PCM Exam UPDATED ACTUAL Exam
Questions and CORRECT Answers
A woman has just moved to Richmond. She is being seen in a physician's office for a health
maintenance visit. Of the following, what would be the most appropriate question to ask?
"Are you Catholic?"
'Are you part of a Spiritual community?
"Do you believe in God?"
"Do you go to church or temple?"
"What religion are you?" - CORRECT ANSWER - 'Are you part of a Spiritual
community?
Since religion and spiritual beliefs can play an important role for many patients and can affect
their perception of illness and treatment preferences (for example, Jehovah's Witnesses and
refusal of blood transfusions), one should start with a generalized question asking about any
spiritual beliefs. Follow up questions can be used to elicit more detailed and specific information.
Which of the following is a vital sign?
BMI
Respiratory Rate
weight
height - CORRECT ANSWER - RR
Temperature, blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate are considered vital signs.
Which of the following is a normal blood pressure reading?
130/80
120/80
75/40
140/90 - CORRECT ANSWER - 120/80
,What part of the medical record would you record her answer?
HPI
Family History
Past Medical history
Social History
Summary Statement - CORRECT ANSWER - Social History
Which of the following conditions is required for accurate measurement of blood pressure?
The patient must hold his/her arm at the level of the heart
The patient should have not had a cigarette or caffeine for one hour prior to measurement
The patient should have not had a cigarette or caffeine for one hour prior to measurement
The patient should be in warm comfortable surroundings
The cuff should be 2 times the circumference of the arm - CORRECT ANSWER - The
patient should be in warm and comfortable surroundings to prevent vasoconstriction which
increases BP. Although the patient's arm should be at the level of the heart, it must be supported.
If the patient's muscles contract, the blood pressure will be artificially elevated. No caffeine or
smoking for 30 minutes is sufficient. The bladder size must be 80% of the circumference of the
arm.
Which of the following results in a falsely elevated blood pressure?
blood pressure cuff too small for the arm
arm below the level of the heart
feet flat on the floor
not taking the auscultatory gap into account - CORRECT ANSWER - A cuff that is too
small with cause a falsely high blood pressure reading (Bates' 12th edition page 127)
Which of the following is an abnormal pulse rate for a newborn?
124
80
, 144
130
150 - CORRECT ANSWER - Normal heart rate for a newborn ranges from 90-190. Heart
rate decreases with age until adulthood.
Which of the following belongs in the general description of the patient?
orientation to person, place and time
vital signs
description of gait pattern
description of body habitus
the color of eyes and hair - CORRECT ANSWER - description of body habitus
General appearance should include level of consciousness, any signs of distress, dress, and
description of body habitus
Which of the following is the proper way to record the chief complaint?
cough
chest pain
" I am having chest pain"
insurance physical - CORRECT ANSWER - " I am having chest pain"
Which of the following is a goal of the history of present illness?
amplify the chief complaint
understand the patient's goals for the visit
determine any fears or concerns the patient might have
obtain a list of the patient's medications and allergies
All of the above - CORRECT ANSWER - All of the above
Questions and CORRECT Answers
A woman has just moved to Richmond. She is being seen in a physician's office for a health
maintenance visit. Of the following, what would be the most appropriate question to ask?
"Are you Catholic?"
'Are you part of a Spiritual community?
"Do you believe in God?"
"Do you go to church or temple?"
"What religion are you?" - CORRECT ANSWER - 'Are you part of a Spiritual
community?
Since religion and spiritual beliefs can play an important role for many patients and can affect
their perception of illness and treatment preferences (for example, Jehovah's Witnesses and
refusal of blood transfusions), one should start with a generalized question asking about any
spiritual beliefs. Follow up questions can be used to elicit more detailed and specific information.
Which of the following is a vital sign?
BMI
Respiratory Rate
weight
height - CORRECT ANSWER - RR
Temperature, blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate are considered vital signs.
Which of the following is a normal blood pressure reading?
130/80
120/80
75/40
140/90 - CORRECT ANSWER - 120/80
,What part of the medical record would you record her answer?
HPI
Family History
Past Medical history
Social History
Summary Statement - CORRECT ANSWER - Social History
Which of the following conditions is required for accurate measurement of blood pressure?
The patient must hold his/her arm at the level of the heart
The patient should have not had a cigarette or caffeine for one hour prior to measurement
The patient should have not had a cigarette or caffeine for one hour prior to measurement
The patient should be in warm comfortable surroundings
The cuff should be 2 times the circumference of the arm - CORRECT ANSWER - The
patient should be in warm and comfortable surroundings to prevent vasoconstriction which
increases BP. Although the patient's arm should be at the level of the heart, it must be supported.
If the patient's muscles contract, the blood pressure will be artificially elevated. No caffeine or
smoking for 30 minutes is sufficient. The bladder size must be 80% of the circumference of the
arm.
Which of the following results in a falsely elevated blood pressure?
blood pressure cuff too small for the arm
arm below the level of the heart
feet flat on the floor
not taking the auscultatory gap into account - CORRECT ANSWER - A cuff that is too
small with cause a falsely high blood pressure reading (Bates' 12th edition page 127)
Which of the following is an abnormal pulse rate for a newborn?
124
80
, 144
130
150 - CORRECT ANSWER - Normal heart rate for a newborn ranges from 90-190. Heart
rate decreases with age until adulthood.
Which of the following belongs in the general description of the patient?
orientation to person, place and time
vital signs
description of gait pattern
description of body habitus
the color of eyes and hair - CORRECT ANSWER - description of body habitus
General appearance should include level of consciousness, any signs of distress, dress, and
description of body habitus
Which of the following is the proper way to record the chief complaint?
cough
chest pain
" I am having chest pain"
insurance physical - CORRECT ANSWER - " I am having chest pain"
Which of the following is a goal of the history of present illness?
amplify the chief complaint
understand the patient's goals for the visit
determine any fears or concerns the patient might have
obtain a list of the patient's medications and allergies
All of the above - CORRECT ANSWER - All of the above
