The nurse is performing an admission assessment for a client with pyelonephritis who has urgency and burning while urinating. Which finding indicates an expected response when the nurse percusses the costovertebral angle?
Audible thud without pain.
Rigidity and firmness.
Rebound tenderness.
Sharp, severe pain.
The Correct Answer is D
Choice A Reason:
Audible thud without pain is incorrect. An audible thud without pain would not be an expected response when percussing the costovertebral angle (CVA) in a client with pyelonephritis. Pyelonephritis typically presents with tenderness upon percussion of the CVA due to inflammation or infection of the kidneys. The absence of pain in this scenario would not be consistent with the expected response.
Choice B Reason:
Rigidity and firmness are incorrect. Rigidity and firmness upon percussion of the costovertebral angle (CVA) may suggest muscle tension or guarding, rather than the tenderness typically associated with kidney inflammation or infection such as pyelonephritis. While guarding can occur in response to pain, it is not the expected response when assessing for kidney tenderness.
Choice C Reason:
Rebound tenderness is incorrect. Rebound tenderness refers to the exacerbation of pain upon release of pressure, typically observed in conditions such as peritonitis. While rebound tenderness may be present in some abdominal conditions, it is not the expected response when percussing the costovertebral angle (CVA) to assess for kidney tenderness in pyelonephritis. In pyelonephritis, tenderness upon initial percussion is more indicative of the condition.
Choice D Reason:
Sharp, severe pain is correct. Sharp, severe pain upon percussing the CVA suggests tenderness, which can be indicative of kidney inflammation or infection, such as pyelonephritis. This finding would support the diagnosis and help guide further assessment and treatment.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A Reason:
Coronary heart disease is incorrect. Coronary heart disease is primarily associated with cardiovascular symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, and fatigue. While some nail changes may occur in individuals with coronary heart disease due to decreased oxygenation, brittle, concave nails are not a typical manifestation of this condition. Therefore, this option is less likely to explain the appearance of the nails.
Choice B Reason:
Iron deficiency anemia is correct. Iron deficiency anemia is characterized by a lack of iron in the body, leading to decreased production of hemoglobin and red blood cells. One of the classic nail findings associated with iron deficiency anemia is koilonychia, which presents as brittle, concave nails with a spoon-like appearance. This is due to structural changes in the nails caused by the deficiency of iron. Therefore, this option is the most likely explanation for the observed nail changes.
Choice C Reason:
Diabetes mellitus is incorrect. Diabetes mellitus can lead to various dermatologic manifestations, including nail changes such as thickening, discoloration, and slow nail growth. However, brittle, concave nails with a spoon-like appearance are not typically associated with diabetes mellitus. Therefore, while diabetes mellitus may affect the nails, it is less likely to explain the specific appearance observed in this case.
Choice D Reason:
Recent candida infection is incorrect. Candida infections, particularly in the nail folds (paronychia), can lead to changes in the nails such as discoloration, thickening, or separation from the nail bed. However, brittle, concave nails with a spoon-like appearance are not typical findings of candida infections. Therefore, while recent candida infection may affect the nails, it is less likely to explain the specific appearance observed in this case.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A Reason:
Shrug shoulders against resistance is correct because cranial nerve XI, also known as the spinal accessory nerve, innervates the trapezius and sternocleidomastoid muscles. Instructing the client to shrug their shoulders against resistance tests the strength and function of the trapezius muscle, which is primarily innervated by cranial nerve XI. Therefore, this instruction directly assesses the function of the cranial nerve XI.
Choice B Reason:
Stand up slowly with eyes closed is incorrect because standing up slowly with eyes closed primarily assesses proprioception and balance, which involve multiple cranial nerves and the vestibular system. While cranial nerve XI may play a role in maintaining posture and balance, it is not the primary nerve involved in this assessment.
Choice C Reason:
Turn head from side to side is incorrect because turning the head from side to side primarily assesses the function of the sternocleidomastoid muscle, which is also innervated by cranial nerve XI. However, this action alone does not provide resistance against which the muscle can contract, making it less specific for assessing cranial nerve XI compared to the instruction to shrug the shoulders against resistance.
Choice D Reason:
Raise both arms overhead incorrect because raising both arms overhead primarily assesses motor function and strength of the upper extremities, which do not directly involve the muscles innervated by cranial nerve XI. While the trapezius muscle may be indirectly involved in shoulder movement, this action does not specifically target the function of cranial nerve XI.
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