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 A

Explanation

A. A limping gait can be a sign of pain or discomfort while walking. By asking about pain while bearing weight, the nurse can get a better understanding of the underlying cause of the limp.
B. A limping gait is not typically associated with changes in level of consciousness. This assessment is not relevant in this situation.

C. While a spinal deformity can cause a limping gait, it is not the most likely cause in this case. The nurse should first assess for pain while bearing weight to get a better understanding of the underlying issue.
D. Orthostatic blood pressure is a measure of blood pressure changes when a person stands up. It is not typically associated with a limping gait and is not relevant in this situation.

A. A cloudy discharge. B. An overactive bladder C. Black tarry stools. D. A weak urinary stream.

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

A. Cloudy discharge is more commonly associated with infections or discharge from the genital area rather than residual urinary symptoms. While urinary tract infections (UTIs) can cause cloudy urine, this is not typically associated with suprapubic tenderness or the sensation of residual pressure alone.
B. An overactive bladder is characterized by symptoms such as frequent urination, urgency, and sometimes incontinence. However, it does not typically cause suprapubic tenderness or a sensation of residual pressure after urination. The described symptoms are more consistent with bladder outlet obstruction or incomplete bladder emptying rather than an overactive bladder.

C. Black tarry stools indicate upper gastrointestinal bleeding and are unrelated to urinary symptoms. This finding would suggest a different issue entirely, such as gastrointestinal bleeding, rather than a problem with the urinary tract or bladder. This is not consistent with the client's reported symptoms of suprapubic tenderness and sensation of residual pressure after urination.
D. A weak urinary stream is a common symptom associated with bladder outlet obstruction or conditions affecting urinary flow, such as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in older men. This finding aligns with the client's reported symptoms of suprapubic tenderness and feeling of residual pressure after urination.

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

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

During the admission assessment, the nurse observes that a client has a limping gait. Which assessment should the nurse complete next?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

The nurse is examining the abdomen of an older male client who expresses suprapubic tenderness on palpation. The client reports that it sometimes feels like there is still pressure in that area after urination. Which additional finding should the nurse expect with continued interview of the client?

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

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