Advanced Health Assessment Exam Questions And Answers All Correct

In assessing the carotid arteries of an older patient with cardiovascular disease, the nurse would: A) palpate the artery in the upper one third of the neck. B) listen with the bell of the stethoscope to assess for bruits. C) palpate both arteries simultaneously to compare amplitude. D) instruct the patient to take slow deep breaths during inspiration. {Ans: B) listen with the bell of the stethoscope to assess for bruits. If cardiovascular disease is suspected, the nurse should auscultate each carotid artery for the presence of a bruit. The NP should avoid compressing the artery because this could create an artificial bruit, and it could compromise circulation if the carotid artery is already narrowed by atherosclerosis. Avoid excessive pressure on the carotid sinus area higher in the neck; excessive vagal stimulation here could slow down the heart rate, especially in older adults. Palpate only one carotid artery at a time to avoid compromising arterial blood to the brain. The bell of the stethoscope is best for picking up bruits. The diaphragm is more attuned to relatively high-pitched sounds; the bell is more sensitive to low-pitched sounds like bruits. (Bates, 381)}Which of following is not found in the upper