The nurse is performing an integumentary system assessment of a patient who has smoked for the last 40 years. The patient has clubbing of the fingernails. What does this finding indicate to the nurse?
The patient has asthma.
The patient has cardiovascular disease.
The patient has emphysema.
The patient has chronic hypoxemia.
The Correct Answer is D
A) The patient has asthma: While asthma can lead to respiratory symptoms and issues, it is not typically associated with clubbing of the fingernails. Asthma primarily affects airway constriction and inflammation, rather than causing the long-term changes in nail morphology seen with clubbing.
B) The patient has cardiovascular disease: Although some cardiovascular conditions can lead to clubbing, it is more commonly associated with chronic lung diseases. Cardiovascular disease might cause other signs or symptoms, but clubbing alone is not a definitive indicator of this condition.
C) The patient has emphysema: Emphysema, a type of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), is characterized by the destruction of lung tissue and impaired airflow. While it can contribute to hypoxemia, clubbing is not a common finding specifically associated with emphysema.
D) The patient has chronic hypoxemia: Clubbing of the fingernails is a classic sign of chronic hypoxemia, often resulting from long-term respiratory conditions like COPD, interstitial lung disease, or lung cancer. It indicates a prolonged lack of oxygen in the blood, leading to changes in the nail bed and digit shape. Given the patient's long smoking history, chronic hypoxemia is the most likely explanation for this finding.
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Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A) "Would you like to discuss this with the doctor?": This response may imply that the nurse is not equipped to handle the emotional aspect of the conversation, potentially minimizing the client's feelings and discouraging further sharing.
B) "How long were you married?": While this question seeks to gather more information, it does not directly address the client's emotional experience or feelings related to their wife's death, which is the primary concern in this context.
C) "What type of cancer did your wife have?": This question may shift the focus to medical details rather than the client's emotional state, which is crucial in a therapeutic conversation about grief and loss.
D) "How does that make you feel?": This response is the most therapeutic as it invites the client to express their emotions and thoughts about their loss. It acknowledges their pain and encourages them to explore their feelings, which is essential for processing grief.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A) Symmetry: During a breast inspection, the nurse should assess for symmetry between the two breasts. It is normal for there to be some slight differences, but significant asymmetry can indicate underlying issues that may need further evaluation.
B) Hard nodules: While the presence of hard nodules would be a significant finding, this would typically be assessed through palpation rather than inspection. The initial visual assessment focuses on appearance, shape, and symmetry.
C) Skin texture: Skin texture may be observed during inspection, but it is not a primary finding that stands out as a key assessment element. It can be noted as part of a comprehensive evaluation but is not the main focus.
D) Tenderness: Tenderness is a subjective assessment that is evaluated through palpation and client reporting, rather than through inspection. The nurse cannot document tenderness solely based on visual assessment.