• Physical 09/09/2026
Examination
Test Bank for Bates’ Guide 1 To Physical
Examination and History Taking 14th Edition|
Complete Chapters | 2026/2027 Latest Update
| Complete Chapter Questions & Answers with
Rationales | Verified Questions & Answers |
Graded A+
Which technique should the nurse use to assess a client for scoliosis?
A) Watch gait while the client ambulates down the hallway.
B) Observe spine while the client is erect and bent forward.
C) Palpate neck while the client rotates head from side to side.
P 1
, • Physical 09/09/2026
Examination
D) Assess for presence of pain when the client twists the torso. –
Correct Answer :B) Observe spine while the client is erect and bent forward.
Scoliosis is a lateral curvature of the spine seen upon inspection of the spine while the client stands erect and
then bends forward.
During a health history interview, a male client reports that he smokes cigarettes and does not plan to quit.
Which action is most important for the nurse to take?
A) Document the client's statement verbatim.
B) Calculate the client's pack year history.
C) Express support for the client's right to choose.
D) Ask about family history of lung cancer. - Correct Answer :B) Calculate the client's pack year history.
Calculation of cigarette pack year history provides useful screening data regarding the client's risk for health
problems, which serves as the basis for the plan of care.
While performing a head-to-toe assessment, the nurse assesses the client's pupillary accommodation. During the
second portion of the test, the nurse notes that the client's pupils constrict and there is a convergence of the
axes of the eyes. What action should the nurse implement next?
A) Document a normal finding.
B) Request a referral to an opthamologist.
C) Repeat the test after having the client rest for 5 minutes.
D) Ask the client, "Have you noticed that you cannot see things close up?" - Correct Answer :A) Document a
normal finding.
When testing for pupillary accommodation, the nurse asks the client to focus on a distant object and then shift
the gaze to a penlight tip near the nose. Focusing on a distant object causes both pupils to dilate; shifting the
P 2
, • Physical 09/09/2026
Examination
gaze to a near object (a finger or a penlight tip), which is held about 7 to 8 cm (3 inches) from the client's nose,
should result in bilateral pupillary constriction with both eyes focused on the object simultaneously.
A client presents with a rash along the occipital area of the hairline and reports intense itching. How should the
nurse begin the objective part of the examination?
A) Inspect the scalp looking for nits.
B) Palpate the area to determine if there are lesions.
C) Ask the client whether the client has been in a foreign country.
D) Take the client's temperature. - Correct Answer :A) Inspect the scalp looking for nits.
Pediculosis (head lice) is caused by lice that typically irritate the scalp around the occipital area and behind the
ears. The scalp irritation causes intense itching in the area.
An older client has just returned to the room following a surgical procedure. Which pain scale should the nurse
use when assessing the client's pain level?
A) Verbal descriptor scale.
B) Wong-Baker scale.
C) Numeric rating scale.
D) Faces pain scale-revised. - Correct Answer :A) Verbal descriptor scale.
The descriptor scale uses words rather than numbers or pictures to describe pain. This method of reporting pain
is less confusing and less abstract for older adults. The choices provided for rating the intensity of pain include
the following: no pain, mild pain, moderate pain, and severe pain.
A client has come to the clinic for a routine health assessment. What is the best assessment question for the
nurse to ask a client after observing tophi on the client's ear cartilage?
A) Have you had sudden and severe pain in the toes or feet?
P 3
, • Physical 09/09/2026
Examination
Do you have a family history of osteoporosis?
Have you ever had pain along the side of your leg?
Do you have a history of rheumatoid arthritis or bursitis? - Correct Answer :A) Have you had sudden and severe
pain in the toes or feet?
Tophi (plural form of tophus) are deposits of uric acid crystals found in the skin, cartilage, and or on the surface
of joints. Tophi are seen in the advanced stages of gout, a condition in which uric acid crystals have deposited
into the joints, particularly, the toes. Gout will often present clinically as sudden and severe pain in the toes or
lower extremities. The nurse should ask about a history of sudden and severe pain in the toes or lower
extremities after observing tophi on the ear cartilage.
Which technique should the nurse implement when performing a Weber test?
A) Tap the patellar tendon using a reflex hammer.
B) Shine the light of an ophthalmoscope into the pupil.
C) Visualize the tympanic membrane using an otoscope.
D) Place a vibrating tuning fork midline on top of the head. - Correct Answer :D) Place a vibrating tuning fork
midline on top of the head.
The Weber test is used to evaluate hearing by bone conduction through the skull, which should sound equally
loud in both ears. The tuning fork should be struck and then placed on the midline of the head. If the client
describes hearing that sounds louder in one ear than the other, it may indicate unequal hearing loss, and further
assessment is needed.
The nurse is conducting a family history as part of the assessment interview. Which action should the nurse take
to ensure that sufficient information about the client's blood relatives is obtained?
A) Document at least 3 generations of the client's family medical history if possible.
B) Ask about any genetic conditions that may be present in the family.
C) Instruct the client to develop a genogram to bring to the next visit.
P 4
Examination
Test Bank for Bates’ Guide 1 To Physical
Examination and History Taking 14th Edition|
Complete Chapters | 2026/2027 Latest Update
| Complete Chapter Questions & Answers with
Rationales | Verified Questions & Answers |
Graded A+
Which technique should the nurse use to assess a client for scoliosis?
A) Watch gait while the client ambulates down the hallway.
B) Observe spine while the client is erect and bent forward.
C) Palpate neck while the client rotates head from side to side.
P 1
, • Physical 09/09/2026
Examination
D) Assess for presence of pain when the client twists the torso. –
Correct Answer :B) Observe spine while the client is erect and bent forward.
Scoliosis is a lateral curvature of the spine seen upon inspection of the spine while the client stands erect and
then bends forward.
During a health history interview, a male client reports that he smokes cigarettes and does not plan to quit.
Which action is most important for the nurse to take?
A) Document the client's statement verbatim.
B) Calculate the client's pack year history.
C) Express support for the client's right to choose.
D) Ask about family history of lung cancer. - Correct Answer :B) Calculate the client's pack year history.
Calculation of cigarette pack year history provides useful screening data regarding the client's risk for health
problems, which serves as the basis for the plan of care.
While performing a head-to-toe assessment, the nurse assesses the client's pupillary accommodation. During the
second portion of the test, the nurse notes that the client's pupils constrict and there is a convergence of the
axes of the eyes. What action should the nurse implement next?
A) Document a normal finding.
B) Request a referral to an opthamologist.
C) Repeat the test after having the client rest for 5 minutes.
D) Ask the client, "Have you noticed that you cannot see things close up?" - Correct Answer :A) Document a
normal finding.
When testing for pupillary accommodation, the nurse asks the client to focus on a distant object and then shift
the gaze to a penlight tip near the nose. Focusing on a distant object causes both pupils to dilate; shifting the
P 2
, • Physical 09/09/2026
Examination
gaze to a near object (a finger or a penlight tip), which is held about 7 to 8 cm (3 inches) from the client's nose,
should result in bilateral pupillary constriction with both eyes focused on the object simultaneously.
A client presents with a rash along the occipital area of the hairline and reports intense itching. How should the
nurse begin the objective part of the examination?
A) Inspect the scalp looking for nits.
B) Palpate the area to determine if there are lesions.
C) Ask the client whether the client has been in a foreign country.
D) Take the client's temperature. - Correct Answer :A) Inspect the scalp looking for nits.
Pediculosis (head lice) is caused by lice that typically irritate the scalp around the occipital area and behind the
ears. The scalp irritation causes intense itching in the area.
An older client has just returned to the room following a surgical procedure. Which pain scale should the nurse
use when assessing the client's pain level?
A) Verbal descriptor scale.
B) Wong-Baker scale.
C) Numeric rating scale.
D) Faces pain scale-revised. - Correct Answer :A) Verbal descriptor scale.
The descriptor scale uses words rather than numbers or pictures to describe pain. This method of reporting pain
is less confusing and less abstract for older adults. The choices provided for rating the intensity of pain include
the following: no pain, mild pain, moderate pain, and severe pain.
A client has come to the clinic for a routine health assessment. What is the best assessment question for the
nurse to ask a client after observing tophi on the client's ear cartilage?
A) Have you had sudden and severe pain in the toes or feet?
P 3
, • Physical 09/09/2026
Examination
Do you have a family history of osteoporosis?
Have you ever had pain along the side of your leg?
Do you have a history of rheumatoid arthritis or bursitis? - Correct Answer :A) Have you had sudden and severe
pain in the toes or feet?
Tophi (plural form of tophus) are deposits of uric acid crystals found in the skin, cartilage, and or on the surface
of joints. Tophi are seen in the advanced stages of gout, a condition in which uric acid crystals have deposited
into the joints, particularly, the toes. Gout will often present clinically as sudden and severe pain in the toes or
lower extremities. The nurse should ask about a history of sudden and severe pain in the toes or lower
extremities after observing tophi on the ear cartilage.
Which technique should the nurse implement when performing a Weber test?
A) Tap the patellar tendon using a reflex hammer.
B) Shine the light of an ophthalmoscope into the pupil.
C) Visualize the tympanic membrane using an otoscope.
D) Place a vibrating tuning fork midline on top of the head. - Correct Answer :D) Place a vibrating tuning fork
midline on top of the head.
The Weber test is used to evaluate hearing by bone conduction through the skull, which should sound equally
loud in both ears. The tuning fork should be struck and then placed on the midline of the head. If the client
describes hearing that sounds louder in one ear than the other, it may indicate unequal hearing loss, and further
assessment is needed.
The nurse is conducting a family history as part of the assessment interview. Which action should the nurse take
to ensure that sufficient information about the client's blood relatives is obtained?
A) Document at least 3 generations of the client's family medical history if possible.
B) Ask about any genetic conditions that may be present in the family.
C) Instruct the client to develop a genogram to bring to the next visit.
P 4
