NR 302 Practice Questions Chapter 9 Techniques and Equipment

The nurse is preparing to assess the sinuses of an adult client using direct percussion. Which technique is the most appropriate for this assessment? 1. Using the hyperextended middle finger of the nondominant hand. 2. Using the closed fist of dominant hand. 3. Using the palm of the nondominant hand. 4. Using the fingertips of the dominant hand. Correct Answer: 4 Direct percussion is the technique of tapping the body with the fingertips of the dominant hand. It is used to assess thorax of an infant and also to assess the sinuses of an adult client. During auscultation of the breath sounds of an adult male client, the nurse hears crackling sounds over most of the chest. Which action by the nurse is the most appropriate? 1. Document this as abnormal. 2. Wet the chest hair before auscultating the chest. 3. Place the diaphragm on top of the client's shirt. 4. Switch from the diaphragm to the bell. Correct Answer: 2 Friction on either the bell or the diaphragm from coarse body hair may cause a crackling sound easily confused with abnormal breath sounds. To avoid artifact caused from friction, the nurse should wet the hair on the client's chest before auscultation. The nurse educator is observing a student nurse who is performing cervical palpation on an adult client. Which technique is appropriate for this assessment? 1. Downward pressure of 1-2 cm using the finger pads. 2. Side to side pressure of ½-1 cm using the finger pads. 3. Downward pressure of 2-4 cm using the palmar surface of the fingers 4. Light pressure using the base of the fingers (metacarpophalangeal joints). Correct Answer: 2 Side-to-side palpation of ½-1 cm in depth will not be sufficient to examine structures that lie deep within a body cavity or those that are covered with thickmuscle. This may be sufficient to determine the size and consistency of a finding in the soft tissue (such as a cervical lymph node). The nurse is preparing to assess a client's abdomen. Place the sequence for an abdominal assessment is the correct order. Standard Text: Click on the down arrow for each response in the right column and select the correct choice from the list. Response 1. Percussion. Response 2. Palpation. Response 3. Auscultation. Response 4. Inspection. Correct Answer: 4, 3, 1, 2 The nurse is inspecting a client's chest and upper extremities. Which would be the appropriate method for the nurse to assess these body areas? 1. Examine the right arm, the chest, and then the left arm. 2. Examine the left arm, the chest, and then the right arm. 3. Examine the left arm, the right arm, and then the chest. 4. Examine the chest, and then examine the arms at the conclusion of the exam, as the client is re-dressing. Correct Answer: 3 Inspection begins with a survey of the client's appearance and a comparison of the right and left sides of the body, which should be nearly symmetrical. The nurse should compare the left and right arms before moving to the chest. A client has a reddened area on the left forearm. Which assessment technique should the nurse use to assess this area? 1. Percussion. 2. Light palpation. 3. Moderate palpation. 4. Deep palpation. Correct Answer: 2 Light palpation is used to assess surface characteristics, such as skin texture, pulse, or a tender, inflamed area near the surface of the skin.