An 80-year-old woman is visiting the clinic for a checkup. She states, 'I can't walk as much as I used to.' The nurse is observing for motor dysfunction in her hip and should ask her to:

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Abduct her hip while she is lying on her back. This action tests the strength and range of motion of the hip abductors, which are commonly affected in older adults leading to difficulty in walking. By asking the patient to abduct her hip while lying on her back, the nurse can assess if there is any weakness or limitation in her hip abduction movement, which can indicate underlying motor dysfunction. Additionally, this position minimizes the impact of gravity and stabilizes the pelvis, allowing for a more accurate assessment of hip abduction strength. Incorrect options: A: Internally rotate her hip while she is sitting - This does not specifically target the hip abductors, which are more relevant in assessing walking difficulty. C: Adduct her hip while she is lying on her back - Adduction movement is not as relevant in assessing motor dysfunction related to walking difficulty in this context. D: Externally rotate her hip while she is standing - Standing position and external

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Hip dislocation. Asymmetry of gluteal folds in infants can indicate developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH). The nurse should assess for other signs of hip dislocation such as limited hip abduction, leg length discrepancy, or uneven skin folds. DDH can lead to long-term issues if not treated early. A: Fractured clavicle - Unrelated to asymmetry of gluteal folds. Typically occurs during birth. B: Down syndrome - Does not typically present with asymmetry of gluteal folds. C: Spina bifida - Typically presents with neurological deficits, not asymmetry of gluteal folds.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B because the hypothalamus is indeed responsible for controlling body temperature and regulating sleep. It plays a crucial role in maintaining homeostasis in the body. The other choices are incorrect because: A: The cerebellum is primarily involved in coordination and balance, not speech and emotions. C: The basal ganglia are involved in motor control and not voluntary movements. D: Motor pathways typically synapse in the brainstem or spinal cord, not the thalamus.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Reflexes will be normal. In patients with a head injury resulting in unconsciousness without other injuries, deep tendon reflexes are expected to be normal. This is because the unconsciousness is likely due to cerebral dysfunction rather than spinal cord injury, which would affect reflexes. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because in the absence of spinal cord injury, the deep tendon reflexes should not be affected. Choice B is incorrect as reflexes should be present and can be elicited in this scenario. Choice C is incorrect as reflexes should not be diminished unless there is spinal cord involvement. Choice D is incorrect as reflexes should not depend on the area of injury in this case.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D, Complete neurologic examination. This is because the patient's symptoms of weakness in the left arm and leg require a thorough assessment of all components of the nervous system to determine the cause accurately. A Glasgow Coma Scale (A) assesses level of consciousness, not focal weakness. A Neurologic recheck examination (B) is not appropriate as it assumes a previous neurological exam. A Screening neurologic examination (C) is too basic and may not provide enough information to diagnose the cause of the symptoms.