Question 1

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.

Accepted Answer

Tympanic thermometer probes are placed at the external opening of the auditory canal.

Question 2

Which of the following occurs when firm pressure is used to apply the stethoscope's bell endpiece to the skin?
A) It transmits low-pitched sounds.
B) It functionally converts to a diaphragm endpiece.
C) Assessment findings are more accurate.
D) Most sounds are occluded.

Accepted Answer

Applying firm pressure to the bell endpiece causes the skin to act as a diaphragm, obliterating the low-pitched sounds.

Question 3

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.

Accepted Answer

Transillumination functions to differentiate between various media in a cavity. It can distinguish among air, fluid, and tissue.

Question 4

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.

Accepted Answer

To ensure patient safety, the arm of the height-measuring attachment should be pulled up before the patient steps on the scale, after the scale is balanced, and before weight is assessed.

Question 5

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.

Accepted Answer

Obtaining weight begins with a manual calibration of the scale before the patient stands on the scale. Electronic scales are automatically calibrated before each reading. The manufacturer does not calibrate the scale after it is sold. A qualified technician does not calibrate the scale at regularly scheduled intervals. Scales cannot be calibrated with the patient standing on the scale.

Question 6

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.

Accepted Answer

If you are hearing everything at once, it is more difficult to distinguish different sounds. Try isolating each segment and listen to that segment intently; then move on to another segment. For example, listen only to breath sounds, then only to inspiratory breath sounds, and then only to expiratory breath sounds. Anticipating the next sounds will not facilitate the assessment. Listening to all sounds together will not facilitate the assessment. One of the most difficult achievements in auscultation is learning to isolate sounds. Moving the stethoscope clockwise will not facilitate the assessment.

Question 7

The pneumatic attachment for the otoscope is used to evaluate:
A) ear canal patency.
B) eardrum landmarks.
C) hearing acuity.
D) tympanic membrane movement.

Accepted Answer

The pneumatic attachment on the otoscope produces a puff of air directed to the tympanic membrane, resulting in its movement. The pneumatic attachment for the otoscope is not used to evaluate ear canal patency, eardrum landmarks, or hearing acuity. Ear canal patency is assessed by visually inspecting the ear. Hearing acuity is assessed by the whisper test.

Question 8

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.

Accepted Answer

Normal speech has a range of 300 to 3000 Hz; therefore the 500- to 1000-Hz fork is used most often because it can estimate hearing loss in the range of normal speech.

Question 9

Weak pulses, fetal heart activity, and vessel patency are all best assessed with which type of stethoscope?
A) Acoustic
B) Electronic
C) Ultrasonic
D) Magnetic

Accepted Answer

Only the ultrasonic stethoscope, the Doppler, can detect blood flow rather than amplify sounds, which is needed in assessing weak pulses, fatal heart activity, and vessel patency.

Question 10

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.

Accepted Answer

By closing your eyes, your sense of hearing becomes more acute, and it increases your ability to isolate sounds. Asking patients to describe their symptoms does not assist in the technique of auscultation. The only time that auscultation occurs before percussion is in examination of the abdomen. Using an aneroid manometer does not assist in the technique of auscultation. During auscultation, the only equipment needed is the stethoscope.

Question 11

Which type of speculum should be used to examine a patient's tympanic membrane?
A) The smallest speculum that will illuminate the ear
B) The largest speculum that will fit comfortably in the ear
C) The shortest speculum available
D) Any speculum that will fit the otoscope head

Accepted Answer

To visualize the tympanic membrane adequately, the largest speculum that can comfortably fit in the ear canal should be used.

Question 12

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

Accepted Answer

The neurologic hammer unscrews at the handle to reveal a soft brush, and the knob on the head unscrews to reveal an attached sharp needle.

Question 13

A rubber or plastic ring should be around the bell endpiece of a stethoscope to:
A) prevent the transmission of static electricity.
B) prevent cold metal from touching the patient.
C) prevent the sharp edge of the stethoscope from damaging the patient's skin.
D) ensure secure contact with the body surface.

Accepted Answer

The ring around the bell portion of the stethoscope secures contact with body surfaces when placed lightly on the skin.

Question 14

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.

Accepted Answer

This patient is describing eustachian tube dysfunction. The tympanometer measures compliance of the middle ear as air pressures are varied. It is an objective means of assessing the function of the ossicular chain, eustachian tube, and tympanic membrane. The tuning fork assesses vibration. The reflex hammer assesses tendon reflexes. The otoscope with pneumatic attachment assesses tympanic membrane movement.

Question 15

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.

Accepted Answer

Deep tendon reflexes are measured by quickly and firmly tapping either end of the rubber hammer on the stretched tendon and then observing muscle movement.

Question 16

Auscultation should be carried out last, except when examining the:
A) neck area.
B) heart.
C) lungs.
D) abdomen.

Accepted Answer

Auscultation is the last examination technique used for all areas except the abdomen. In this case, it is performed after inspection.

Question 17

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

Accepted Answer

The infant should be placed supine on a measuring board to measure height or length.

Question 18

A patient in the emergency department has a concussion. You suspect the patient may also have a retinal hemorrhage. You are using the ophthalmoscope to examine the retina of this patient. Which aperture of the ophthalmoscope is most appropriate for this patient?
A) Grid
B) Red-free filter
C) Slit lamp
D) Small aperture

Accepted Answer

The red-free filter permits recognition of hemorrhages. The grid estimates the size of lesions, the slit lamp examines the anterior eye and assesses the elevation of lesions, and the small aperture is used with small pupils.

Question 19

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.

Accepted Answer

Rotating the lens selector compensates for myopia (nearsightedness) or hyperopia (farsightedness) in the examiner and patient.

Question 20

When monitoring serial measures, such as head circumference or abdominal girth, which procedure is best to ensure that the tape measure is placed in the same position each time?
A) Record the anatomic location for tape placement in the patient's chart.
B) Mark the borders of the tape at several intervals on the skin with a pen.
C) Demonstrate proper tape placement to all members of the health care team.
D) Ask the same person to perform the measurement each time.

Accepted Answer

The most effective procedure to ensure correct serial measurements is to mark the borders at several intervals so that with the next measurements, the tape is in the same location. Recording the anatomic location for tape placement in the patient's chart or demonstrating proper tape placement does not ensure accuracy. The same person may not always be available.

Quiz 3: Examination Techniques and Equipment

Tympanic thermometers measure body temperature when a probe is placed:

Which of the following occurs when firm pressure is used to apply the stethoscope's bell endpiece to the skin?

Transillumination functions on the principle that:

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

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

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?

The pneumatic attachment for the otoscope is used to evaluate:

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

Weak pulses, fetal heart activity, and vessel patency are all best assessed with which type of stethoscope?

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

Which type of speculum should be used to examine a patient's tympanic membrane?

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

A rubber or plastic ring should be around the bell endpiece of a stethoscope to:

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:

To perform a deep tendon reflex measurement, you should:

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

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

A patient in the emergency department has a concussion. You suspect the patient may also have a retinal hemorrhage. You are using the ophthalmoscope to examine the retina of this patient. Which aperture of the ophthalmoscope is most appropriate for this patient?

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

When monitoring serial measures, such as head circumference or abdominal girth, which procedure is best to ensure that the tape measure is placed in the same position each time?