During a health history assessment, where is the symptoms description/narrative typically documented?
Review of Systems
Chief Complaint
History of Present Illness
Past Medical History
The Correct Answer is C
Choice A Reason:
The Review of Systems (ROS) is a systematic approach for collecting the patient's self-reported data on all body systems. It is not typically where the narrative of symptoms is documented. Instead, the ROS is used to uncover symptoms the patient may not have mentioned during the initial recounting of their history.
Choice B Reason:
The Chief Complaint (CC) is a concise statement describing the symptom, problem, condition, diagnosis, or other factors that are the reason for the encounter, usually stated in the patient's words¹. While it does include the symptom prompting the visit, it is not the section where a detailed narrative or description of symptoms is provided.
Choice C Reason:
The History of Present Illness (HPI) is indeed where the detailed narrative of the patient's symptoms is documented. It includes the onset of the problem, the setting in which it developed, its manifestations, and any treatments to date. The HPI tells the story of the patient's chief complaint and provides context for the clinical reasoning process.
Choice D Reason:
The Past Medical History (PMH) includes information about the patient's past experiences with illnesses, operations, injuries, and treatments. It does not contain the current symptoms' narrative but rather the patient's health status before the present illness or concern.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A reason:
Tachycardia, or an abnormally rapid heart rate, is not a typical finding in myxedema. Myxedema is associated with hypothyroidism, which usually presents with bradycardia, or a slower than normal heart rate, due to the decreased metabolic demands on the body.
Choice B reason:
Diarrhea is not commonly associated with myxedema. Instead, patients with hypothyroidism and myxedema often experience constipation due to slowed gastrointestinal motility.
Choice C reason:
Facial edema, particularly around the eyes, is a classic sign of myxedema. Myxedema is a severe form of hypothyroidism that can cause mucopolysaccharide deposition in the skin, leading to non-pitting edema. This can be particularly noticeable in the face and periorbital area.
Choice D reason:
Heat intolerance is more commonly associated with hyperthyroidism, not hypothyroidism. Patients with myxedema typically have cold intolerance due to a decrease in basal metabolic rate and reduced heat production.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice a reason:
Objective data refers to information that is observable and measurable by the healthcare provider, such as vital signs, physical examination findings, and laboratory results. The patient's statements about his feelings are not objective data because they cannot be directly measured or observed by the nurse.
Choice b reason:
Introspective data is not a commonly used term in healthcare. Introspection generally refers to the examination of one's own conscious thoughts and feelings, which in the context of healthcare, can be part of subjective data as it is reported by the patient.
Choice c reason:
Subjective data consists of information that is reported by the patient, including feelings, perceptions, and concerns. It is called 'subjective' because it is based on the patient's personal experience and cannot be independently verified by the nurse. In this case, the patient's report of feeling anxious, nauseated, and hot is considered subjective data.
Choice d reason:
Reflective data is not a standard term in healthcare documentation. Reflection is a process of personal thought and does not pertain to the clinical data gathered during a patient assessment.
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