208 Concept: Communication: topics assessment techniques

Question 1

Concentrated watching, careful scrutiny

Answer 1

Inspection

Question 2

Apply sense of touch to confirm points noted during inspection.

Answer 2

Palpation

Question 3

Tapping to assess underlying body structure.

Answer 3

Percussion

Question 4

Selective listening to body sounds.

Answer 4

Ascultation

Question 5

Use of both hands to delimit an organ.

Answer 5

Bi-manual palpation.

Question 6

True or false: You can auscultate over a gown.

Answer 6

False.

Question 7

What order to you follow when using the assessment techniques? Are there any exceptions?

Answer 7

Inspection
Palpation (light to deep)
Percussion
Auscultation

Yes, this changes for an abdominal assessment to inspection, auscultation, percussion, palpation.

Question 8

The primary piece of equipment used for auscultation is a(n):

Answer 8

stethoscope

Question 9

The diaphragm of a stethoscope is used to assess:

a) bowel sounds
b) normal heart sounds
c) breath sounds
d) all of the above

Answer 9

(d)

Question 10

The bell end of a stethoscope is used to:

a) recheck sounds heard with the diaphragm
b) assess sound in an infant or small child only
c) assess heart murmurs
d) assess lung sounds

Answer 10

c) assess heart murmurs

Question 11

Inspection begins:

a) with a general body survey
b) after palpation is complete
c) after informed consent is obtained
d) with the skin

Answer 11

a) with a general body survey

Question 12

Skin palpation is used to assess:

a) skin temperature
b) core body temperature
c) degree of fever

Answer 12

a) skin temperature

Question 13

Skin texture is best assessed by the:

a) back of the hands
b) palms
c) fingertips

Answer 13

c) fingertips

Question 14

Vibrations are best detected by using the
:a) fingertips
b) base of the fingers
c) palms

Answer 14

b) base of fingers

Question 15

Deep palpation of the abdomen should be:

a) slow and continuous
b) intermittent
c) brief and with both hands
d) performed only if the person is sedated

Answer 15

b) intermittent

Question 16

Normal percussive note heard over a child’s lung field:

a) resonant
b) hyper-resonant
c) flat
d) dull

Answer 16

b) hyper resonant

Question 17

The sound expected when percussing the intestine:

a) musical kettledrum
b) booming bass drum
c) muffled thudding
d) hollow reed like

Answer 17

a) musical kettledrum

Question 18

What are considerations in toddlers for physical assessment?

Answer 18

In a parent’s lap with a security item such as a teddy bear.

Question 19

What are considerations for older adults for physical assessment?

Answer 19

On the examination table; slow the pace of the exam.

Question 20

What are considerations for adolescents for physical assessment?

Answer 20

On the examination table; examine without a parent

Question 21

What are considerations for school aged children for physical assessment?

Answer 21

On the examination table; demonstrate equipment

Question 22

What are considerations for 6 month old for physical assessment?

Answer 22

In parent’s lap 1-2 hours after eating

Question 23

What are considerations for a pre-schooler for physical assessment?

Answer 23

Parent present; use games in the examination

Question 24

When is the standard head-to-toe sequence implemented for children?

Answer 24

School-aged children.The standard head-to-toe sequence is implemented with the school-age child. Although the preschool-age child is usually cooperative, it is still best to examine the thorax, abdomen, extremities, and genitalia first, followed by the head, eye, ear, nose, and throat. The standard head-to-toe sequence is implemented with the school-age child. In the infant, the least distressing steps are performed first, followed by the invasive steps of the examination (eye, ear, nose, and throat). The toddler still has the least distressing steps performed first followed by the invasive steps of the examination (eye, ear, nose, and throat).

Question 25

How should you hold a stethoscope against skin?

Answer 25

Hold the diaphragm firmly against the person’s skin strongly enough to leave a slight ring when it is removed.To use of the diaphragm end-piece of the stethoscope, hold the diaphragm firmly against the person’s skin strongly enough to leave a slight ring when it is removed. The diaphragm, not the bell, is best for high-pitched sounds, such as breath, bowel, and normal heart sounds. The bell of the stethoscope is held lightly against the patient’s skin, just enough that it forms a perfect seal. The flat edge of the stethoscope is called the diaphragm and is best for auscultating high-pitched, not low-pitched, sounds.

Question 26

What part of the hands is best used for fine tactile discrimination?

Answer 26

Fingertips. The fingertips are best used for fine tactile discrimination, such as for skin texture, swelling, pulsation, and determining presence of lumps. The dorsa (backs) of hands and fingers are best used for determining temperature because the dorsal skin is thinner than on the palms. The base of the fingers (metacarpophalangeal joints) or ulnar surface of the hand is best used to assess for vibration. A grasping action of the fingers and thumb is best used to detect the position, shape, and consistency of an organ or mass.

Question 27

Loudness or softness of sound.

Answer 27

amplitude (or intensity)

Question 28

Number of vibrations per second.

Answer 28

pitch (or frequency)

Question 29

A subjective difference in a sound’s distinctive overtones

Answer 29

quality (timber)

Question 30

the length of time a note lingers

Answer 30

duration

Question 31

What side of the stethoscope would you use to hear high-pitch sounds (breath, bowel, and normal heart sounds)

Answer 31

diaphragm

Question 32

What side of the stethoscope is best for low-pitched sounds such as extra heart sounds or murmurs.

Answer 32

bell endpiece