The nurse is providing care to a client who is experiencing back pain. Which of the following in the client's history is a known risk factor for disc herniation?
Short stature
Anorexia
39 years of age
Female gender
The Correct Answer is C
A) Short stature: While body height can play a role in overall musculoskeletal health, short stature is not specifically identified as a risk factor for disc herniation. Other physical characteristics have a more direct impact on spinal issues.
B) Anorexia: Although nutritional status is important for general health, anorexia is not a recognized risk factor for disc herniation. The condition is more related to physical stressors and age rather than dietary habits alone.
C) 39 years of age: Age is a significant risk factor for disc herniation. Most cases occur in adults aged 30 to 50, as degenerative changes in the spine increase vulnerability to herniation. At 39, the client falls within this high-risk age range.
D) Female gender: While certain musculoskeletal conditions may vary by gender, disc herniation does not have a strong gender predisposition. Both men and women are equally affected, making this option less relevant as a specific risk factor.
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View Related questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A) Obtain a height and weight and calculate a body mass index (BMI): Calculating BMI provides a valuable assessment of a patient’s body composition and overall health related to dietary habits. BMI is a widely used indicator that helps categorize individuals into underweight, normal weight, overweight, and obese categories. Understanding where a patient falls within these categories can highlight the potential impact of dietary habits on health and guide further dietary interventions or education.
B) Review all medications the patient is taking: While reviewing medications is important, it primarily focuses on pharmacological management rather than directly assessing dietary habits. Some medications may have dietary restrictions or require specific nutrient intake, but this does not provide a comprehensive view of the patient's overall dietary habits and their effects on health.
C) Ask about how much food is eaten at an average meal: While inquiring about portion sizes is relevant, it does not give a full picture of dietary habits, including food variety, nutrient quality, and frequency of meals or snacks. A single question about average meal size may overlook other critical aspects of the patient’s eating patterns and nutritional intake.
D) Assess for the presence of any chronic disease processes: Evaluating chronic diseases is crucial for understanding health implications, but it does not directly assess dietary habits. Chronic conditions can be influenced by diet, but the assessment of dietary habits requires a more direct inquiry into nutritional intake and lifestyle choices rather than focusing solely on disease presence.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A) The patient's integumentary system is within normal limits for his age: While thinning skin and decreased turgor can be common in older adults, the specific combination of findings, including the patient feeling cold, suggests that further investigation is warranted rather than assuming they are normal.
B) The patient may have a metabolic condition causing him to feel cold: Thin skin and non-elastic turgor can be indicative of aging, but the sensation of always feeling cold may point to an underlying metabolic condition, such as hypothyroidism or poor circulation, which can affect thermoregulation.
C) The patient has abnormal thinning of skin: While skin thinning is common in older adults, it is not necessarily "abnormal" in the context of aging. However, in conjunction with other symptoms like non-elastic turgor and cold sensitivity, it may warrant further evaluation.
D) The patient should have elastic turgor: In older adults, it is common to see decreased elasticity and turgor of the skin. Therefore, expecting the patient to have elastic turgor may not be appropriate, as it reflects the natural aging process rather than a healthy standard.