During assessment of a patient's knee, the nurse tests for the bulge sign. Which technique is the nurse using?
1. The nurse is tapping lightly over the nerve running next to the patella.
2. The nurse strokes the medial aspect of the knee upward and observes for changes.
3. The nurse feels for a fluid wave while moving the patella up and against the femur.
4. The nurse places a thumb and finger on either side of the patella and assesses for fluid in the spaces next to the patella.
2
Rationale 1: This is not a description of a test used to assess the knee.
Rationale 2: The bulge sign is used to detect fluid in the knee. After stroking the medial aspect of the knee upward to displace the fluid, the nurse places a hand on the lateral side of the knee while looking for a bulge of fluid in the hollow area medial to the patella.
Rationale 3: The ballottement test is used to assess for fluid in the suprapatellar pouch.
Rationale 4: This technique tests for the balloon sign.
You might also like to view...
The nurse is performing a physical examination on an 8-year-old girl who was bitten by her kitten. Which of the following findings would indicate cat scratch disease?
A) Swollen lymph nodes B) Strawberry tongue C) Infected tonsils D) Swollen neck
A client in the intensive care unit becomes very cognizant of the nurse's touch. This is a function of which system?
A) General adaptation syndrome B) Local adaptation syndrome C) Reticular activating system D) Peripheral nervous system
A professor explains to a class that the reason lymph nodes enlarge and become tender during infection is because of what reason?
a. B lymphocytes proliferate. b. The nodes are inflamed. c. The nodes fill with purulent exudate. d. The nodes are not properly functioning
Which of the following medications may be prescribed to patients with sprains, herniated vertebral discs, or other conditions causing spasms?
A. anesthetics B. aspirin C. skeletal muscle relaxants D. corticosteroids