Question

Which clinical indicator does the nurse expect to identify when assessing a client admitted with a herniated lumbar disk?

1. Pain radiating to the hip and leg
2. Stiffness in shoulders
3. Paralysis of both lower extremities
4. Overgrowth of tissue on the lower back

Answer 1

A nurse would look for pain radiating to the hip and leg as an indicator of a herniated lumbar disk. This symptom results from the compression of a spinal nerve caused by the protruding nucleus pulposus of the damaged disc.

Step-by-step explanation:

In assessing a client with a herniated lumbar disk, a nurse would expect to identify pain radiating to the hip and leg, which is a symptom of sciatica. This pain occurs because a herniated disc can lead to the protrusion of the nucleus pulposus, causing compression of a spinal nerve. Herniated discs most commonly occur between the L4/L5 or L5/S1 intervertebral discs, leading to radiating pain in the lower limb.

Lifting a heavy object can exacerbate this condition as it creates additional pressure on the weakened disc, fighting against any existing degeneration or injury, and pushing the nucleus pulposus through the annulus fibrosis, further compressing the adjacent nerve. A herniated disc occurs when the gel-like substance in the disc protrudes through a weak area in the outer layer. This can compress a spinal nerve, causing pain that radiates along the pathway of the affected nerve.