Health History and Physical Examination

Question 1

A patient who is actively bleeding is admitted to the emergency department. Which approach
is bestfor the nurse to use to obtain a health history?

Answer 1

Briefly interview the patient while obtaining vital signs.

Question 2

2.Immediate surgery is planned for a patient with acute abdominal pain. Which question by the
nurse will elicit themostcomplete information about the patient’s coping-stress tolerance
pattern?

Answer 2

“Are there other major problems that are a concern right now?”

Question 3

During the health history interview, a patient tells the nurse about periodic fainting spells.
Which question by the nurse willbestelicit any associated clinical manifestations?

Answer 3

“Do you have any other symptoms along with the spells?”

Question 4

The nurse records the following general survey of a patient: “The patient is a 50-year-old
Asian female attended by her husband and two daughters. Alert and oriented. Does not make eye
contact with the nurse and responds slowly, but appropriately, to questions. No apparent
disabilities or distinguishing features.” What additional information should the nurse add to this
general survey?

Answer 4

Nutritional status

Question 5

A nurse performs a health history and physical examination with a patient who has a right leg
fracture. Which assessment would be a pertinent negative finding?

Answer 5

Patient denies having pain when the area over the fracture is palpated.

Question 6

The nurse who is assessing an older adult with rectal bleeding asks, “Have you ever had a
colonoscopy?” The nurse is performing what type of assessment?

Answer 6

Focused assessment

Question 7

The nurse is preparing to perform a focused assessment for a patient complaining of shortness
of breath. Which equipment will be needed?

Answer 7

Stethoscope

Question 8

8.The nurse plans to complete a physical examination of an alert, older patient. Which
adaptations to the examination technique should the nurse include?

Answer 8

Organize the sequence to minimize the position changes.

Question 9

While the nurse is taking the health history, a patient states, “My mother and sister both had
double mastectomies and were unable to be very active for weeks.” Which functional health
pattern is represented by this patient’s statement?

Answer 9

Health perception–health management

Question 10

A patient is seen in the emergency department with severe abdominal pain and hypotension.
Which type of assessment should the nurse do at this time?

Answer 10

Emergency assessment

Question 11

The registered nurse (RN) cares for a patient who was admitted a few hours previously with
back pain after falling. Which action can the RN delegate to unlicensed assistive personnel
(UAP)?

Answer 11

Take the patient’s temperature, pulse, and blood pressure.

Question 12

When assessing for formation of a possible blood clot in the lower leg of a patient, which
action should the nurse takefirst?

Answer 12

Visually inspect the leg.

Question 13

When assessing a patient’s abdomen during the admission assessment, which action should
the nurse takefirst?

Answer 13

Listen for bowel sounds.

Question 14

When admitting a patient who has just arrived on the unit with a severe headache, what
should the nurse dofirst?

Answer 14

Take the initial vital signs and then address the headache before completing the health
history.

Question 15

In what order will the nurse perform these actions when doing a physical assessment for a
patient admitted with abdominal pain?

Answer 15

Inspect the abdomen for distention or other abnormalities.

Auscultate the abdomen for the presence of bowel sounds.

Percuss the abdomen to locate any areas of dullness.

Palpate the abdomen to check for tenderness or masses.