Nokea
When assessing a patient's peripheral nerve function, the nurse uses an instrument to prick the fat pad at the top of the patient's small finger. This action will assess which of the following nerves?
- A. Radial
- B. Ulnar
- C. Median
- D. Tibial
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The ulnar nerve is assessed for sensation by pricking the fat pad at the top of the small finger. The radial, median, and tibial nerves are not assessed in this manner.
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A patient's fracture is healing and callus is being deposited in the bone matrix. This process characterizes what phase of the bone healing process?
- A. The reparative phase
- B. The reactive phase
- C. The remodeling phase
- D. The revascularization phase
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Callus formation takes place during the reparative phase of bone healing. The reactive phase occurs immediately after injury and the remodeling phase builds on the reparative phase. There is no discrete revascularization phase.
A nurse is caring for a patient with a diagnosis of cancer that has metastasized. What laboratory value would the nurse expect to be elevated in this patient?
- A. Bilirubin
- B. Potassium
- C. Alkaline phosphatase
- D. Creatinine
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Alkaline phosphatase is elevated during early fracture healing and in diseases with increased osteoblastic activity (e.g., metastatic bone tumors). Elevated bilirubin, potassium, and creatinine would not be expected in a patient with metastatic bone tumors.
A patient is receiving ongoing nursing care for the treatment of Parkinson's disease. When assessing this patient's gait, what finding is most closely associated with this health problem?
- A. Spastic hemiparesis gait
- B. Shuffling gait
- C. Rapid gait
- D. Steppage gait
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A variety of neurologic conditions are associated with abnormal gaits, such as a spastic hemiparesis gait (stroke), steppage gait (lower motor neuron disease), and shuffling gait (Parkinson's disease). A rapid gait is not associated with Parkinson's disease.
A nurse is providing care for a patient whose pattern of laboratory testing reveals longstanding hypocalcemia. What other laboratory result is most consistent with this finding?
- A. An elevated parathyroid hormone level
- B. An increased calcitonin level
- C. An elevated potassium level
- D. A decreased vitamin D level
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: In the response to low calcium levels in the blood, increased levels of parathyroid hormone prompt the mobilization of calcium and the demineralization of bone. Increased calcitonin levels would exacerbate hypocalcemia. Vitamin D levels do not increase in response to low calcium levels. Potassium levels would likely be unaffected.
An older adult patient has come to the clinic for a regular check-up. The nurse's initial inspection reveals an increased thoracic curvature of the patient's spine. The nurse should document the presence of which of the following?
- A. Scoliosis
- B. Epiphyses
- C. Lordosis
- D. Kyphosis
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Kyphosis is the increase in thoracic curvature of the spine. Scoliosis is a deviation in the lateral curvature of the spine. Epiphyses are the ends of the long bones. Lordosis is the exaggerated curvature of the lumbar spine.