Chapter 09: Physical Assessment of Children

Chapter 09: Physical Assessment of Children

 

Complete Chapter Questions With Answers

 

Sample Questions Are Posted Below

 

1. The nurse percussing over the stomach would expect to hear which sound?

a.	Tympany
b.	Resonance
c.	Flatness
d.	Dullness

 

 

ANS:   A

 

	Feedback
A	Tympany is a high-pitched, loud-intensity sound heard over air-filled body parts such as the stomach and bowel.
B	Resonance is a low-pitched, low-intensity sound elicited over hollow organs such as the lungs.
C	Flatness is a high-pitched, soft-intensity sound elicited by percussing over solid masses such as bone or muscle.
D	Dullness is a medium-pitched, medium-intensity sound elicited when percussing over high-density structures such as the liver.

 

 

DIF:    Cognitive Level: Knowledge             REF:    Text Reference: pg 212

OBJ:    Nursing Process Step: Assessment

MSC:   NCLEX: Health Promotion and Maintenance

 

2. What is the single most important component of a pediatric physical examination?

a.	Assessment of heart and lungs
b.	Measurement of height and weight
c.	Documentation of parental concerns
d.	Obtaining an accurate history

 

 

ANS:   D

 

	Feedback
A	Heart and lung assessment is not as important as an accurate history.
B	A single measurement of height and weight is not as significant as determining growth over time. The child’s growth pattern can be elicited from the history.
C	Documentation of parental concerns is not as relevant to the physical examination as an accurate history.
D	An accurate history is most helpful in identifying problems and potential problems.

 

 

DIF:    Cognitive Level: Knowledge             REF:    Text Reference: pg 213

OBJ:    Nursing Process Step: Assessment

MSC:   NCLEX: Health Promotion and Maintenance

 

3. In which section of the health history would the nurse record that the parent brought the infant to the clinic today because of frequent diarrhea?

a.	Review of systems
b.	Chief complaint
c.	Lifestyle and life patterns
d.	Health history

 

 

ANS:   B

 

	Feedback
A	The review of systems includes past health functions of body systems.
B	The chief complaint is documented using the child’s or parent’s words for the reason the child was brought to the health care center.
C	Lifestyle and life patterns include the child’s interaction with the social, psychologic, physical, and cultural environment.
D	Health history includes birth history, growth and development, common childhood illnesses, immunizations, hospitalizations, injuries, and allergies.

 

 

DIF:    Cognitive Level: Comprehension      REF:    Text Reference: pg 214

OBJ:    Nursing Process Step: Implementation

MSC:   NCLEX: Health Promotion and Maintenance

 

4. Which of the following statements about performing a pediatric physical assessment is correct?

a.	Physical examinations proceed systematically from head to toe unless developmental considerations dictate otherwise.
b.	The physical examination should be done with parents in the examining room for children of any age.
c.	Measurement of head circumference is done until the child is 5 years old.
d.	The physical examination is done only when the child is cooperative.

 

 

ANS:   A

 

	Feedback
A	Physical assessment usually proceeds from head to toe; however, developmental considerations with infants and toddlers dictate that the least threatening assessments be done first to obtain accurate data.
B	Having parents in the examining room with adolescents is not appropriate.
C	Head circumference is routinely measured until 36 months of age.
D	Children will not always be cooperative during physical examination. The examiner will need to incorporate communication and play techniques to facilitate cooperation

 

 

DIF:    Cognitive Level: Knowledge             REF:    Text Reference: pg 208

OBJ:    Nursing Process Step: Implementation

MSC:   NCLEX: Health Promotion and Maintenance