The nurse is conducting a physical assessment with a patient. Which assessment technique should the nurse use to assess the patient's thyroid gland?
1. Stand behind the patient and palpate the thyroid.
2. Stand in front of the patient and palpate the thyroid.
3. Place the patient supine and palpate one side of the neck at a time.
4. Have the patient flex the neck forward and palpate the thyroid.
Correct Answer: 1
The thyroid is palpated by standing behind the patient and placing the fingers on each side of the trachea below the thyroid, and asking the patient to swallow to palpate the right lobe. Repeat the procedure, tilting the neck to the left. The nurse has better access to the thyroid from a posterior approach than from the anterior aspect. Placing the patient supine would not permit the nurse to have full access to the neck. Flexing the neck forward could occlude the airway if a mass were present.
You might also like to view...
The population nurse is planning to make a home visit. What should the nurse take into consideration for this visit? (Select all that apply.)
1. Reason for the visit and age of the client. 2. Surrounding neighborhood. 3. Support systems employed by the client. 4. Client's ability to pay for services. 5. Preliminary client treatment goals.
A nurse has obtained an order to remove a patient's NG tube and has prepared the patient accordingly
After flushing the tube and removing the nasal tape, the nurse attempts removal but is met with resistance. Because the nurse is unable to overcome this resistance, what is the most appropriate action? A) Gently twist the tube before pulling. B) Instill a digestive enzyme solution and reattempt removal in 10 to 15 minutes. C) Flush the tube with hot tap water and reattempt removal. D) Report this finding to the patient's primary care provider.
A child with meningococcemia is being admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit. This child should be placed in a:
1. Semi-private room. 2. Private room, but not in isolation. 3. Private room, in protective isolation. 4. Private room, in respiratory isolation.
A patient who keeps his fat consumption at 10% of his total caloric intake is at risk for deficiency of which nutrient(s)?
a. Iron b. Vitamins A, D, and K c. Zinc d. B and C vitamins