability and pronunciation, it may not fully capture speech patterns in spontaneous conversation or communication. Additionally, it may not be relevant to clients who may have difficulty reading or have limited literacy skills.

A. Cardiac atrophy. B. Cardiac enlargement. C. Benign variation. D. Expected finding. E. None F. None

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

Answer: B. Cardiac enlargement.

Rationale:

A) Cardiac atrophy:
Cardiac atrophy refers to the reduction in the size of the heart muscles and is not typically detected through percussion. It would present differently, likely through imaging or echocardiography, rather than an increase in the area of dullness during percussion.

B) Cardiac enlargement:
Percussion revealing dullness extending from the 5th left intercostal space upward to the 2nd left intercostal space suggests an increase in the size of the heart. This pattern indicates cardiac enlargement, as the heart’s borders have extended beyond their typical boundaries, which are usually confined to the 5th left intercostal space along the midclavicular line.

C) Benign variation:
A benign variation would not typically cause such a significant change in the area of cardiac dullness. This finding is more concerning for pathology, such as cardiomegaly, than a harmless variation.

D) Expected finding:
The normal borders of the heart should not extend upward to the 2nd left intercostal space during percussion. This finding is not within normal limits and suggests an abnormal enlargement of the heart, rather than an expected physiological outcome.

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In assessing a client's neck, the nurse hears a blowing swish when auscultating the area over the left carotid artery, but hears no sound over the right carotid artery. How should the nurse document this finding?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

During an admission assessment, which approach should the nurse use to assess a client's speech patterns?

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

While percussing the borders of the heart, the nurse picks up an area of dullness beginning at the 5th left intercostal space and moving upward to the 2nd left intercostal space at the sternal border. What do these findings indicate?

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

Rationale:

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