The nurse is unable to palpate the dorsalis pedis pulse on an older adult client. What would be most appropriate for the nurse to do next?
Auscultate the anatomic area with a stethoscope.
Use Doppler ultrasonography to locate the pulse.
Ask another nurse to assess the pulse.
Document absence of dorsalis pedis pulse.
The Correct Answer is B
A. Auscultating the area may not provide accurate information about the pulse if it is not palpable, though it can be part of the assessment if Doppler is unavailable.
B. Using Doppler ultrasonography is the most appropriate next step to accurately assess the pulse if it is not palpable, especially in older adults where pulses may be difficult to detect.
C. Asking another nurse to assess the pulse may not address the underlying issue of why the pulse is not palpable and does not provide additional information.
D. Documenting the absence of the dorsalis pedis pulse without further investigation could be premature, as Doppler ultrasonography should be used to confirm its absence.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. Systolic murmur: Systolic murmurs occur during systole and include conditions like aortic stenosis or mitral regurgitation.
B. Diastolic murmur: Aortic insufficiency/regurgitation occurs during diastole when the aortic valve fails to close properly, allowing blood to flow back into the left ventricle.
C. Absent murmur: Aortic insufficiency/regurgitation is not classified as absent; it is detectable with auscultation.
D. Very faint murmur: Although aortic regurgitation murmurs can vary in intensity, the classification pertains to the timing of the murmur, not its loudness.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. Perform abdominal percussion, and then repeat auscultation: While percussion can provide additional information, the absence of bowel sounds should first be confirmed by listening for a longer period before moving to other techniques.
B. Palpate the client's abdomen to stimulate bowel motility: Palpation is not recommended to stimulate bowel sounds; it may alter the assessment.
C. Repeat auscultation in four to six hours: Immediate reassessment after five minutes of auscultation is preferable to prolonged waiting.
D. Listen for five minutes before documenting an absence of bowel sounds: To ensure accurate assessment, the nurse should listen for up to five minutes in each quadrant
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