Master Physical Examination Techniques for Advanced Clinical Practice

Question 1

Which of the following is NOT a component of a general physical examination?

Accepted Answer

Laboratory tests

Answer

Inspection

Answer

Palpation

Answer

Auscultation

Question 2

During a physical examination of the head and neck, which of the following observations would indicate thyromegaly?

Accepted Answer

A palpable and visible enlargement of the thyroid gland

Answer

A normal-sized thyroid gland that is not palpable or visible

Answer

Tenderness or discomfort in the thyroid area

Question 3

During an abdominal examination, guarding is significant because it suggests:

Accepted Answer

An acute inflammatory process

Answer

A chronic condition

Answer

Always accompanies rigidity

Answer

Is a normal finding in healthy individuals

Question 4

During a neurological examination, which reflex is used to evaluate the integrity of the corticospinal tract?

Accepted Answer

Hoffman's reflex

Answer

Biceps reflex

Answer

Patellar reflex

Answer

Plantar reflex

Question 5

A 50-year-old patient presents with a holosystolic murmur and pedal edema. Which cardiac pathology is most likely?

Accepted Answer

Mitral valve regurgitation

Answer

Aortic valve stenosis

Answer

Pulmonary hypertension

Answer

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

Question 6

Which percussion sound is characteristic of consolidation?

Accepted Answer

Dullness

Answer

Hyperresonance

Answer

Resonance

Answer

Tympany

Question 7

In a patient with suspected pneumonia, which breath sound is most likely to be heard on auscultation?

Accepted Answer

Crackles

Answer

Wheezes

Answer

Stridor

Answer

Bronchial breath sounds

Question 8

When conducting the Folstein Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) to assess mental status, which component is NOT included?

Accepted Answer

Pain assessment

Answer

Orientation

Answer

Immediate recall

Answer

Language

Question 9

The Glasgow Coma Scale primarily assesses a patient's:

Accepted Answer

Level of consciousness

Answer

Respiratory status

Answer

Cardiovascular status

Answer

Neuromuscular function

Question 10

The correct sequence of a head-to-toe physical examination is:

Accepted Answer

Inspection, palpation, percussion, auscultation

Answer

Palpation, inspection, percussion, auscultation

Answer

Auscultation, percussion, palpation, inspection

Answer

Percussion, auscultation, palpation, inspection

Question 11

Which of the following is NOT a basic principle of physical examination techniques?

Accepted Answer

Invasive procedures

Answer

Objective observation

Answer

Active listening

Answer

Palpation

Question 12

When palpating the abdomen, which technique is appropriate to assess for masses or tenderness?

Accepted Answer

Bimanual palpation

Answer

Light palpation with fingertips

Answer

Rapid palpation with the thumb

Answer

Deep palpation with the elbow

Question 13

Which of the following heart sounds is associated with the closure of the aortic valve?

Accepted Answer

S2

Answer

S1

Answer

S3

Answer

S4

Question 14

What is the appropriate technique for performing percussion of the lungs?

Accepted Answer

Strike the patient's chest with a percussion hammer at an oblique angle

Answer

Strike the patient's chest gently with an open hand

Answer

Strike the patient's chest firmly with a clenched fist

Answer

Strike the patient's chest with a stethoscope at a right angle

Question 15

What is the correct sequence for a comprehensive head-to-toe physical examination?

Accepted Answer

Inspection, palpation, percussion, auscultation

Answer

Auscultation, percussion, palpation, inspection

Answer

Palpation, auscultation, percussion, inspection

Answer

Inspection, auscultation, palpation, percussion

Question 16

What does a positive Homan's sign indicate?

Accepted Answer

Possible deep vein thrombosis (DVT)

Answer

Possible pulmonary embolism (PE)

Answer

Possible myocardial infarction

Answer

Possible stroke

Question 17

What is the primary purpose of using a tuning fork in a neurological examination?

Accepted Answer

To test vibratory sensation

Answer

To test hearing acuity

Answer

To test muscle strength

Answer

To test reflexes

Question 18

When conducting a neurological examination on a patient from a different cultural background, which ethical and cultural consideration is most important to prioritize?

Accepted Answer

Obtaining informed consent and ensuring privacy

Answer

Performing a thorough physical examination without any modifications

Answer

Asking only closed-ended questions to minimize potential misunderstandings

Answer

Assuming that all patients understand the purpose of the examination

Question 19

During abdominal assessment, which technique is employed to detect tenderness and rebound pain?

Accepted Answer

Palpation

Answer

Inspection

Answer

Percussion

Answer

Auscultation

Question 20

Which of the following abnormal lung sounds may indicate pneumonia?

Accepted Answer

Crackles

Answer

Wheezes

Answer

Rhonchi

Answer

Stridor

Question 21

To examine the thyroid gland, which patient position is appropriate?

Accepted Answer

Sitting with neck extended

Answer

Supine

Answer

Lying on the side

Answer

Sitting with head back

Question 22

In lower extremity assessment, which technique is used to assess muscle strength?

Accepted Answer

Straight leg raise

Answer

Romberg test

Answer

Tinel's sign

Answer

Babinski reflex

Question 23

Which reflex is elicited by stimulating the sole of the foot?

Accepted Answer

Plantar reflex

Answer

Biceps reflex

Answer

Triceps reflex

Answer

Patellar reflex

Question 24

What is the primary purpose of the Folstein Mini-Mental State Examination?

Accepted Answer

Assessment of cognitive function

Answer

Evaluation of mood disorders

Answer

Screening for Alzheimer's disease

Answer

Diagnosis of schizophrenia

Question 25

During auscultation of the heart, which aspect is paramount to obtain accurate sounds?

Accepted Answer

Positioning the stethoscope precisely over the desired valve area

Answer

Listening to the heart for at least 30 seconds

Answer

Using a bell for all auscultation sites

Question 26

For a thorough examination of the optic fundus, the recommended equipment is:

Accepted Answer

An ophthalmoscope with pupillary dilation

Answer

A penlight

Answer

An ophthalmoscope without dilation

Answer

A Snellen's chart

Question 27

Which technique involves tapping the chest wall to evaluate underlying resonance?

Accepted Answer

Percussion

Answer

Auscultation

Answer

Inspection

Answer

Palpation

Question 28

During abdominal palpation, it is essential to employ:

Accepted Answer

Both light and deep palpation techniques

Answer

Use percussion alone

Answer

Apply pressure only with the fingertips

Answer

Palpate in a clockwise circular motion

Question 29

A common percussion finding suggestive of a pleural effusion is:

Accepted Answer

Dullness to percussion

Answer

Hyperresonance

Answer

Normal resonance

Answer

Tympany

Question 30

To elicit a fluid wave, indicative of ascites, the examiner should assess for:

Accepted Answer

Fluctuance on the opposite side of the abdomen

Answer

Increased abdominal girth

Answer

Dullness to percussion in the flanks

Answer

Tympany to percussion in the abdomen

Question 31

Which percussion technique produces the loudest sound?

Accepted Answer

Immediate percussion

Answer

Auscultatory percussion

Answer

Mediate percussion

Question 32

For accurate thyroid gland palpation, the examiner should utilize:

Accepted Answer

The pads of the index and middle fingers

Answer

The palm of the hand

Answer

The fingertips only

Answer

The thumb and index finger

Question 33

Which physical examination technique involves listening to sounds produced by the body?

Accepted Answer

Auscultation

Answer

Palpation

Answer

Inspection

Answer

Percussion

Question 34

Which physical examination technique involves visually observing body structures and their characteristics?

Accepted Answer

Inspection

Answer

Palpation

Answer

Percussion

Answer

Auscultation

Question 35

What is the typical sequence for performing a comprehensive physical examination?

Accepted Answer

Inspection, palpation, percussion, auscultation

Answer

Palpation, inspection, auscultation, percussion

Answer

Auscultation, percussion, inspection, palpation

Answer

Percussion, auscultation, palpation, inspection

Question 36

Which physical examination technique involves tapping on body structures to produce sounds and assess underlying tissues?

Accepted Answer

Percussion

Answer

Inspection

Answer

Auscultation

Answer

Palpation

Question 37

What is the most comprehensive approach to performing a physical examination?

Accepted Answer

Head-to-toe assessment

Answer

Focused assessment

Answer

Regional assessment

Answer

Systemic assessment

Question 38

Which physical examination technique is particularly useful for assessing skin texture, turgor, and underlying structures?

Accepted Answer

Palpation

Answer

Auscultation

Answer

Inspection

Answer

Percussion

Question 39

What is the primary goal of a comprehensive physical examination?

Accepted Answer

To gather objective data about the patient's health status.

Answer

To provide reassurance to the patient

Answer

To identify potential health risks

Answer

To establish a patient-provider relationship

Question 40

A patient presents with a new onset of shortness of breath. To assess for consolidation in the lung fields, which of the following physical exam techniques would be most appropriate?

Accepted Answer

Percussion

Answer

Palpation

Answer

Auscultation

Answer

Inspection

Question 41

During a cardiovascular assessment, you palpate a thrill over the aortic valve. This finding is most strongly associated with which of the following conditions?

Accepted Answer

Aortic stenosis

Answer

Pulmonary stenosis

Answer

Mitral regurgitation

Answer

Tricuspid regurgitation

Question 42

You are examining a patient with a history of diabetes. During palpation of the feet, you detect decreased sensation in the plantar aspect of the toes. This finding is most indicative of:

Accepted Answer

Peripheral neuropathy

Answer

Cellulitis

Answer

Tinea pedis

Answer

Peripheral artery disease

Question 43

While auscultating a patient's heart, you hear a high-pitched, blowing sound that is best heard at the apex of the heart and radiates to the axilla. This finding is most consistent with:

Accepted Answer

Mitral regurgitation

Answer

Pulmonary stenosis

Answer

Tricuspid regurgitation

Answer

Aortic stenosis

Question 44

What is the most crucial aspect of a comprehensive physical examination?

Accepted Answer

Establishing a trusting relationship with the patient

Answer

Performing all the required techniques in a timely manner

Answer

Documenting all findings accurately

Question 45

When assessing a patient's respiratory system, which technique is most useful for identifying wheezes?

Accepted Answer

Auscultation

Answer

Palpation

Answer

Inspection

Answer

Percussion

Question 46

You are examining a patient with suspected appendicitis. Which of the following findings would be most suggestive of this diagnosis?

Accepted Answer

Rebound tenderness in the right lower quadrant

Answer

Hyperactive bowel sounds

Answer

Generalized abdominal distention

Answer

Decreased bowel sounds

Question 47

During a neurological assessment, which technique is used to evaluate a patient's coordination and fine motor skills?

Accepted Answer

Finger-to-nose test

Answer

Romberg test

Answer

Deep tendon reflexes

Answer

Pupillary light reflex

Question 48

Which of the following techniques is used to assess the size and consistency of the thyroid gland?

Accepted Answer

Palpation

Answer

Auscultation

Answer

Inspection

Answer

Percussion