Seidel's guide to physical examination
Which statement suggests that a pt may be at risk for contracting viral hepatitis A?
a. "I am a healthcare worker."
b. "I had a blood transfusion lately."
c. "I have renal failure and have hemodialysis 3x/week."
d. "I have recently been overseas." - (correct Answer) - d. "I have recently been overseas."
The examiner observes venous return on the abdomen of the pt that moves upward from the pubis to
the chest. This finding should make the examiner consider
a. portal hypertension
b. renal artery stenosis
c. inferior vena cava obstruction
d. mesentery arterial hypertension - (correct Answer) - c. inferior vena cava obstruction
Mrs. Cody is 36 weeks pregnant. She tells the examiner her stomach muscle feels like it is splitting. A
protrusion at the midline of the abdomen is observed. This is recognized as
a. abdominal dehiscence
b. swelling of the abdominal aorta
c. diastasis recti
d. umbilical herniation - (correct Answer) - c. diastasis recti
In which of the following pts would a slight pulsation in the epigastric area be considered a normal
inspection finding?
a. a very thin pt
b. an obese pt
c. a pt with ascites
d. an older pt - (correct Answer) - a. a very thin pt
The examiner palpates an organ in the left costal margin. Which technique should the examiner use to
differentiate between an enlarged kidney and enlarged spleen?
a. auscultation, listening for renal bruit
b. auscultation, listening for abdominal friction rub
, c. palpation, using indirect fist palpation to assess for tenderness
d. percussion, listening for dullness - (correct Answer) - d. percussion, listening for dullness
A hiatal hernia is best described as
a. a protrusion of abdominal contents through a weakening in the abdominal wall
b. a protrusion of the stomach through the esophageal opening in the diaphragm
c. an ulcer in the mucosa of the stomach that herniates into the peritoneal cavity
d. a herniation of the gallbladder into the cystic duct - (correct Answer) - b. a protrusion of the stomach
through the esophageal opening in the diaphragm
An examiner may wish to use a bimanual technique for abdominal palpation when
a. palpating superficial organs.
b. validating abdominal tenderness in the infant.
c. meeting muscle resistance while performing deep palpation
d. determining the presence of excessive peritoneal fluid. - (correct Answer) - c. meeting muscle
resistance while performing deep palpation
A 2 1/2 y/o child presents with abdominal pain and stools that are red currant jelly in appearance which
problem would the examiner suspect?
a. Meckel diverticulum
b. Pyloric stenosis
c. intussusception
d. necrotizing enterocolitis - (correct Answer) - c. intussusception
You note that the midclavicular liver span of an adult male pt is 18 cm. With palpation, you note that the
liver is enlarged and nontender. What do these finding suggest?
a. diverticulitis
b. ulcerative colitis
c. hepatitis
d. cirrhosis - (correct Answer) - d. cirrhosis
The examiner is unable to palpate the liver or kidney on the patient. Which of the following techniques
will help assess tenderness to these organs?
a. application of continuous, firm pressure for 3 to 5 minutes
Which statement suggests that a pt may be at risk for contracting viral hepatitis A?
a. "I am a healthcare worker."
b. "I had a blood transfusion lately."
c. "I have renal failure and have hemodialysis 3x/week."
d. "I have recently been overseas." - (correct Answer) - d. "I have recently been overseas."
The examiner observes venous return on the abdomen of the pt that moves upward from the pubis to
the chest. This finding should make the examiner consider
a. portal hypertension
b. renal artery stenosis
c. inferior vena cava obstruction
d. mesentery arterial hypertension - (correct Answer) - c. inferior vena cava obstruction
Mrs. Cody is 36 weeks pregnant. She tells the examiner her stomach muscle feels like it is splitting. A
protrusion at the midline of the abdomen is observed. This is recognized as
a. abdominal dehiscence
b. swelling of the abdominal aorta
c. diastasis recti
d. umbilical herniation - (correct Answer) - c. diastasis recti
In which of the following pts would a slight pulsation in the epigastric area be considered a normal
inspection finding?
a. a very thin pt
b. an obese pt
c. a pt with ascites
d. an older pt - (correct Answer) - a. a very thin pt
The examiner palpates an organ in the left costal margin. Which technique should the examiner use to
differentiate between an enlarged kidney and enlarged spleen?
a. auscultation, listening for renal bruit
b. auscultation, listening for abdominal friction rub
, c. palpation, using indirect fist palpation to assess for tenderness
d. percussion, listening for dullness - (correct Answer) - d. percussion, listening for dullness
A hiatal hernia is best described as
a. a protrusion of abdominal contents through a weakening in the abdominal wall
b. a protrusion of the stomach through the esophageal opening in the diaphragm
c. an ulcer in the mucosa of the stomach that herniates into the peritoneal cavity
d. a herniation of the gallbladder into the cystic duct - (correct Answer) - b. a protrusion of the stomach
through the esophageal opening in the diaphragm
An examiner may wish to use a bimanual technique for abdominal palpation when
a. palpating superficial organs.
b. validating abdominal tenderness in the infant.
c. meeting muscle resistance while performing deep palpation
d. determining the presence of excessive peritoneal fluid. - (correct Answer) - c. meeting muscle
resistance while performing deep palpation
A 2 1/2 y/o child presents with abdominal pain and stools that are red currant jelly in appearance which
problem would the examiner suspect?
a. Meckel diverticulum
b. Pyloric stenosis
c. intussusception
d. necrotizing enterocolitis - (correct Answer) - c. intussusception
You note that the midclavicular liver span of an adult male pt is 18 cm. With palpation, you note that the
liver is enlarged and nontender. What do these finding suggest?
a. diverticulitis
b. ulcerative colitis
c. hepatitis
d. cirrhosis - (correct Answer) - d. cirrhosis
The examiner is unable to palpate the liver or kidney on the patient. Which of the following techniques
will help assess tenderness to these organs?
a. application of continuous, firm pressure for 3 to 5 minutes
