A student nurse documents the following: Lower left leg cool, mild edema, with dorsalis pedis, posterior knee and femoral pulse normal. How should this documentation be charted to communicate the assessment using appropriate medical terminology?
Left extremity cool to touch, normal pitting edema, with femoral, posterior tibial, and dorsalis pedis pulses palpable, +2.
Left lower extremity cool to touch, +2 pitting edema, with femoral, popliteal, and dorsalis pedis pulses palpable, +2.
Left lower leg cool to touch, +4 edema with femoral, posterial tibial, dorsalis and pedis pulses normal.
Left lower leg normal cool temperature, slight swelling, femoral, posterior tibial and dorsalis pedis pulses normal.
The Correct Answer is B
A) Left extremity cool to touch, normal pitting edema, with femoral, posterior tibial, and dorsalis pedis pulses palpable, +2: While this option describes the left extremity and includes some relevant details, it inaccurately uses "normal pitting edema" without specifying the degree of edema clearly. Additionally, it lists the posterior tibial pulse instead of the popliteal, which is more appropriate given the anatomical location.
B) Left lower extremity cool to touch, +2 pitting edema, with femoral, popliteal, and dorsalis pedis pulses palpable, +2: This documentation accurately describes the left lower extremity, specifies the degree of edema as "+2," and correctly identifies the relevant pulses as femoral, popliteal, and dorsalis pedis. This terminology is clear and concise, providing a comprehensive assessment of the vascular status.
C) Left lower leg cool to touch, +4 edema with femoral, posterial tibial, dorsalis and pedis pulses normal: This option incorrectly reports the degree of edema as "+4," which indicates severe swelling, not matching the original assessment of "mild edema." It also incorrectly lists the posterior tibial pulse, which should be popliteal.
D) Left lower leg normal cool temperature, slight swelling, femoral, posterior tibial and dorsalis pedis pulses normal: The term "normal cool temperature" is confusing and not standard terminology. Additionally, "slight swelling" lacks specificity regarding the degree of edema, which is important for a clinical assessment. Furthermore, it inaccurately refers to the posterior tibial pulse instead of the popliteal.
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Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A) Talking in a loud voice: While this may indicate some level of distress or confusion, it does not necessarily signal a specific neurological deficit. Clients may raise their voice for various reasons unrelated to neurological issues.
B) Grimacing with movement: This could suggest discomfort or pain but is not an explicit indicator of neurological impairment. Grimacing can occur for many reasons, including musculoskeletal issues or emotional responses, and does not specifically necessitate a focused neurological assessment.
C) Asymmetry of the client's smile: This finding is significant and raises concerns about potential neurological issues, such as a stroke or Bell's palsy. Facial asymmetry may indicate weakness or dysfunction in the cranial nerves responsible for facial movement, warranting a more thorough neurological examination to assess for underlying causes.
D) Inability to follow directions: While this may point to confusion or cognitive impairment, it is a more general indicator and could result from various factors, including anxiety or lack of understanding. It does not specifically highlight a localized neurological deficit as clearly as facial asymmetry does.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A) No discomfort: When palpating the sinuses, the expected finding is that there should be no discomfort. Healthy sinuses typically do not cause pain or tenderness during palpation, indicating that they are clear and not inflamed or infected.
B) Lumps less than 1 centimeter: While lumps may be found in various areas of the body, the presence of lumps in the sinus area during palpation is not a typical finding and may indicate an abnormality or concern that would require further evaluation.
C) Painful sensation behind the eyes: A painful sensation behind the eyes can indicate sinusitis or other sinus issues. It is not an expected finding during a normal examination of the sinuses, as healthy sinuses should not cause discomfort.
D) Heavy pressure: Heavy pressure is often a symptom associated with sinusitis or sinus congestion, but it is not an expected finding during a routine palpation of the sinuses. Healthy sinuses should not feel heavy or pressured during examination.