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While percussing over the liver of a patient, the nurse notices a dull sound. What should the nurse do?
- A. Consider this a normal finding
- B. Palpate this area for an underlying mass
- C. Reposition the hands and attempt to percuss in this area again
- D. Consider this finding as abnormal and refer the patient for additional treatment
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: When percussing over relatively dense organs, such as the liver or spleen, a dull sound is a normal finding due to the organ's density. This occurs because the sound waves produced by tapping on the organ travel through the dense tissue, resulting in a dull sound. Therefore, the correct action for the nurse in this scenario is to consider a dull sound over the liver as a normal finding. Palpating for an underlying mass (Choice B) is not indicated based on the percussion finding alone. Repositioning the hands and repeating the percussion (Choice C) may not change the dull sound over the liver. Referring the patient for additional treatment (Choice D) without understanding the normal percussion findings over the liver would be premature. Thus, the most appropriate action is to interpret the dull sound as a normal finding.
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Which theory reflects the view that illness is caused by an imbalance or disharmony in the forces of nature?
- A. Germ theory
- B. Naturalistic theory
- C. Magicoreligious theory
- D. Biomedical or scientific theory
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The naturalistic theory posits that illness results from an imbalance or disharmony in the forces of nature. According to this theory, maintaining a natural balance or harmony is essential to prevent illness. Conversely, germ theory and biomedical or scientific theory attribute illness to microorganisms, while magicoreligious theory attributes illness to supernatural forces such as deities or spirits. Therefore, the most appropriate theory reflecting the belief that illness arises from a disruption in natural forces is the naturalistic theory.
When examining an older adult, which technique should the nurse use?
- A. Minimize touching the patient as much as possible.
- B. Attempt to perform the entire physical examination during one visit.
- C. Speak loudly and slowly due to potential hearing deficits in aging adults.
- D. Arrange the sequence of the examination to allow as few position changes as possible.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: When examining an older adult, it is crucial to arrange the sequence of the examination to minimize position changes. This helps prevent discomfort and fatigue for the older adult, who may have mobility issues. Option A is incorrect because physical touch is essential when examining older adults, as their other senses may be diminished. Option B is incorrect as it is better to break the examination into multiple visits to ensure thoroughness and comfort. Option C is incorrect because while some older adults may have hearing deficits, it is not appropriate to assume this for all individuals without proper assessment.
After receiving change-of-shift report, which patient should the nurse assess first?
- A. A patient with pneumonia who has crackles in the right lung base
- B. A patient with possible lung cancer who has just returned after bronchoscopy
- C. A patient with hemoptysis and a 16-mm induration with tuberculin skin testing
- D. A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and pulmonary function testing (PFT) that indicates low forced vital capacity
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is the patient with possible lung cancer who has just returned after bronchoscopy. After bronchoscopy, the patient may have decreased cough and gag reflexes, necessitating immediate assessment for airway patency to prevent potential complications. The other patients do not exhibit urgent clinical manifestations or have undergone recent procedures that require immediate attention. Therefore, they can be assessed after ensuring the safety and stability of the patient who has just returned after bronchoscopy.
When percussing over the lungs of a 4-year-old child, the nurse hears bilateral loud, long, and low tones. How should the nurse proceed?
- A. Palpate over the area for increased pain and tenderness.
- B. Ask the child to take shallow breaths and percuss over the area again.
- C. Refer the child to a specialist because of an increased amount of air in the lungs.
- D. Consider this finding as normal for a child this age and proceed with the examination.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: In pediatric patients, loud, long, and low tones heard when percussing over the lungs are normal findings. These percussion notes are characteristic of a child's lung due to its thin chest wall and increased air content. It is unnecessary to palpate for pain and tenderness, ask the child to take shallow breaths and repeat the percussion, or refer the child to a specialist. Therefore, the correct action is to consider these findings as normal for the child's age and continue with the examination.
When performing a physical examination, safety must be considered to protect the examiner and the patient against the spread of infection. Which of these statements describes the most appropriate action the nurse would take when performing a physical examination?
- A. Washing one's hands after removing gloves is necessary, even if the gloves are still intact
- B. Hands are washed before and after every physical patient encounter
- C. Hands are washed before the examination of each body system to prevent the spread of bacteria from one part of the body to another
- D. Gloves are worn throughout the entire examination to demonstrate concern regarding the spread of infectious diseases
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The most appropriate action for the nurse to take when performing a physical examination is to wash their hands before and after every physical patient encounter. This practice helps prevent the spread of infection. Hands should also be washed after contact with blood, body fluids, secretions, and excretions, and after contact with any equipment contaminated with body fluids. It is crucial to wash hands after removing gloves, even if the gloves appear intact. Choice A is incorrect because washing hands after removing gloves is necessary to ensure thorough hygiene. Choice C is incorrect because hands should be washed before and after every patient encounter, not just before examining each body system. Choice D is incorrect because gloves should be worn when there is potential contact with body fluids, but they do not need to be worn throughout the entire examination.