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over dense tissues where air is not present, such as over the thigh muscles or areas of the chest where lung tissue has been replaced by something more solid, like in the case of a pleural effusion or a lung mass.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.

Nursing Test Bank

Quiz #1: RN Exams Pharmacology Exams Quiz #2: RN Exams Medical-Surgical Exams Quiz #3: RN Exams Fundamentals Exams Quiz #4: RN Exams Maternal-Newborn Exams Quiz #5: RN Exams Anatomy and Physiology Exams Quiz #6: RN Exams Obstetrics and Pediatrics Exams Quiz #7: RN Exams Fluid and Electrolytes Exams Quiz #8: RN Exams Community Health Exams Quiz #9: RN Exams Promoting Health across the lifespan Exams Quiz #10: RN Exams Multidimensional care Exams

Get 100+ Naxlex Exit Exams for $79 Try Naxlex NCLEX-RN (14 Day Free-Trial)

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Quiz #1: Naxlex RN Comprehensive online practice 2019 B with NGN Quiz #2: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Quiz #3: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Exit Exam A Quiz #4: Naxlex HESI Exit LPN Exam Quiz #5: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor PN 2020 Quiz #6: Naxlex VATI PN Comprehensive Predictor 2020 Quiz #8: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 - Exam 1 Quiz #10: Naxlex HESI PN Exit exam Quiz #11: Naxlex HESI PN EXIT Exam 2

Free Nursing Study Resources

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Choice A Reason:
The dorsal aspect of the hand, rather than the finger pads, is more sensitive to temperature due to its thinner skin. Therefore, while the finger pads can detect temperature, they are not the best tool for this purpose.

Choice B Reason:
Vibrations, such as those produced by vocal fremitus, are typically assessed using the ulnar edge or the palmar aspect of the hand, not the finger pads. The finger pads are sensitive but do not provide the best surface for detecting vibrations.

Choice C Reason:
The finger pads are densely innervated and are the most sensitive part of the hand, making them ideal for palpating pulses. Pulses are subtle and require a fine touch to assess properly, which is why the finger pads are the preferred area for this assessment.

Choice D Reason:
Fremitus refers to the palpable vibrations transmitted through the bronchopulmonary tree to the chest wall as someone speaks. It is best felt with the ball of the hand or the ulnar edge, not the finger pads.

A. "I should get a longer cord for my telephone." B. "I should place a throw rug over electrical cords." C. "It is a good idea to use the handrails in the bathroom." D. "I should use chairs without armrests."

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Choice a reason:
Getting a longer cord for the telephone may reduce the risk of tripping over a short cord but could potentially introduce new tripping hazards if not managed properly. It's important to keep cords secured and out of walkways to prevent falls.

Choice b reason:
Placing a throw rug over electrical cords is not advisable as it can create a tripping hazard. Rugs should be secured with non-slip backing and kept away from high-traffic areas to prevent falls.

Choice c reason:
Using handrails in the bathroom is a recommended safety measure to prevent falls. Bathrooms can be slippery, and handrails provide support and stability for residents when moving around in this area.

Choice d reason:
Using chairs without armrests is not a recommended practice for fall prevention. Chairs with armrests can aid residents in safely sitting down and standing up, providing support and reducing the risk of falls.

View Question and Answer

Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.

Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today

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

The nurse is using the finger pads of the hand to palpate a body part. Which finding would the nurse be best able to detect?

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

A nurse is presenting a class about fall prevention to a group of assisted-living residents. Which of the following statements by a resident best indicates an understanding of the teaching?

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

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:

A client has been receiving intravenous antibiotics (ototoxic) for several weeks. Which prevention strategy would be best for the nurse to recommend for this client?

The nurse is preparing to examine a client's mouth floor. To move the tongue to one side for this examination, which tool should the nurse use?

Which of the following should the nurse do before conducting a physical examination of a client? (Select all that apply)

A nurse is assessing a client who has hypothyroidism. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?

The nurse is preparing to percuss a client's anterior chest area. Which approach will the nurse use for this assessment?

The nurse read the patient's health history and noted cranial nerve III oculomotor paralysis. Which of the following would the nurse expect?

A nurse is performing a respiratory system physical examination. To assess the resonance of voice sounds heard during auscultation of the lungs, the nurse instructs the patient to say "ee," and if the sound is heard as "ay," this is known as: