To confirm the presence of steatorrhea, which action should the nurse take?

Auscultate all quadrants of the client's abdomen.

Inspect the area around the client's umbilicus.

Lightly palpate areas of abdominal protuberance.

Observe the appearance of the client's stool.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is D

A.   Auscultation of the abdomen involves listening to bowel sounds and can provide information about the gastrointestinal system's activity, such as whether there is increased or decreased motility. While important for assessing general bowel function, auscultation is not specific for confirming steatorrhea. It does not provide direct information about the presence of fat in the stool.
B.   Inspecting the area around the umbilicus may help in identifying other abdominal conditions, such as hernias or signs of ascites. However, it does not provide information about stool characteristics or fat content, so it is not the most appropriate action for confirming steatorrhea.
C.   Light palpation of areas of abdominal protuberance can help assess for abdominal masses or tenderness. While palpation can provide useful information about the abdominal organs and possible fluid accumulation, it does not give information about stool fat content.

D.   Observing the appearance of the client’s stool is the most direct method to confirm steatorrhea. Stool that is greasy, foul-smelling, and floats is characteristic of steatorrhea, indicating the presence of undigested fat. This observation directly assesses the presence of fat in the stool, making it the best action to confirm steatorrhea.

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Correct Answer is D

Explanation

A. Vellus hair is fine, short, and lightly pigmented hair that covers most of the body. It is not typically associated with the effects of hair dye or chemical treatments. Excess vellus hair would be unusual in this context and is not related to the typical outcomes of hair dyeing.
B. Fine, thin, and limp hair can be a result of chemical damage from hair dyeing and other treatments. Hair that has been subjected to frequent dyeing and chemical processing can lose its strength and texture, becoming weaker and less resilient. This finding is consistent with the impact of repeated hair dyeing.
C. A receding front hairline is typically associated with genetic factors and androgenic alopecia (pattern baldness) rather than the effects of hair dyeing. Although hair loss can be influenced by various factors, including chemicals, a receding hairline is not a direct consequence of dyeing hair.
D. Coarse, dry, and brittle hair is a common result of frequent chemical treatments, including hair dyeing. Chemicals in hair dyes can strip moisture from the hair, leading to a rough texture, breakage, and brittleness. This finding is consistent with long-term use of hair dye and chemical processing.

A. Gently press over each shin and measure indentation. B. Use a goniometer to measure and compare the legs. C. Compare the appearance of the legs bilaterally. D. Observe the client during heel-toe ambulation.

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

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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To confirm the presence of steatorrhea, which action should the nurse take?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

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

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

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