A patient with longstanding COPD was told by another practitioner that his liver was enlarged and this needed to be assessed. Which of the following would be reasonable to do next?
A) Percuss the lower border of the liver
B) Measure the span of the liver
C) Order a hepatitis panel
D) Obtain an ultrasound of the liver
B) Measure the span of the liver
In this patient, measuring the span of the liver saved the patient an involved workup, because it was normal. His history of COPD is consistent with flattening of the diaphragms, which pushed the liver edge down while the actual size of the liver remained the same. Percussing the lower border of the liver alone caused this referral, because it was assumed that the liver was enlarged.
You might also like to view...
Which of the following statements about gerontological nursing is supported by research evidence?
A) Geriatric nurse practitioners increase the cost of care for elderly patients in hospitals. B) Whether geriatric nurse practitioners are employed has no effect on the quality of care for older adults in ambulatory care settings. C) Gerontological clinical nurse specialists in acute hospitals decrease the length of stay for elderly patients. D) In acute hospitals, readmission rates post-discharge are higher when gerontological nurse specialists are employed.
A child describes intense pain in the chest and head while eating a popsicle. The pain the child is experiencing is termed
A) Fear B) Allodynia C) Thermal stimulation D) Hyperalgesia
A disproportionate thickening of the interventricular septum is the hallmark of which form of cardiomyopathy?
a. Dystrophic b. Hypertrophic c. Restrictive d. Dilated
Play serves many purposes. In teaching parents about appropriate activities, the nurse should inform them that play serves the following function (Select all that apply):
a. Intellectual development b. Physical development c. Self-awareness d. Creativity e. Temperament development