The nurse performs a two-point discrimination test by applying two sterile needles lightly to the fingertips and moving the needle tips in ever-closing distances. A middle-aged adult client senses two points at a distance of 3 mm on the fingertips and 10 mm on the palms of the hands. Which interpretation of this finding is accurate?

Paresthesia.

Rebound reaction to the needle points.

Normal sensory finding.

Marginal decline in sensory function.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is C

A) Paresthesia: Paresthesia refers to abnormal sensations such as tingling, pricking, or numbness, typically without an external stimulus. The client's ability to discriminate two points at specific distances on the fingertips and palms does not indicate abnormal sensations or paresthesia.

B) Rebound reaction to the needle points: A rebound reaction would involve a delayed response or heightened sensitivity following the removal of a stimulus. This test does not measure rebound reactions but rather the ability to discriminate two separate points.

C) Normal sensory finding: The ability to sense two points at a distance of 3 mm on the fingertips and 10 mm on the palms is within the normal range for two-point discrimination. The fingertips typically have a higher density of sensory receptors and thus can discriminate smaller distances between two points, whereas the palms have fewer receptors and require a greater distance to discern two points.

D) Marginal decline in sensory function: The described ability to sense two points at these specific distances does not indicate a decline in sensory function. It aligns with normal findings for a middle-aged adult.

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Free Nursing Study Resources

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

A. Number of attempts to quit smoking. B. Client's current age. C. Age when the client started smoking. D. Packs of cigarettes smoked per day. E. Number of years the client smoked.

Correct Answer is ["C","D","E"]

Explanation

Answer: C. Age when the client started smoking.
Knowing when the client began smoking is essential for determining the total duration of smoking. This information allows the nurse to calculate how long the client has been exposed to tobacco, which is critical for assessing potential health risks associated with their smoking history.

D. Packs of cigarettes smoked per day.
This information is crucial as it directly contributes to the calculation of pack years. Understanding how many packs the client smokes each day helps quantify their level of tobacco exposure. For instance, smoking one pack per day for ten years results in ten pack years, while two packs per day over the same period would lead to twenty pack years.

E. Number of years the client smoked.
This detail is necessary to determine the total duration of the smoking habit. The total number of years smoked, combined with the daily pack consumption, provides a comprehensive view of the client's smoking history. It allows the nurse to assess the cumulative risk associated with long-term tobacco use, which is important for evaluating the client’s health and potential interventions.

Rationale for Options Not Selected:

A. Number of attempts to quit smoking.
While this information can provide insight into the client's motivation and efforts to quit, it is not relevant for calculating pack years. Pack years focus specifically on the amount and duration of smoking, rather than attempts to quit, which may be useful in assessing readiness for cessation interventions but does not factor into the calculation of exposure.

B. Client's current age.
Although the client's age can provide context regarding their smoking history, it is not necessary for the actual calculation of pack years. Instead, it is the age when the client started smoking, along with the total years smoked and the number of packs smoked per day, that are critical for this specific assessment. The current age is not needed to compute pack years directly.

Summary of Calculation:

To calculate pack years, use the formula:

Pack Years = (Number of packs smoked per day) × (Number of years smoked)

For example, if a client smoked 1 pack per day for 20 years, they would have 20 pack years. If they smoked 2 packs a day for the same period, that would equate to 40 pack years. This measurement is essential for understanding the health risks associated with smoking and guiding further assessment and intervention strategies.

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Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

While obtaining a client's health history related to smoking cigarettes, the nurse plans to determine the client's smoking pack years. What information should the nurse obtain for this calculation? Select all that apply.

Correct Answer is ["C","D","E"]

Explanation

Summary of Calculation:

The nurse completes palpation of the thoracic region on an adult client. Which finding is considered normal for this client?

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