The nurse assessing a 90-year-old patient notes that his skin is thin and turgor is non-elastic. The patient states that he always seems to be cold. What does the nurse know about these assessment findings?

The patient's integumentary system is within normal limits for his age

The patient may have a metabolic condition causing him to feel cold

The patient has abnormal thinning of skin

The patient should have elastic turgor

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is B

A) The patient's integumentary system is within normal limits for his age: While thinning skin and decreased turgor can be common in older adults, the specific combination of findings, including the patient feeling cold, suggests that further investigation is warranted rather than assuming they are normal.
B) The patient may have a metabolic condition causing him to feel cold: Thin skin and non-elastic turgor can be indicative of aging, but the sensation of always feeling cold may point to an underlying metabolic condition, such as hypothyroidism or poor circulation, which can affect thermoregulation.

C) The patient has abnormal thinning of skin: While skin thinning is common in older adults, it is not necessarily "abnormal" in the context of aging. However, in conjunction with other symptoms like non-elastic turgor and cold sensitivity, it may warrant further evaluation.

D) The patient should have elastic turgor: In older adults, it is common to see decreased elasticity and turgor of the skin. Therefore, expecting the patient to have elastic turgor may not be appropriate, as it reflects the natural aging process rather than a healthy standard.

Nursing Test Bank

Quiz #1: RN Exams Pharmacology Exams Quiz #2: RN Exams Medical-Surgical Exams Quiz #3: RN Exams Fundamentals Exams Quiz #4: RN Exams Maternal-Newborn Exams Quiz #5: RN Exams Anatomy and Physiology Exams Quiz #6: RN Exams Obstetrics and Pediatrics Exams Quiz #7: RN Exams Fluid and Electrolytes Exams Quiz #8: RN Exams Community Health Exams Quiz #9: RN Exams Promoting Health across the lifespan Exams Quiz #10: RN Exams Multidimensional care Exams

Get 100+ Naxlex Exit Exams for $79 Try Naxlex NCLEX-RN (14 Day Free-Trial)

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Quiz #1: Naxlex RN Comprehensive online practice 2019 B with NGN Quiz #2: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Quiz #3: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Exit Exam A Quiz #4: Naxlex HESI Exit LPN Exam Quiz #5: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor PN 2020 Quiz #6: Naxlex VATI PN Comprehensive Predictor 2020 Quiz #8: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 - Exam 1 Quiz #10: Naxlex HESI PN Exit exam Quiz #11: Naxlex HESI PN EXIT Exam 2

Free Nursing Study Resources

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

A) "Attempt to rotate your head in a circular manner": This instruction is focused on rotation rather than lateral flexion. While rotation assesses different neck movements, it does not specifically evaluate lateral flexion.

B) "Lean your head to the side and attempt to touch your ear to your shoulder": This instruction directly assesses lateral flexion of the neck. It encourages the client to bend their head to the side, effectively demonstrating the range of motion in that direction.
C) "Attempt to raise your shoulders up toward your ears": This instruction assesses shoulder elevation and shrugging rather than lateral flexion of the neck. It does not provide information about the lateral movement of the head.

D) "Tilt your head back and look at the ceiling": This instruction assesses extension of the neck rather than lateral flexion. It evaluates the ability to move the head backward.

A. Chronic pain B. Intractable pain C. Acute pain D. End-of-life pain

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

A) Chronic pain: Chronic pain is defined as pain that lasts for an extended period, often longer than three months, and is usually associated with conditions that are ongoing or recurring. The client’s symptoms, including sudden-onset severe pain and accompanying acute symptoms like nausea and vomiting, do not align with the characteristics of chronic pain.

B) Intractable pain: Intractable pain refers to pain that is resistant to treatment and does not respond well to analgesics or other interventions. While the client's pain is severe, the sudden onset and associated symptoms suggest a specific acute process rather than a pain condition that is inherently resistant to treatment.

C) Acute pain: Acute pain is characterized by its sudden onset and typically corresponds to a specific injury or condition, often with accompanying physiological responses such as nausea and restlessness. The client’s severe pain rating of 10, along with nausea and vomiting, strongly indicates that they are experiencing acute pain, likely related to an underlying acute abdominal condition.

D) End-of-life pain: End-of-life pain usually occurs in patients with terminal illnesses and is often managed with palliative care strategies. The client’s sudden onset of severe pain and accompanying symptoms indicate a different situation, likely not related to a terminal condition.

View Question and Answer

Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.

Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today

The nurse assessing a 90-year-old patient notes that his skin is thin and turgor is non-elastic. The patient states that he always seems to be cold. What does the nurse know about these assessment findings?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Which instructions should the nurse provide a client to assess the lateral flexion?

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

The client's respiratory rate is 9 breaths per minute, and they deny feeling short of breath. The nurse will document this finding as:

A client tells the nurse that they are experiencing discomfort above their elbow. Which medical terminology should the nurse use to describe the location of discomfort?

The nurse notes an exaggerated cervical curve while inspecting the spine of a client. Which term will the nurse use when documenting this finding in the medical record?

How can a nurse best assess a patient's dietary habits effect on their overall health?

The client tells the nurse that he has noticed that one of his moles has started to burn and bleed. The nurse should pay close attention to danger signs for pigmented lesions, and would be concerned with which additional finding?

The nurse is caring for a client who has pain due to sickle cell anemia. The patient rates the pain as a 7 out of 10 (O is no pain and 10 is the worst pain possible). The client is moving around easily and smiling. She is asking for pain medication. Which action by the nurse is most appropriate?

The nurse is caring for a client who was admitted to the medical unit. The healthcare provider states that the client's Romberg test is positive. In order to meet this client's elimination needs, which intervention will the nurse implement?

The nurse is beginning a health history interview. Which of the following will best guide the rest of the health history interview?