Family Nurse Practitioner Exam

Which examination technique is useful in evaluating a patient for acute sinusitis or hydrocele?

1. Checking for the cremasteric reflex

2. Transillumination

3. Ultrasound

4. CT scan

The correct answer is: Transillumination

Transillumination is a valuable examination technique for evaluating conditions such as acute sinusitis and hydrocele. In the case of hydrocele, transillumination can help assess whether a fluid-filled sac is present in the scrotum. When a light is shone through the scrotum, if a hydrocele is present, the fluid will allow the light to pass through, making the sac appear translucent. This technique aids in differentiating between a hydrocele and other potential solid masses that would not transmit light. For acute sinusitis, while transillumination is less commonly used in practice today compared to imaging studies, it can still provide some insight. When applied to the sinuses, if the sinuses are filled with pus or fluid due to sinusitis, the light will not penetrate as well, indicating a possible obstruction. In summary, transillumination effectively visualizes fluid collections and evaluates conditions like hydrocele and sinusitis, which makes it the appropriate choice among the options provided.