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 C
Explanation
A. This would indicate fluid volume deficit, not improvement. Increasing IV fluids should lead to a decrease in hematocrit, not an increase.
B. This is not a desired outcome for a patient with pancreatitis, as hyperglycemia is a common complication. The focus should be on maintaining stable blood glucose levels.
C. BUN is a marker of kidney function and hydration status. A decrease in BUN indicates improved renal perfusion, which is a therapeutic outcome of increasing IV fluids.
D. While a decrease in amylase is generally a good sign for pancreatitis, it is not a direct result of increasing IV fluids. Amylase levels decrease as the pancreatitis improves.
Correct Answer is []
Explanation
Potential Condition
Urinary Retention
The client's symptoms, including the urge to void, feeling "wet," and the bladder scan showing 600 mL of residual urine, suggest urinary retention. Urinary retention occurs when the bladder does not empty completely or at all, leading to a buildup of urine. This can happen postoperatively due to anesthesia effects, pain, or bladder dysfunction.
Actions to Take
• Request prescription for straight catheter
A straight catheter (intermittent catheterization) is used to drain the bladder and measure the amount of urine collected. It is often preferred over an indwelling catheter in cases of acute urinary retention where temporary relief and assessment of bladder function are needed.
• Insert indwelling urinary catheter
An indwelling urinary catheter might be needed if urinary retention persists and is not relieved by other methods. It allows continuous drainage of urine and can be useful in managing acute or severe cases of urinary retention.
Parameters to Monitor
• Amount of urine output
Monitoring urine output is crucial to evaluate how effectively the bladder is emptying after catheterization or other interventions. This helps in assessing whether the urinary retention is being resolved.
• Residual urine
Checking residual urine with a bladder scanner can help determine how much urine remains in the bladder after voiding. Persistent high residual urine levels would indicate ongoing retention issues that need further intervention.
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