NCLEX Practice Questions Physical Assessment

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: When conducting a health history assessment, the components typically include the review of systems, present illness, and personal and social items. The review of systems involves asking specific questions related to each system of the body to gather comprehensive information about the patient's overall health. Present illness focuses on the current chief complaint and symptoms the patient is experiencing. Personal and social items encompass details such as lifestyle habits, family history, medical history, and social support systems. The thorax and lungs are typically assessed as part of the physical examination, not specifically in the health history documentation.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The pectoral lymph node group, also known as the Level III lymph nodes, is the most commonly involved in breast cancer metastasis. These lymph nodes are located along the lower border of the pectoralis minor muscle and are an important regional drainage site for breast tissue. Therefore, in cases of breast cancer, the pectoral lymph nodes are frequently affected due to their proximity to the breast tissue.

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: C

Rationale: A positive transillumination test is a key finding that would lead you to suspect a hydrocele as the cause of scrotal swelling. In a hydrocele, the scrotal fluid transilluminates well, meaning that when a light is shone through the scrotum, it will appear as a fluid-filled sac with a clear glow. This is a characteristic feature of a hydrocele and helps differentiate it from other causes of scrotal swelling, such as hernias or testicular tumors. Presence of bowel sounds in the scrotum (Choice A) would be concerning for a hernia rather than a hydrocele. Being unable to palpate superior to the mass (Choice B) may suggest a large hydrocele but is not specific to diagnosing a hydrocele. The normal thickness of the skin of the scrotum (Choice D) can be found in various scrotal conditions and is not specific

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: To determine whether a murmur is systolic or diastolic, you should judge the relative length of systole and diastole by auscultation. Systolic murmurs occur during systole, which is the phase of the cardiac cycle when the heart is contracting and pushing blood out of the chambers. Diastolic murmurs occur during diastole, which is the phase when the heart is relaxing and filling with blood. By carefully listening to the timing of the murmur in relation to the cardiac cycle, you can determine if it is systolic or diastolic. Palpating the carotid pulse (Choice A) or radial pulse (Choice B) can help assess the pulse characteristics, but it does not directly determine whether a murmur is systolic or diastolic. Correlating the murmur with a bedside heart monitor (Choice D) may provide additional information about heart rate or rhythm, but it does not specifically indicate