How are bowel sounds graded? - ✔✔✔ANSWER-Listen for 5-10 seconds
minimum in each spot. Hyperactive bowel sounds are almost constant.
Normoactive has a regular "rhythm" of sounds. Hypoactive are rare and few.
Absent bowel sounds are diagnosed after auscultating for 4 minutes.
How are pulses rated? - ✔✔✔ANSWER-On a scale of 1 to 4. 1 being weak and 4
being bounding. 2+ is normal.
How do you check for pretibial edema? - ✔✔✔ANSWER-Press and hold gently
on the shins for 5 seconds. Release and observe for pitting.
How do you document a patient's mental status? - ✔✔✔ANSWER-MS: "Patient
alert and oriented x3" or "Patient alert and oriented to person, place, and time."