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Chapter 08: Assessment Techniques and Safety in the
Clinical Setting
Chapter 08: Assessment Techniques and Safety in the Clinical Setting
Jarvis: Physical Examination & Health Assessment, 7th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. When performing a physical assessment, the first technique the nurse will
always use is:
a. Palpation.
b. Inspection.
c. Percussion.
d. Auscultation.
,ANS: B
The skills requisite for the physical examination are inspection, palpation,
percussion, and auscultation. The skills are performed one at a time and in this
order (with the exception of the abdominal assessment, during which
auscultation takes place before palpation and percussion). The assessment of
each body system begins with inspection. A focused inspection takes time and
yields a surprising amount of information.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Remembering (Knowledge) REF: p. 115
MSC: Client Needs: Safe and Effective Care Environment: Management of Care
2. The nurse is preparing to perform a physical assessment. Which statement is
true about the physical assessment? The inspection phase:
a. Usually yields little information.
b. Takes time and reveals a surprising amount of information.
c. May be somewhat uncomfortable for the expert practitioner.
d. Requires a quick glance at the patient’s body systems before proceeding
with palpation.
ANS: B
,A focused inspection takes time and yields a surprising amount of information.
Initially, the examiner may feel uncomfortable, staring at the person without
also doing something. A focused assessment is significantly more than a “quick
glance.”
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understanding (Comprehension) REF: p. 115
MSC: Client Needs: Safe and Effective Care Environment: Management of Care
3. The nurse is assessing a patient’s skin during an office visit. What part of the
hand and technique should be used to best assess the patient’s skin
temperature?
a. Fingertips; they are more sensitive to small changes in temperature.
b. Dorsal surface of the hand; the skin is thinner on this surface than on the
palms.
c. Ulnar portion of the hand; increased blood supply in this area enhances
temperature sensitivity.
d. Palmar surface of the hand; this surface is the most sensitive to
temperature variations because of its increased nerve supply in this area.
ANS: B
, The dorsa (backs) of the hands and fingers are best for determining temperature
because the skin is thinner on the dorsal surfaces than on the palms. Fingertips
are best for fine, tactile discrimination. The other responses are not useful for
palpation.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Applying (Application) REF: p. 115
MSC: Client Needs: Safe and Effective Care Environment: Management of Care
4. Which of these techniques uses the sense of touch to assess texture,
temperature, moisture, and swelling when the nurse is assessing a patient?
a. Palpation
b. Inspection
c. Percussion
d. Auscultation
ANS: A
Palpation uses the sense of touch to assess the patient for these factors.
Inspection involves vision; percussion assesses through the use of palpable
vibrations and audible sounds; and auscultation uses the sense of hearing.
One Account Get all Test Banks
Chapter 08: Assessment Techniques and Safety in the
Clinical Setting
Chapter 08: Assessment Techniques and Safety in the Clinical Setting
Jarvis: Physical Examination & Health Assessment, 7th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. When performing a physical assessment, the first technique the nurse will
always use is:
a. Palpation.
b. Inspection.
c. Percussion.
d. Auscultation.
,ANS: B
The skills requisite for the physical examination are inspection, palpation,
percussion, and auscultation. The skills are performed one at a time and in this
order (with the exception of the abdominal assessment, during which
auscultation takes place before palpation and percussion). The assessment of
each body system begins with inspection. A focused inspection takes time and
yields a surprising amount of information.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Remembering (Knowledge) REF: p. 115
MSC: Client Needs: Safe and Effective Care Environment: Management of Care
2. The nurse is preparing to perform a physical assessment. Which statement is
true about the physical assessment? The inspection phase:
a. Usually yields little information.
b. Takes time and reveals a surprising amount of information.
c. May be somewhat uncomfortable for the expert practitioner.
d. Requires a quick glance at the patient’s body systems before proceeding
with palpation.
ANS: B
,A focused inspection takes time and yields a surprising amount of information.
Initially, the examiner may feel uncomfortable, staring at the person without
also doing something. A focused assessment is significantly more than a “quick
glance.”
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understanding (Comprehension) REF: p. 115
MSC: Client Needs: Safe and Effective Care Environment: Management of Care
3. The nurse is assessing a patient’s skin during an office visit. What part of the
hand and technique should be used to best assess the patient’s skin
temperature?
a. Fingertips; they are more sensitive to small changes in temperature.
b. Dorsal surface of the hand; the skin is thinner on this surface than on the
palms.
c. Ulnar portion of the hand; increased blood supply in this area enhances
temperature sensitivity.
d. Palmar surface of the hand; this surface is the most sensitive to
temperature variations because of its increased nerve supply in this area.
ANS: B
, The dorsa (backs) of the hands and fingers are best for determining temperature
because the skin is thinner on the dorsal surfaces than on the palms. Fingertips
are best for fine, tactile discrimination. The other responses are not useful for
palpation.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Applying (Application) REF: p. 115
MSC: Client Needs: Safe and Effective Care Environment: Management of Care
4. Which of these techniques uses the sense of touch to assess texture,
temperature, moisture, and swelling when the nurse is assessing a patient?
a. Palpation
b. Inspection
c. Percussion
d. Auscultation
ANS: A
Palpation uses the sense of touch to assess the patient for these factors.
Inspection involves vision; percussion assesses through the use of palpable
vibrations and audible sounds; and auscultation uses the sense of hearing.
