NURSING MS NR509 Physical Assessment Study Guide 2022 Chamberlain
When performing a physical assessment, the first technique the nurse will always use
B. Inspection
The nurse is preparing to perform a physical assessment. Which statement is true about the physical assessment? The
inspection phase:
B. Takes time and reveals a surprising amount of information
The nurse is assessing a patient's skin during an office visit. What part of the hand and technique should be used to best
assess the patient's skin temperature?
B. Dorsal surface of the hand; the skin is thinner on this surface than on the palms
Which of these techniques uses the sense of touch to assess texture, temperature, moisture, and swelling when the
nurse is assessing a patient?
A. Palpation
The nurse is preparing to assess a patient's abdomen by palpation. How should the nurse proceed?
D. The assessment begins with light palpation to detect surface characteristics and to accustom the patient to being
touched.
The nurse would use bimanual palpation technique in which situation?
B. Palpating the kidneys and the uterus
The nurse is preparing to percuss the abdomen of a patient. The purpose of the percussion is to assess the ___________
of the underlying tissue.
C. Density
The nurse is reviewing percussion techniques with a newly graduated nurse. Which technique, if used by the new nurse,
indicates that more review is needed?
A. Percussing once over each area
When percussing over the liver of a patient, the nurse notices a dull sound. The nurse should:
A. Consider this a normal finding
The nurse is unable to identify any changes in sound when percussing over the abdomen of an obese patient. What
should the nurse do next?
C. Increase the amount of strength used when attempting to percuss over the abdomen
The nurse hears bilateral loud, long and low tones when percussing over the lungs of a 4 year old child. The nurse should
D. Consider this finding as normal for a child this age and proceed with the examination
A patient has suddenly developed shortness of breath and appears to be insignificant respiratory distress. After calling
the position and placing the patient on oxygen, which of these actions is the best for the nurse to take went further
assisting this patient?
B. Bilaterally percuss the thorax, noting any differences in percussion tones
The nurse is teaching a class on basic assessment skills. Which of these statements is true regarding the stethoscope and
its use?
B. Although the stethoscope does not magnify sound, it does block out extraneous room noise