To palpate lymph nodes, the nurse uses which technique?

Use the flat of all four fingers in a vertical and then side-to-side motion.

Use the back of the hand and feel for temperature variation between the right and left sides.

Use the pads of two fingers in a circular motion.

Compress the nodes between the index fingers of both hands.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is C

Lymph node palpation is a vital part of the head-to-toe physical exam, especially during head, neck, axillary, and inguinal assessments. It helps identify signs of infection, inflammation, or malignancy.

Rationale for correct answer:

3. Use the pads of two fingers in a circular motion: This is the recommended technique for palpating lymph nodes. The nurse uses the pads of the index and middle fingers, applying gentle pressure in a circular motion to detect superficial nodes.

Rationale for incorrect answers:

1. Use the flat of all four fingers in a vertical and then side-to-side motion: This technique is more appropriate for assessing the chest wall or abdominal structures, not for palpating lymph nodes.

2. Use the back of the hand and feel for temperature variation between the right and left sides: While the back of the hand (dorsal surface) is used to assess temperature, it is not used for palpating lymph nodes.

4. Compress the nodes between the index fingers of both hands: Compressing lymph nodes between fingers may not allow for an accurate assessment and could miss deeper nodes or fail to detect subtle changes in consistency.

Take home points

The correct method to palpate lymph nodes is using the pads of two fingers in a circular motion, allowing for precise assessment of node size, texture, and mobility.
Avoid using broad surfaces like the flat of the hand or non-sensitive areas like the back of the hand-these are not appropriate for lymph node evaluation.

Nursing Test Bank

Test Bank #1: RN Pharmacology Exams Test Bank #2: RN Medical-Surgical Exams Test Bank #3: RN Fundamentals Exams Test Bank #4: RN Maternal-Newborn Exams Test Bank #5: RN Anatomy and Physiology Exams Test Bank #6: RN Obstetrics and Pediatrics Exams Test Bank #7: RN Fluid and Electrolytes Exams Test Bank #9: RN Adult Health Test Bank #10: RN Dosage Calculation Test Bank #11: RN Community Health Exams Test Bank #12: RN Psychology Exams Test Bank #13: RN Nursing Care Of Children Test Bank #14: RN Foundations of Nursing Exams

Get 100+ Naxlex Exit Exams for $79 Try Naxlex NCLEX-RN (14 Day Free-Trial)

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Exam #1: RN Comprehensive predictor 2023 proctored exam Exam #2: Ati rn vati comprehensive predictor proctored exam Exam #3: Ati Rn Comprehensive Predictor Proctored Exam 2023 Exam #4: Rn Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Proctored Exam - St. Joseph Exam #5: RN Comprehensive Predictor Proctored Exam (National U CA San Diego) Exam #6: Ati rn comprehensive predictor 2023 retake proctored exam Exam #7: RN Hesi Exit Proctored Exam Exam #8: Hesi RN Exit proctored exam Exam #9: Hesi rn exit proctored exam Exam #10: Hesi Rn compass exit B proctored exam

Free Nursing Study Resources

Correct Answer is ["B","C"]

Explanation

After a femoral artery bypass, careful monitoring of distal perfusion is critical to detect signs of occlusion or ischemia early. One of the most important parameters is the assessment of distal pulses, such as the dorsalis pedis pulse, which provides information about blood flow to the lower extremities.

Rationale for correct answers:

2. Have the patient slightly flex the knee with the foot resting on the bed: Slightly flexing the knee and allowing the foot to rest on the bed relaxes the muscles of the lower leg and foot, making it easier to palpate the dorsalis pedis pulse on the dorsum (top) of the foot.

3. Have the patient relax the foot while lying supine: The dorsalis pedis pulse is best palpated when the client is in a supine position with the foot relaxed. This ensures muscles are not contracted, which could make the pulse more difficult to detect.

Rationale for incorrect answers:

1. Place the fingers behind and below the medial malleolus: This technique is used to palpate the posterior tibial pulse, not the dorsalis pedis pulse. The posterior tibial artery runs behind the medial malleolus (inner ankle), while the dorsalis pedis artery is located on the top of the foot.

4. Palpate the groove lateral to the flexor tendon of the wrist: This describes the technique for assessing the radial pulse, which is located on the wrist. It is unrelated to the dorsalis pedis pulse or assessing lower extremity circulation.

Take home points:

The dorsalis pedis pulse is located on the top of the foot, lateral to the extensor hallucis longus tendon.
It is best assessed with the patient lying supine and the foot relaxed.
Post-femoral artery bypass, monitoring distal pulses like the dorsalis pedis is essential to ensure graft patency and detect early signs of limb ischemia.

A. Jugular vein flattens when a patient sits up. B. A swooshing sound is normally heard when auscultating a carotid artery. C. Upon palpation, a lymph node is normally tender. D. Normal sitting posture involves some degree of rounding of the shoulders. E. Normally there is no bulging within the intercostal spaces during breathing.

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

Explanation

Recognizing normal versus abnormal findings is critical in identifying early signs of illness, ensuring accurate documentation, and promoting prompt interventions when needed.

Rationale for correct answers:

1. Jugular vein flattens when a patient sits up: This is a normal finding. When a patient is sitting upright, gravity reduces venous return, causing the jugular vein to flatten or become non-distended.

4. Normal sitting posture involves some degree of rounding of the shoulders: Slight rounding of the shoulders is a normal postural variation, especially in older adults. However, marked kyphosis (extreme curvature) would be abnormal.

5. Normally there is no bulging within the intercostal spaces during breathing: In a healthy individual, intercostal spaces remain flat or slightly retracted during normal breathing. Bulging of the intercostal spaces may indicate air trapping, increased intrathoracic pressure, or respiratory distress.

Rationale for incorrect answers:

2. A swooshing sound is normally heard when auscultating a carotid artery: A swooshing sound, known as a bruit, is abnormal. It suggests turbulent blood flow, often caused by atherosclerosis or narrowing of the artery. A normal carotid auscultation should be silent, without bruit.

3. Upon palpation, a lymph node is normally tender: Normal lymph nodes are usually non-tender, soft, movable, and small. Tender lymph nodes suggest infection or inflammation, while hard or fixed nodes may raise concern for malignancy.

Take home points:

Silence is normal when auscultating carotid arteries; a bruit signals vascular abnormality.
Understanding subtle normal variations, such as minor postural changes or lymph node characteristics, helps distinguish pathology from healthy findings.

View Question and Answer

Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.

Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today

To palpate lymph nodes, the nurse uses which technique?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A patient has undergone surgery for a femoral artery bypass. The surgeon’s orders include assessment of dorsalis pedis pulses. The nurse will use which of the following techniques to assess the pulses? Select all that apply

Correct Answer is ["B","C"]

Explanation

Which of the following are normal findings you should find during a physical exam? Select all that apply

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

Explanation

The nurse is assessing the cranial nerves. Match the cranial nerve with its related function.

The nurse is assessing a patient who returned 1 hour ago from surgery for an abdominal hysterectomy. Which assessment finding would require immediate follow-up?

If unable to locate the client’s popliteal pulse during a routine examination, what should the nurse do next?

Which is a normal finding on auscultation of the lungs?

The nurse positions the client sitting upright during palpation of which area?

The nurse is observing the patient for general appearance and behavior. What assessments might indicate that the patient is in pain? Select all that apply

The nurse is teaching a patient to prevent heart disease. Which information should the nurse include? Select all that apply

If the client reports loss of short-term memory, the nurse would assess this using which one of the following?