The nurse is assessing a patient's gait and observes shuffling and difficulty initiating movement. What condition is most likely associated with these findings?

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Vital Signs Physical Assessment Techniques Questions

Question 1 of 5

The nurse is assessing a patient's gait and observes shuffling and difficulty initiating movement. What condition is most likely associated with these findings?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Parkinson's disease. Shuffling gait and difficulty initiating movement are classic symptoms of Parkinson's disease due to the characteristic motor impairments and muscle rigidity associated with the condition. The basal ganglia dysfunction in Parkinson's leads to a lack of coordination in initiating and executing movements, resulting in the observed gait abnormalities. In contrast, stroke (B) typically presents with sudden onset focal neurological deficits, multiple sclerosis (C) involves demyelination of the central nervous system leading to various symptoms, and cerebral palsy (D) is a neurodevelopmental disorder present from childhood characterized by impaired movement and posture.

Question 2 of 5

What is the primary purpose of performing percussion during a physical examination?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: To detect changes in the density of underlying structures. Percussion helps in assessing the density of organs or tissues by listening to the sounds produced. Denser structures produce dull sounds, while air-filled structures produce resonant sounds. This technique is commonly used to assess the lungs and abdominal organs. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because percussion primarily focuses on evaluating the density, not texture, temperature, or pulses.

Question 3 of 5

The following information is recorded in the health history: 'I feel really tired.' Which category does it belong to?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Chief complaint. The chief complaint is the main reason for the patient seeking medical attention. In this case, "I feel really tired" is a subjective symptom that is bothering the patient and prompting them to seek help. It is the primary concern that needs to be addressed first. B: Present illness focuses on the current symptoms and how they developed, not just a general feeling of tiredness. C: Personal and social history pertains to the patient's background and lifestyle, not their immediate health concerns. D: Review of systems involves a systematic inquiry about specific symptoms or issues, not a general statement like feeling tired.

Question 4 of 5

Which of the following symptoms is relevant to the gastrointestinal system?

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Nausea. Nausea is a symptom related to the gastrointestinal system as it often indicates issues such as stomach problems or digestive disturbances. It can be caused by various gastrointestinal conditions like gastritis, gastroenteritis, or peptic ulcers. Cough (A) and chest pain (B) are more likely related to respiratory or cardiac issues, respectively. Polyuria (D) is a symptom of excessive urination, pointing towards potential kidney or endocrine system problems, not the gastrointestinal system.

Question 5 of 5

Which of the following symptoms is most likely to be documented under the psychiatric system in the review of systems?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Feeling anxious. In the review of systems, psychiatric symptoms are typically documented under the psychiatric system. Anxiety is a common psychiatric symptom that falls under this category. It is important to differentiate psychiatric symptoms from physical symptoms like ringing in the ears (choice B), skin rash (choice C), and joint stiffness (choice D) which are typically documented under other systems such as the neurological or dermatological systems. Symptoms like feeling anxious are subjective experiences related to mental health, making them more likely to be included in the psychiatric system.

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