A nurse is performing a respiratory physical examination on a healthy patient. When performing the percussion physical assessment technique, the lung percussion note should be:

Resonance

Tympanic

Flat

Dullness

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is A

Choice a reason:
Resonance is the expected percussion note when percussing over normal, healthy lung tissue. This sound is produced due to the presence of air in the lung parenchyma, which allows for the transmission of sound waves through the air-filled spaces. In a healthy individual, the resonance indicates that the lungs are free from any significant abnormalities that could alter the sound, such as fluid or solid masses.
Choice b reason:
Tympanic notes are typically heard over hollow, air-containing structures like the stomach. This sound is not expected in lung percussion unless there is a large, air-filled cavity within the lung tissue, which would be abnormal and indicative of a pathological condition such as a pneumothorax.
Choice c reason:
A flat percussion note is usually heard over dense tissues where air is not present, such as over the thigh muscles or areas of the chest where lung tissue has been replaced by something more solid, like in the case of a pleural effusion or a lung mass.
Choice d reason:
Dullness on percussion usually indicates that the lung is not air-filled and may be suggestive of underlying conditions such as pneumonia, tumor, or atelectasis. It is a higher-pitched sound compared to flatness and is typically found in areas of the lung that are filled with fluid or solid tissue rather than air.

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Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Choice A Reason:
Family History is used to document health events in the patient's family, including diseases that may be hereditary or place the patient at risk. The statement about feeling like an elephant is sitting on the chest is not related to family health but is a description of the patient's current symptoms.

Choice B Reason:
Past Medical History includes information about the patient's past health issues, surgeries, hospitalizations, allergies, and treatments. It does not include current symptoms or the reasons for the current hospital visit.

Choice C Reason:
The Chief Complaint is the section where the nurse documents the primary reason for the patient's visit in their own words. The phrase "feels like an elephant is sitting on his chest" is a classic description of chest pain or discomfort, often associated with cardiac issues, and would be documented here as it represents the patient's main concern.

Choice D Reason:
Present Illness or History of Present Illness would include a detailed account of the development of the patient's illness or health concern. While it is closely related to the Chief Complaint, it is more detailed and includes the onset, duration, and character of the symptoms, among other aspects. The initial statement would be part of the Chief Complaint, which leads into the more detailed History of Present Illness.

A. Eye malalignment B. Eye turning outward C. Eye oscillating D. Eye turning inward

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

Choice a reason:
Eye malalignment is a general term that refers to any form of misalignment of the eyes, which can include esotropia but is not specific to it. Esotropia is a type of strabismus where there is a specific pattern of eye malalignment.

Choice b reason:
Eye turning outward is known as exotropia, which is the opposite of esotropia. In exotropia, one or both eyes turn outward away from the nose, which is not characteristic of esotropia.

Choice c reason:
Eye oscillating refers to nystagmus, a condition where the eyes make repetitive, uncontrolled movements, often resulting in reduced vision and depth perception. While nystagmus can occur in conjunction with esotropia, it is not a defining characteristic of esotropia itself.

Choice d reason:
Eye turning inward is the hallmark of esotropia. In this condition, one or both eyes turn inward towards the nose. It can be constant or intermittent and may affect one eye or alternate between both eyes. Esotropia can be comitant, meaning the degree of deviation is the same in every direction of gaze, or incomitant, where the deviation varies with gaze direction.

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A nurse is performing a respiratory physical examination on a healthy patient. When performing the percussion physical assessment technique, the lung percussion note should be:

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

During a comprehensive health history, a client reports coming into the hospital because he "feels like an elephant is sitting on his chest." The nurse will document this information in which of the following sections?

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

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Correct Answer is D

Explanation

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