To assess for muscle atrophy in the legs, which action should the nurse take?

Gently press over each shin and measure indentation.

Use a goniometer to measure and compare the legs.

Compare the appearance of the legs bilaterally.

Observe the client during heel-toe ambulation.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is C

A.   Pressing over the shins to measure indentation is a technique used to assess for edema, not muscle atrophy. Edema refers to fluid accumulation in the tissues, which can cause an indentation when pressed, whereas muscle atrophy involves a reduction in muscle mass and would not be detected by this method.
B.   A goniometer is a tool used to measure the range of motion of joints, not muscle size. While it can be useful in assessing joint mobility and flexibility, it does not provide information about muscle mass or atrophy.
C.   Comparing the appearance of the legs bilaterally is an appropriate method to assess for muscle atrophy. By visually inspecting and palpating both legs, the nurse can identify differences in muscle bulk and size. Muscle atrophy often presents as noticeable asymmetry between the two legs, with one leg appearing smaller or thinner compared to the other.
D.   Observing the client during heel-toe ambulation can help assess gait and functional mobility, but it is not the most direct method for evaluating muscle atrophy. While gait abnormalities can suggest underlying muscle weakness or atrophy, direct visual and palpation comparison of muscle mass provides a clearer assessment of muscle atrophy.

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Correct Answer is C

Explanation

A. Being oriented x 3 means the client is aware of their name, the current time (or day), and the location (place). In this case, since the client is only able to remember his name and where he is, but not the time, day, or date, this documentation would be incorrect. The client does not meet the criteria for being oriented x 3.
B. Being oriented x 1 means the client is aware of only one aspect of orientation, such as their name. Since the client is able to remember both his name and his location, documenting as oriented x 1 would not fully capture the extent of the client's orientation. The client is oriented to more than one aspect.
C. Being oriented x 2 means the client is aware of two aspects of orientation. In this case, since the client is able to remember his name and his location (but not the time, day, or date), documenting as oriented x 2 accurately reflects his level of orientation.
D. Being oriented x 4 means the client is aware of four aspects: their name, the current time (or day), the date, and the location. Given that the client can only remember his name and location, this
documentation would be incorrect as it does not align with the client’s current state of orientation.

A. Vital sign abnormalities. B. Presence of peripheral edema. C. White blood cell (WBC) count. D. Sputum characteristics.

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

A. Vital sign abnormalities can provide critical information about the client's overall condition and help determine if there is an acute or chronic issue that needs to be addressed. While important, this assessment might not provide specific details about the cause of the productive cough.
B. Peripheral edema is often related to cardiovascular or renal issues and might not be directly related to the cause of a productive cough. While edema can provide information about fluid balance and possible heart failure, it does not directly address the specific characteristics or causes of a cough.
C. A white blood cell count can help determine if there is an underlying infection or inflammatory process. Elevated WBC levels might indicate an infection, which could be a cause of the productive cough. This test is useful for diagnosing conditions like pneumonia or bronchitis but is not as immediately relevant as assessing the sputum characteristics in understanding the nature of the cough.
D. The characteristics of sputum (color, consistency, presence of blood, etc.) can provide valuable information about the cause of the productive cough. For instance, yellow or green sputum might suggest a bacterial infection, while clear sputum could be associated with viral infections or allergies.

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To assess for muscle atrophy in the legs, which action should the nurse take?

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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

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Correct Answer is D

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