While auscultating a client’s abdomen, the nurse hears a low-pitched blowing sound in the upper midline area. Which is the likely indication of this finding?
A minor variation.
Normal borborygmus sounds.
Possible renal artery stenosis.
Hyperactive bowel sounds.
The Correct Answer is C
Choice A rationale
A minor variation may refer to a benign finding or a slight deviation from the norm. However, a low-pitched blowing sound in the upper midline area would not typically be considered a minor variation and may warrant further investigation.
Choice B rationale
Borborygmi are normal bowel sounds characterized by gurgling, rumbling, or growling noises produced by the movement of gas and fluid in the intestines. However, a low-pitched blowing sound in the upper midline area would not typically be described as normal borborygmi.
Choice C rationale
A low-pitched blowing sound in the upper midline area could indicate a renal artery bruit, which is a sign of renal artery stenosis. Renal artery stenosis is a narrowing of the renal artery, often due to atherosclerosis, which can lead to decreased blood flow to the kidneys. A renal artery bruit may be auscultated over the renal arteries and is indicative of turbulent blood flow through the narrowed artery.
Choice D rationale
Hyperactive bowel sounds are typically characterized by loud, high-pitched gurgles heard throughout the abdomen. They are often associated with increased intestinal motility, such as in gastroenteritis or diarrhea, rather than a low-pitched blowing sound in the upper midline area.
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View Related questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A rationale
A 75-year-old with a pneumothorax and a chest tube may have a displaced PMI due to the pneumothorax, but it is not necessarily difficult to locate. The chest tube may also cause some displacement, but it is not the primary factor affecting PMI location.
Choice B rationale
A 54-year-old who is 5 feet (152.4 cm) tall and weighs 300 pounds (136.1 kg) is likely to have difficulty locating the PMI due to the increased adipose tissue. Obesity can make it challenging to palpate the PMI as the excess tissue can obscure the heart’s apex.
Choice C rationale
A 2-year-old who is demonstrating diaphragmatic breathing may have a PMI that is slightly higher and more medial than in adults, but it is generally not difficult to locate.
Choice D rationale
A 45-year-old long-distance runner with a body mass index (BMI) of 18 kg/m² is likely to have a more prominent PMI due to a leaner body composition and a potentially enlarged heart from athletic conditioning.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Placing a mark where the DP pulse is auscultated can help in future assessments but does not address the immediate need to locate the pulse.
Choice B rationale
Using a Doppler to assess an audible DP pulse is the correct answer. A Doppler ultrasound device is helpful when it is impossible or difficult to assess a pulse or when pulses are not palpable.
Choice C rationale
Assessing capillary refill distal to the DP pulse is important but should be done after attempting to locate the pulse with a Doppler.
Choice D rationale
Reviewing the client’s history for vascular disease is essential for understanding the underlying cause but does not address the immediate need to locate the pulse.