WGU D222 HEALTH ASSESSMENT SCRIPT
COMPREHENSIVE EXAM QUESTIONS AND
SOLUTIONS
◉ How to measure height less than 2 years of age.
Answer: Obtain height by measuring the recumbent length of
children less than 2 years of age and
children between 2 and 3 who cannot stand unassisted. A measuring
board with a stationary headboard and a sliding vertical foot piece is
ideal, but a tape measure can also be used
a) Lay the child flat against the center of the board. The head should
be held against the
headboard by the parent or an assistant and the knees held so that
the hips and knees are extended. The foot piece is moved until it is
firmly against the child's heels. Read and record the measurement to
the nearest 1/8 inch.
b) A modified technique in home settings is to lay the child flat and
straight where the head should be held by the parent and the knees
held so that the hips and knees are extended, mark the flat surface at
the top of the head and tip of the heels. Move child and measure the
distance between the marks with a tape measure. Read and record
the measurement to the nearest 1/8 inch
2. When a recumbent length is obtained for a two year old, it should
be plotted on the birth to 36 months growth chart. When a standing
height is obtained for a two year old, plot the finding on the 2 year to
,18 year chart. After plotting measurements for children on age and
gender specific growth charts, evaluate, educate and refer according
to findings.
◉ Height children 2-3 and older.
Answer: 3. Obtain a standing height on children greater than 2 to 3
years of age, adolescents, and adults, using a portable stadiometer.
The patient is to be wearing only socks or be bare foot. Have the
patient stand with head, shoulder blades, buttocks, and heels
touching the wall. The knees are to be straight and feet flat on the
floor, and the patient is asked to look straight ahead. The flat surface
of the stadiometer is lowered until it touches the crown of the head,
compress the hair. A measuring rod attached to a weight scale
should not be used.
◉ Measuring weight:.
Answer: 1. Balance beam or digital scales should be used to weigh
patients of all ages. Spring type
scales are not acceptable. CDC recommends that all scales should be
zero balanced and calibrated. Scales must be checked for accuracy
on an annual basis and calibrated in accordance with manufacturer's
instructions.
2. Prior to obtaining weight measurements, make sure the scale is
"zeroed".
◉ Weight infants, children, and teens and adults.
,Answer: 3. Weigh infants wearing only a dry diaper or light
undergarments. Weigh children after removing
outer clothing and shoes. Weigh adolescents and adults with the
patient wearing minimal
clothing.
4. Place the patient in the middle of the scale. Read the measurement
and record results
immediately. Plot measurements on age and gender specific growth
charts and evaluate
accordingly
◉ Measuring head circumference.
Answer: Obtain measurement on children from birth to 36 months
of age by extending a non stretchable measuring tape around the
broadest part of the child's head For greatest accuracy the tape is
placed 3 times with a reading taken at the right side at the left side
and at the mid forehead and the greatest circumference is plotted.
The tape should be pulled adequately compress the hair
Should be measured each visit
◉ Chest circumference.
Answer: This is measured at the nipple line
in a newborn the head circumference with be about 2 cm larger than
the chest circumference AS the child ages the chest circumference
becomes larger than the head circumference
, ◉ Vital Signs.
Answer: generally described as the measurement of temp pulse resp
and b/p give an immediate picture of a person's current state of
health and well being. Normal and abnormal ranges with
management guidelines follow for children and adults
◉ Temperture.
Answer: oral usually 98.6
axillary 97.6 litter lower
rectal and aural (ear) 99.6 slightly higher
◉ Resperiations.
Answer: 1. Best done immediately after taking the patient's pulse.
Do not announce that you are measuring
respirations
2. Without letting go of the patients wrist begin to observe the
patient's breathing. Is it normal or
labored?
3. Count breaths for 15 seconds and multiply this number by 4 to
yield the breaths per minute.
4. In adults, normal resting respiratory rate is between 14-20
breaths/minute.
5. Rapid respiration is called tachypnea.
COMPREHENSIVE EXAM QUESTIONS AND
SOLUTIONS
◉ How to measure height less than 2 years of age.
Answer: Obtain height by measuring the recumbent length of
children less than 2 years of age and
children between 2 and 3 who cannot stand unassisted. A measuring
board with a stationary headboard and a sliding vertical foot piece is
ideal, but a tape measure can also be used
a) Lay the child flat against the center of the board. The head should
be held against the
headboard by the parent or an assistant and the knees held so that
the hips and knees are extended. The foot piece is moved until it is
firmly against the child's heels. Read and record the measurement to
the nearest 1/8 inch.
b) A modified technique in home settings is to lay the child flat and
straight where the head should be held by the parent and the knees
held so that the hips and knees are extended, mark the flat surface at
the top of the head and tip of the heels. Move child and measure the
distance between the marks with a tape measure. Read and record
the measurement to the nearest 1/8 inch
2. When a recumbent length is obtained for a two year old, it should
be plotted on the birth to 36 months growth chart. When a standing
height is obtained for a two year old, plot the finding on the 2 year to
,18 year chart. After plotting measurements for children on age and
gender specific growth charts, evaluate, educate and refer according
to findings.
◉ Height children 2-3 and older.
Answer: 3. Obtain a standing height on children greater than 2 to 3
years of age, adolescents, and adults, using a portable stadiometer.
The patient is to be wearing only socks or be bare foot. Have the
patient stand with head, shoulder blades, buttocks, and heels
touching the wall. The knees are to be straight and feet flat on the
floor, and the patient is asked to look straight ahead. The flat surface
of the stadiometer is lowered until it touches the crown of the head,
compress the hair. A measuring rod attached to a weight scale
should not be used.
◉ Measuring weight:.
Answer: 1. Balance beam or digital scales should be used to weigh
patients of all ages. Spring type
scales are not acceptable. CDC recommends that all scales should be
zero balanced and calibrated. Scales must be checked for accuracy
on an annual basis and calibrated in accordance with manufacturer's
instructions.
2. Prior to obtaining weight measurements, make sure the scale is
"zeroed".
◉ Weight infants, children, and teens and adults.
,Answer: 3. Weigh infants wearing only a dry diaper or light
undergarments. Weigh children after removing
outer clothing and shoes. Weigh adolescents and adults with the
patient wearing minimal
clothing.
4. Place the patient in the middle of the scale. Read the measurement
and record results
immediately. Plot measurements on age and gender specific growth
charts and evaluate
accordingly
◉ Measuring head circumference.
Answer: Obtain measurement on children from birth to 36 months
of age by extending a non stretchable measuring tape around the
broadest part of the child's head For greatest accuracy the tape is
placed 3 times with a reading taken at the right side at the left side
and at the mid forehead and the greatest circumference is plotted.
The tape should be pulled adequately compress the hair
Should be measured each visit
◉ Chest circumference.
Answer: This is measured at the nipple line
in a newborn the head circumference with be about 2 cm larger than
the chest circumference AS the child ages the chest circumference
becomes larger than the head circumference
, ◉ Vital Signs.
Answer: generally described as the measurement of temp pulse resp
and b/p give an immediate picture of a person's current state of
health and well being. Normal and abnormal ranges with
management guidelines follow for children and adults
◉ Temperture.
Answer: oral usually 98.6
axillary 97.6 litter lower
rectal and aural (ear) 99.6 slightly higher
◉ Resperiations.
Answer: 1. Best done immediately after taking the patient's pulse.
Do not announce that you are measuring
respirations
2. Without letting go of the patients wrist begin to observe the
patient's breathing. Is it normal or
labored?
3. Count breaths for 15 seconds and multiply this number by 4 to
yield the breaths per minute.
4. In adults, normal resting respiratory rate is between 14-20
breaths/minute.
5. Rapid respiration is called tachypnea.
