NCLEX Practice Questions Physical Assessment

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The symptoms described in the scenario point towards pleural pain. The examination findings of normal breath sounds, no abnormalities with percussion and palpation of the chest, and a normal heart sound (S1 and S2) suggest that the issue is more likely related to the pleura rather than the heart or major blood vessels. Pleural pain is typically sharp and worsens with deep breathing or coughing. This differs from angina pectoris, which is chest pain caused by reduced blood flow to the heart muscles due to coronary artery disease. Pericarditis involves inflammation of the pericardium, the membrane surrounding the heart, and usually presents with chest pain that is relieved by sitting up and leaning forward. Dissecting aortic aneurysm is a life-threatening condition characterized by severe, tearing chest pain that can radiate to the back. In this case, the lack of significant abnormalities on cardiac and vascular examination points towards ple

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Scrotal edema refers to swelling of the scrotum, which can be caused by various reasons such as infection, inflammation, trauma, or fluid collection. In this case, the examination findings of generalized swelling of the scrotum with no discrete masses or bulges on palpation suggest scrotal edema as the most likely diagnosis. The absence of bulges when a finger is placed through the inguinal rings with bearing down rules out a scrotal hernia. Hydrocele typically presents as a painless fluid-filled sac around the testicle, but there are no specific findings mentioned in the scenario to suggest a hydrocele. Varicocele involves dilated veins in the scrotum and may present as a soft lump that feels like a "bag of worms," which is not described in the examination findings provided.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Ethnicity is one of the factors used to estimate the 10-year risk of developing coronary heart disease. Different ethnic groups may have varying risks for heart disease based on genetic predisposition, lifestyle factors, and cultural practices. For example, individuals of South Asian descent have been found to have a higher risk of heart disease compared to other ethnic groups. Therefore, considering ethnicity is essential when assessing the overall risk of developing heart disease in an individual.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Otosclerosis is a condition characterized by abnormal bone growth in the middle ear, specifically around the stapes bone. In cases of otosclerosis, the bone conduction is greater than air conduction on the affected side, which is seen in the scenario described. The Weber test localizes to the affected ear, meaning the patient hears the sound of the tuning fork better in the left ear in this case. This is because the abnormal bone growth can restrict the movement of the ossicles, leading to a conductive hearing loss. Otosclerosis typically affects one ear, and its presentation aligns with the results of the hearing tests performed in this case.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Metrorrhagia refers to abnormal bleeding between menstrual periods. This can manifest as spotting or heavier bleeding outside of the regular menstrual cycle. It is important to differentiate metrorrhagia from other types of abnormal bleeding such as menorrhagia (excessive flow), oligomenorrhea (infrequent bleeding), and polymenorrhea (fewer than 21 days between menses) in order to address and diagnose the underlying cause accurately.