Your patient is 40-year-old baseball player who needs his yearly physical exam. He reports a 5-year history of chronic lower back pain due to spinal stenosis. Which of the following findings indicate spinal stenosis?
A. Lumbar x-ray demonstrates vertebral osteophytes
B. Positive straight leg raising sign upon physical exam
C. Lumbar MRI shows decreased intervertebral space
D. A and C
ANS: D
Caused by progressive degenerative spine changes, spinal stenosis is most common at middle age or later. Spinal stenosis pain is usually worse during the day. It is aggravated by standing and relieved by rest. The pain varies from severe to mild. OA signs may be present. RAdiological findings may indicate extensive vertebral osteophytes and degenerative disk disease. An MRI or CT scan can be helpful if initial x-rays are inconclusive.
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Where do the questions for the NCLEX-RN exam come from?
a. a group of test question writers approved by individual state boards of nursing b. educators and clinicians whose names have been suggested by individual state boards ofnursing c. a contracted test writing service d. a curriculum committee comprised of experts only from accredited schools of nursing selected by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing