QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
◉ Your patient is lying flat on the exam table with his legs straight
and his arms above his head. Why is this poor positioning for the
abdominal exam?
a. the patient would have his underarms and abdomen exposed;
therefore he would be more ticklish
b. it is a difficult position for you to visualize the organs in each
region
c. This leads to an arched back which thrusts the abdomen forward,
tightening the abdominal muscles
d. straight legs relaxes the abdominal muscles.
Answer: c. This leads to an arched back which thrusts the abdomen
forward, tightening the abdominal muscles
◉ Which of the following statements is NOT expected for the
developmental level of an 11-year-old boy?
a. he insists his little brother and mother leave the examining room
while he undresses
b. he wants to leave his underpants on for the examination
c. he yells in frustration because he cannot get his shoe laces untied
d. he giggles as his abdomen is examined.
,Answer: c. he yells in frustration because he cannot get his shoe
laces untied
◉ Which of the following is the correct sequence of the abdominal
exam?
a. inspection, percussion, palpation, aucultation
b. inspection palpation, percussion, auscultation
c. inspection, auscultation, percussion, palpation
d. inspection, auscultation, palpation, percussion.
Answer: c. inspection, auscultation, percussion, palpation
◉ Which statement characterizes the expected changes that occur in
the aging man?
a. the hair at the base of the penis becomes straight and the scrotal
sac takes on a slightly reddish hue
b. the amount of pubic hair stays full, but the testes decrease in size
c. the penis decreases in size and the testes hang lower in the
scrotum
d. the amount of pubic hair lessens and the penis, testes, and
scrotum decrease in size.
Answer: c. the penis decreases in size and the testes hang lower in
the scrotum
, ◉ A 66-year-old man with a known history of COPD presents to the
clinic for evaluation of progressive shortness of breath. He had an
upper respiratory infection 2 weeks ago, and the symptoms have
gotten worse. On physical exam, you discover that he is having an
acute exacerbation of his COPD. On the general survey, you would
expect to see him?
a. sitting up and leaning forward with his arms braced
b. supine with arms comfortably at his side
c. laying on his left side
d. standing.
Answer: a. sitting up and leaning forward with his arms braced
◉ A 35-year-old reporter presents to your office for evaluation of
back pain and weakness in his left leg. He was play-wrestling with
his nephew and hurt his back 2 weeks ago. He states that he has also
noticed tingling in his left leg as well. He has not noticed
incontinence of bowel or bladder function. You perform a physical
exam and confirm that he is dragging his left foot when he walks and
his Achilles reflex is diminished. You diagnose him with a herniated
disc. Which nerve are you testing with the Achilles reflex?
a. C5, C6
b. L2, L3, L4
c. S1
d. L4, L5.
Answer: c. S1