PHYSICAL ASSESSMENT WCU FINAL
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS WITH
COMPLETE SOLUTIONS RATED A+
Q: What is a Wood’s lamp used for in clinical assessment?
A: It’s an ultraviolet light that helps identify fungal infections by causing
them to fluoresce under the light.
Q: What is a Doppler device used for?
A: To detect blood flow in vessels when a pulse cannot be palpated manually.
Q: What is the function of an ophthalmoscope?
A: It allows visualization of the inner eye, including the red reflex.
Q: What is an otoscope used to examine?
A: The ear canal and tympanic membrane (eardrum).
Q: What does a goniometer measure?
A: The range of motion in a joint (joint angles).
Q: What does a skinfold caliper assess?
A: The thickness of subcutaneous fat tissue for body composition estimation.
Q: What does a transilluminator detect?
A: Presence of fluid, air, or masses in body cavities — air appears as a red
glow.
Q: What is a tuning fork used for in clinical exams?
A: To evaluate hearing and vibration using the Weber and Rinne tests.
Q: What is the largest organ in the human body?
A: The skin — weighing approximately 20 pounds.
Q: What is the largest gland in the human body?
A: The liver.
Q: Why are internal organs visible in a newborn?
A: Due to underdeveloped, thin abdominal musculature.
,Q: When do sweat and oil glands become fully active?
A: During adolescence, triggered by hormonal changes.
Q: How are pressure ulcers (decubitus ulcers) staged?
Stage 1: Reddened skin, intact epidermis
Stage 2: Partial thickness loss — involves epidermis and dermis
Stage 3: Full thickness loss — includes subcutaneous tissue
Stage 4: Extends to muscle, bone, or supporting structures
Q: What structures are found in the dermis layer of the skin?
A: Blood vessels, nerve endings, and connective tissues.
Q: What do eccrine sweat glands produce?
A: Primarily water and salt — helps regulate body temperature.
Q: What do apocrine sweat glands secrete?
A: Water, salt, proteins, and fatty acids — interaction with skin bacteria
causes body odor.
Q: What are the 3 phases of hair growth?
Anagen: Active growth (1 cm/month, lasts 2–6 years)
Catagen: Brief transition phase (about 2 weeks)
Telogen: Resting/shedding phase (1–4 months)
Q: What is vellus hair?
A: Fine, soft, lightly pigmented hair found all over the body (commonly called
"peach fuzz").
Q: What is terminal hair?
A: Coarse, thick, pigmented hair on the scalp, eyebrows, pubic area, and
limbs.
Q: What is lanugo?
A: Fine, downy hair covering a fetus; typically sheds and is replaced by vellus
hair within the first few months after birth.
Q: What is vernix caseosa?
A: A white, waxy coating on newborns that protects the skin in utero.
, Q: What should be done if a newborn has yellowing skin (jaundice) within 24
hours to 7 days of birth, especially with signs of dehydration?
A: Increase fluid intake and consider phototherapy as treatment.
milia - ANSWER✔✔Tiny white bumps that commonly appear on a baby's face.
stork bites - ANSWER✔✔irregular pink patches on back of neck on baby that will
disappear within a year
mongolian spots - ANSWER✔✔bluish purple spots of pigmentation on dark
skinned babies
grading of edema - ANSWER✔✔0=0mm
2= 4mm
3=6mm
4=8mm
when assessing skin for skin cancer what is the criteria? - ANSWER✔✔A:
asymmetrical
B: border irregularity
C: color Change
D: diameter greater than 6mm
E: evolving
assessing hair - ANSWER✔✔seperate inch by inch across skull looking for masses
or infestations
pediculosis capitis - ANSWER✔✔head lice, white patches that cling to hair shaft
how to look for clubbing of the fingers - ANSWER✔✔mirroring diamond shape
160* is normal
erosion - ANSWER✔✔wearing away of the epidermis
heals without treatment
secondary lesion
keloid - ANSWER✔✔secondary lesion
elevated irregular dark area of excess scar tissue
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS WITH
COMPLETE SOLUTIONS RATED A+
Q: What is a Wood’s lamp used for in clinical assessment?
A: It’s an ultraviolet light that helps identify fungal infections by causing
them to fluoresce under the light.
Q: What is a Doppler device used for?
A: To detect blood flow in vessels when a pulse cannot be palpated manually.
Q: What is the function of an ophthalmoscope?
A: It allows visualization of the inner eye, including the red reflex.
Q: What is an otoscope used to examine?
A: The ear canal and tympanic membrane (eardrum).
Q: What does a goniometer measure?
A: The range of motion in a joint (joint angles).
Q: What does a skinfold caliper assess?
A: The thickness of subcutaneous fat tissue for body composition estimation.
Q: What does a transilluminator detect?
A: Presence of fluid, air, or masses in body cavities — air appears as a red
glow.
Q: What is a tuning fork used for in clinical exams?
A: To evaluate hearing and vibration using the Weber and Rinne tests.
Q: What is the largest organ in the human body?
A: The skin — weighing approximately 20 pounds.
Q: What is the largest gland in the human body?
A: The liver.
Q: Why are internal organs visible in a newborn?
A: Due to underdeveloped, thin abdominal musculature.
,Q: When do sweat and oil glands become fully active?
A: During adolescence, triggered by hormonal changes.
Q: How are pressure ulcers (decubitus ulcers) staged?
Stage 1: Reddened skin, intact epidermis
Stage 2: Partial thickness loss — involves epidermis and dermis
Stage 3: Full thickness loss — includes subcutaneous tissue
Stage 4: Extends to muscle, bone, or supporting structures
Q: What structures are found in the dermis layer of the skin?
A: Blood vessels, nerve endings, and connective tissues.
Q: What do eccrine sweat glands produce?
A: Primarily water and salt — helps regulate body temperature.
Q: What do apocrine sweat glands secrete?
A: Water, salt, proteins, and fatty acids — interaction with skin bacteria
causes body odor.
Q: What are the 3 phases of hair growth?
Anagen: Active growth (1 cm/month, lasts 2–6 years)
Catagen: Brief transition phase (about 2 weeks)
Telogen: Resting/shedding phase (1–4 months)
Q: What is vellus hair?
A: Fine, soft, lightly pigmented hair found all over the body (commonly called
"peach fuzz").
Q: What is terminal hair?
A: Coarse, thick, pigmented hair on the scalp, eyebrows, pubic area, and
limbs.
Q: What is lanugo?
A: Fine, downy hair covering a fetus; typically sheds and is replaced by vellus
hair within the first few months after birth.
Q: What is vernix caseosa?
A: A white, waxy coating on newborns that protects the skin in utero.
, Q: What should be done if a newborn has yellowing skin (jaundice) within 24
hours to 7 days of birth, especially with signs of dehydration?
A: Increase fluid intake and consider phototherapy as treatment.
milia - ANSWER✔✔Tiny white bumps that commonly appear on a baby's face.
stork bites - ANSWER✔✔irregular pink patches on back of neck on baby that will
disappear within a year
mongolian spots - ANSWER✔✔bluish purple spots of pigmentation on dark
skinned babies
grading of edema - ANSWER✔✔0=0mm
2= 4mm
3=6mm
4=8mm
when assessing skin for skin cancer what is the criteria? - ANSWER✔✔A:
asymmetrical
B: border irregularity
C: color Change
D: diameter greater than 6mm
E: evolving
assessing hair - ANSWER✔✔seperate inch by inch across skull looking for masses
or infestations
pediculosis capitis - ANSWER✔✔head lice, white patches that cling to hair shaft
how to look for clubbing of the fingers - ANSWER✔✔mirroring diamond shape
160* is normal
erosion - ANSWER✔✔wearing away of the epidermis
heals without treatment
secondary lesion
keloid - ANSWER✔✔secondary lesion
elevated irregular dark area of excess scar tissue
