NURS 650 Question and Answers. A 64-year-old male presents to the clinic with complaints of gradual onset of weakness to the left hand. He is left hand dominant. He has had ongoing numbness and tingling that feels as though it starts at his elbow

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A 64-year-old male presents to the clinic with complaints of gradual onset of weakness to the left
hand. He is left hand dominant. He has had ongoing numbness and tingling that feels as though it
starts at his elbow. However,

over the past 2-3 days he had been dropping items due to the weakness. He denies any recent
injuries but state that he sustained a crushing injury to the left thumb 4 years ago. He is
employed as a mechanic. Several years ago,

he tripped over a tire and fell backwards striking his head on the fender of a car. He didn't seek
medical attention because he only had a small scrape on his elbow. A CT of the head is within
normal limits and all labs are normal

with the exception of a slightly elevated, non-fasting blood sugar (135). He has no history of
diabetes. An x-ray of the neck reveals mild-to-moderate degenerative disc disease at C6-C7 with
neuroforaminal narrowing and slight

impingement of the exiting nerve root.

 Both the neurological and musculoskeletal pathophysiologic processes that would
account for the patient presenting these symptoms.

 Any racial/ethnic variables that may impact physiological functioning.

 How these processes interact to affect the patient.

, Answer & Explanation
Solved by verified expert
a. The mobility as well as sensation of the hand and forearm are controlled by the radial nerve.
When it is damaged, the affected arm and hand may exhibit weakness, numbness, and tingling.
In degenerative disc disease, the discs between the vertebrae are no longer able to buffer the
spine and absorb trauma. The median nerve controls hand movement and feeling. When it is
damaged, the patient may experience numbness and tingling. Arthritis, osteoarthritis, and
rheumatoid arthritis are some of the other musculoskeletal pathophysiologic processes that could
be causing the patient's symptoms.

b. Age, gender, education level, genetics, socioeconomic status.

c. People of African descent are more likely than those of European ancestry to develop heart
disease. Females have a higher body fat percentage than males, and males are more prone to
cardiovascular disease. Testosterone drives muscular development, which explains its impact on
both strength and cardiovascular health. Physiological functioning could be impacted by the fact
that metabolism slows down and bone density weakens as people age. Other variables that may
impact physiological functioning include socioeconomic status, education level, and
acculturation. Stress is also linked directly to physiological functioning, so practitioners need to
understand how socioeconomic status affects stress levels.

Step-by-step explanation

Part a.

 Injury or damage to the radial nerve is the neurological pathology which might account
for the patient's symptoms. The nerve can be entrapped, compressed, or stretched,
causing injury. The mobility as well as sensation of the hand and forearm are controlled
by the radial nerve. When it is damaged, the affected arm and hand may exhibit
weakness, numbness, and tingling.

 Degenerative disc disease is the musculoskeletal pathology that accounts for the patient's
symptoms. This occurs when the discs between the vertebrae degenerate and are no