Nursing Elites

1. When examining the abdomen, a nurse auscultates before palpating and percussing the abdomen. The nurse performs the assessment in this manner for which reason?

• A. It is less painful for the client.
• B. Palpation and percussion can increase peristalsis.
• C. It identifies any potential areas of abdominal tenderness.
• D. It gives the client more time to become comfortable with the examiner.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: When performing an abdominal assessment, the nurse auscultates the abdomen after inspection. Auscultation is done before palpation and percussion because these assessment techniques can increase peristalsis, which would yield a false interpretation of bowel sounds. This sequence helps prevent false interpretations of bowel sounds due to increased peristalsis caused by palpation and percussion. Options A, C, and D provide incorrect reasons for auscultating the abdomen before palpating and percussing it.

2. While assisting with data collection regarding the neurological system, the nurse asks the client to puff out both cheeks. Which cranial nerve is the nurse assessing?

• A. Vagus
• B. Facial
• C. Abducens
• D. Oculomotor

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Facial. Assessment of cranial nerve VII (facial nerve) involves noting mobility and symmetry as the client performs various facial movements, including puffing out the cheeks. Cranial nerve IX (glossopharyngeal nerve) and cranial nerve X (vagus nerve) are tested together for different functions. The abducens, oculomotor, and trochlear nerves are assessed together for eye movements and pupil reactions, not cheek puffing.

3. A nurse in the emergency department is assisting with data collection of a client. The presence of which condition would cause the nurse to avoid testing range of motion (ROM) of the cervical spine?

• A. Headache
• B. Neck trauma
• C. Sinus infection
• D. Muscle spasms

Correct answer: B

Rationale: A nurse assisting with data collection for a client should avoid testing the range of motion (ROM) of the cervical spine if the client has neck trauma. Neck trauma may have resulted in a cervical fracture, and further movement of the neck could lead to spinal cord injury. Testing ROM does not need to be avoided for headache, sinus infection, or muscle spasms as these conditions do not pose the same risk of exacerbating a potential cervical injury. Therefore, the correct answer is neck trauma.

4. A nurse observes a nursing assistant communicating with a hearing-impaired client in later adulthood. The nurse should intervene if the nursing assistant performs which action?

• A. Uses short sentences
• B. Speaks at a normal rate and volume
• C. Uses facial expressions or gestures
• D. Overarticulates words

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is 'Overarticulates words.' When communicating with a hearing-impaired client who may rely on lip-reading, it is essential to speak clearly at a normal rate and volume. Overarticulating words can distort lip movements, making it harder for the client to understand. Using short sentences helps in conveying information effectively, allowing the client time to process. While facial expressions and gestures provide additional visual cues that aid in communication, overarticulating words can be counterproductive in this scenario. Therefore, the nursing assistant should avoid overarticulating words to ensure clear and concise communication for the client.

5. When assisting the physician in performing transillumination of a client's scrotum, how should the nurse prepare for this procedure?

• A. Obtaining a flashlight and darkening the room
• B. Instructing the client to drink three glasses of water
• C. Instructing the client to take several deep breaths and bear down
• D. Telling the client that the procedure is very uncomfortable but that the discomfort will only last for a few moments

Correct answer: A

Rationale: When preparing for transillumination of the scrotum, the nurse should obtain a flashlight and darken the room. This is done to allow the strong flashlight to be shined from behind the scrotal contents. Normal scrotal contents do not appear on transillumination. Instructing the client to drink fluids or to take deep breaths and bear down is not part of the preparation for this procedure. Additionally, it is not necessary to inform the client that the procedure is uncomfortable as transillumination is a painless procedure.

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