PCHA FINAL EXAM QUESTIONS &
ANSWERS 100% CORRECT!!
A patient tells the nurse that he is very nervous, nauseated and that he "feels hot". This
type of data would be considered: - ANSWERSsubjective
Because the physical environment in which an interview takes place is an important
consideration for the success of an interview, the interviewer should: -
ANSWERSreduce noise by turning off televisions and cell phones
A nurse is taking complete health histories on all the patients attending a wellness
workshop. While conducting an interview with a patient, the nurse asks, "Can you tell
me a little about yourself?" This question is an example of: - ANSWERSan open-ended
question
During an interview, a parent of a hospitalized child is sitting in an open position. As the
interviewer begins to discuss the child's treatment, however, the parent suddenly
crosses the arms against the chest and crosses the legs. Based on the understanding
that nonverbal modes of communication provide clues to understanding feelings, the
sudden change in body position would suggest that the parent is: -
ANSWERSuncomfortable talking about his child's treatment
A 59-year-old patient is returning to the outpatient clinic for a follow up visit. The patient
has a history of ulcerative colitis. The patient states he has been having "black stools"
for the last 24 hours. Which of the following would be the most complete way for the
nurse to document the patient's reason for seeking care? - ANSWERSJ.M. is a 59-year-
old patient here for having "black stools" for the past 24 hours.
Which of the following statements best describes the purpose of a health history? -
ANSWERSto provide a database of subjective information about the patient's past and
current health.
The inspection phase of the physical assessment: - ANSWERSbegins the moment you
first meet the person and develop a "general survey".
A patient is at the clinic for a physical examination. He states that he is "very anxious"
about the physical exam. What steps can the examiner take to make the patient more
comfortable? - ANSWERSAppear unhurried and confident when examining the patient.
When performing a physical examination, safety must be considered to protect the
examiner and the patient against the spread of infection. Which of the following
statements describes the most appropriate actions the examiner should take when
, performing a physical examination? - ANSWERSWash hands at the beginning of the
examination and any time that one leaves and re-enters the room.
A 50-year-old patient who is taking anti-hypertensive medications returns to the clinic to
have their blood pressure (BP) checked. The last BP was 146/88. The BP reported to
the nurse is 168/96. Both blood pressures were taken at the brachial site. Which of the
following is true regarding blood pressure assessment in this patient? Choose all that
apply:
1. The patient should be allowed to adequately rest prior to assessing the blood
pressure.
2. The width of the cuff should cover 40% of the circumference of the upper arm.
3. The position of the arm used for blood pressure assessment should be above the
level of the heart.
4. Goal blood pressure for this patient should be systolic less than 120 mm Hg and
diastolic less than 80 mmHg.
5. The last audible sound auscultated during blood pressure assessment should be
recorded for the systolic reading.
6. An unsupported arm may be used for an accurate blood pressure measure -
ANSWERS1, 2, 4
While caring for a patient with heart disease, the nurse notices an irregularity in the
rhythm of the patient's radial pulse. The previous assessment did not reveal an irregular
pulse. What would be the BEST action to take? - ANSWERScount the patient's apical
pulse for one minute
Which of the following statements is true regarding use of the tympanic thermometer? -
ANSWERSThe practitioner needs to wait at least 10 minutes to obtain the temperature
if the patient has been outdoors.
Which of the following is true regarding an oral temperature? - ANSWERSThe
thermometer should be placed in the posterior sublingual pocket of the mouth.
The nurse is taking a blood pressure on a patient; the patient's baseline blood pressure
is unknown. The nurse does not have any previous information about the patient's blood
pressure measurements, nor is the patient able to give any information about previous
blood pressure readings. Which of the following techniques would be the MOST
accurate way to measure this patient's blood pressure? - ANSWERSInflate the blood
pressure cuff 30 mm Hg above the point at which the palpated pulse disappeared.
A patient is being seen in the clinic for "fainting episodes". The patient has a blood
pressure of 150/90 in a lying position, 120/80 in a sitting position, and 90/60 in a
standing position. How should the nurse interpret these findings? - ANSWERSThe
change in blood pressure readings is called orthostatic hypotension.
In the article by Rakotz, 'Medical students and measuring blood pressure: Results from
the American Medical Association Blood Pressure Check Challenge', what are the
ANSWERS 100% CORRECT!!
A patient tells the nurse that he is very nervous, nauseated and that he "feels hot". This
type of data would be considered: - ANSWERSsubjective
Because the physical environment in which an interview takes place is an important
consideration for the success of an interview, the interviewer should: -
ANSWERSreduce noise by turning off televisions and cell phones
A nurse is taking complete health histories on all the patients attending a wellness
workshop. While conducting an interview with a patient, the nurse asks, "Can you tell
me a little about yourself?" This question is an example of: - ANSWERSan open-ended
question
During an interview, a parent of a hospitalized child is sitting in an open position. As the
interviewer begins to discuss the child's treatment, however, the parent suddenly
crosses the arms against the chest and crosses the legs. Based on the understanding
that nonverbal modes of communication provide clues to understanding feelings, the
sudden change in body position would suggest that the parent is: -
ANSWERSuncomfortable talking about his child's treatment
A 59-year-old patient is returning to the outpatient clinic for a follow up visit. The patient
has a history of ulcerative colitis. The patient states he has been having "black stools"
for the last 24 hours. Which of the following would be the most complete way for the
nurse to document the patient's reason for seeking care? - ANSWERSJ.M. is a 59-year-
old patient here for having "black stools" for the past 24 hours.
Which of the following statements best describes the purpose of a health history? -
ANSWERSto provide a database of subjective information about the patient's past and
current health.
The inspection phase of the physical assessment: - ANSWERSbegins the moment you
first meet the person and develop a "general survey".
A patient is at the clinic for a physical examination. He states that he is "very anxious"
about the physical exam. What steps can the examiner take to make the patient more
comfortable? - ANSWERSAppear unhurried and confident when examining the patient.
When performing a physical examination, safety must be considered to protect the
examiner and the patient against the spread of infection. Which of the following
statements describes the most appropriate actions the examiner should take when
, performing a physical examination? - ANSWERSWash hands at the beginning of the
examination and any time that one leaves and re-enters the room.
A 50-year-old patient who is taking anti-hypertensive medications returns to the clinic to
have their blood pressure (BP) checked. The last BP was 146/88. The BP reported to
the nurse is 168/96. Both blood pressures were taken at the brachial site. Which of the
following is true regarding blood pressure assessment in this patient? Choose all that
apply:
1. The patient should be allowed to adequately rest prior to assessing the blood
pressure.
2. The width of the cuff should cover 40% of the circumference of the upper arm.
3. The position of the arm used for blood pressure assessment should be above the
level of the heart.
4. Goal blood pressure for this patient should be systolic less than 120 mm Hg and
diastolic less than 80 mmHg.
5. The last audible sound auscultated during blood pressure assessment should be
recorded for the systolic reading.
6. An unsupported arm may be used for an accurate blood pressure measure -
ANSWERS1, 2, 4
While caring for a patient with heart disease, the nurse notices an irregularity in the
rhythm of the patient's radial pulse. The previous assessment did not reveal an irregular
pulse. What would be the BEST action to take? - ANSWERScount the patient's apical
pulse for one minute
Which of the following statements is true regarding use of the tympanic thermometer? -
ANSWERSThe practitioner needs to wait at least 10 minutes to obtain the temperature
if the patient has been outdoors.
Which of the following is true regarding an oral temperature? - ANSWERSThe
thermometer should be placed in the posterior sublingual pocket of the mouth.
The nurse is taking a blood pressure on a patient; the patient's baseline blood pressure
is unknown. The nurse does not have any previous information about the patient's blood
pressure measurements, nor is the patient able to give any information about previous
blood pressure readings. Which of the following techniques would be the MOST
accurate way to measure this patient's blood pressure? - ANSWERSInflate the blood
pressure cuff 30 mm Hg above the point at which the palpated pulse disappeared.
A patient is being seen in the clinic for "fainting episodes". The patient has a blood
pressure of 150/90 in a lying position, 120/80 in a sitting position, and 90/60 in a
standing position. How should the nurse interpret these findings? - ANSWERSThe
change in blood pressure readings is called orthostatic hypotension.
In the article by Rakotz, 'Medical students and measuring blood pressure: Results from
the American Medical Association Blood Pressure Check Challenge', what are the
