Question

A nurse is assessing a client's head. Which of the following should the nurse identify as an unexpected finding? (Select all that apply)

A) Oval white patches in the client's hair
B) A lesion on the client's scalp
C) Protrusion of the client's head
D) Edema around the client's eyes

Answer 1

Unexpected findings a nurse might identify during a head assessment include white patches in the client's hair, a lesion on the scalp, and head protrusion, which may suggest underlying pathological conditions.

Step-by-step explanation:

A nurse assessing a client's head should identify the following as unexpected findings: Oval white patches in the client's hair, a lesion on the client's scalp which could potentially indicate a skin condition or infection, and protrusion of the client's head, which might suggest a cranial or neurologic anomaly. While edema around the client's eyes might be concerning, it can be associated with common conditions such as allergies or lack of sleep and might not be considered as unexpected as the other findings. It is essential for the nurse to explore these unexpected findings further to determine their cause.

The presence of oval white patches could indicate a condition like vitiligo or tinea versicolor, while a lesion on the scalp could indicate anything from a benign mole to a skin cancer such as basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, or potentially melanoma, particularly if it presents with an irregular border and varying colors. Protrusions of the head could be indicative of a number of conditions, potentially serious, like a cranial tumor.