Practice Question
While assessing an older adult the nurse hears a bruit over the carotid arteries. The nurse should explain to the client that this bruit is
Answer Choices:
Correct Answer:
Associated with occlusive artery disease
Rationale:
🔷 A carotid bruit is a turbulent vascular sound caused by blood flowing past a narrowed or partially blocked artery.
🔷 This narrowing most commonly results from atherosclerosis, making it a hallmark finding of occlusive arterial disease.
🔷 It reflects increased risk of stroke due to plaque instability or embolization.
🔷 Because a bruit is never normal, it always warrants further vascular evaluation.
Incorrect Options (Emoji Eliminations)
❌ Normal for elderly: Bruits are never normal.
❌ Normal in elderly but abnormal in young adults: False—always abnormal.
❌ Bronchospasm: Causes wheezing in the lungs, not neck vascular sounds.
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This question is from RN Medsurg 2025 Exam which contains 42 questions.
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Question Details
- Category: RN Nursing Exam(s)
- Subcategory: ATI Exam(s)
- Domain: RN ATI MedSurg
- Answer Choices: 4