A nurse is assessing a client with a history of heart failure who presents with severe edema in the lower extremities. The nurse would document the presence of +4 pitting edema after noting which finding?
Severe pitting, very swollen leg and indentation that lasts for a long time, 8 mm deep
Slight indentation, with no perceptible swelling of the leg. 2 mm deep
Moderate pitting, with indentation that subsides rapidly, 4 mm deep
Deep pitting, swollen leg, and indentation that remains for a short time, 6 mm deep
The Correct Answer is A
A. +4 pitting edema is characterized by severe pitting that creates a deep indentation (greater than 8 mm) that remains for a prolonged period. This description matches the findings in option
B. This describes +1 pitting edema, which is not consistent with +4 edema.
C. This option describes +2 or +3 pitting edema, as the indentation subsides rapidly, which does not align with +4.
D. Although this describes deep pitting, the depth is less than 8 mm, which is not consistent with +4 edema.
Free Nursing Test Bank
- Free Pharmacology Quiz 1
- Free Medical-Surgical Quiz 2
- Free Fundamentals Quiz 3
- Free Maternal-Newborn Quiz 4
- Free Anatomy and Physiology Quiz 5
- Free Obstetrics and Pediatrics Quiz 6
- Free Fluid and Electrolytes Quiz 7
- Free Community Health Quiz 8
- Free Promoting Health across the Lifespan Quiz 9
- Free Multidimensional Care Quiz 10
View Related questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. Observing for facial symmetry assesses cranial nerves VII (facial nerve) rather than cranial nerve III.
B. Checking the pupillary response to light assesses cranial nerve III (oculomotor nerve), which controls pupil constriction and extraocular eye movements.
C. Testing visual acuity assesses cranial nerve II (optic nerve), not cranial nerve III.
D. Eliciting the gag reflex assesses cranial nerves IX (glossopharyngeal) and X (vagus), not cranial nerve III.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. Auscultating the area may not provide information about the dorsalis pedis pulse, which is a palpated pulse.
B. Using Doppler ultrasonography is the most appropriate next step to locate the dorsalis pedis pulse if it cannot be palpated, as it provides a non-invasive way to detect blood flow.
C. While documenting the absence of the pulse is necessary, it should be done after attempts to locate the pulse have been made.
D. It is not immediately necessary to ask a provider to assess the pulse; the nurse can use Doppler ultrasonography first to gather more information.