Chapter 8

Question 1

Inspection

Answer 1

Close, careful assessment of the individual as a whole then each body system. Good lighting, adequate exposure, occasional use of instruments (penlight, otoscope, ophthalmoscope).

Question 2

Palpation

Answer 2

Sense of touch to assess texture, temperature (back of hand), moisture. Organ location and size. Swelling, presence of lumps, tenderness or pain. Should be performed SLOW and SYSTEMATICALLY.

Question 3

Percussion

Answer 3

Tapping of skin with short, sharp strokes to assess underlying structures. Used to map location and size of organs. Assess amplitude, pitch, quality, and duration.

Question 4

Auscultation

Answer 4

Listening to sounds produced by the body. Using a stethoscope. Diaphragm (big side), bell (small side, rarely used). Most stethoscopes have turnable diaphragms so you can listen to both.

Question 5

Preventing Infections

Answer 5

Hand hygiene before and after patient care.

Question 6

Standard Precautions

Answer 6

Use of PPE (gloves, gown, mask, eye protection or face shield) depending on patient and diagnosis. Education of patients with signs.

Question 7

Tips for Physical Exam

Answer 7

May need to alter position of yourself or patient, adapt assessment to comfort level of patient. May only be able to assess certain body systems and not all. May need to break it up over a longer time frame with breaks if the patient is distressed.

Question 8

Developmental Considerations

Answer 8

Position, preparation and sequence will vary for different ages (infants, toddlers, aging adults, adolescents). Adapt to provide assessment however is best necessary for each individual.

Question 9

Nosocomial Infection

Answer 9

are infection(s) acquired during the process of receiving health care that was not present during the time of admission.