ATI RN
NCLEX Practice Questions Physical Assessment Questions
Question 1 of 9
A patient presents for evaluation of a cough. Which of the following anatomic regions can be responsible for a cough?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A cough can be attributed to various anatomic regions. Cardiac conditions, such as heart failure or fluid overload, can lead to congestion in the lungs and irritation of the airway, resulting in a cough. Ophthalmologic, auditory, and endocrine regions are less commonly associated with causing a cough.
Question 2 of 9
Adam is a very successful 15-year-old student and athlete. His mother brings him in today because he no longer studies, works out, or sees his friends. This has gone on for a month and a half. When you speak with him alone in the room, he states it "would be better if he were not here." What would you do next?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: It is crucial to assess Adam's suicide risk immediately due to the statements he made about it being better if he were not here. This indicates possible suicidal ideation, which requires urgent attention and intervention. Asking directly about suicidal thoughts and intentions can help determine the level of risk and ensure that appropriate support and resources are provided to Adam. It is important to take any mention of suicide seriously and prioritize the safety and well-being of the individual in such situations.
Question 3 of 9
The components of the health history include all of the following except which one?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: When conducting a health history assessment, the components typically include the review of systems, present illness, and personal and social items. The review of systems involves asking specific questions related to each system of the body to gather comprehensive information about the patient's overall health. Present illness focuses on the current chief complaint and symptoms the patient is experiencing. Personal and social items encompass details such as lifestyle habits, family history, medical history, and social support systems. The thorax and lungs are typically assessed as part of the physical examination, not specifically in the health history documentation.
Question 4 of 9
A patient presents for evaluation of a cough. Which of the following anatomic regions can be responsible for a cough?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A cough can be attributed to various anatomic regions. Cardiac conditions, such as heart failure or fluid overload, can lead to congestion in the lungs and irritation of the airway, resulting in a cough. Ophthalmologic, auditory, and endocrine regions are less commonly associated with causing a cough.
Question 5 of 9
Diplopia, which is present with one eye covered, can be caused by which of the following problems?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Diplopia occurring when one eye is covered is a condition known as monocular diplopia. This symptom is typically not caused by problems within the eye itself, such as irregularities in the cornea or lens. Instead, monocular diplopia with one eye covered is more likely to be an indication of a neurological issue, often involving the brainstem. Lesions or damage in the brainstem can disrupt the normal coordination of eye movements, leading to the perception of double vision when one eye is closed. Weakness of CN III (oculomotor nerve) or CN IV (trochlear nerve) may cause diplopia when both eyes are open, but it would not typically manifest as monocular diplopia.
Question 6 of 9
Which of the following lymph node groups is most commonly involved in breast cancer?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The pectoral lymph node group, also known as the Level III lymph nodes, is the most commonly involved in breast cancer metastasis. These lymph nodes are located along the lower border of the pectoralis minor muscle and are an important regional drainage site for breast tissue. Therefore, in cases of breast cancer, the pectoral lymph nodes are frequently affected due to their proximity to the breast tissue.
Question 7 of 9
She is concerned about her risk for developing heart disease. Which of the following factors is used to estimate the 10-year risk of developing coronary heart disease?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Ethnicity is one of the factors used to estimate the 10-year risk of developing coronary heart disease. Different ethnic groups may have varying risks for heart disease based on genetic predisposition, lifestyle factors, and cultural practices. For example, individuals of South Asian descent have been found to have a higher risk of heart disease compared to other ethnic groups. Therefore, considering ethnicity is essential when assessing the overall risk of developing heart disease in an individual.
Question 8 of 9
You are running late after your quarterly quality improvement meeting at the hospital and have just gotten paged from the nurses' station because a family member of one of your patients wants to talk with you about that patient's care. You have clinic this afternoon and are double- booked for the first appointment time; three other patients also have arrived and are sitting in the waiting room. Which of the following demeanors is a behavior consistent with skilled interviewing when you walk into the examination room to speak with your first clinic patient?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: It is important to maintain a calm demeanor when walking into the examination room to speak with your first clinic patient, especially in a busy and high-pressure situation. Demonstrating calmness will help to build rapport with the patient, create a sense of trust, and promote effective communication. This demeanor will also convey professionalism and confidence, which are essential qualities for a healthcare provider. Displaying irritability, impatience, or boredom can negatively impact the patient-provider relationship and hinder effective communication, potentially compromising the quality of care provided.
Question 9 of 9
His head, eyes, ears, nose, and throat examinations are unremarkable. His lungs have normal breath sounds and there are no abnormalities with percussion and palpation of the chest. His heart has a normal S and S and no S or S . Further workup is pending. 1 2 3 4 Which disorder of the chest best describes these symptoms?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The symptoms described in the scenario point towards pleural pain. The examination findings of normal breath sounds, no abnormalities with percussion and palpation of the chest, and a normal heart sound (S1 and S2) suggest that the issue is more likely related to the pleura rather than the heart or major blood vessels. Pleural pain is typically sharp and worsens with deep breathing or coughing. This differs from angina pectoris, which is chest pain caused by reduced blood flow to the heart muscles due to coronary artery disease. Pericarditis involves inflammation of the pericardium, the membrane surrounding the heart, and usually presents with chest pain that is relieved by sitting up and leaning forward. Dissecting aortic aneurysm is a life-threatening condition characterized by severe, tearing chest pain that can radiate to the back. In this case, the lack of significant abnormalities on cardiac and vascular examination points towards ple