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Which of the following actions should the nurse include in the plan of care for a patient who has vestibular disease?
- A. Check Rinne's and Weber's tests.
- B. Face the patient when speaking.
- C. Enunciate clearly when speaking.
- D. Monitor the patient's ability to ambulate safely.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Vestibular disease affects balance so the nurse should monitor the patient during activities that require balance. The other actions might be used for patients with hearing disorders.
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The nurse is admitting a patient to the hospital preoperatively. Which of the following findings may indicate that the patient is at risk for falls while hospitalized?
- A. Lateralization with Weber's test
- B. Positive result for Rinne's testing
- C. Inability to hear a low-pitched whisper
- D. Nystagmus when head is turned rapidly
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Nystagmus suggests that the patient may have problems with balance related to disease of the vestibular system. The other tests are used to check hearing, abnormal results for these do not indicate potential problems with balance.
The nurse is conducting an auditory assessment with a patient. Which of the following findings should the nurse document as normal?
- A. Ability to hear low whisper at 30 cm
- B. Rinne's test results: bone conduction is better than air conduction
- C. Weber's test results - no lateralization
- D. Curved cone light reflex
- E. Symmetrical location of ears
Correct Answer: A,C,E
Rationale: Normal findings in the physical assessment of the auditory system include ears symmetrical in location and shape, auricles and tragus nontender, without lesions; clear canal and tympanic membrane intact, landmarks and light reflex intact; ability to hear low whispers at 30 cm and no lateralization Weber's test result. Rinne's test result for a normal finding is that air conduction is better than bone conduction.
The nurse in the eye clinic is examining an older-adult patient who says 'I see small spots that move around in front of my eyes.' Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
- A. Immediately have the ophthalmologist evaluate the patient.
- B. Explain that spots and 'floaters' are a normal part of aging.
- C. Inform the patient that these spots may indicate damage to the retina.
- D. Use an ophthalmoscope to examine the posterior chamber of the eyes.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Although 'floaters' are usually caused by vitreous liquefaction and are common in aging patients, they can be caused by hemorrhage into the vitreous humour or by retinal tears, so the nurse's first action will be to examine the retina and posterior chamber. Although the ophthalmologist will examine the patient, the presence of spots or floaters in a 65-year-old is not an emergency. The spots may indicate retinal damage, but the nurse should assess the eye further before discussing this with the patient.
The nurse is obtaining a health history from a middle-aged adult patient. Which of the following patient statements is most important to communicate to the health care provider?
- A. My vision seems blurry now when I read.'
- B. I have noticed that my eyes are drier now.'
- C. It is hard for me to see when I drive at night.'
- D. The peripheral part of my vision is decreased.'
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The decrease in peripheral vision may indicate glaucoma, which is not a normal visual change associated with aging and requires rapid treatment. The other patient statements indicate visual conditions (presbyopia, dryness, and lens opacity) that are considered a normal part of aging.
The nurse is taking a health history of a new patient at the ear clinic and the patient states, 'I always sleep with the radio on.' Which of the following questions is most appropriate to obtain more information about possible hearing problems?
- A. Do you grind your teeth at night?'
- B. What time do you usually fall asleep?'
- C. Have you noticed any ringing in your ears?'
- D. Are you ever dizzy when you are lying down?'
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Patients with tinnitus may use masking techniques, such as playing a radio, to block out the ringing in the ears. The responses 'Do you grind your teeth at night?' and 'Are you dizzy when lying down?' would be used to obtain information about other ear problems, such as vestibular disorders and referred temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain. The response 'What time do you usually fall asleep?' would not be helpful in assessing problems with the patient's ears.