Physical Assessment Module 5 Quiz
Study Guide
• Understand the procedure to perform light palpation on the abdomen
• Light palpation is used to detect tenderness. The examiner
should systematically palpate the entire abdomen by using the
flat part of his or her right hand or the pads of the fingers, not
the fingertips.
The fingers should be together, and sudden jabs are to be avoided
• Light palpation can help determine if there is tenderness as well
as anything grossly abnormal such as a mass or enlarged organ.
The abdomen should be soft and nontender
• Learn how to assess the kidney for tenderness
• To assess kidney, place one hand over the 12th rib at
costovertebral angle on back. Thump that hand with ulnar edge
of your other fist
• Understand why auscultation is performed first
• For the abdomen, the second assessment technique is
auscultation. This is because percussion and palpation will
stimulate intestinal movements and the needed information is
the baseline bowel sounds (percussion and palpation can
increase peristalsis, which would give a false interpretation of
bowel sounds).
, • What are signs of breast cancer?
• Lump and discharge
• Rash and swelling
• Trauma and history of breast disease
• Treatment and medications
• Patient centered care
• Understand the role of the Registered Nurse in male or female
genitourinary examinations
• The registered nurse’s primary job in terms of assessment of
the genitalia, rectum, anus, or prostate is, in most cases,
aiding the physician, nurse practitioner, or physician’s
assistant in the assessment, helping to position the client and
collect specimens
• Understand what hypoactive and hyperactive bowel signs are
• If you hear approximately 5-30 sounds/minute, they are
considered to be normoactive; less than 5 sounds/minute are
considered hypoactive; more than 30 sounds/minute are
considered hyperactive
• Understand the location of the costovertebral angle
Study Guide
• Understand the procedure to perform light palpation on the abdomen
• Light palpation is used to detect tenderness. The examiner
should systematically palpate the entire abdomen by using the
flat part of his or her right hand or the pads of the fingers, not
the fingertips.
The fingers should be together, and sudden jabs are to be avoided
• Light palpation can help determine if there is tenderness as well
as anything grossly abnormal such as a mass or enlarged organ.
The abdomen should be soft and nontender
• Learn how to assess the kidney for tenderness
• To assess kidney, place one hand over the 12th rib at
costovertebral angle on back. Thump that hand with ulnar edge
of your other fist
• Understand why auscultation is performed first
• For the abdomen, the second assessment technique is
auscultation. This is because percussion and palpation will
stimulate intestinal movements and the needed information is
the baseline bowel sounds (percussion and palpation can
increase peristalsis, which would give a false interpretation of
bowel sounds).
, • What are signs of breast cancer?
• Lump and discharge
• Rash and swelling
• Trauma and history of breast disease
• Treatment and medications
• Patient centered care
• Understand the role of the Registered Nurse in male or female
genitourinary examinations
• The registered nurse’s primary job in terms of assessment of
the genitalia, rectum, anus, or prostate is, in most cases,
aiding the physician, nurse practitioner, or physician’s
assistant in the assessment, helping to position the client and
collect specimens
• Understand what hypoactive and hyperactive bowel signs are
• If you hear approximately 5-30 sounds/minute, they are
considered to be normoactive; less than 5 sounds/minute are
considered hypoactive; more than 30 sounds/minute are
considered hyperactive
• Understand the location of the costovertebral angle
