The nurse is preparing to percuss a client's anterior chest area. Which approach will the nurse use for this assessment?

Begin above the right clavicle and percuss each section, comparing the right chest with the left chest.

Begin at the sternal notch and percuss all areas on the left chest, then all areas on the right chest.

Begin at the sternal notch and percuss all areas on the right chest, then all areas on the left chest.

Begin above the left clavicle and percuss all areas on the left chest, then reverse the process and assess the right chest, moving upward from the liver.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is A

Choice A Reason:
This approach is recommended as it allows for a systematic comparison between the two sides of the chest. Percussion should start at the apices of the lungs, which are located just above the clavicles, and proceed downwards. This method ensures that any differences in percussion note, which could indicate underlying pathology, are identified by direct comparison.

Choice B Reason:
While this approach also involves a systematic assessment, it does not allow for immediate comparison between the two sides of the chest. It is important to compare corresponding areas on each side as you go to detect any asymmetry or changes in resonance.

Choice C Reason:
This method, similar to choice B, does not facilitate immediate side-to-side comparison during the assessment. Immediate comparison is crucial for identifying subtle differences that may indicate conditions such as pleural effusion or pneumothorax.

Choice D Reason:
Starting the percussion above the left clavicle and moving to the right chest after completing the left side does not allow for direct comparison of symmetrical chest areas. Additionally, assessing the right chest moving upward from the liver is not a standard practice, as the liver dullness can interfere with the percussion of the lower right lung fields.

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Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Choice a reason:
A BMI of 27 falls into the 'Overweight' category according to the standard BMI classification. The 'Overweight' range is defined as a BMI of 25 to 29.9. This indicates that the person's weight is higher than what is considered healthy for a given height.

Choice b reason:
'Obesity Class I' is characterized by a BMI of 30 to 34.9. Since the client's BMI is 27, it does not reach the threshold for this category.

Choice c reason:
The 'Normal weight' category ranges from a BMI of 18.5 to 24.9. With a BMI of 27, the client exceeds the upper limit of the normal weight range.

Choice d reason:
The term 'Obesity' generally refers to a BMI of 30 or higher, which encompasses Obesity Class I, II, and III. Since the client's BMI is 27, it is below the obesity range.

A. Assist the client to a sitting position. B. Percuss the region before auscultating. C. Reduce all environmental noise. D. Palpate the region before auscultating.

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Choice a reason:
Assisting the client to a sitting position is not the best action to ensure that bowel sounds can be heard. For abdominal auscultation, the patient should be lying down in a supine position to relax the abdominal muscles, which facilitates the hearing of bowel sounds.

Choice b reason:
Percussion of the abdomen before auscultation is not recommended as the best initial action. Percussion can stimulate bowel motility, which may alter the natural bowel sounds that the nurse is attempting to assess.

Choice c reason:
Reducing all environmental noise is the best action to ensure that bowel sounds can be heard clearly. Environmental noise can mask the subtle sounds of bowel motility, and minimizing distractions allows for a more accurate assessment of bowel activity.

Choice d reason:
Palpating the region before auscultating is not the best action because palpation can also stimulate bowel motility and potentially alter the bowel sounds. Auscultation should be performed before palpation during the abdominal examination to avoid this issue.

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The nurse is preparing to percuss a client's anterior chest area. Which approach will the nurse use for this assessment?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Using the client's height of 72 inches and weight of 200 lbs, the nurse calculates the BMI. A BMI of 27 indicates which category for this patient?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

The nurse working in an outpatient GI clinic is conducting a physical examination of the abdomen. What is the nurse's best action to ensure she can hear bowel sounds?

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

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