When assessing an adult client, the nurse notes that the client has unequal lung expansion. Which conclusion regarding this finding is most likely to be accurate?

There is a history of COPD.

The client has a collapsed lung

The client's lungs are functioning normally.

A chronic lung infection is the likely condition.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is B

A. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) can lead to decreased lung function and abnormalities in lung expansion. However, COPD typically results in a more generalized decrease in lung expansion and breath sounds, rather than pronounced unilateral inequality. While COPD can cause irregularities in lung expansion, it is less likely to cause significant unilateral differences in lung expansion.
B. Unequal lung expansion is a key sign of a collapsed lung, or pneumothorax. When a lung collapses, the affected side will show reduced or absent expansion compared to the unaffected side. This is because the collapsed lung cannot expand properly during inhalation, leading to noticeable differences in breath sounds and lung movement on physical examination.
C. If the client's lungs were functioning normally, one would expect to observe symmetrical lung expansion. Unequal lung expansion is not a normal finding and usually indicates some form of pathology or abnormality in the lung or thoracic cavity. Normal lung function should result in even expansion of both lungs.
D. Chronic lung infections, such as tuberculosis or severe pneumonia, might cause abnormalities in lung sounds or localized lung issues, but they are less likely to cause pronounced unilateral differences in lung expansion. While they can affect lung function, they typically do not cause the same degree of unilateral expansion issues as a pneumothorax would.

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Free Nursing Study Resources

Correct Answer is {"A":{"answers":"D"},"B":{"answers":"B"}}

Explanation

Wrist: Able to bend wrist back toward forearm

Flexion: When the wrist bends back toward the forearm, it is an example of flexion. Flexion decreases the angle between the wrist and the forearm.

Elbow: Only able to straighten joint 30 degrees

Extension: The ability to straighten the elbow is indicative of extension. In this case, the client is only able to straighten the elbow to 30 degrees, which reflects limited extension.

A. Circulation impaired. B. Paresthesia reported. C. Reports feeling "on fire." D. Inflammation present.

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

A. This term suggests a problem with blood flow, which could potentially cause symptoms such as numbness or tingling. However, it does not specifically address the sensation of burning. Using this term might lead to an incorrect or incomplete assessment of the client's condition.
B. Paresthesia is a term used to describe abnormal sensations in the skin, such as burning, tingling, or prickling. The client's report of a burning sensation in the hands and legs aligns well with the definition of paresthesia. Documenting it as "paresthesia reported" accurately reflects the nature of the symptoms and is a medically precise way to describe the abnormal sensory experience.
C. This documentation uses colloquial language ("on fire") to describe the client's symptoms. While it conveys the intensity of the sensation, it is not a standardized medical term and may not be as clear or useful for clinical documentation.
D. Inflammation refers to the body's response to injury or infection, which often involves redness, swelling, heat, and pain. The term "inflammation" does not specifically describe the sensation of burning reported by the client.

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When assessing an adult client, the nurse notes that the client has unequal lung expansion. Which conclusion regarding this finding is most likely to be accurate?

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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Patient Data Exhibits

Correct Answer is {"A":{"answers":"D"},"B":{"answers":"B"}}

Explanation

A male client reports the onset of a burning sensation in his hands and legs. How should the nurse document this finding in the electronic medical record (EMR)?

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

When assessing a client's lower extremities, which finding requires immediate intervention by the nurse?

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