What should the nurse do when assessing the carotid arteries of an older patient with cardiovascular disease?
Simultaneously palpate both arteries to compare amplitude.
Instruct the patient to take slow deep breaths during auscultation.
Compress the artery in the upper one-third of the neck while listening with the diaphragm of a stethoscope.
Listen with the bell of the stethoscope to assess for bruits.
The Correct Answer is D
Choice A reason: Simultaneously palpating both carotid arteries is dangerous, risking reduced cerebral blood flow, especially in cardiovascular patients. Using the bell to listen for bruits is safer, so this is incorrect.
Choice B reason: Deep breaths are for lung auscultation, not carotid, where patients hold breath to reduce noise. The bell detects low-pitched bruits, so instructing deep breaths is incorrect for carotid assessment.
Choice C reason: Compressing the carotid artery risks reducing blood flow or dislodging plaques, which is unsafe. Listening with the bell for bruits is the standard method, so this is incorrect.
Choice D reason: Listening with the bell of the stethoscope detects low-frequency bruits, indicating carotid artery narrowing, which is critical in cardiovascular disease. This is the correct technique for safe assessment.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A reason: Checking with the physician delays addressing the patient’s misunderstanding. The HPV vaccine does not treat existing infections or warts, as it is preventive, making this response less direct and informative than needed.
Choice B reason: The HPV vaccine is not limited to those not yet sexually active; it is recommended up to age 26, even for those with sexual history. This statement is outdated and incorrect, as vaccination can still benefit some with prior exposure.
Choice C reason: The HPV vaccine prevents new HPV infections but does not treat existing infections or genital warts, which are caused by specific HPV strains. Since the patient already has warts, the vaccine won’t help, making this the correct response.
Choice D reason: While the HPV vaccine is approved for ages 9–26, it does not treat existing infections or warts. Starting it without clarifying its preventive role misleads the patient, making this an incorrect and misleading response.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A reason: Inspection visually assesses abdominal shape and distention but cannot differentiate gas from constipation, as both may cause distention. It lacks the specificity to identify the cause, making it less effective for this purpose.
Choice B reason: Auscultation assesses bowel sounds but cannot directly distinguish gas from constipation. Hyperactive sounds may suggest gas, but this is indirect, and constipation can also alter sounds, making this less specific than percussion.
Choice C reason: Percussion produces a tympanic sound over gas-filled areas, indicating air in the bowel, versus a dull sound over solid masses like feces in constipation. This directly differentiates the cause of distention, making it the correct technique.
Choice D reason: Palpation assesses tenderness or masses but cannot reliably distinguish gas from constipation, as both may feel firm or distended. It lacks the specificity of percussion’s auditory cues, making it less effective for this purpose.
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
Report Wrong Answer on the Current Question
Do you disagree with the answer? If yes, what is your expected answer? Explain.
Kindly be descriptive with the issue you are facing.