PCC Practice Questions
1. What is the role of the Joint Commission in regard to patient assessment? The Joint
Commission
1)
States what assessments are collected by individuals with different credentials
2)
Regulates the time frames for when assessments should be completed
3)
Identifies how data are to be collected and documented
4)
Sets standards for what and when to assess the patient - answerANS: 4
The Joint Commission sets detailed standards regarding what and when to assess but
does not address credentials. Nurse practice acts specify what data are collected and
by whom. Agency policy may set time frames for when assessments should be done
and how they should be documented. Nursing knowledge identifies how data are to be
collected.
2. Which of the following is an example of data that should be validated?
1)
The clients weight measures 185 lb at the clinic.
2)
The clients liver function test results are elevated.
3)
The clients blood pressure is 160/94 mm Hg; he states that that is typical for him.
4)
,The client states she eats a low-sodium diet and reports eating processed food. -
answerANS: 4
Validation should be done when the clients statements are inconsistent (processed
foods are generally high in sodium). Validation is not necessary for laboratory data
when you suspect an error has been made in the results. Personal information that
patients might be embarrassed about, such as weight, is best validated with a scale.
3. Which of the following examples includes both objective and subjective data?
1)
The clients blood pressure is 132/68 and her heart rate is 88.
2)
The clients cholesterol is elevated, and he states he likes fried food.
3)
The client states she has trouble sleeping and that she drinks coffee in the evening.
4)
The client states he gets frequent headaches and that he takes aspirin for the pain. -
answerANS: 2
Elevated cholesterol is objective, and states he likes fried food is subjective. Objective
data can be observed by someone other than the patient (e.g., from physical
assessments or lab and diagnostic tests). Subjective data are information given by the
client. Blood pressure and heart rate measurements are both objective. States . . .
trouble sleeping and . . . drinks coffee . . . are both subjective. States . . . frequent
headaches and . . . takes aspirin . . . are both subjective.
4. The Joint Commission requires which type of assessment to be performed on all
patients?
1)
Functional ability
2)
Pain
3)
,Cultural
4)
Wellness - answerANS: 2
The Joint Commission requires that pain and nutrition assessment be performed on all
patients. Other special needs assessments should be performed when cues indicate
there are risk factors.
5. Which of the following is an example of an ongoing assessment?
1)
Taking the patients temperature 1 hour after giving acetaminophen (Tylenol)
2)
Examining the patients mouth at the time she complains of a sore throat
3)
Requesting the patient to rate intensity on a pain scale with the first perception of pain
4)
Asking the patient in detail how he will return to his normal exercise activities -
answerANS: 1
An ongoing assessment occurs when a previously identified problem is being
reassessedfor example, taking an hourly temperature when a patient has a fever.
Examining the mouth is a focused assessment to explore the patients complaint of sore
throat. Asking for a pain rating is a focused assessment at the first complaint of pain. A
detailed interview about exercise is a special needs assessment; there is no way to
know if it is initial or ongoing.
6. When should the nurse make systematic observations about a patient?
1)
When the patient has specific complaints
2)
With the first assessment of the shift
, 3)
Each time the nurse gives medications to the patient
4)
Each time the nurse interacts with the patient - answerANS: 4
The nurse should make observations about the patient each time she enters the room
or interacts with the patient to gain ongoing data about the patient.
7. Which of the following is an example of an open-ended question?
1)
Have you had surgery before?
2)
When was your last menstrual period?
3)
What happens when you have a headache?
4)
Do you have a family history of heart disease? - answerANS: 3
Open-ended questions such as What happens when you have a headache? are broad
so as to encourage the patient to elaborate. The questions about surgery, menstrual
period, and family history can all be answered with a yes, no, or short, specific answer
(a date).
8. Of the following recommended interviewing techniques, which one is the most basic?
(That is, without that intervention, the others will all be less effective.)
1)
Beginning with neutral topics
2)
Individualizing your approach
1. What is the role of the Joint Commission in regard to patient assessment? The Joint
Commission
1)
States what assessments are collected by individuals with different credentials
2)
Regulates the time frames for when assessments should be completed
3)
Identifies how data are to be collected and documented
4)
Sets standards for what and when to assess the patient - answerANS: 4
The Joint Commission sets detailed standards regarding what and when to assess but
does not address credentials. Nurse practice acts specify what data are collected and
by whom. Agency policy may set time frames for when assessments should be done
and how they should be documented. Nursing knowledge identifies how data are to be
collected.
2. Which of the following is an example of data that should be validated?
1)
The clients weight measures 185 lb at the clinic.
2)
The clients liver function test results are elevated.
3)
The clients blood pressure is 160/94 mm Hg; he states that that is typical for him.
4)
,The client states she eats a low-sodium diet and reports eating processed food. -
answerANS: 4
Validation should be done when the clients statements are inconsistent (processed
foods are generally high in sodium). Validation is not necessary for laboratory data
when you suspect an error has been made in the results. Personal information that
patients might be embarrassed about, such as weight, is best validated with a scale.
3. Which of the following examples includes both objective and subjective data?
1)
The clients blood pressure is 132/68 and her heart rate is 88.
2)
The clients cholesterol is elevated, and he states he likes fried food.
3)
The client states she has trouble sleeping and that she drinks coffee in the evening.
4)
The client states he gets frequent headaches and that he takes aspirin for the pain. -
answerANS: 2
Elevated cholesterol is objective, and states he likes fried food is subjective. Objective
data can be observed by someone other than the patient (e.g., from physical
assessments or lab and diagnostic tests). Subjective data are information given by the
client. Blood pressure and heart rate measurements are both objective. States . . .
trouble sleeping and . . . drinks coffee . . . are both subjective. States . . . frequent
headaches and . . . takes aspirin . . . are both subjective.
4. The Joint Commission requires which type of assessment to be performed on all
patients?
1)
Functional ability
2)
Pain
3)
,Cultural
4)
Wellness - answerANS: 2
The Joint Commission requires that pain and nutrition assessment be performed on all
patients. Other special needs assessments should be performed when cues indicate
there are risk factors.
5. Which of the following is an example of an ongoing assessment?
1)
Taking the patients temperature 1 hour after giving acetaminophen (Tylenol)
2)
Examining the patients mouth at the time she complains of a sore throat
3)
Requesting the patient to rate intensity on a pain scale with the first perception of pain
4)
Asking the patient in detail how he will return to his normal exercise activities -
answerANS: 1
An ongoing assessment occurs when a previously identified problem is being
reassessedfor example, taking an hourly temperature when a patient has a fever.
Examining the mouth is a focused assessment to explore the patients complaint of sore
throat. Asking for a pain rating is a focused assessment at the first complaint of pain. A
detailed interview about exercise is a special needs assessment; there is no way to
know if it is initial or ongoing.
6. When should the nurse make systematic observations about a patient?
1)
When the patient has specific complaints
2)
With the first assessment of the shift
, 3)
Each time the nurse gives medications to the patient
4)
Each time the nurse interacts with the patient - answerANS: 4
The nurse should make observations about the patient each time she enters the room
or interacts with the patient to gain ongoing data about the patient.
7. Which of the following is an example of an open-ended question?
1)
Have you had surgery before?
2)
When was your last menstrual period?
3)
What happens when you have a headache?
4)
Do you have a family history of heart disease? - answerANS: 3
Open-ended questions such as What happens when you have a headache? are broad
so as to encourage the patient to elaborate. The questions about surgery, menstrual
period, and family history can all be answered with a yes, no, or short, specific answer
(a date).
8. Of the following recommended interviewing techniques, which one is the most basic?
(That is, without that intervention, the others will all be less effective.)
1)
Beginning with neutral topics
2)
Individualizing your approach
