The nurse is performing a neurological assessment on a patient and elicits a positive Romberg’s sign. What observation by the nurse determines this outcome?

Choice A reason: A social group sharing traits like location or language describes ethnicity or community, not race. Race is primarily based on physical characteristics, not geographic or linguistic ties, making this an incorrect definition.

Choice B reason: The process of acquiring norms and beliefs refers to socialization or culture, not race. Race is defined by physical traits, not learned behaviors or cultural practices, making this an incorrect description.

Choice C reason: Shared attitudes, values, and roles define culture or ethnicity, not race. Race focuses on inherited physical characteristics, like skin color or facial features, not behavioral or social patterns, making this incorrect.

Choice D reason: Race is defined as a group sharing similar physical characteristics, such as skin color, facial features, or other genetic traits. This aligns with biological and anthropological definitions, making it the correct description of race.

Choice A reason: Simultaneously palpating both carotid arteries is dangerous, risking reduced cerebral blood flow, especially in cardiovascular patients. Using the bell to listen for bruits is safer, so this is incorrect.

Choice B reason: Deep breaths are for lung auscultation, not carotid, where patients hold breath to reduce noise. The bell detects low-pitched bruits, so instructing deep breaths is incorrect for carotid assessment.

Choice C reason: Compressing the carotid artery risks reducing blood flow or dislodging plaques, which is unsafe. Listening with the bell for bruits is the standard method, so this is incorrect.

Choice D reason: Listening with the bell of the stethoscope detects low-frequency bruits, indicating carotid artery narrowing, which is critical in cardiovascular disease. This is the correct technique for safe assessment.