During the oral assessment of a 30-year-old patient of African descent, the nurse notes bluish lips and a dark line along the gingival margin. What would the nurse do in response to this finding?

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nclex practice questions 2023 health assessment Questions

Question 1 of 9

During the oral assessment of a 30-year-old patient of African descent, the nurse notes bluish lips and a dark line along the gingival margin. What would the nurse do in response to this finding?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Correct Answer: B Rationale: 1. Bluish lips indicate cyanosis, a sign of inadequate oxygen supply. 2. Dark line along gingival margin suggests lead poisoning. 3. The nurse should assess for other signs of inadequate oxygen supply to determine the severity and underlying cause. 4. This finding is not normal and requires further evaluation to prevent complications. Summary: A: Checking hemoglobin for anemia is not the immediate priority when cyanosis and lead poisoning are suspected. C: Assuming this is a normal finding can lead to overlooking a potentially serious condition. D: Carbon monoxide exposure could be a consideration, but assessing for overall oxygen supply is more crucial in this scenario.

Question 2 of 9

During an otoscopic examination, the nurse notes an area of black and white dots on the tympanic membrane and ear canal wall. What does this finding suggest?

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The presence of black and white dots on the tympanic membrane and ear canal wall during an otoscopic examination suggests a yeast or fungal infection. This is because yeast or fungal infections commonly present as white or black dots in the ear canal. Malignancy would typically manifest as abnormal growths or masses, not dots. Viral infections usually do not present as specific dots on the tympanic membrane. Blood in the middle ear would appear as red or pinkish fluid behind the eardrum, not as black and white dots. Therefore, the correct answer is D: Yeast or fungal infection.

Question 3 of 9

A patient in her first trimester of pregnancy is diagnosed with rubella. Which of the following indicates the significance of this in relation to the infant's hearing?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B because rubella can indeed damage the organ of Corti in the fetus, which is responsible for hearing. During the first trimester, when the hearing structures are forming, any damage to the organ of Corti can result in impaired hearing for the infant. Choice A is incorrect because rubella can impact the fetus, including the organs responsible for hearing. Choice C is incorrect because rubella can be harmful to the fetus at any stage of pregnancy, not just the second trimester. Choice D is incorrect because CN VIII (the vestibulocochlear nerve) is not directly affected by rubella, rather it is the organ of Corti that is damaged.

Question 4 of 9

During an admission assessment, the nurse notices that a male patient has an enlarged and rather thick skull. The nurse suspects acromegaly and would further assess for:

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Step 1: The nurse notices an enlarged and thick skull, which are common signs of acromegaly. Step 2: Acromegaly results from excess growth hormone, leading to changes in facial features. Step 3: Coarse facial features such as enlarged nose, lips, and jaw are classic signs of acromegaly. Step 4: Therefore, assessing for coarse facial features is crucial in confirming acromegaly. Summary: A: Exophthalmos is associated with hyperthyroidism, not acromegaly. B: Bowed long bones are seen in conditions like rickets, not acromegaly. D: An acorn-shaped cranium is not a typical feature of acromegaly.

Question 5 of 9

During an assessment of a 20-year-old Aboriginal patient, the nurse notices that he has dry, flaky cerumen in his ear canal. What is the significance of this finding?

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D because dry, flaky cerumen can indicate a change in cilia in the ear canal, potentially leading to conductive hearing loss. This warrants further assessment by the nurse to ensure the patient's aural health is not compromised. A: Eczema lesions typically present differently and are not directly related to dry cerumen. B: While hygiene can contribute to cerumen buildup, dry, flaky cerumen alone does not necessarily indicate poor hygiene. C: Dry, flaky cerumen is not considered a normal finding in a healthy ear and should prompt further evaluation.

Question 6 of 9

When assessing inflammation in a dark-skinned person, the nurse may need to:

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Step 1: Dark skin may not show cyanosis well, making choice A less reliable. Step 2: Erythema refers to redness, which may not be easily visible in dark skin, making choice B less suitable. Step 3: Palpating for edema and increased warmth allows for a more reliable assessment of inflammation in dark skin, making choice C the correct answer. Step 4: Palpating for tenderness and ecchymosis may be useful but not specific to inflammation assessment in dark skin, making choice D less relevant.

Question 7 of 9

The primary purpose of the ciliated mucous membrane in the nose is to:

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: filter out dust and bacteria. The ciliated mucous membrane in the nose traps dust and bacteria present in the inhaled air through the mucus layer and then moves them towards the throat to be swallowed or expelled. This helps in protecting the respiratory system from harmful particles. Choice A is incorrect as the warming of inhaled air is primarily done by the nasal passages and sinuses, not the ciliated mucous membrane. Choice C is incorrect because the filtering of coarse particles is also done by the nasal hairs and the mucous membrane working together, not just the ciliated mucous membrane alone. Choice D is incorrect as the movement of air through the nares is mainly controlled by the size of the nostrils and is not the primary function of the ciliated mucous membrane.

Question 8 of 9

During the oral assessment of a 30-year-old patient of African descent, the nurse notes bluish lips and a dark line along the gingival margin. What would the nurse do in response to this finding?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Correct Answer: B Rationale: 1. Bluish lips indicate cyanosis, a sign of inadequate oxygen supply. 2. Dark line along gingival margin suggests lead poisoning. 3. The nurse should assess for other signs of inadequate oxygen supply to determine the severity and underlying cause. 4. This finding is not normal and requires further evaluation to prevent complications. Summary: A: Checking hemoglobin for anemia is not the immediate priority when cyanosis and lead poisoning are suspected. C: Assuming this is a normal finding can lead to overlooking a potentially serious condition. D: Carbon monoxide exposure could be a consideration, but assessing for overall oxygen supply is more crucial in this scenario.

Question 9 of 9

Which of the following is an expected normal finding in the diagnostic positions test?

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: A slight amount of lid lag when moving the eyes from a superior position to an inferior position. In the diagnostic positions test, when the eyes move from an extreme superior position to an inferior position, a slight amount of lid lag is expected due to the normal anatomical structure and mechanics of the eye muscles and eyelids. This lag is a normal finding and not indicative of any underlying pathology. Rationale: A: Convergence of vision in both eyes is not a normal finding in the diagnostic positions test as convergence refers to the inward movement of both eyes towards each other to maintain single binocular vision. B: Parallel movement of both eyes is not a specific finding in the diagnostic positions test. The test is designed to assess the movement of the eyes in different directions. C: Nystagmus in extreme superior gaze is not a normal finding and indicates an abnormality in eye movement coordination, not an expected finding in the diagnostic positions test.

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