While assessing a client with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM), the nurse observes an absence of hair growth on the client's lower legs. Which assessment provides further data to support this finding?
Appearance of the skin on the client's legs.
Altered posture and balance during ambulation.
Presence of bilateral femoral pulses.
Signs of old and new ecchymosis.
The Correct Answer is A
A. The absence of hair growth on the lower legs is a potential sign of peripheral neuropathy, a common complication of diabetes. Assessing the skin for other signs of neuropathy, such as dryness, cracking, or calluses, would provide further evidence to support this diagnosis.
B. While this might indicate neuropathy, it's not as direct a correlation as the skin appearance.
C. Assessing pulses helps to evaluate peripheral circulation, but it doesn't directly address the issue of hair loss, which is more related to nerve damage.
D. Ecchymosis can indicate a bleeding disorder or trauma, not necessarily neuropathy.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is []
Explanation
Potential Condition
Poor healing of stage 2 pressure injury
The stage 2 pressure injury on the right trochanter with minimal drainage and pain suggests poor healing, which is often due to a combination of factors including immobility, malnutrition, and other risk factors. The Braden Scale score reflects several high-risk areas that contribute to the poor healing of the pressure injury.
Actions to Take
1. Apply pressure reduction mattress to bed
A pressure reduction mattress helps alleviate pressure on vulnerable areas and can significantly reduce the risk of further injury and promote healing. It is a crucial intervention for managing pressure injuries and preventing new ones.
2. Request service of wound care nurse
Consulting a wound care nurse can provide specialized assessment and treatment for the pressure injury. This professional can recommend advanced wound care techniques and products to support optimal healing and address any complications.
Parameters to Monitor
1. Progression of wound
Monitoring the progression of the wound involves assessing changes in size, depth, and appearance of the pressure injury. This helps evaluate the effectiveness of interventions and the rate of healing.
2. Adherence to repositioning schedule
Regular repositioning is crucial to relieve pressure on vulnerable areas and prevent further injury. Ensuring that the client is repositioned according to the schedule helps prevent pressure ulcers from worsening and supports healing.
Incorrect conditions
Immobility: Although immobility is a factor in pressure injuries, the direct intervention would be to improve mobility, not necessarily apply to the current situation.
Dehydration: While dehydration can affect skin health and healing, the primary condition here is the poor healing of the pressure injury rather than dehydration itself.
Malnutrition: Malnutrition can impair wound healing, but the immediate action would be more related to wound care and pressure relief. Nutrition might be addressed separately through dietary interventions.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. Vital signs are critical for assessing the client’s current hemodynamic status. Coffee-ground emesis can indicate gastrointestinal bleeding, which might lead to complications like hypovolemia or shock.
Vital signs can provide essential information about the client’s condition and help determine the urgency of intervention. Checking vital signs is a priority in assessing the severity of the situation and guiding further actions.
B. Measuring abdominal girth is useful in assessing for abdominal distention or fluid accumulation, which can be relevant in some gastrointestinal conditions. However, in the immediate context of coffee- ground emesis, the most urgent concern is evaluating the client's hemodynamic stability rather than focusing on abdominal girth.
C. Flushing of the skin might be relevant in certain contexts (e.g., reactions to medications or infections), but it is not directly related to the immediate concern of gastrointestinal bleeding and the client’s hemodynamic status. It is less critical compared to assessing vital signs in this situation.
D. While auscultating breath sounds is important for evaluating respiratory status and detecting any pulmonary complications, it is not the immediate priority in the context of coffee-ground emesis. The primary concern should be assessing for signs of hemodynamic instability that may result from gastrointestinal bleeding.
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