Deck 27: The Complete Health History And Physical Examination

Question 1

At what point during a complete health assessment do you ask the patient to undress and don the examination gown?

A) at the beginning before obtaining the health history
B) after assessing the neck and upper extremities
C) after assessing the patient's mental status
D) after obtaining the patient's anthropometric measurements

Answer 1

after assessing the patient's mental status

Question 2

General guidelines for conducting a physical assessment include

A) allowing time at the conclusion of the assessment to discuss relevant findings.
B) helping patients who are older or disabled focus on identifying their limitations.
C) conducting the assessment in the same sequence each time in every situation.
D) encouraging the patient to change positions often.

Answer 2

allowing time at the conclusion of the assessment to discuss relevant findings.

Question 3

The jugular veins are observed as the patient goes from the sitting to the supine position and again when the patient is

A) sitting.
B) standing.
C) supine.
D) in a lateral decubitus position.

Answer 3

supine.

Question 4

Which is the best guideline for avoiding legal problems in your nursing practice?

A) Use the same work practices as your peers.
B) Let the patient establish the limits.
C) Use your common sense.
D) Follow your institution's policies.

Question 5

A breast examination normally includes checking all of the following features of the breasts,EXCEPT

A) weight.
B) contour.
C) discharge.
D) symmetry.

Question 6

Nail bed color and capillary refill are assessed during which part of the assessment?

A) heart
B) height and weight
C) upper extremities
D) assessed only if patient is short of breath

Question 7

You would assess for costovertebral angle tenderness while assessing the

A) anterior thorax.
B) back, and posterior and lateral thorax.
C) neck.
D) upper extremities.

Question 8

You would perform hepatojugular reflux during which part of the assessment?

A) abdomen
B) jugular veins
C) neck
D) neurological

Question 9

When a patient has any sort of assistive device,your physical examination should record the patient's performance

A) with the device in place.
B) without the device in place.
C) without assessing the area that is supported by the device.
D) with an estimate of the margin of benefit the device has provided.

Question 10

The ethical principle that involves your duty to be faithful to the patient is known as

A) beneficence.
B) fidelity.
C) justice.
D) veracity.

Question 11

The breast examination occurs when the patient is in the _____ position(s).

A) Sims'
B) standing
C) knee-elbow
D) sitting and supine

Question 12

Assessment of the spine's range of motion is done during which assessment?

A) neurological system
B) back, and posterior and lateral thorax
C) musculoskeletal system
D) anterior thorax

Question 13

One of your measurements yields a reading during physical assessment that seems very doubtful,considering the patient's general condition.If you are still in doubt about the data after rechecking,your best option is to

A) discard the instrument.
B) record the initial reading.
C) discard the reading and go on to the next assessment.
D) seek another qualified nurse to confirm the reading.

Question 14

Mrs.L has refused permission for you to assess her breasts and genitalia.Being sensitive to legal considerations,your first response is to

A) ask a family member to convince her of the importance of this assessment.
B) document her refusal and conclude the assessment.
C) explain the importance of the assessment and repeat your request.
D) notify the nursing supervisor to speak with the patient.

Question 15

Tests for clonus are most commonly carried out on the

A) lower extremities.
B) upper extremities.
C) abdomen.
D) neck.

Question 16

How much time should you schedule for a typical complete health and physical assessment?

A) 15-30 minutes
B) 30-90 minutes
C) 1-2 hours
D) 2-3 hours

Question 17

After assessing Mr.R's lower extremities,you would prepare him for the next assessment by

A) asking him to bend over the examination table.
B) asking him to stand and lift his gown in front.
C) draping his legs and helping him sit up.
D) instructing him to get dressed.

Question 18

Recommendations for obtaining and maintaining the patient's cooperation include all of the following,EXCEPT

A) answering questions in terms the patient will understand.
B) discussing and validating findings with the patient.
C) reassuring the patient that all is fine.
D) putting the patient at ease.

Question 19

The ideal time to perform a comprehensive assessment is

A) at the patient's request.
B) on the patient's first visit to the health care facility to establish a baseline database.
C) on the patient's second or third visit after rapport has been established.
D) when the patient is seen for an acute health problem, to identify accompanying health problems.

Question 20

The ethical principle to do the greatest good for the greatest number of people is called

A) autonomy.
B) beneficence.
C) nonmaleficence.
D) utilitarianism.

Question 21

Femoral pulses are palpated and auscultated when you are assessing the ____________________.

Question 22

Which neurological assessment is particularly important when assessing the patient who is comatose?

A) graphesthesia, stereognosis, and two-point discrimination
B) doll's eyes, Babinski reflex, and corneal reflex
C) proprioceptive sensation and cerebellar function
D) superficial pain and light touch

Question 23

Assessment of cardiac landmarks includes which of the following? Select all that apply.

A) Observing for pulsations.
B) Observing the jugular veins.
C) Palpating for thrills.
D) Percussing the anterior thorax.
E) Palpating for heaves.
F) Measuring pulsus paradoxus.

Question 24

All of the following are contraindications for an adolescent boy's participation in sports,EXCEPT

A) poorly controlled seizure disorder.
B) absence of a paired organ.
C) cardiomyopathy.
D) varicocele.

Question 25

Personal digital assistants (PDAs)are coming into use by nurses mainly for

A) interacting with patients.
B) data storage and retrieval.
C) formulating nursing diagnoses.
D) contacting physician specialists.

Question 26

At the completion of the physical assessment,you should discuss future plans and answer any questions the patient may have after

A) assisting the patient to a sitting position.
B) documenting your findings.
C) formulating a nursing care plan.
D) providing adequate time for the patient to redress.

Question 27

A provider-generated list of health problems that assists in documenting your health history is called a(n)____________________.

Question 28

Which of the following is recommended for improving the examination of a bedridden patient?

A) obtaining the help of an assistant
B) conducting examinations with less frequency
C) obtaining the patient's health history from a family member
D) permitting the patient to restore the room to its original condition at the end of the examination

Question 29

Which of the following is a growing trend for home health nurses?

A) Clinics are taking on more of their work.
B) They are receiving less training prior to certification.
C) They are caring for sicker patients than in previous times.
D) They are spending more of their work time in institutional settings.

Question 30

You would ask the bedridden patient to run the heel of each foot down the shin of the opposite leg and to draw a figure eight in the air with each foot to assess the

A) ability to follow directions.
B) cerebellar function.
C) lower extremity flexibility and mobility.
D) lower extremity muscle strength.

Question 31

Patients now commonly use computers for all of the following,EXCEPT

A) scheduling appointments.
B) receiving confidential test results.
C) submitting questions to health care providers.
D) forwarding physical examination data to health care providers.