Physical Assessment NCLEX Style

Question 1

Mr. S is complaining of pain in his chest, difficulty breathing, and a cough. The nurse documents these as examples of:
A) Objective Data
B) Subjective Data
C) Observational Data
D) Disease Process

Answer 1

Subjective Data

Question 2

Which of the following terms is described as an abnormal growth of new tissue, either malignant or benign?
A) Deficiency Disease
B) Metabolic Disease
C) Infectious Disease
D) Neoplastic Disease

Answer 2

Neoplastic Disease

Question 3

You are taking care of a patient with a leg wound. While assessing the leg you notice redness, swelling, and purulent drainage. These are some of the cardinal signs of:
A) Pain
B) Ecchymosis
C)Infection
D) Asthenia

Answer 3

Infection

Question 4

You are working on a medical floor and assisting the RN with patient assessments. A new patient is admitted to the floor and the RN takes a health history and performs an assessment. You know that this is the first step in the:
A) Nursing Process
B) Nurse-Patient Relationship
C) Review of Systems
D) Obtaining the Chief Complaint

Answer 4

Nursing Process

Question 5

When documenting assessment findings, which of the following are examples of objective data?
A) Chest pain and headache
B) Leg pain and calf tenderness
C) Redness and swelling of feet
D) Dizziness and headache

Answer 5

Redness and swelling of feet

Question 6

One of the first steps in gathering data about your patient is to establish the “nurse-patient relationship.” Which of the following is NOT an appropriate way to establish this relationship?
A) The nurse communicates trust and confidentiality to patients
B) The nurse shows professionalism and competence to patients.
C) The nurse introduces herself/himself to patients and answers questions the patients may have.
D) The nurse enters patient rooms without knocking and offers very little information.

Answer 6

The nurse enters patient rooms without knocking and offers very little information

Question 7

While the nurse is performing a physical assessment, the patient complains of dyspnea. This symptom indicates a problem with which of the following body systems?
A) Gastrointestinal
B) Respiratory
C) Neurological
D) Peripheral Vascular

Answer 7

Respiratory

Question 8

The process of listening to sounds produced by the body is which physical assessment technique?
A) Inspection
B) Palpation
C) Auscultation
D) Percussion

Answer 8

Auscultation

Question 9

While assessing a patient's lower extremities, the nurse notes edema around the feet and ankles. When the area is depressed, it lasts for more than 1 minute before the shape returns. The nurse would document this edema as \_\_\_ pitting edema.
A) 4+
B) 3+
C) 2+
D) 1+

Answer 9

3+

Question 10

While performing a physical assessment, which of the following findings would NOT indicate a problem?
A) Cyanosis of fingers and toes
B) Capillary refill

Answer 10

Capillary refill

Question 11

While performing a physical assessment, which of the following findings would indicate a problem?
A) Bilateral lung sounds are clear
B) Eupnea
C) Erythema of lower extremities
D) Afebrile

Answer 11

Erythema of lower extremities

Question 12

a 90-year-old patient is having difficulty answering the nurse’s questions while completing the patient history. What will the nurse keep in mind about caring for older adults?
A) All older adults age at the same rate
B) It is best to write down all of the questions and have the patient’s family complete the information
C) Sit down at eye level with the patient and allow a longer period to answer each question
D) Talk more loudly and raise the pitch of the voice

Answer 12

Sit down at eye level with the patient and allow a longer period to answer each question

Question 12

a 90-year-old patient is having difficulty answering the nurse’s questions while completing the patient history. What will the nurse keep in mind about caring for older adults?
A) All older adults age at the same rate
B) It is best to write down all of the questions and have the patient’s family complete the information
C) Sit down at eye level with the patient and allow a longer period to answer each question
D) Talk more loudly and raise the pitch of the voice

Answer 12

Sit down at eye level with the patient and allow a longer period to answer each question

Question 13

The patient has heart failure. when assessing her lower extremities, the nurse notices that a deep indentation remains for 30 seconds when the skin of the medial malleolus is pressed. The nurse documents this finding as:
A) nonpitting edema
B) 2+ pedal pulses
C) 3+ pitting edema
D) 2+ pitting edema

Answer 13

3+ pitting edema

Question 14

The nurse has just gotten the patient in the chair after his bath. If using the mnemonic ABC, in and out, PS, what does the "P" indicate?
A) Purulent
B) Pus
C) Pallor
D) Pain

Answer 14

Pain

Question 15

During the review of systems, the nurse questions the 88-year-old patient about her gastrointestinal system. The nurse will ask about what symptom?
A) Pyrosis
B) Wheezing
C) Polyuria
D) Dyspnea

Answer 15

Pyrosis

Question 16

Objective data, as perceived by the examiner. What you see, hear, measure, or feel. i.e.: tachycardia

Answer 16

Sign

Question 17

Subjective indications of illness that the patient perceives. i.e.: dizziness

Answer 17

Symptom

Question 18

The etiology (cause) of a disease that is transmitted genetically from parents to children.

Answer 18

Hereditary

Question 19

Diseases that appear at birth, or shortly thereafter, but are not caused by genetic abnormalities.

Answer 19

Congenital

Question 20

The body reacts with an inflammatory response to some causative agent

Answer 20

Inflammatory disease

Question 21

Which of the following risk factors of disease are modifiable?
A) Age and Lifestyle
B) Environmental and Family History
C) Family History and Age
D) Environmental and Lifestyle

Answer 21

Environmental and Lifestyle

Question 22

What are the objectives for obtaining the data collected in family history?

Answer 22

A) The risk for illness of a genetic/familial nature

B) Identify areas of health promotion and illness prevention

Question 23

Known as swayback, this is an increased lumbar curvature.

Answer 23

Lordosis

Question 24

Lateral spinal curvature

Answer 24

Scoliosis