Chapter 38
Assisting with a General Physical Examination
Multiple Choice Questions
1. | The medical provider performs general physical examinations to ____.
A. | obtain information about the patient's educational and social history |
B. | confirm the patient's overall state of health and provide baseline values for vital signs and mensuration |
C. | order laboratory and x-ray tests in order to make a differential diagnosis |
D. | obtain information about the patient's financial status |
E. | assist patients from different cultures |
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2. | When a patient has symptoms that may indicate more than one condition, what must the practitioner do first?
A. | Make a differential diagnosis |
B. | Determine the treatment plan |
D. | Establish a follow-up appointment |
E. | Perform a follow-up examination |
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3. | A forecast of the probable course and outcome of the disorder and the prospects for recovery is the ____.
D. | differential diagnosis |
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4. | Which of the following is included in the emotional preparation of adult patients for a physical examination?
A. | Explain in technical terms exactly what will occur during the examination |
B. | Tell them their cooperation can contribute to the success of the examination |
C. | Avoid telling them how they can expect to feel during parts of the examination |
D. | Be firm and discourage questions from the patient |
E. | Asking the patient if the room temperature is comfortable |
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5. | The appropriate time to collect a urine specimen from a patient is ____.
A. | before the physical examination |
B. | any time the patient feels he can provide a specimen |
C. | during the physical examination |
D. | after the physical examination |
E. | before the patient leaves home |
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6. | In which of the following examination positions does the patient sit at the edge of the examination table without back support?
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7. | The best position for the practitioner to evaluate the patient’s ability to fully expand the lungs is the ____ position.
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8. | In which of the following examination positions does a patient lie flat on the back?
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9. | Which of the following positions is used as an alternative to the lithotomy position when patients have severe arthritis or joint deformity?
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10. | Which of the following positions is used during examination of the female genitalia?
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11. | In Fowler's position, the patient lies ____.
A. | face-down on the examination table |
C. | face-down, supporting the body with the knees and chest |
D. | on the back with the head of the examination table elevated |
E. | on the back with the legs elevated and supported in stirrups |
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12. | In which position does the patient lie flat on the examination table, face-down, with the head turned to one side and the arms placed at the sides or bent at the elbows?
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13. | A patient lies on the left side with the under arm behind the back and the upper thigh flexed in the ____ position.
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14. | In which examination position does the patient lie on his back with his knees drawn up and his feet flat on the table?
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15. | In which position would you assist a woman to put her feet in the stirrups and to slide forward to position her buttocks near the edge of the table?
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16. | The best position for the practitioner to evaluate the patient’s ability to fully expand the lungs is the ____ position.
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17. | In which position will the practitioner examine the back, feet, and musculoskeletal system of a patient?
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18. | Which position is used for anal or rectal examinations?
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19. | Which of the following is the visual examination of the patient's entire body and overall appearance?
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20. | Which of the following examination methods involves touching the patient to assess texture, temperature, and shape?
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21. | Which of the following examination methods involves tapping or striking the body to hear sounds or feel vibrations?
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22. | Which of the following examination methods is the process of listening to body sounds?
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23. | Which examination method is used by the medical provider to determine whether the lungs contain air or fluid?
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24. | In which examination method will the medical provider use a stethoscope in order to perform assessment of the heart, lung, and bowel sounds?
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25. | Which examination method refers to the process of measuring?
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26. | Which examination method is used to obtain a patient’s height and weight?
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27. | Which examination method refers to the systematic moving of a patient's body parts?
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28. | Which examination method do practitioners use to determine the range of motion of a joint?
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29. | Which of the following is considered a good indicator of overall health?
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30. | Enlarged lymph nodes may be a sign of ____.
B. | infection or a blood cancer |
D. | limited range of motion |
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31. | Which equipment should the medical assistant provide to the practitioner to examine a patient’s lungs and chest?
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32. | A waxy secretion from the ear is ____.
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33. | The medical assistant will provide the practitioner with which piece of equipment to examine a patient’s ears?
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34. | Which technique is most likely to help a patient who is hyperventilating? rev: 08_01_2014_QC_51793
A. | Assist the patient to a supine position |
B. | Have the patient breathe into a paper bag |
C. | Have the patient walk around |
D. | Tell the patient to hold his breath for 1 minute |
E. | Have the patient drink a glass of water |
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35. | The digital examination is part of the physical examination of which part of the body?
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36. | Which of the following should be part of performing a Hemoccult® test?
A. | Place a sample of stool on a glass slide |
B. | Instruct the patient that only one specimen is necessary |
C. | After the first specimen, instruct the patient on how to collect two additional samples |
D. | After the rectal examination, dispose of soiled materials in the garbage can |
E. | Use a peroxide-based fecal occult blood test |
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37. | A practitioner uses a reflex hammer to tap tendons during assessment of which body system?
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38. | Which of the following is part of providing a patient with any type of instruction?
A. | Provide written instructions to take home |
B. | Address patients using medical terminology |
D. | Give instructions only once |
E. | Have patients write down the information |
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39. | An elderly Chinese woman has been brought to the office by her son. Shana is new at this practice and has never interacted with an elderly Asian woman before. However, she has heard that Asian women defer to male relatives, so instead of addressing the woman, she directs her questions and instructions to the woman's son. What error has Shana made?
A. | The son should not be allowed to stay in the room during the patient interview. |
B. | A female relative should have been present during the patient interview. |
C. | People from other cultures should be interviewed only by the physician. |
D. | Shana should have interviewed the son privately without the woman present. |
E. | Shana stereotyped the woman, who may prefer to speak for herself. |
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40. | Barry is a 20-year-old, 245-pound college football player who was injured during a game last week. He suffered two broken ribs, a fracture to the left tibia, and a dislocated right knee and is currently confined to a wheelchair. He is in the office today for a follow-up appointment. He cannot disrobe or move to the examination table without help. Rose, the medical assistant, weighs 125 pounds. She is strong and is trained in lifting patients. Which of the following is her best course of action?
A. | Allow Barry to remain in the wheelchair, fully dressed, for the physician's examination |
B. | Request assistance from another staff member to help move Barry to the examination table |
C. | Ask a male staff member to help Barry disrobe, but allow him to remain in the wheelchair |
D. | Lock the wheels on the wheelchair and perform a one-person lift as she has been taught |
E. | Wait until the physician arrives to help move Barry to the examination table |
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41. | Mr. Jeffries is a 92-year-old Native American of Catawba descent. His daughter has brought him to the office because he has had severe abdominal pain for three weeks. Mr. Jeffries has asked his daughter to stay in the reception area while he is examined. He participates willingly during the patient interview, but when you ask him to disrobe and put on a patient gown, he refuses. What should you do?
A. | Ask the daughter to come into the exam room and convince her father to disrobe |
B. | Insist that Mr. Jeffries disrobe completely so the physician can perform a physical exam |
C. | Allow Mr. Jeffries to keep his underwear on and provide a large drape to cover him completely |
D. | Allow him to remain clothed and tell the physician that the patient refused to undress |
E. | Tell Mr. Jeffries that the physician will not examine him until he disrobes |
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42. | Sammy is a 14-year-old brought to the office by his mother because he has a runny nose and a bad cough and has had a temperature of at least 101.5º F for the last three days. Which of the following is a safety precaution that should be taken while Sammy is in the medical office?
A. | Provide disposable gloves for everyone, including Sammy |
B. | Ask Sammy to cover his mouth and nose while coughing |
C. | Wear gloves, gown, and goggles while in the exam room |
D. | Place a wastebasket with a lid near Sammy for tissue disposal |
E. | Ask Sammy to wait outside to avoid infecting other patients |
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43. | Which of the following is not part of the role of the medical assistant for a general physical exam?
B. | Ensure patient comfort and safety |
C. | Document an accurate history |
D. | Provide instruments and supplies to the physician |
E. | Listen to the patient's heart and lung sounds |
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Fill in the Blank Questions
44. | The examination position pictured here is the ________ position.
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45. | The examination position pictured here is the ________ position.
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46. | The examination position pictured here is the ________ position.
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47. | The examination position pictured here is the ________ position.
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48. | The examination position pictured here is the ________ position.
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49. | The examination position pictured here is the ________ position.
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50. | The examination position pictured here is the ________ position.
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51. | The examination position pictured here is the ________ position.
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52. | The examination position pictured here is the ________ position.
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53. | The process of listening to body sounds is called ________.
________________________________________ |
54. | The waxy secretion from the ear, also known as earwax, is called ________.
________________________________________ |
55. | A diagnosis based on the signs and symptoms of a disease is a(n) ________ diagnosis.
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56. | A(n) ________ is a pattern of assumptions, beliefs, and practices that shape the way people think and act.
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57. | Determining the correct diagnosis when two or more diagnoses are possible is called making a(n) ________ diagnosis.
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58. | Patients older than age 40 should have a yearly ________ examination for early detection of colorectal cancer.
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59. | The patient in a knee-chest position is commonly covered with a(n) ________ drape that has a special opening to provide access to the area to be examined.
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60. | The visual examination of the patient's entire body and overall appearance is called ________.
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61. | Physicians often use ________ to determine the range of motion of a joint.
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62. | You would use the ________ examination method to note the length and diameter of an extremity.
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63. | The lining of the nose is called the nasal ________.
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64. | The practitioner uses _______, or touch, to assess characteristics such as texture, temperature, shape, and the presence of vibrations or movements.
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65. | _______, or tapping or striking the body, is used to determine the location, size, or density of a body structure or organ under the skin.
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66. | The forecast of the probable course and outcome of a disorder and the prospects of recovery is called the ________.
________________________________________ |
67. | The practitioner describes observations of the abdomen based on a system of landmarks that map out the abdominal region, which is typically divided into four equal sections, or ________.
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68. | You should wear a mask in the presence of a patient suspected of having an infectious disease that is transmitted by airborne droplets, such as meningitis or _______ (TB).
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69. | Covering the nose and mouth while coughing and using tissues and disposing of them properly are examples of respiratory ________/cough etiquette.
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70. | You should observe _______ precautions when working with a patient suspected of having a highly contagious infectious disease such as chickenpox or diphtheria.
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71. | The role of the medical assistant is to assist both the licensed practitioner and the ________ during a general physical exam.
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Multiple Choice Questions
72. | Objective information that can be detected by a person other than the affected person is which of the following?
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73. | Patients from different ______ may not be familiar with the medical examination and what to expect.
B. | educational backgrounds |
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Fill in the Blank Questions
74. | Laboratory and diagnostic tests may aid the practitioner in developing a _______ of the outcome of the patient’s condition.
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75. | The application of physical principles to help prevent injury when lifting, moving, or positioning patients is called ____________.
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