,NUR 6001 Exam 1 | Advanced Health Assessment |
William Paterson University
1. Which of the following best describes the purpose of a problem-focused
assessment?
A) To obtain a complete health history and perform a head-to-toe examination
B) To address a specific, acute complaint in a focused manner
C) To evaluate a patient's response to a chronic illness over time
D) To screen for diseases in an asymptomatic population
Correct Answer: To address a specific, acute complaint in a focused manner
Rationale: A problem-focused assessment is conducted when a patient presents
with a specific acute complaint, focusing on the problem at hand rather than a full
evaluation. A comprehensive assessment involves a complete history and head-to-
toe exam. Follow-up assessments evaluate chronic illness management, and
screening is for asymptomatic individuals.
2. What is the primary purpose of using the OLD CARTS mnemonic during a health
history?
A) To assess a patient's family genetic risk factors
B) To systematically explore the characteristics of a symptom
C) To evaluate a patient's mental status and cognitive function
D) To document a patient's social and environmental history
Correct Answer: To systematically explore the characteristics of a symptom
,Rationale: OLD CARTS stands for Onset, Location, Duration, Character,
Aggravating factors, Relieving factors, Timing, and Severity. It is used to
thoroughly explore a patient's chief complaint and history of present illness.
Family history, mental status, and social history are separate components of the
health history.
3. Which component of the health history includes information about the patient's
parents and siblings?
A) Past medical history
B) Family history
C) Social history
D) Review of systems
Correct Answer: Family history
Rationale: Family history documents health information about blood relatives,
including parents, siblings, and children, to identify genetic and familial risk
factors. Past medical history covers the patient's own health conditions. Social
history addresses lifestyle and environment, and review of systems is a systematic
inquiry of symptoms.
4. Which physical examination technique involves using the hands to feel body
parts?
A) Inspection
B) Palpation
C) Percussion
D) Auscultation
, Correct Answer: Palpation
Rationale: Palpation is the technique of using the hands to feel the body's
surface, assessing texture, temperature, moisture, and organ size or position.
Inspection is visual observation. Percussion involves tapping to produce sounds,
and auscultation is listening with a stethoscope.
5. What is the correct sequence for performing the four basic physical examination
techniques on the abdomen?
A) Inspection, palpation, percussion, auscultation
B) Inspection, auscultation, percussion, palpation
C) Auscultation, inspection, palpation, percussion
D) Palpation, percussion, auscultation, inspection
Correct Answer: Inspection, auscultation, percussion, palpation
Rationale: For the abdomen, auscultation is performed before palpation and
percussion to avoid altering bowel sounds. The correct sequence is inspection,
auscultation, percussion, and palpation. This differs from other systems where
palpation typically follows inspection.
6. What is the primary purpose of a general survey during a health assessment?
A) To measure vital signs and record anthropometric data
B) To form an overall impression of the patient's health status
C) To perform a detailed examination of each body system
D) To obtain a comprehensive family health history
William Paterson University
1. Which of the following best describes the purpose of a problem-focused
assessment?
A) To obtain a complete health history and perform a head-to-toe examination
B) To address a specific, acute complaint in a focused manner
C) To evaluate a patient's response to a chronic illness over time
D) To screen for diseases in an asymptomatic population
Correct Answer: To address a specific, acute complaint in a focused manner
Rationale: A problem-focused assessment is conducted when a patient presents
with a specific acute complaint, focusing on the problem at hand rather than a full
evaluation. A comprehensive assessment involves a complete history and head-to-
toe exam. Follow-up assessments evaluate chronic illness management, and
screening is for asymptomatic individuals.
2. What is the primary purpose of using the OLD CARTS mnemonic during a health
history?
A) To assess a patient's family genetic risk factors
B) To systematically explore the characteristics of a symptom
C) To evaluate a patient's mental status and cognitive function
D) To document a patient's social and environmental history
Correct Answer: To systematically explore the characteristics of a symptom
,Rationale: OLD CARTS stands for Onset, Location, Duration, Character,
Aggravating factors, Relieving factors, Timing, and Severity. It is used to
thoroughly explore a patient's chief complaint and history of present illness.
Family history, mental status, and social history are separate components of the
health history.
3. Which component of the health history includes information about the patient's
parents and siblings?
A) Past medical history
B) Family history
C) Social history
D) Review of systems
Correct Answer: Family history
Rationale: Family history documents health information about blood relatives,
including parents, siblings, and children, to identify genetic and familial risk
factors. Past medical history covers the patient's own health conditions. Social
history addresses lifestyle and environment, and review of systems is a systematic
inquiry of symptoms.
4. Which physical examination technique involves using the hands to feel body
parts?
A) Inspection
B) Palpation
C) Percussion
D) Auscultation
, Correct Answer: Palpation
Rationale: Palpation is the technique of using the hands to feel the body's
surface, assessing texture, temperature, moisture, and organ size or position.
Inspection is visual observation. Percussion involves tapping to produce sounds,
and auscultation is listening with a stethoscope.
5. What is the correct sequence for performing the four basic physical examination
techniques on the abdomen?
A) Inspection, palpation, percussion, auscultation
B) Inspection, auscultation, percussion, palpation
C) Auscultation, inspection, palpation, percussion
D) Palpation, percussion, auscultation, inspection
Correct Answer: Inspection, auscultation, percussion, palpation
Rationale: For the abdomen, auscultation is performed before palpation and
percussion to avoid altering bowel sounds. The correct sequence is inspection,
auscultation, percussion, and palpation. This differs from other systems where
palpation typically follows inspection.
6. What is the primary purpose of a general survey during a health assessment?
A) To measure vital signs and record anthropometric data
B) To form an overall impression of the patient's health status
C) To perform a detailed examination of each body system
D) To obtain a comprehensive family health history
