PHYSICAL EXAMINATION AND
HEALTH ASSESSMENT EXAM
QUESTIONS AND THEIR CORRECT
SOLUTIONS
Which of these statements is true regarding the
arterial system?
ANS: The arterial system is a high-pressure system.
The pumping heart makes the arterial system a high-
pressure system.
The nurse is reviewing the blood supply to the arm.
The major artery supplying the arm is the _____
artery.
ANS: brachial
The major artery supplying the arm is the brachial artery.
The brachial artery bifurcates into the ulnar and radial
arteries immediately below the elbow. In the hand, the
ulnar and radial arteries form two arches known as the
superficial and deep palmar arches.
The nurse is preparing to assess the dorsalis pedis
artery. Where is the correct location for palpation?
ANS: Lateral to the extensor tendon of the great toe
The dorsalis pedis artery is located on the dorsum of the
foot. The nurse should palpate just lateral to and parallel
,with the extensor tendon of the big toe. The popliteal
artery is palpated behind the knee. The posterior tibial
pulse is palpated in the groove between the malleolus and
the Achilles tendon. There is no pulse palpated at the
lateral malleolus.
A 65-year-old patient is experiencing pain in his left
calf when he exercises that disappears after resting
for a few minutes. The nurse recognizes that this
description is most consistent with _________ the left
leg.
ANS: ischemia caused by partial blockage of an artery
supplying
Ischemia is a deficient supply of oxygenated arterial blood
to a tissue. A partial blockage creates an insufficient
supply, and the ischemia may be apparent only during
exercise when oxygen needs increase.
The nurse is reviewing venous blood flow patterns.
Which of these statements best describes the
mechanism(s) by which venous blood returns to the
heart?
ANS: Intraluminal valves ensure unidirectional flow toward
the heart.
Blood moves through the veins by (1) contracting skeletal
muscles that milk the blood proximally; (2) pressure
gradients caused by breathing, in which inspiration makes
the thoracic pressure decrease and the abdominal
pressure increase; and (3) the intraluminal valves, which
ensure unidirectional flow toward the heart.
, Which of these veins are responsible for most of the
venous return in the arm?
ANS: Superficial
The superficial veins of the arms are in the subcutaneous
tissue and are responsible for most of the venous return.
A 70-year-old patient is scheduled for open-heart
surgery. The surgeon plans to use the great
saphenous vein for the coronary bypass grafts. The
patient asks, "What happens to my circulation when
the veins are removed?" The nurse should reply:
ANS: "Because the deeper veins in your leg are in good
condition, this vein can be removed without harming your
circulation."
As long as the femoral and popliteal veins remain intact,
the superficial veins can be excised without harming the
circulation. The other responses are not correct.
The nurse is reviewing risk factors for venous
disease. Which of these situations best describes a
person at highest risk for development of venous
disease?
ANS: Person who has been on bed rest for 4 days
At risk for venous disease are people who undergo
prolonged standing, sitting, or bed rest. Hypercoagulable
(not anticoagulated) states and vein wall trauma also
place the person at risk for venous disease. Obesity and
pregnancy are also risk factors, but not the early months
of pregnancy.
HEALTH ASSESSMENT EXAM
QUESTIONS AND THEIR CORRECT
SOLUTIONS
Which of these statements is true regarding the
arterial system?
ANS: The arterial system is a high-pressure system.
The pumping heart makes the arterial system a high-
pressure system.
The nurse is reviewing the blood supply to the arm.
The major artery supplying the arm is the _____
artery.
ANS: brachial
The major artery supplying the arm is the brachial artery.
The brachial artery bifurcates into the ulnar and radial
arteries immediately below the elbow. In the hand, the
ulnar and radial arteries form two arches known as the
superficial and deep palmar arches.
The nurse is preparing to assess the dorsalis pedis
artery. Where is the correct location for palpation?
ANS: Lateral to the extensor tendon of the great toe
The dorsalis pedis artery is located on the dorsum of the
foot. The nurse should palpate just lateral to and parallel
,with the extensor tendon of the big toe. The popliteal
artery is palpated behind the knee. The posterior tibial
pulse is palpated in the groove between the malleolus and
the Achilles tendon. There is no pulse palpated at the
lateral malleolus.
A 65-year-old patient is experiencing pain in his left
calf when he exercises that disappears after resting
for a few minutes. The nurse recognizes that this
description is most consistent with _________ the left
leg.
ANS: ischemia caused by partial blockage of an artery
supplying
Ischemia is a deficient supply of oxygenated arterial blood
to a tissue. A partial blockage creates an insufficient
supply, and the ischemia may be apparent only during
exercise when oxygen needs increase.
The nurse is reviewing venous blood flow patterns.
Which of these statements best describes the
mechanism(s) by which venous blood returns to the
heart?
ANS: Intraluminal valves ensure unidirectional flow toward
the heart.
Blood moves through the veins by (1) contracting skeletal
muscles that milk the blood proximally; (2) pressure
gradients caused by breathing, in which inspiration makes
the thoracic pressure decrease and the abdominal
pressure increase; and (3) the intraluminal valves, which
ensure unidirectional flow toward the heart.
, Which of these veins are responsible for most of the
venous return in the arm?
ANS: Superficial
The superficial veins of the arms are in the subcutaneous
tissue and are responsible for most of the venous return.
A 70-year-old patient is scheduled for open-heart
surgery. The surgeon plans to use the great
saphenous vein for the coronary bypass grafts. The
patient asks, "What happens to my circulation when
the veins are removed?" The nurse should reply:
ANS: "Because the deeper veins in your leg are in good
condition, this vein can be removed without harming your
circulation."
As long as the femoral and popliteal veins remain intact,
the superficial veins can be excised without harming the
circulation. The other responses are not correct.
The nurse is reviewing risk factors for venous
disease. Which of these situations best describes a
person at highest risk for development of venous
disease?
ANS: Person who has been on bed rest for 4 days
At risk for venous disease are people who undergo
prolonged standing, sitting, or bed rest. Hypercoagulable
(not anticoagulated) states and vein wall trauma also
place the person at risk for venous disease. Obesity and
pregnancy are also risk factors, but not the early months
of pregnancy.
