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 C
Explanation
A) Dizziness: While the term "dizziness" can describe a range of sensations, it is more general and does not specifically capture the experience of the patient feeling that the room is spinning. Dizziness can include feelings of lightheadedness or imbalance, which are not the primary symptoms the patient is describing.
B) Tinnitus: Tinnitus refers to the perception of sound, such as ringing or buzzing, in the absence of an external source. This term does not relate to the patient's symptoms of spinning sensations and nausea, making it irrelevant in this context.
C) Vertigo: This term accurately describes the sensation of spinning or movement, often associated with inner ear disturbances. The patient's description aligns with vertigo, as it reflects the specific experience of feeling as though the environment is moving, which can indeed lead to nausea.
D) Otalgia: Otalgia refers to ear pain and is not applicable to the symptoms the patient describes. Since the patient is focusing on a spinning sensation and associated nausea, this term does not relate to the presenting issue.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A) Crepitus: This is the correct term to document the grating sound heard when a joint is moved. Crepitus can indicate issues such as the presence of air in the joint, cartilage degeneration, or other pathologies. Using this specific term provides clarity to the medical record and helps other healthcare providers understand the nature of the joint's condition.
B) Positive joint sounds: This phrase is less specific and does not adequately describe the type of sound noted during the assessment. It may also lead to ambiguity, as it lacks the medical precision that crepitus provides.
C) Grating and popping: While this description conveys what the nurse observed, it is not a standardized medical term. Precise documentation is essential in medical records, and using non-standard language can lead to confusion.
D) Crackles: Typically associated with respiratory assessments, crackles refer to sounds heard in the lungs and are not applicable to joint examinations. Therefore, this term would be inappropriate for documenting findings related to joint movement.