A 22-year-old man comes to the clinic for an examination after ...

[cdr_15]

A 22-year-old man comes to the clinic for an examination after falling off his motorcycle and landing on his left side on the handle bars. The nurse suspects that he may have injured his spleen.
 
  Which of these statements is true regarding assessment of the spleen in this situation?
  a.
  The spleen can be enlarged as a result of trauma.
  b.
  The spleen is normally felt on routine palpation.
  c.
  If an enlarged spleen is noted, then the nurse should thoroughly palpate to determine its size.
  d.
  An enlarged spleen should not be palpated because it can easily rupture.

Question 2

The nurse is aware that one change that may occur in the gastrointestinal system of an aging adult is:
 
  a. Increased salivation.
  b. Increased liver size.
  c. Increased esophageal emptying.
  d. Decreased gastric acid secretion.

[al]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: D
If an enlarged spleen is felt, then the nurse should refer the person and should not continue to palpate it. An enlarged spleen is friable and can easily rupture with overpalpation.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: D
Gastric acid secretion decreases with aging. As one ages, salivation decreases, esophageal emptying is delayed, and liver size decreases.