INSTRUCTIONS: To complete this exercise, circle the letter of the response that best answers the question or completes the statement or write the answer in the space provided. After you have completed the all of the exercises, turn to “Solutions to Exercises” at the end of this lesson and check your answers. If you have responded to any of the exercises incorrectly, reread the material referenced after the answer.
1. As a practical nurse who may be called upon to assist the health care provider during a physical examination, you should know the basics of the examination in order to
____________________________________________ and so that you may
____________________________________________________________.
2. Two purposes for performing the physical examination are
a. __________________________________________________ and
b. __________________________________________________.
3. You should have the patient void into a urine specimen cup in order to
______________________________ and to ____________________________.
4. If a male is examining a female, or vice versa, you should ___________________ to protect the patient, the health care provider, and the hospital or clinic.
5. You should ______________________________ if the patient has a draining wound, is bleeding, is vomiting, or has an infection.
6. You should __________________________________________ because the physician needs to know the information that has been obtained through the nursing observations and labreports.
7. To provide continuing privacy for the patient, be sure to ___________________ each time the patient assumes a different position during the examination.
8. The health care providers who could perform the physical examination are the
________________, ____________________ or __________________________.
9. Four body systems that the health care provider would usually examine during a physical examination are:
a. ____________________________________________.
b. ____________________________________________.
c. ____________________________________________.
d. ____________________________________________.
10. When restraining a child during the physical examination, you should:
a. Hold the child’s arms above his head with one hand and hold his feet at the ankles with your other hand.
b. Stand on the opposite side of the table from the examiner.
c. Place the child’s arms alongside his body and wrap him in a sheet or blanket.
d. All of the above.
11. Physiological measurements, which are routinely made, are the patient’s __________ ,
______________________ , _______________________ , and
________________________________and lab test such as
______________________________ , _________________________ , and
_____________________________________.
12. The purposes for draping the patient during physical examination are to
_______________________________, to _______________________________, and to
_____________________________________.
13. Factors that indicate the patient’s need for assistance are __________________ ,
______________________________, _________________________________ , and
_________________________________________.
Check Your Answers
SOLUTIONS TO EXERCISE, LESSON 1
1. Have the appropriate equipment and supplies on hand; place the patient in the proper position and drape him correctly. (para 1-1)
2. Any two of these are correct:
To determine the patient’s level of health or psychological function.
To arrive at a tentative diagnosis.
To confirm a diagnosis.
To evaluate the effectiveness of prescribed medical treatment and therapy.
(paras 1-2a–d)
3. Empty the bladder; obtain a urine specimen for urinalysis. (para 1-3b)
4. Stay in the room. (para 1-3d)
5. Wear gloves. (para 1-3e)
6. Have the patient’s chart available. (para 1-3f)
7. Adjust the drapes. (para 1-3h)
8. Physician, nurse practitioner, physician assistant. (para 1-2)
9. Any four of the following are correct:
Musculoskeletal.
Integumentary.
Eyes, ears, nose, and throat.
Cardiovascular.
Respiratory.
Gastrointestinal.
Neurologic.
Genitourinary.
Endocrine. (paras 1-5a–i)
10. d (para 1-6a)
11. Vital signs, blood pressure, height, and weight; CBC with differential, urinalysis, and electrolytes. (paras 1-7a–b)
12. Prevent unnecessary exposure, help the patient relax, prevent chilling. (paras 1-8a–c)
13. Age; level of understanding; ability to move; state of health. (paras 1-9a–d)