Important techniques in performing the rectal examination include which of the following?

Questions 27

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Physical Examination and Health Assessment 9th Edition Test Bank Questions

Question 1 of 9

Important techniques in performing the rectal examination include which of the following?

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: All of the mentioned techniques are important in performing a rectal examination.

Question 2 of 9

Ms. Whiting is a 68-year-old who comes in for her usual follow-up visit. You notice a few flat red and purple lesions, about 6 centimeters in diameter, on the ulnar aspect of her forearms but nowhere else. She doesn't mention them. They are tender when you examine them. What should you do?

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The presence of new flat red and purple lesions that are tender on the ulnar aspect of Ms. Whiting's forearms raises concerns and warrants further investigation. Since she did not mention them, it is important to ask how she acquired them to gather more information. This will help determine the cause of the lesions and provide clues to potential underlying conditions or recent activities that could be related to their development. It is important not to dismiss these lesions as old without proper evaluation, as they could indicate a recent injury, infection, or other medical issues that may require attention.

Question 3 of 9

Which of the following conditions involves a tight prepuce which, once retracted, cannot be returned?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Paraphimosis is a condition where the foreskin is retracted behind the glans penis and cannot be returned to its original position. This can lead to swelling and constriction of the penis, causing pain and potential damage to the tissue due to decreased blood flow. Phimosis (Choice A) refers to a tight prepuce that cannot be retracted over the glans penis. Balanitis (Choice C) is inflammation of the glans penis, often associated with poor hygiene or infections. Balanoposthitis (Choice D) refers to inflammation of both the glans penis and the foreskin.

Question 4 of 9

Important techniques in performing the rectal examination include which of the following?

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: All of the mentioned techniques are important in performing a rectal examination.

Question 5 of 9

Mrs. Lenzo weighs herself every day with a very accurate balance-type scale. She has noticed that over the past 2 days she has gained 4 pounds. How would you best explain this?

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The most likely explanation for Mrs. Lenzo noticing a 4-pound weight gain over just 2 days is fluctuations in body fluid. Our body weight can fluctuate throughout the day due to factors such as hydration levels, sodium intake, and hormonal changes. It is not physically possible to gain 4 pounds of actual body mass (e.g., fat or muscle) in such a short period of time by overeating or wearing different clothing. Additionally, if Mrs. Lenzo's scale is very accurate as mentioned, it is less likely that the weight gain is due to instrument inaccuracy. Therefore, the most plausible reason for the sudden weight gain is fluctuations in body fluid retention.

Question 6 of 9

A 28-year-old graduate student comes to your clinic for evaluation of pain "all over." With further questioning, she is able to relate that the pain is worse in the neck, shoulders, hands, low back, and knees. She denies swelling in her joints; she states that the pain is worse in the morning; there is no limitation in her range of motion. On physical examination, she has several points on the muscles of the neck, shoulders, and back that are tender to palpation; muscle strength and range of motion are normal. Which of the following is likely the cause of her pain?

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain syndrome characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, and multiple tender points on palpation, especially in the neck, shoulders, back, and hips. The patient's symptoms of widespread pain and tenderness at specific points on the muscles without arthritis, joint swelling, or limitation in range of motion are consistent with fibromyalgia. Fibromyalgia is often associated with poor sleep quality, morning stiffness, and fatigue, which the patient in the case provided experiences. Other conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, or polymyalgia rheumatica would typically present differently with specific joint involvement, swelling, and additional systemic symptoms, which are not seen in this patient.

Question 7 of 9

Mr. Maxwell has noticed that he is gaining weight and has increasing girth. Which of the following would argue for the presence of ascites?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Ascites is the abnormal accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity. When ascites is present, dullness is typically heard on percussion due to the fluid in the abdomen. This dullness does not shift with changes in the patient's position. Therefore, the finding of dullness which remains despite a change in position would argue for the presence of ascites. The other choices (A, C, D) describe findings that are more consistent with gaseous distention rather than ascites.

Question 8 of 9

A 28-year-old musician comes to your clinic, complaining of a "spot" on his penis. He states his partner noticed it 2 days ago and it hasn't gone away. He says it doesn't hurt. He has had no burning with urination and no pain during intercourse. He has had several partners in the last year and uses condoms occasionally. His past medical history consists of nongonococcal urethritis from Chlamydia and prostatitis. He denies any surgeries. He smokes two packs of cigarettes a day, drinks a case of beer a week, and smokes marijuana and occasionally crack. He has injected IV drugs before but not in the last few years. He is single and currently unemployed. His mother has rheumatoid arthritis and he doesn't know anything about his father. On examination you see a young man appearing deconditioned but pleasant. His vital signs are unremarkable. On visualization of his penis there is a 6-mm red, oval ulcer with an indurated base just proximal to the corona. There is no prepuce because of neonatal circumcision. On palpation the ulcer is nontender. In the inguinal region there is nontender lymphadenopathy. What disorder of the penis is most likely the diagnosis?

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The presentation described in the scenario is consistent with a syphilitic chancre, which is the primary lesion of syphilis. Syphilitic chancres are painless, indurated ulcers that occur at the site of initial infection with Treponema pallidum. These chancres are typically 0.5-2 cm in size, have a clean base, and are often accompanied by regional lymphadenopathy. The red oval ulcer with an indurated base in this patient, along with the absence of pain and presence of lymphadenopathy, is consistent with a syphilitic chancre.

Question 9 of 9

You are performing a routine check-up on an 81-year-old retired cotton farmer in the vascular surgery clinic. You note that he has a history of chronic arterial insufficiency. Which of the following physical examination findings in the lower extremities would be expected with this disease?

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Chronic arterial insufficiency results in poor blood flow to the lower extremities. This leads to inadequate oxygen and nutrient supply to the tissues, causing damage and changes in the skin. A common physical examination finding in chronic arterial insufficiency is thin, shiny, atrophic skin. The skin may appear pale, cool to the touch, and may have decreased hair growth. It is important to note that other findings such as diminished or absent pulses and reduced temperatures may also be present with chronic arterial insufficiency.

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