Chapter 20: Health History and Physical Assessment Yoost & Crawford: Fundamentals of Nursing: Active Learning for Collaborative Practice, 2nd Edition

1. A nurse is conducting a physical assessment in a clinic with a partly undressed patient. What
action by the nurse is most appropriate?
a. Offer the patient a small pillow for under his/her head.
b. Provide a method for ensuring the patient stays warm.
c. Raise the head of the bed to about 30 degrees.
d. Ensure there is enough lighting for an adequate examination.
 
2. A patient wishes to review his medical record. What response by the nurse is best?
a. “I’m sorry, we don’t allow you to look at your chart.”
b. “Let me check to see if we can allow you to do that.”
c. “Yes, I can sit with you while you look at it, so you can ask questions.”
d. “Yes, all patients can review their charts at any time they wish.”
 
3. A clinic nurse is examining an older, confused patient on an examination table and realizes a
piece of needed equipment was left outside in the hall. What action by the nurse is best?
a. Tell the patient to lie still and go get the equipment.
b. Call for another staff member to bring the equipment.
c. Have the patient get into a chair and get the equipment.
d. Finish the rest of the exam, get the equipment, and use it.

4. A student nurse is preparing to auscultate a patient’s lungs. What action by the student leads
the instructor to intervene?
a. Student asks to turn the television volume down.
b. Student warms the bell of the stethoscope before use.
c. Student uses the stethoscope bell to listen to bowel sounds.
d. Student places the stethoscope diaphragm on the patient’s skin.
 
5. The nurse is assessing a patient’s alcohol intake. What question is most appropriate?
a. “Do you drink alcohol at all?”
b. “You don’t drink much do you?”
c. “When was your last drink?”
d. “How much alcohol do you drink daily?”
 
6. The nurse is planning to educate four patients on preventing skin cancer and early warning
signs. Which patient is the priority for this education?
a. Adolescent who uses a tanning bed
b. Middle-aged adult who walks for fitness
c. Older woman who sits in the sun for 10 minutes daily
d. Person who works indoors under fluorescent lights