Chapter 3: Examination Techniques & Equipment

Question 1

The examiner’s evaluation of a patient’s mental status belongs in the:

Select one:

a. history of present illness.
b. review of systems.
c. physical examination.
d. patient education.
e. problem list.

Answer 1

c. physical examination.

Question 2

When examining the abdomen, which technique should be used first?

Select one:

a. Inspection
b. Light palpation
c. Percussion
d. Auscultation
e. Direct palpation

Answer 2

a. Inspection

Question 3

You should measure the child’s head circumference at every health visit until at least age _____ months.

Select one:

a. 3
b. 8
c. 12
d. 18
e. 24

Answer 3

e. 24

Question 4

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

Select one:

a. Diaphragm end of an acoustic stethoscope
b. Electronic
c. Ultrasonic
d. Magnetic
e. Bell end of an acoustic stethoscope

Answer 4

c. Ultrasonic

Question 5

Transillumination functions on the principle that:

Select one:
a. infrared radiation is easily detected.

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.
e. air, fluid, and tissue transmit light differentially.

Answer 5

e. air, fluid, and tissue transmit light differentially.

Question 6

Guidelines for Standard Precautions indicate that mask and eye protection or a face mask should be worn while performing:

Select one:
a. suture removal.

b. trachea care and suctioning.
c. wet-to-dry dressing changes.
d. patient bathing.
e. tube feedings.

Answer 6

b. trachea care and suctioning.

Question 7

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?

Select one:
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 bony areas produces the loudest percussion tones.
e. Percussion tones are produced by the structure immediately beneath the skin.

Answer 7

b. The less dense the medium, the louder the percussion tone.

Question 8

Auscultation should be carried out last except when examining:

Select one:

a. the neck area.
b. the abdomen.
c. the lungs.
d. the heart.
e. none of the above; auscultation is always carried out last in a proper physical examination.

Answer 8

b. the abdomen.

Question 9

Which patient position is useful for auscultating heart tones?

Select one:

a. Lithotomy
b. Dorsal recumbent
c. Left lateral recumbent
d. Right Sims Incorrect
e. Prone

Answer 9

c. Left lateral recumbent

Question 10

Which part of the examiner’s hand is best for palpating vibration?

Select one:
a. Dorsal surface
b. The thumb Incorrect
c. Fingertips
d. Ulnar surface and base of the fingers
e. Finger pads
Feedback

Answer 10

d. Ulnar surface and base of the fingers

Question 11

A scale used to assess a patient’s weight should be calibrated:
Select one:
a. when the patient tells you the weight is not correct.

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.
e. only by the manufacturer.

Answer 11

c. each time it is used.

Question 12

During percussion, the downward snap of the striking fingers should originate from the:
Select one:
a. wrist.
b. forearm.
c. shoulder.
d. interphalangeal joint.
e. elbow.

Answer 12

a. wrist

Question 13

The pneumatic attachment for the otoscope is used to evaluate:

Select one:
a. ear canal patency. Incorrect
b. eardrum landmarks.
c. hearing acuity.
d. tympanic membrane movement.
e.
 tympanic membrane temperature.

Answer 13

d. tympanic membrane movement.

Question 14

Expected normal percussion tones include:

Select one:

a. dullness over the lungs.
b. hyperresonance over the lungs.
c. tympany over an empty stomach.
d. flatness over an empty stomach.
e. resonance over the liver.

Answer 14

c. tympany over an empty stomach.

Question 15

For a woman with a small vaginal opening, the examiner should use a _____ speculum.

Select one:
a. plastic Graves
b. Pederson
c. pediatric 
d. nasal
e. metal Graves
Feedback

Answer 15

b. Pederson

Question 16

hich type of speculum should be used to examine a patient’s tympanic membrane?

Select one:
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

e. The longest speculum available
Feedback

Answer 16

b. The largest speculum that will fit comfortably in the ear

Question 17

Which of the following occurs when firm pressure is used to apply the stethoscope’s bell end piece to the skin?
Select one:
a. It transmits low-pitched sounds.
b. It functionally converts to a diaphragm end piece.
c. Assessment findings are more accurate.
d. Most sounds are occluded.
e. Abnormally low sounds are better transmitted.

Answer 17

b. It functionally converts to a diaphragm end piece

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