The nurse is preparing to assess the posterior spine of a client. Which landmark should the nurse use to determine symmetry?
Posterior superior iliac spine
Iliac crests
Paravertebral muscles
Twelfth thoracic vertebrae
The Correct Answer is B
A) Posterior superior iliac spine: While this landmark is useful for certain assessments, it is more commonly used to identify pelvic alignment rather than symmetry of the spine itself.
B) Iliac crests: The iliac crests serve as an important anatomical landmark for assessing symmetry in the posterior spine. By comparing the heights of the iliac crests on both sides, the nurse can determine any asymmetry in the pelvis and, by extension, the spine, as uneven heights may indicate spinal deformities.
C) Paravertebral muscles: While assessing the paravertebral muscles can provide information about muscle tone and potential asymmetries, they are not direct landmarks for evaluating overall spinal symmetry.
D) Twelfth thoracic vertebrae: Although identifying specific vertebrae is important for certain assessments, the twelfth thoracic vertebra is not commonly used as a primary landmark for assessing symmetry in the spine. It is more useful for locating the general area of the thoracic spine.
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Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A) Increased muscle weakness: Guillain-Barré syndrome is characterized by the rapid onset of muscle weakness, which typically starts in the lower extremities and ascends. The nurse would expect to find varying degrees of muscle weakness as a hallmark symptom, which may progress to involve the upper limbs and respiratory muscles.
B) Pronounced muscle atrophy: While muscle weakness is a significant feature of Guillain-Barré syndrome, pronounced muscle atrophy is not typically seen immediately. Muscle atrophy may occur over time due to disuse but is not a direct initial finding upon assessment.
C) Diminished visual acuity: Visual acuity may not be directly affected in Guillain-Barré syndrome. While some patients may experience ocular symptoms, diminished visual acuity is not a primary feature of the syndrome and would not be expected as a common assessment finding.
D) Impaired cognitive reasoning: Guillain-Barré syndrome primarily affects the peripheral nervous system and does not usually impact cognitive function. Patients typically maintain full cognitive abilities, so the nurse should not anticipate findings
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A) Re-assess in 15 minutes: While regular assessments are important in a neurological evaluation, if the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score is 15, indicating the patient is fully alert and oriented, there may not be an immediate need to re-assess so soon unless the patient's condition changes.
B) Ask the patient to open eyes on command: If the GCS score is already determined to be 15, this indicates that the patient is responsive and capable of opening their eyes spontaneously. Asking the patient to open their eyes is unnecessary in this context since the score already reflects full responsiveness.
C) Document the findings: Documenting the GCS score of 15 is crucial as it establishes a baseline for the patient’s neurological status. This documentation is essential for ongoing assessments and monitoring, providing a record of the patient’s condition at this moment.
D) Notify the physician: Notifying the physician is not required for a GCS score of 15, as this score indicates a normal level of consciousness. Communication with the physician would be warranted only if there were changes in the patient's condition or a lower GCS score observed.