Free NCLEX RN Questions on Health Promotion and Maintenance Nursing Practice Question
The nurse monitors a client for brachial plexus compromise after shoulder arthroplasty and is checking the status of the ulnar nerve. Which technique should the nurse use to assess the status of this nerve?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: So that the nurse may assess the ulnar nerve status, the client is asked to spread all of the fingers wide and resist pressure. Weakness against pressure may indicate compromise of the ulnar nerve. Raising the forearm above the head assesses the flexion of the biceps and determines the status of the cutaneous nerve. Moving the thumb toward the palm and back describes the assessment of the status of the radial nerve. Having the client grasp the nurse's hand and assessing the strength of the first 2 fingers describes the assessment of the status of the medial nerve.