When assessing an ambulatory patient, the nurse observes that both arms swing freely in alternation with leg swings. Which of the following is being assessed?
Muscle strength
Gait
Alignment
Joint function
The Correct Answer is B
A) Muscle strength: While muscle strength can influence gait, it specifically refers to the ability of muscles to exert force against resistance. Assessing muscle strength involves different techniques, such as manual muscle testing, rather than observing arm and leg movements.
B) Gait: The observation that both arms swing freely in alternation with leg swings is a direct assessment of the patient's gait. A normal gait pattern includes coordinated movements of the arms and legs, indicating proper motor function and balance.
C) Alignment: This term refers to the positioning of the body and its parts in relation to one another. While alignment can impact gait, it is not specifically assessed by observing the movement of the arms and legs.
D) Joint function: Joint function assessment typically focuses on the range of motion, stability, and mobility of individual joints. Observing the swing of arms and legs provides insight into overall gait rather than specific joint function.
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Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A) Friction rubs: These sounds are typically heard over the liver or spleen and indicate inflammation of the peritoneal surface. They are not standard findings during routine abdominal auscultation and are more specific to certain conditions.
B) Crepitus: This term refers to a crackling or popping sound often associated with joint movement or subcutaneous air and is not related to abdominal auscultation. It is not something a nurse would expect to hear when listening to bowel sounds.
C) Bruits: These are abnormal sounds that indicate turbulent blood flow, typically assessed over blood vessels rather than the abdomen itself. While they can be detected in some abdominal conditions, they are not the primary sounds expected during routine abdominal auscultation.
D) High pitched gurgling: This is characteristic of normal bowel sounds and indicates active peristalsis. High-pitched, gurgling sounds are a common finding during abdominal auscultation, reflecting the movement of gas and fluids in the intestines. This is what the nurse would expect to hear when assessing the abdomen.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A) Motor component of IV (Trochlear): The trochlear nerve primarily controls the superior oblique muscle of the eye, which is responsible for downward and lateral eye movements. The findings described do not relate to eye movement and therefore do not indicate dysfunction of this nerve.
B) Motor and sensory components of XI (Accessory): The accessory nerve innervates the sternocleidomastoid and trapezius muscles, primarily affecting head rotation and shoulder elevation. The symptoms noted in the assessment do not pertain to these muscle functions, so this option is not correct.
C) Motor component of VII (Facial): The signs of asymmetry in frowning, uneven eyebrow lifting, sagging eyelids, and air escaping when puffing the cheeks are characteristic of dysfunction in the facial nerve (cranial nerve VII). This nerve controls the muscles of facial expression, and impairment would lead to the described asymmetrical movements.
D) Motor component of X (Vagus) and sensory component of XII (Hypoglossal): The vagus nerve affects autonomic functions and some swallowing muscles, while the hypoglossal nerve controls tongue movements. Neither nerve is primarily responsible for the facial expressions described in the assessment findings, making this option incorrect.