Timby's Introductory Medical-Surgical Nursing Thirteenth, North American Edition - Interviewing and Physical Assessment Related

Review Timby's Introductory Medical-Surgical Nursing Thirteenth, North American Edition - Interviewing and Physical Assessment related questions and content

The nurse is interviewing a client whose chief complaint is abdominal pain. What information requested by the nurse is part of a focused assessment?

  • A. Have you had any problems with your breathing lately?'
  • B. How long have you had this pain, and what does the pain feel like?'
  • C. Do you smoke? If so, how many packs per day do you smoke?'
  • D. Have you had any swelling in your feet or ankles?'
Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Asking for more detailed information about one body system or problem is called a focused assessment because it adds depth to the original data. For example, a client may reveal having experienced abdominal pain for the past several weeks. Further questioning then addresses what causes the pain, how long it lasts, what the quality of the pain is, and what makes it better or worse. The questions related to breathing, smoking, and swelling in the feet or ankles do not have anything to do with the client's chief complaint.