Deck 2: The Physical Examination and Its Basis in Physiology

Question 1

A 50-year-old patient has a heart rate by palpation of 120 bpm. How should this be interpreted?

A) Within the normal range for an adult
B) An error since a stethoscope was not used
C) Bradycardia
D) Tachycardia

Answer 1

Tachycardia

Question 2

When would induced hypothermia be indicated?

A) During brain surgery
B) During bowel surgery
C) To break a fever
D) To treat carbon monoxide poisoning

Answer 2

During brain surgery

Question 3

A 50-year-old patient would be said to have hypotension when her:

A) blood pressure is 130/90 mm Hg.
B) blood pressure is 85/55 mm Hg.
C) heart rate is 55 bpm.
D) pulse pressure is 40 mm Hg.

Answer 3

blood pressure is 85/55 mm Hg.

Question 4

Tachypnea may be the result of:
1) hypoxemia.
2) hypothermia.
3) fever.
4) sedation.

A) 2, 4
B) 1, 3
C) 2, 3, 4
D) 1, 2, 3, 4

Question 5

The respiratory therapist is examining a patient in the medical ward and notes that the trachea is deviated to the left. All of the following may be causing the tracheal deviation to the left EXCEPT:

A) a right-sided tension pneumothorax.
B) a right-sided pleural effusion.
C) a tumor mass on the right.
D) atelectasis of the right upper lobe.

Question 6

While assessing an unconscious patient, the respiratory therapist observes that the patient's breathing becomes progressively faster and deeper and then progressively becomes slower and shallower. After that, there is a period of apnea before the cycle begins again. This breathing pattern would be identified as:

A) Cheyne-Stokes.
B) tachypnea.
C) Kussmaul.
D) hyperventilation.

Question 7

A dull percussion note would be heard in all of the following situations EXCEPT:

A) atelectasis.
B) pleural thickening.
C) chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
D) consolidation.

Question 8

Benefits of pursed-lip breathing include that it:
1) stabilizes airways.
2) offsets air trapping on exhalation.
3) generates a better gas mixing breathing pattern.
4) slows the respiratory rate.

A) 1
B) 2, 3
C) 1, 2, 3
D) 1, 2, 3, 4

Question 9

The respiratory therapist is performing palpation on a patient recently admitted to the medical ward. The therapist notes decreased tactile fremitus over the right lung. Which of the following could MOST likely be the cause for this physical exam finding?

A) Right-sided atelectasis
B) Right-sided pneumothorax
C) Right-sided pleural effusion
D) Right-sided pleural tumor

Question 10

A patient comes into the emergency department with a complaint of centrally located, constant chest pain. What is his most likely problem?

A) Pleurisy
B) Myocardial ischemia
C) Pneumothorax
D) Fractured rib

Question 11

A patient with bronchiectasis has a productive cough. Which of the following should the respiratory therapist be evaluating about the patient's sputum?
1) Color
2) Odor
3) Amount
4) Consistency

A) 3
B) 3, 4
C) 1, 2
D) 1, 2, 3, 4

Question 12

Coarse crackles are associated with:
1) inspiration typically.
2) air passing through an airway intermittently occluded by mucus.
3) bronchial asthma.
4) expiration typically.

A) 2, 4
B) 3, 4
C) 2, 3, 4
D) 1, 2, 3

Question 13

The respiratory therapist is monitoring the blood pressure of a patient in the emergency department and notes that the blood pressure is 15 mm Hg less on inspiration than on expiration. Which of the following would most likely result in this finding?

A) The patient is hypovolemic.
B) The patient has a pulmonary embolism.
C) The patient is having a myocardial infarction.
D) The patient is having a severe exacerbation of asthma.