Deck 3: Examination Techniques and Equipment

Question 1

The use of secondary, tangential lighting is most helpful in the detection of:

A) variations in skin color.
B) enlarged tonsils.
C) foreign objects in the nose or ear.
D) variations in contour of the body surface.

Answer 1

variations in contour of the body surface.

Question 2

Expected normal percussion tones include:

A) dullness over the lungs.
B) hyperresonance over the lungs.
C) tympany over an empty stomach.
D) flatness over an empty stomach.

Answer 2

tympany over an empty stomach.

Question 3

During percussion, a dull tone is expected to be heard over:

A) healthy lung tissue.
B) emphysemic lungs.
C) the liver.
D) most of the abdomen.

Answer 3

the liver.

Question 4

Which technique is commonly used to elicit tenderness arising from the liver, gallbladder, or kidneys?

A) Finger percussion
B) Palmar percussion
C) Fist percussion
D) Forearm percussion

Question 5

The height-measuring attachment of the standing platform scale should be pulled up:

A) before the patient steps on the scale.
B) before the scale is balanced.
C) after the patient steps on the scale.
D) only after weight has been assessed.

Question 6

According to the guidelines for Standard Precautions, the caregiver's hands should be washed:

A) only after touching body fluids with ungloved hands and between patient contacts.
B) only after touching blood products with ungloved hands and after caring for infectious patients.
C) only after working with patients who are thought to be infectious.
D) after touching any body fluids or contaminated items, regardless of whether gloves are worn.

Question 7

When using mediate or indirect percussion, which technique is appropriate?

A) Place the palmar surface of the nondominant hand on the body surface, with the fingers held together.
B) Place the palmar surface of the nondominant hand on the body surface, with the fingers slightly spread apart.
C) Place the ulnar surface of the nondominant hand on the body surface, with the fingers together.
D) Place the ulnar surface of the nondominant hand on the body surface, with the fingers slightly spread apart.

Question 8

Auscultation should be carried out last, except when examining the:

A) neck area.
B) heart.
C) lungs.
D) abdomen.

Question 9

The dorsal surface of the hand is most often used for the assessment of:

A) crepitus.
B) temperature.
C) texture.
D) vibration.

Question 10

A scale used to assess patients' weight should be calibrated:

A) only by the manufacturer.
B) by a qualified technician at regularly scheduled intervals.
C) each time it is used.
D) when necessary, with the patient standing on the scale.

Question 11

During auscultation, you can limit your perceptual field best by:

A) asking patients to describe their symptoms.
B) closing your eyes.
C) performing auscultation before percussion.
D) using an aneroid manometer.

Question 12

During percussion, the downward snap of the striking fingers should originate from the:

A) shoulder.
B) forearm.
C) wrist.
D) interphalangeal joint.

Question 13

You are auscultating a patient's chest. The sounds are not clear, and you are having difficulty distinguishing between respirations and heartbeats. Which technique can you use to facilitate your assessment?

A) Anticipate the next sounds.
B) Isolate each cycle segment.
C) Listen to all sounds together.
D) Move the stethoscope clockwise.

Question 14

The degree of percussion tone is determined by the density of the medium through which the sound waves travel. Which statement is true regarding the relationship between density of the medium and percussion tone?

A) The more dense the medium, the louder the percussion tone.
B) The less dense the medium, the louder the percussion tone.
C) The more hollow the area percussed, the quieter the percussion tone.
D) Percussion over muscle areas produces the loudest percussion tones.

Question 15

Mrs. Berger is a 39-year-old woman who presents with a complaint of epigastric abdominal pain. You have completed the inspection of the abdomen. What is your next step in the assessment process?

A) Light palpation
B) Deep palpation
C) Percussion
D) Auscultation

Question 16

You are caring for a nonambulatory 80-year-old male patient and he tells you, a female nurse, that he feels like he is having drainage from his rectum. Which initial nursing action is appropriate?

A) Drape the patient and observe the rectal area.
B) Tell the patient that his doctor will be notified of his problem.
C) Tell the patient that you will ask the male nurse on the next shift to check on the problem.
D) Give the patient an ice pack to apply to the area.

Question 17

Which patient is at the highest risk for developing latex allergy?

A) The new patient who has no chronic illness and has never been hospitalized
B) The patient who has had multiple procedures or surgeries
C) The patient who is a vegetarian
D) The patient who is allergic to contrast dye

Question 18

Which technique is used during both the history taking and the physical examination process?

A) Auscultation
B) Inspection
C) Palpation
D) Percussion

Question 19

Tympanic thermometers measure body temperature when a probe is placed:

A) anterior to the ear.
B) posterior to the ear.
C) under the ear.
D) in the auditory canal.

Question 20

You are planning to palpate the abdomen of your patient. Which part of the examiner's hand is best for palpating vibration?

A) Dorsal surface
B) Finger pads
C) Fingertips
D) Ulnar surface

Question 21

A variant of the percussion hammer is the neurologic hammer, which is equipped with which of the following?

A) Brush and needle
B) Tuning fork and cotton swab
C) Penlight and goniometer
D) Ruler and bell

Question 22

The infant should be placed in which position to have his or her height or length measured?

A) Vertically, with the examiner's hands under the infant's axillae
B) Supine on a measuring board
C) Prone on a measuring board
D) In the lateral position, with the toes against a measuring board

Question 23

To perform a deep tendon reflex measurement, you should:

A) briskly tap the tendon with the rubber end of the hammer.
B) place the hammer firmly on the tendon for 3 to 5 seconds.
C) tap the silver end of the hammer on the tendon.
D) use the needle implement to determine sensory perception.

Question 24

Which of the following are the causes of hyperreflexia? (Select all that apply.)

A) Cold stirrups
B) Standard scale
C) Insertion of a speculum
D) Fever
E) Pressure during bimanual examination

Question 25

The pneumatic attachment for the otoscope is used to evaluate:

A) ear canal patency.
B) eardrum landmarks.
C) hearing acuity.
D) tympanic membrane movement.

Question 26

Tuning forks with a frequency of 500 to 1000 Hz are most commonly used to measure:

A) buzzing or tingling sensations.
B) buzzing from bone conduction.
C) hearing range of normal speech.
D) noise above the threshold level.

Question 27

Mr. Walters, a 32-year-old patient, tells you that his ears are "stopped up." An objective assessment of this complaint is achieved by using the:

A) tuning fork.
B) reflex hammer.
C) otoscope with pneumatic attachment.
D) tympanometer.

Question 28

Transillumination functions on the principle that:

A) air, fluid, and tissue transmit light differentially.
B) black light causes certain substances to fluoresce.
C) converging and diverging light brings structures into focus.
D) tangential light casts shadows that illuminate contours.

Question 29

You are using an ophthalmoscope to examine a patient's inner eye. You rotate the lens selector clockwise and then counterclockwise to compensate for:

A) amblyopia.
B) astigmatism.
C) myopia.
D) strabismus.