Deck 20: Physical Assessment

Question 1

Good oral communication skills are essential for obtaining accurate information from patients.

Answer 1

True

Question 2

Electronic, tympanic (aural), chemical-dot, and temporal artery are different types of thermometers available today.

Answer 2

True

Question 3

A digital thermometer must be left in place a minimum of 2 minutes.

Answer 3

False

Question 4

The normal rate of respiration increases with age.

Question 5

What is the most appropriate action when observing an abnormal condition in a patient?

A) Note the condition on the patient's chart.
B) Report the condition immediately to your supervisor.
C) Check on the patient again in a few hours.
D) Make an appointment for the patient to be checked in the near future.

Question 6

When a patient has an apical‒radial deficit, the apical pulse will be higher than the radial pulse.

Question 7

What is the purpose of the general health survey?

A) Determine the chief complaint.
B) Make a diagnosis.
C) Learn about patient's health habits.
D) Get an impression of the patient as a whole.

Question 8

White coat syndrome is a situation in which patients have low blood pressure in the provider's office, but otherwise run in the normal range.

Question 9

The numerical rating scale to evaluate a patient's pain level is best used for the younger or cognitively challenged patients.

Question 10

When opening and closing valves on medical equipment, it is helpful to remember "lefty loosey, righty tighty."

Question 11

If a hospitalized patient has always had normal blood pressure readings, it is not necessary to measure it every time the other vital signs are checked.

Question 12

The femoral pulse point is located in the inner aspect of the crease where the upper thigh joins the trunk of the body.

Question 13

What does it mean when a patient reports his pain dropping from 8 to 2 after receiving pain medication?

A) The medication has been effective.
B) The patient did not need the medication.
C) The medication regimen needs to be reevaluated.
D) The pain cannot be controlled.

Question 14

Which of the following is the most fundamental skill on which to base good health care observational skills?

A) Recognizing the signs of disease
B) Understanding normal anatomy and physiology
C) Learning diagnostic skills
D) Knowing how to correctly read the patient's chart

Question 15

Using the thumb to measure the patient's pulse ensures the most accurate measurement.

Question 16

An adult blood pressure of 135/85 is considered to be within the normal range.

Question 17

Tunnel vision is double vision.

Question 18

Patients who cannot perform activities of daily living (ADLs) must remain in the hospital or other health care institution.

Question 19

Which order is most frequently used for conducting complete physical examinations?

A) From head to toe
B) From trunk to arms and legs
C) From feet to head
D) From arms and legs to trunk

Question 20

It is not possible for the radial pulse rate to be higher than the apical pulse rate.

Question 21

Which statement is NOT true about high blood pressure?

A) It can lead to serious conditions such as heart attack and stroke.
B) It usually has no symptoms.
C) It does not require treatment if the individual is under age 65.
D) It affects more than one-half of the U.S. population who are over age 65.

Question 22

Which statement is true about the proper use of chemical-dot thermometers?

A) Shake them before measuring temperature.
B) Do not remove the cover in advance of use.
C) Place them in disposable sheaths.
D) Use them only with children.

Question 23

Which of the following routes will give the highest thermometer reading?

A) Oral
B) Axillary
C) Rectal
D) Tympanic

Question 25

Which system is being evaluated when palpating for peripheral pulses?

A) Endocrine
B) Eyes and ears
C) Circulatory
D) Digestive

Question 26

Which method of taking the temperature should NOT be used with patients who have recently suffered a heart attack?

A) Axillary
B) Oral
C) Rectal
D) Tympanic

Question 27

What does incontinent mean?

A) Inability to retain urine
B) Lack of balance
C) Swelling of the extremities
D) Pain when walking

Question 29

Sweating is a method the body uses to:

A) cool itself.
B) fight infection.
C) kill microorganisms.
D) stop a fever from recurring.

Question 30

Testing for an apical‒radial deficit is done in order to:

A) determine if the pulse is regular.
B) measure the ability of the heart to contract.
C) determine if the patient is having a heart attack.
D) obtain a very accurate pulse rate.

Question 31

When is it appropriate to take a pulse by counting the heart rate for 30 seconds and multiplying by two?

A) Never
B) When the patient is very young and does not have a cardiac or respiratory condition
C) When the previous two readings are normal and the patient does not have a respiratory condition
D) When the pulse is strong, regular, and within normal range and patient does not have a cardiac condition

Question 33

Which is the most appropriate action for a patient who is febrile?

A) Stay as warm as possible.
B) Increase activity to encourage sweating.
C) Increase intake of fluids.
D) Decrease intake of fluids.

Question 34

When working with patients who have orthostatic hypotension, it is important to:

A) make sure they take blood pressure medication.
B) test for apical‒radial deficit.
C) check their blood pressure frequently.
D) assist them when they attempt to stand from a lying or sitting position.

Question 35

What is indicated by a patient's blood pressure?

A) Emotional stress
B) How hard the heart is working to distribute blood
C) Presence of infection
D) Rate and rhythm of the heartbeat

Question 36

When a health care professional is noting the gait of a patient, what are they observing?

A) Manner of walking
B) Speech pattern
C) How well they hear
D) If they are hydrated

Question 37

Which action is necessary to obtain an accurate respiratory rate?

A) Count respirations without the patient's knowledge.
B) Instruct the patient to lie still and breathe normally.
C) Place a stethoscope on the chest.
D) Ask the patient to take deep breaths.

Question 39

When taking a blood pressure, at what point should you stop inflating the arm cuff?

A) When you can no longer feel the pulse
B) At 30 mm Hg higher than when you last felt the pulse
C) When the dial reads 120 mm Hg
D) When it becomes uncomfortable for the patient

Question 45

Two basic ways for the health care professional to obtain essential information about patients are ----_____ of the patient's appearance and actions and asking appropriate questions.

Question 48

The pulse deficit assessment check requires the coordination of ____________________ health care professionals and must be conducted for ____________________ minute(s).

Question 49

Tracking the weight of patients with kidney problems is important for monitoring the amount of ____________________ being retained by the body.

Question 55

Body temperature readings are typically lowest in the early _____ hours.

Question 57

The four vital signs commonly measured by the health care professional are ____________________, ____________________, ____________________, and ____________________.