PHYSICAL EXAMINATION AND HEALTH
ASSESSMENT JARVIS EXAM SCRIPT 2026
QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED SOLUTIONS
GRADED A+
◉ what is a physical examination? Answer: - systematic collection of
OBJECTIVE info
- head-to-toe sequence to avoid missing anything
- system sequence (address acute complaint first)
- go through all body systems
◉ what is the purpose of a physical exam? Answer: - gather baseline
(when you first encounter pt or what they were on admission) data
about health status
- supplement, confirm, refute subjective data
- identify and confirm nursing diagnoses
- manage and make decision's about pt health status
- evaluate outcomes of care/interventions
- initial evaluation and admission of pt
- routine screening
- determine eligibility for something (insurance, school, job)
,◉ what are some cultural sensitivities to be aware of? Answer: -
health beliefs
- use of alternative therapies like supplements or herbal type things
- nutrition
- family/caregiver relationships
- personal comfort zone
- avoid stereotyping
◉ how would you prepare for an examination? Answer: - follow
infection control principles
- provide a calm, quiet, warm environment with good lighting
- gather all equipment needed
- physical preparation of pt (positioning, bathroom, clothing, drape
appropriately)
- psychological preparation (explain everything and prepare them
for the uncomfortableness)
- adjust assessment to pt/age group
◉ what would you assess with a sitting position? Answer: upper
body, back, chest (best for lungs and heart)
◉ what would you assess with supine position? Answer: anterior
body, extremities, head and neck, easy to palpate pulse sites (raise
HOB if they are short of breath)
,◉ what is and what would you assess with dorsal recumbent
position? Answer: supine, with pillow under legs (knees up) and
arms up
- head and neck, anterior upper body, abdomen
◉ what is and what would you assess with lithotomy position?
Answer: supine, with legs in stirrups
female genitalia
◉ what would you assess with the prone position? Answer:
musculoskeletal system (hip joints, skin, buttocks)
◉ what is and what would you assess with lateral recumbent
position? Answer: turned on side with one leg over the other
- heart (aids in detecting murmurs), rectum, vagina
◉ what is and what would you assess with knee-chest position?
Answer: knees on chest while in prone position
- rectum
◉ what are some considerations to take with the head-to-toe
approach? Answer: - compare sides for symmetry
- assess body systems at risk for being abnormal if very ill
, - offer rest as needed
- save painful procedures until the end
- be specific with documentation
- unless you are able to document during the exam, record quick
notes during and then complete larger notes at the end of the exam
◉ what are the techniques of physical assessment? Answer: -
inspection (look, listen, smell): need adequate/direct lighting - look
for size, shape, color, symmetry, position
- palpation (feeling): lumps, blockages, bumps, tenderness, warmth,
- percussion (tapping skin for vibration): to locate organs or masses,
map edges, determine size - often done by physician
- auscultation (listening): to heart, lungs, GI system, carotid artery
- olfaction (smell)
◉ what are the best parts of the hands for different types of
palpation? Answer: - body temp with backside of hand
- palm ad finger-pads for position, texture, size, consistency, masses,
fluid, crepitus
◉ what is crepitus? Answer: a grating sound or sensation produced
by friction between bone and cartilage or the fractured parts of a
bone.
ASSESSMENT JARVIS EXAM SCRIPT 2026
QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED SOLUTIONS
GRADED A+
◉ what is a physical examination? Answer: - systematic collection of
OBJECTIVE info
- head-to-toe sequence to avoid missing anything
- system sequence (address acute complaint first)
- go through all body systems
◉ what is the purpose of a physical exam? Answer: - gather baseline
(when you first encounter pt or what they were on admission) data
about health status
- supplement, confirm, refute subjective data
- identify and confirm nursing diagnoses
- manage and make decision's about pt health status
- evaluate outcomes of care/interventions
- initial evaluation and admission of pt
- routine screening
- determine eligibility for something (insurance, school, job)
,◉ what are some cultural sensitivities to be aware of? Answer: -
health beliefs
- use of alternative therapies like supplements or herbal type things
- nutrition
- family/caregiver relationships
- personal comfort zone
- avoid stereotyping
◉ how would you prepare for an examination? Answer: - follow
infection control principles
- provide a calm, quiet, warm environment with good lighting
- gather all equipment needed
- physical preparation of pt (positioning, bathroom, clothing, drape
appropriately)
- psychological preparation (explain everything and prepare them
for the uncomfortableness)
- adjust assessment to pt/age group
◉ what would you assess with a sitting position? Answer: upper
body, back, chest (best for lungs and heart)
◉ what would you assess with supine position? Answer: anterior
body, extremities, head and neck, easy to palpate pulse sites (raise
HOB if they are short of breath)
,◉ what is and what would you assess with dorsal recumbent
position? Answer: supine, with pillow under legs (knees up) and
arms up
- head and neck, anterior upper body, abdomen
◉ what is and what would you assess with lithotomy position?
Answer: supine, with legs in stirrups
female genitalia
◉ what would you assess with the prone position? Answer:
musculoskeletal system (hip joints, skin, buttocks)
◉ what is and what would you assess with lateral recumbent
position? Answer: turned on side with one leg over the other
- heart (aids in detecting murmurs), rectum, vagina
◉ what is and what would you assess with knee-chest position?
Answer: knees on chest while in prone position
- rectum
◉ what are some considerations to take with the head-to-toe
approach? Answer: - compare sides for symmetry
- assess body systems at risk for being abnormal if very ill
, - offer rest as needed
- save painful procedures until the end
- be specific with documentation
- unless you are able to document during the exam, record quick
notes during and then complete larger notes at the end of the exam
◉ what are the techniques of physical assessment? Answer: -
inspection (look, listen, smell): need adequate/direct lighting - look
for size, shape, color, symmetry, position
- palpation (feeling): lumps, blockages, bumps, tenderness, warmth,
- percussion (tapping skin for vibration): to locate organs or masses,
map edges, determine size - often done by physician
- auscultation (listening): to heart, lungs, GI system, carotid artery
- olfaction (smell)
◉ what are the best parts of the hands for different types of
palpation? Answer: - body temp with backside of hand
- palm ad finger-pads for position, texture, size, consistency, masses,
fluid, crepitus
◉ what is crepitus? Answer: a grating sound or sensation produced
by friction between bone and cartilage or the fractured parts of a
bone.
