NR509 Mid-Term Study Guide for Advanced
Physical Assessment Questions and Answers
Articular structures - ✔✔Include joint capsule, articular cartilage, synovium, intra-articular ligaments,
and juxta-articular bone
Extra-articular structures - ✔✔Consist of periarticular ligaments, tendons, bursae, muscle, fascia, bone,
nerve, and overlying skin
Joint disease symptoms - ✔✔Include swelling, tenderness, crepitus, instability, deformity, and limited
range of motion
Sources of joint pain - ✔✔Nonarticular conditions, acute intra-articular causes, and chronic inflammatory
vs. noninflammatory arthritis
Cauda equina syndrome - ✔✔Results from a massive herniated disc in the lumbar region, causing saddle
numbness and urinary retention
Causes of CES - ✔✔Include spinal lesions, tumors, infections, inflammation, stenosis, injuries, birth
abnormalities, AVMs, hemorrhages, surgeries, and anesthesia
Retinal detachment presentation - ✔✔Sudden, painless unilateral vision loss
Obtunded definition - ✔✔Patient opens eyes, responds slowly, and is somewhat confused with decreased
alertness
Cranial nerve VI - ✔✔Assessed during lateral gaze (abducens)
Adult illnesses in health history - ✔✔Include medical, surgical, obstetric/gynecologic, and psychiatric
conditions
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, Conditions without red reflexes - ✔✔Indicate cataract, vitreous opacity, detached retina, or
retinoblastoma
Seasonal allergies signs - ✔✔Itching, watery eyes, sneezing, ear congestion, postnasal drainage
Optic neuritis presentation - ✔✔Sudden unilateral visual loss associated with multiple sclerosis
Pityriasis rosacea appearance - ✔✔Oval lesions on trunk, Christmas tree pattern in older children, Harold
patch
Present illness description - ✔✔Chronological account of patient's visit problems, including onset, setting,
manifestations, and treatments
Acromion process location - ✔✔Between clavicle and shoulder, identifiable in pictures
Finding on physical exam - ✔✔Requires further evaluation if positive despite negative work-up
Causes of falsely high BP - ✔✔Brachial artery below heart level, cuff too small or large
Checking for nystagmus - ✔✔Involuntary eye movement seen in cerebellar disease, vestibular disorders,
and ophthalmoplegia
Yellow sclera indication - ✔✔Jaundice is suggested by yellow sclera
Reassuring upset patients - ✔✔Identify feelings, validate experiences, make physical contact to convey
empathy
Empathy - ✔✔Validating patient's feelings as legitimate and understandable.
Physical Contact - ✔✔Placing hand on patient's shoulder to convey empathy and help control emotions.
Degenerative Pain - ✔✔Understanding and recognizing signs of worsening pain.
Otosclerosis - ✔✔Condition affecting middle ear bone (stapes), causing conductive hearing loss.
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Physical Assessment Questions and Answers
Articular structures - ✔✔Include joint capsule, articular cartilage, synovium, intra-articular ligaments,
and juxta-articular bone
Extra-articular structures - ✔✔Consist of periarticular ligaments, tendons, bursae, muscle, fascia, bone,
nerve, and overlying skin
Joint disease symptoms - ✔✔Include swelling, tenderness, crepitus, instability, deformity, and limited
range of motion
Sources of joint pain - ✔✔Nonarticular conditions, acute intra-articular causes, and chronic inflammatory
vs. noninflammatory arthritis
Cauda equina syndrome - ✔✔Results from a massive herniated disc in the lumbar region, causing saddle
numbness and urinary retention
Causes of CES - ✔✔Include spinal lesions, tumors, infections, inflammation, stenosis, injuries, birth
abnormalities, AVMs, hemorrhages, surgeries, and anesthesia
Retinal detachment presentation - ✔✔Sudden, painless unilateral vision loss
Obtunded definition - ✔✔Patient opens eyes, responds slowly, and is somewhat confused with decreased
alertness
Cranial nerve VI - ✔✔Assessed during lateral gaze (abducens)
Adult illnesses in health history - ✔✔Include medical, surgical, obstetric/gynecologic, and psychiatric
conditions
Page 1/8
©EmilyCharlene 2024. All Rights Reserved.
, Conditions without red reflexes - ✔✔Indicate cataract, vitreous opacity, detached retina, or
retinoblastoma
Seasonal allergies signs - ✔✔Itching, watery eyes, sneezing, ear congestion, postnasal drainage
Optic neuritis presentation - ✔✔Sudden unilateral visual loss associated with multiple sclerosis
Pityriasis rosacea appearance - ✔✔Oval lesions on trunk, Christmas tree pattern in older children, Harold
patch
Present illness description - ✔✔Chronological account of patient's visit problems, including onset, setting,
manifestations, and treatments
Acromion process location - ✔✔Between clavicle and shoulder, identifiable in pictures
Finding on physical exam - ✔✔Requires further evaluation if positive despite negative work-up
Causes of falsely high BP - ✔✔Brachial artery below heart level, cuff too small or large
Checking for nystagmus - ✔✔Involuntary eye movement seen in cerebellar disease, vestibular disorders,
and ophthalmoplegia
Yellow sclera indication - ✔✔Jaundice is suggested by yellow sclera
Reassuring upset patients - ✔✔Identify feelings, validate experiences, make physical contact to convey
empathy
Empathy - ✔✔Validating patient's feelings as legitimate and understandable.
Physical Contact - ✔✔Placing hand on patient's shoulder to convey empathy and help control emotions.
Degenerative Pain - ✔✔Understanding and recognizing signs of worsening pain.
Otosclerosis - ✔✔Condition affecting middle ear bone (stapes), causing conductive hearing loss.
Page 2/8
©EmilyCharlene 2024. All Rights Reserved.
