Question

A nurse is performing a Romberg test during the physical assessment of a client. Which of the following techniques should the nurse use?

1) Observing the client's ability to maintain balance with eyes open and closed
2) Checking the client's blood pressure
3) Assessing the client's reflexes
4) Measuring the client's body temperature

Answer 1

In a Romberg test, the nurse assesses the patient's balance with eyes open and then closed, to test proprioceptive and vestibular functions related to maintaining equilibrium.

Step-by-step explanation:

When performing a Romberg test as part of a physical assessment, the nurse should observe the client's ability to maintain balance with both eyes open and closed. This technique involves the patient standing upright with their feet together, first achieving balance with their eyes open, and then closing their eyes. The test assesses proprioceptive function and the ability of the vestibular system and inner ear to maintain balance without visual cues. It is specifically used to indicate deficits in dorsal column pathway proprioception, as well as issues with proprioceptive signals to the cerebellum through the spinocerebellar tract.