The nurse is assessing a patient's peripheral circulation. Which finding suggests arterial insufficiency?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Cool, pale skin. Arterial insufficiency results in decreased blood flow to the extremities, leading to reduced skin temperature and pallor. Cool skin indicates diminished blood supply, while pale skin suggests vasoconstriction. Pitting edema (choice A) is a sign of venous insufficiency, not arterial. Brown discoloration (choice C) is characteristic of chronic venous insufficiency due to hemosiderin deposition. Warm, erythematous skin (choice D) is a sign of inflammation or infection, not arterial insufficiency.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Cerebellar dysfunction. When a patient staggers and loses balance while walking heel-to-toe, it indicates impairment in coordination and balance control, which are functions of the cerebellum. The cerebellum plays a crucial role in coordinating voluntary movements and maintaining balance. Vestibular dysfunction (B) primarily affects the inner ear's balance system, leading to vertigo and dizziness, not staggering gait. Sensory neuropathy (C) affects sensation, not coordination, and would not cause a specific gait abnormality. Motor weakness (D) would manifest as difficulty with strength and muscle control, not coordination issues seen in cerebellar dysfunction.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis). Frozen shoulder is characterized by decreased range of motion in the shoulder joint with pain on movement. This is due to inflammation and thickening of the shoulder joint capsule, leading to adhesions that restrict movement. Other choices are incorrect because: A: Osteoarthritis primarily affects the joints, causing pain and stiffness but typically doesn't lead to severe restriction of range of motion like in frozen shoulder. C: Rheumatoid arthritis is a systemic autoimmune disorder that can affect multiple joints, causing inflammation and deformities, but it doesn't typically present with the characteristic pattern of restricted movement seen in frozen shoulder. D: Bursitis involves inflammation of the bursae (fluid-filled sacs) around joints, leading to pain and swelling, but it doesn't typically result in the severe restriction of movement and pain on movement seen in frozen shoulder.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Vital signs include measurable indicators like pulse, temperature, blood pressure, and sometimes pain, but the question Surface and Core specifically refers to temperature, making Choice B correct. Temperature can be measured at surface sites (e.g., skin, oral) or core sites (e.g., rectal, tympanic), reflecting internal body heat. Pulse, measures heart rate, not divided into surface and core. Blood pressure, assesses vascular pressure, not temperature distribution. Pain, is subjective and not measured in this dual context. The distinction between surface (less stable, affected by environment) and core (stable, reflecting true body temperature) is a key concept in nursing, especially when monitoring fever or hypothermia. Thus, B aligns with the questions focus on temperatures dual measurement nature.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Afebrile means the patient has no fever, indicating a temperature within the normal range for an adult (typically 36.6°C to 38°C or 97.9°F to 100.4°F). When a nurse records a patient as afebrile, it suggests the absence of an elevated temperature that would require intervention. Choice A (checking for antipyretics) is unnecessary unless theres evidence of recent fever management, which isnt indicated here. Choice B (reporting to the provider) is not warranted for a normal finding unless other symptoms suggest a need for escalation. Choice C (using a different method) is redundant since the oral method is reliable and the result is normal. Choice D is correct because no further action is needed for a temperature within normal limits. This reflects standard nursing practice where routine findings dont prompt additional steps unless contextual factors suggest otherwise.