While obtaining a health history of a 3-month-old infant from the mother, the nurse asks about the infant’s ability to suck and grasp the mother’s finger. What is the nurse assessing?

Intelligence

Cerebral cortex function

Reflexes

Cranial nerves

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is C

Choice A reason: Intelligence cannot be assessed in a 3-month-old, as cognitive abilities are not yet developed enough for evaluation. Sucking and grasping are innate behaviors driven by reflexes, not conscious thought, making this an incorrect assessment focus.

Choice B reason: Cerebral cortex function is immature in a 3-month-old, and sucking and grasping are primarily brainstem-mediated reflexes. These actions do not directly assess higher cortical functions like memory or reasoning, making this an incorrect choice.

Choice C reason: Sucking and grasping in a 3-month-old are primitive reflexes (sucking reflex and palmar grasp reflex), mediated by the brainstem. Assessing these evaluates normal neurological development, making this the correct focus of the nurse’s inquiry.

Choice D reason: While sucking involves Cranial Nerves V, VII, IX, and XII, and grasping involves spinal reflexes, the nurse is assessing the presence of these reflexes, not the cranial nerves directly. Reflex assessment is the primary focus, making this less precise.

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Correct Answer is B

Explanation

Choice A reason: The cerebellum coordinates motor activity and balance, not speech or emotions. Speech is primarily managed by the cerebral cortex (e.g., Broca’s area), and emotions involve the limbic system, making this statement incorrect.

Choice B reason: The hypothalamus regulates body temperature, sleep, hunger, and hormonal functions via its connections to the autonomic nervous system and pituitary gland. This makes it critical for homeostasis, and the statement is accurate, reflecting its physiological roles.

Choice C reason: Motor pathways from the cortex and brainstem do not primarily synapse in the thalamus. The thalamus relays sensory and some motor signals, but motor pathways mainly synapse in the spinal cord or brainstem, making this statement incorrect.

Choice D reason: The basal ganglia modulate voluntary movements but do not directly control them. The primary motor cortex initiates voluntary movements, while the basal ganglia refine them, so this statement is inaccurate due to its oversimplification.

A. Starts with palpation and then inspection B. Should be performed yearly C. Should be performed while bathing D. Should be restricted to adults with a prior cryptorchidism

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Choice A reason: Genital self-examination begins with inspection to observe abnormalities like swelling or lesions, followed by palpation to assess texture or masses. Starting with palpation may miss visual cues, making this sequence incorrect for effective self-examination.

Choice B reason: Testicular self-examination should be performed monthly, not yearly, to detect early changes like lumps, which could indicate testicular cancer. Annual exams are insufficient for timely detection, making this frequency incorrect for the teaching plan.

Choice C reason: Performing testicular self-examination while bathing is ideal, as warm water relaxes the scrotum, making it easier to palpate for abnormalities. This enhances detection of masses or irregularities, making it a key instruction for effective self-examination.

Choice D reason: Testicular self-examination is recommended for all adult males, not just those with prior cryptorchidism, which increases cancer risk. Restricting it to this group excludes others who could benefit from early detection, making this an incorrect limitation.

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While obtaining a health history of a 3-month-old infant from the mother, the nurse asks about the infant’s ability to suck and grasp the mother’s finger. What is the nurse assessing?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Which statement concerning the areas of the brain is true?

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

When teaching the patient about self-examination of the male genitalia, the nurse would include which instructions in the teaching plan?

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

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