The nurse assesses that a patient is unable to completely straighten the right arm. The nurse conducts additional assessment for which condition?

Question

1. Muscle atrophy
2. The presence of nodules
3. Gout
4. Muscle fasciculation

Answer 1

1
Rationale 1: Muscle atrophy is the shortening of a muscle, which is evidenced by the patient's inability to completely straighten the arm.
Rationale 2: Nodules are small raised areas that are found upon palpation. It is unlikely that the presence of nodules would keep the patient from straightening the arm.
Rationale 3: Gout is an inflammation of a toe, heel, elbow, or ankle. Although gout in the elbow might make that movement painful, it is not likely to prevent straightening the arm.
Rationale 4: Muscle fasciculations are abnormal contractions or "twitches" within a muscle. It would be unlikely that these contractions would prevent the patient from straightening the arm.