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D’Amico/Barbarito Health & Physical Assessment in Nursing, 2/e
Chapter 7
Question 1
Type: MCSA
The nurse is entering the room to assess a newly admitted client. Which of the following best describes the
purpose for a general survey? The general survey:
Correct Answer: 3
Rationale 1: Vital signs are not part of the general survey. The general survey consists of four major
observations: physical appearance, mental status, mobility, and behavior.
Rationale 2: The purpose of the general survey is to allow the nurse the opportunity to gather clues to guide the
rest of the assessment; the purpose is not to give the client an opportunity to relax.
Rationale 3: The general survey allows the nurse to observe the client and gain clues to guide the remainder of
the assessment.
Rationale 4: The general survey does not provide the necessary information to identify client problems or nursing
diagnosis, but rather serves as a guide for a more detailed assessment.
Global Rationale: The general survey allows the nurse to observe the client and gain clues to guide the remainder
of the assessment. Vital signs are not part of the general survey. The purpose of the general survey is to allow the
nurse the opportunity to gather clues to guide the rest of the assessment; the purpose is not to give the client an
opportunity to relax. The general survey consists of four major observations: physical appearance, mental status,
mobility, and behavior. The general survey does not provide the necessary information to identify client problems
or nursing diagnosis, but rather serves as a guide for a more detailed assessment.
Question 2
Type: MCSA
3. Activity tolerance
Correct Answer: 1
Rationale 1: During a general survey, the nurse observes the client performing routine activities, such as walking
and sitting. This allows the nurse to begin to gather data about the client’s mobility. These data will then be
incorporated into the remainder of exam and history.
Rationale 3: Activity tolerance is not a component of the general survey. The general survey consists of physical
appearance, mental status, mobility, and behavior.
Rationale 4: Watching the client walk and sit gives the nurse information about the strength of a client’s lower
extremities, but tells the nurse nothing about the client’s upper extremity strength.
Global Rationale: During a general survey, the nurse observes the client performing routine activities, such as
walking and sitting. This allows the nurse to begin to gather data about the client’s mobility. These data will then
be incorporated into the remainder of exam and history. Observation is an objective assessment. Activity
tolerance is not a component of the general survey. The general survey consists of physical appearance, mental
status, mobility, and behavior. Watching the client walk and sit gives the nurse information about the strength of a
client’s lower extremities, but tells the nurse nothing about the client’s upper extremity strength.
Question 3
Type: MCMA
The nurse is assessing an adult client. Which of the following observations should the nurse include when
documenting the general survey of this client?
1. Blood pressure 112/68, pulse 68, 98.6 (F), respiratory rate 16.
Rationale 1: Blood pressure 112/68, pulse 68, 98.6 (F), respiratory rate 16. The vital signs are objective
information, but not part of the actual general survey.
Rationale 2: Thin, well-nourished male client, appears younger than stated age. The general survey is
composed of 4 major categories of observation: physical appearance, mental status, mobility, and behavior of the
client. The documentation thin, well-nourished male client, appears younger than stated age reflects the client’s
physical appearance, one of the components of the general survey.
Rationale 3: Client moves about exam room without difficulty. The documentation client moves about exam
room without difficulty describes the client’s overall mobility, another component of the general survey.
Rationale 4: Abdomen flat, nondistended, bowel sounds present, nontender on palpation. The
documentation abdomen flat, nondistended, bowel sounds present, nontender on palpation is specific to the
abdominal assessment and not part of the general survey.
Global Rationale: The general survey is composed of 4 major categories of observation: physical appearance,
mental status, mobility, and behavior of the client. The documentation thin, well-nourished male client, appears
younger than stated age reflects the client’s physical appearance, one of the components of the general survey.
The documentation client moves about exam room without difficulty describes the client’s overall mobility,
another component of the general survey. The documentation responds appropriately to questions comments on
the nurse’s observations regarding the client’s behavior and mental status, 2 other components of the general
survey. The vital signs are objective information, but not part of the actual general survey. The documentation
abdomen flat, nondistended, bowel sounds present, nontender on palpation is specific to the abdominal
assessment and not part of the general survey.
Question 4
Type: MCSA
1. Note the number of times the client looks to significant other while answering interview questions.
4. Notice the client’s ability to make eye contact during the examination.
Correct Answer: 2
Rationale 1: Observing the client walking into the examination room would help assess mobility.
Rationale 2: The general survey is composed of four major categories of observation: physical appearance,
mental status, mobility, and client behavior. Asking the client to describe elements of his health history would
help assess mental status.
Rationale 3: Studying the client’s clothing selections would help assess physical appearance.
Rationale 4: Noticing the client’s ability to make eye contact would help assess client behavior.
Global Rationale: The general survey is composed of four major categories of observation: physical appearance,
mental status, mobility, and client behavior. Asking the client to describe elements of his health history would
help assess mental status. Observing the client walking into the examination room would help assess mobility.
Studying the client’s clothing selections would help assess physical appearance. Noticing the client’s ability to
make eye contact would help assess client behavior.
Question 5
Type: MCSA
During an interview with an older adult client, the nurse notes the client is confused as to day and time. The nurse
would document this finding as an indicator of which of the following?
2. Orientation
3. Willingness to cooperate
4. Level of anxiety
D’Amico/Barbarito Health & Physical Assessment in Nursing, 2/e
Copyright 2012 by Pearson Education, Inc.
Correct Answer: 2
Rationale 1: The client’s affect and mood are revealed through speech, body language and facial expression.
Rationale 2: Client’s ability to state name, location, and the date and time of day assesses orientation to person,
place, and time.
Rationale 3: The client was not uncooperative, but rather confused to day and time.
Rationale 4: Like affect and mood, the client’s level of anxiety is revealed through speech, body language and
facial expression.
Global Rationale: Client’s ability to state name, location, and the date and time of day assesses orientation to
person, place, and time. The client’s affect and mood are revealed through speech, body language and facial
expression. The client was not uncooperative, but rather confused to day and time. Like affect and mood, the
client’s level of anxiety is revealed through speech, body language and facial expression.
Question 6
Type: MCSA
The nurse is obtaining the initial vital signs on a client in the emergency room with seizure activity of unknown
etiology. The nurse should choose which of the following methods to obtain the most accurate reading of the
client’s temperature?
1. Axillary
2. Oral
3. Rectal
4. Tympanic
Correct Answer: 3
Rationale 2: Measuring the temperature orally requires the client’s cooperation, which is not possible during
seizure activity.
Rationale 3: A rectal temperature should be taken if the client is comatose, confused, having seizures, or unable
to close the mouth.
Global Rationale: A rectal temperature should be taken if the client is comatose, confused, having seizures, or
unable to close the mouth. Although axillary is the safest, it is also the least accurate. Both oral and tympanic
require the client’s cooperation in order to maintain safety, which is not possible during seizure activity.
Question 7
Type: HOTSPOT
The nurse is assessing a client’s left femoral pulse. Identify the area on the diagram below where the nurse would
locate this pulse.
Rationale : The nurse would palpate the left femoral pulse over the left femoral artery of the client.
Global Rationale:
Question 8
Type: MCSA
The nurse is caring for a pediatric client and needs to obtain vital signs. Which of the following route and
sequence will the nurse use to obtain vital signs on a healthy newborn?
Correct Answer: 3
Rationale 1: The temperature should be taken last, as it may cause the infant to cry, altering the rate of
respirations and pulse.
Rationale 2: A blood pressure is not a routine vital sign obtained on a healthy infant. If a blood pressure is done, a
Doppler stethoscope is used in infants and children under the age of 2.
Rationale 3: Respirations should be assessed first in the assessment of a newborn, followed by the apical pulse,
and finally the temperature. The rectal temperature is the most accurate; however an axillary temperature is
appropriate since it can lead to rectal perforation.
Rationale 4: Oral temperatures are not used for temperature measurement in children under the age of 5.
Global Rationale: Respirations should be assessed first in the assessment of a newborn, followed by the apical
pulse, and finally the infant’s temperature. While the rectal temperature is the most accurate, there is risk of rectal
perforation. This question addresses a “healthy” newborn; therefore an axillary temperature is appropriate. The
temperature (any route) should be assessed last, as it may cause the infant to cry, altering the rate of respirations
and pulse. A blood pressure is not a routine vital sign obtained on a healthy infant. If a blood pressure is done, a
Doppler stethoscope is used in infants and children under the age of 2. Oral temperatures are not used for
temperature measurement in children under the age of 5.
Question 9
Type: MCSA
A young adult client presents to the clinic complaining of a sore throat, swollen glands, and fever following oral
surgery for extraction of impacted wisdom teeth. In order to complete the initial assessment of this client, the
nurse needs to obtain the client’s temperature. Which method should the nurse choose for this assessment?
1. Oral
2. Tympanic
3. Rectal
4. Axillary
Correct Answer: 2
Rationale 2: The nurse should take the client’s temperature using a tympanic thermometer. Infection may be a
concern in this client; therefore, an accurate temperature is necessary. Using the ear for temperature assessment is
quick, noninvasive, and reliable.
Rationale 3: A rectal temperature is invasive and unnecessary in the assessment of this client’s temperature.
Rationale 4: The axillary route is sometimes used in the temperature assessment of infants and children. It is
considered the least accurate method of measurement.
Global Rationale: The nurse should take the client’s temperature using a tympanic thermometer. Infection may
be a concern in this client; therefore, an accurate temperature is necessary. Using the ear for temperature
assessment is quick, noninvasive, and reliable. The nurse would not want to use the oral route for this client since
the client has recently had oral surgery. A rectal temperature is invasive and unnecessary in the assessment of this
client’s temperature. The axillary route is sometimes used in the temperature assessment of infants and children. It
is considered the least accurate method of measurement.
Question 10
Type: MCSA
While assessing an adult client’s pulse, the nurse notes an irregular rate. The nurse should assess the pulse by
counting the beats for:
1. 2 minutes.
2. 1 minute.
Correct Answer: 2
Rationale 1: It is not necessary for the nurse to count the pulse for 2 minutes, as heart rate is expressed in beats
per minute.
Rationale 2: With any irregular pulse, the rate needs to be counted for 1 full minute.
Rationale 3: If the pulse is regular, the nurse may count the beats for 30 seconds and multiply by 2.
Global Rationale: With any irregular pulse, the rate needs to be counted for 1 full minute. It is not necessary for
the nurse to count the pulse for 2 minutes, as heart rate is expressed in beats per minute. If the pulse is regular, the
nurse may count the beats for 30 seconds and multiply by 2. Counting for 15 seconds and multiplying by 4 may
not yield an accurate result, and therefore should not be used in assessing the rate.
Question 11
Type: MCSA
The nurse educator is preparing an inservice on pain management for the staff. One of the staff nurses asks,
“What is the most important part of a pain assessment?” How should the nurse educator respond to this question?
1. “Pain is only partially subjective and primarily a physiologic experience, so vital signs are the most important
assessment.”
2. “A client’s response to pain is always based on the underlying cause, so the client’s admitting diagnosis is
important.”
3. “Vital signs are not reliable indicators of acute pain, because only some clients are able to elicit a change in
blood pressure or pulse rate.”
4. “The response to pain is unique and based on numerous factors, which need to be assessed.”
Correct Answer: 4
Rationale 1: Vital signs are only a portion of the pain assessment. The nurse must consider many factors since
pain is an individual experience and no two people experience pain in the same way. A patient’s level of pain
cannot be determined by his physiologic response only.
Rationale 2: Pain is unique to each person and may be experienced differently by clients with the same diagnosis.
Rationale 3: Vital signs can be indicators of pain. In the early stages of acute pain, the sympathetic nervous
system is stimulated, causing increases in blood pressure, pulse, and respiratory rates.
Rationale 4: Pain is a subjective experience, and the response is unique to each individual. The factors that
impact the response are numerous and include age, sex, culture, and developmental level, as well as previous
experience with pain and health status.
Global Rationale: Pain is a subjective experience, and the response is unique to each individual. The factors that
impact the response are numerous and include age, sex, culture, and developmental level, as well as previous
Question 12
Type: FIB
During the assessment of an adult client’s blood pressure, the nurse notes the following on the
sphygmomanometer: first faint tapping sounds at 136, swishing sounds at 120, clear tapping sounds at 108,
muffled sounds at 98, and silence at 76. This nurse would document this client’s blood pressure
as_____________.
Standard Text:
Rationale : The sounds above are the 5 phases of Korotkoff’s sounds. The first sound heard (Phase 1) is recorded
as the systolic blood pressure. This is when the blood pressure cuff has been released just enough to allow the first
spurts of blood to pass through the artery. Phase 2 is marked by the period in which the sounds change from
tapping to swishing; blood flows turbulently through the artery. Phase 3 is when blood flows through the artery
during systole but collapses during diastole; the sounds are crisp and tapping. During Phase 4, the sounds become
muffled and have a soft blowing quality. The pressure in the cuff does not completely collapse the artery in any
part of the cardiac cycle. The diastolic blood pressure is marked by the beginning of silence (Phase 5). This is
when the cuff no longer collapses the artery, and blood is free flowing through the artery.
Global Rationale:
Question 13
Type: MCSA
The nurse is assessing a 15-month-old baby. The nurse should assess this baby’s pulse rate by using the:
2. Brachial artery.
3. Apical site.
4. Carotid artery.
Correct Answer: 3
Rationale 1: In older children and adults, the radial artery is used to assess the pulse.
Rationale 2: In preschool children, the brachial artery is used to assess the pulse.
Rationale 3: The apical site is the site of choice to assess the pulse rate of a child who is under 2 years of age.
Rationale 4: The carotid pulse is assessed in adult clients as part of the cardiovascular assessment.
Global Rationale: The apical site is the site of choice to assess the pulse rate of a child who is under 2 years of
age. In preschool children, the brachial artery is used to assess the pulse. In older children and adults, the radial
artery is used to assess the pulse. The carotid pulse is assessed in adult clients as part of the cardiovascular
assessment.
Question 14
Type: MCMA
The nursing instructor is observing the student nurse take a blood pressure on an older adult client. The nursing
instructor intervenes when the student nurse is observed doing which of the following?
1. The student nurse ushers the client into the exam room and immediately assesses the client’s blood pressure.
2. The student nurse places the blood pressure cuff on the client’s arm over a lightweight, long-sleeved sweater.
3. The student nurse immediately reinflates the cuff after identifying the palpatory systolic blood pressure.
4. The student nurse has the client sit in a chair and supports the client’s arm on a table at the level of the heart.
5. The student nurse places the blood pressure cuff on the thigh of a client with a bilateral mastectomy and takes
the blood pressure using the popliteal artery.
Rationale 1: The student nurse ushers the client into the exam room and immediately assesses the client’s
blood pressure. The client should sit quietly for at least 5 minutes before the blood pressure is taken.
Immediately assessing the blood pressure after a client walks from the waiting room to exam room may not yield
an accurate reading.
Rationale 2: The student nurse places the blood pressure cuff on the client’s arm over a lightweight, long-
sleeved sweater. The client’s blood pressure should be assessed on a bare arm. If the client is wearing a long
sleeved garment and it can be pushed up without constricting the arm, this is acceptable; otherwise the arm should
be removed from the sleeve.
Rationale 3: The student nurse immediately reinflates the cuff after identifying the palpatory systolic blood
pressure. Once the cuff is inflated and the nurse identifies the palpatory systolic blood pressure, the nurse should
wait at least 15–30 seconds before inflating the cuff again.
Rationale 4: The student nurse has the client sit in a chair and supports the client’s arm on a table at the
level of the heart. In order to obtain an accurate blood pressure, the client should be seated with the arm slightly
flexed, supported at the level of the heart with palm facing up.
Rationale 5: The student nurse places the blood pressure cuff on the thigh of a client with a bilateral
mastectomy and takes the blood pressure using the popliteal artery. Clients who have suffered trauma to the
upper extremities, have shunts in the upper extremities, or have had mastectomies should not have their blood
pressures assessed on the affected sides. The nurse can place the blood pressure cuff on the thigh and assess the
blood pressure using the popliteal artery.
Global Rationale: The client should sit quietly for at least 5 minutes before the blood pressure is taken.
Immediately assessing the blood pressure after a client walks from the waiting room to exam room may not yield
an accurate reading. The client’s blood pressure should be assessed on a bare arm. If the client is wearing a long-
sleeved garment and it can be pushed up without constricting the arm, this is acceptable; otherwise the arm should
be removed from the sleeve.
Once the cuff is inflated and the nurse identifies the palpatory systolic blood pressure, the nurse should wait at
least 15–30 seconds before inflating the cuff again. In order to obtain an accurate blood pressure, the client should
be seated with the arm slightly flexed, supported at the level of the heart with palm facing up. Clients who have
suffered trauma to the upper extremities, have shunts in the upper extremities, or have had mastectomies should
not have their blood pressures assessed on the affected sides. The nurse can place the blood pressure cuff on the
thigh and assess the blood pressure using the popliteal artery.
Question 15
Type: MCSA
1. “When our skin feels warm, it means our blood vessels are constricted.”
4. “The temperature of the skin is not related to what is happening inside our bodies.”
Correct Answer: 3
Rationale 2: When fever is present, the skin all over the body may feel warm, not just the forehead, thus the only
reliable indicator of body temperature is measuring the core temperature with a thermometer.
Rationale 3: The surface temperature of the body is constantly changing in response to environmental influences
and as a result is not a reliable indicator of actual health status. To obtain accurate temperature, the core
temperature, or the temperature of the deep tissues of the body, needs to be assessed.
Rationale 4: The temperature of the skin is related to what is happening inside the body. Fever is a sign of the
disruption of homeostasis in the body. This may be due to a bacterial or viral infection. Fever causes vasodilation,
which can make the skin feel warm to the touch.
Global Rationale: The surface temperature of the body is constantly changing in response to environmental
influences and as a result is not a reliable indicator of actual health status. To obtain accurate temperature, the
core temperature, or the temperature of the deep tissues of the body, needs to be assessed. Fever causes
vasodilation, not vasoconstriction. When fever is present, the skin all over the body may feel warm, not just the
forehead, thus the only reliable indicator of body temperature is measuring the core temperature with a
thermometer. The temperature of the skin is related to what is happening inside the body. Fever is a sign of the
disruption of homeostasis in the body. This may be due to a bacterial or viral infection. Fever causes vasodilation,
which can make the skin feel warm to the touch.
Question 16
Type: MCMA
The nurse is assessing an older adult client with arteriosclerosis and obtains a blood pressure reading of 172/98.
The nurse understands that the following factors may be applicable in this situation.
D’Amico/Barbarito Health & Physical Assessment in Nursing, 2/e
Copyright 2012 by Pearson Education, Inc.
Standard Text: Select all that apply.
Rationale 1: Arteriosclerosis decreases the ventricular force necessary for ejection of blood. Arteriosclerosis
requires greater ventricular force and leads to increased blood pressure.
Rationale 2: Arteriosclerosis increases blood vessel elasticity. Arteriosclerosis decreases the elasticity of the
arteries.
Rationale 3: Arteriosclerosis decreases blood vessel compliance. Arteriosclerosis results in hardened and rigid
arteries, which are less compliant.
Rationale 4: Age decreases blood vessel elasticity. Elasticity of blood vessels decreases with age and also leads
to increased blood pressure.
Rationale 5: Arteriosclerosis plays no role in the blood pressure of this client. Arteriosclerosis plays no role in
the blood pressure of this client.
Global Rationale: Arteriosclerosis results in hardened and rigid arteries, which are less compliant. Elasticity of
blood vessels decreases with age and also leads to increased blood pressure. Arteriosclerosis requires greater
ventricular force and leads to increased blood pressure. Arteriosclerosis decreases the elasticity of the arteries.
Arteriosclerosis has a direct effect on blood pressure; decreased elasticity and compliance is directly related to the
increase in blood pressure.
Question 17
Type: MCSA
The nurse needs to take a blood pressure on a very thin client, and the only cuff available is a standard size. The
nurse would anticipate which of the following readings?
1. An accurate reading
Correct Answer: 4
Rationale 1: In a very thin client, a small (or even pediatric) blood pressure cuff should be used to obtain an
accurate reading. Using a standard cuff on this client will yield a falsely low result.
Rationale 2: When the bladder of the cuff is too narrow, the blood pressure reading will be falsely elevated.
Rationale 3: While the reading will depend on the overall health of the client, it is important to obtain an accurate
reading by using the proper equipment.
Rationale 4: In this situation, the bladder of the cuff is too wide, resulting in the blood pressure reading being
falsely low. To obtain accurate blood pressure readings, it is imperative that the nurse select the proper cuff. The
bladder of the blood pressure cuff must be an appropriate fit in both length and width for the client’s arm. The
length of the bladder should equal 80% of the circumference of the limb. The width of the bladder should equal
40% of the circumference of the limb.
Global Rationale: In this situation, the bladder of the cuff is too wide, resulting in the blood pressure reading
being falsely low. To obtain accurate blood pressure readings, it is imperative that the nurse select the proper cuff.
The bladder of the blood pressure cuff must be an appropriate fit in both length and width for the client’s arm. The
length of the bladder should equal 80% of the circumference of the limb. The width of the bladder should equal
40% of the circumference of the limb. In a very thin client, a small (or even pediatric) blood pressure cuff should
be used to obtain an accurate reading. Using a standard cuff on this client will yield a falsely low result. When the
bladder of the cuff is too narrow, the blood pressure reading will be falsely elevated. While the reading will
depend on the overall health of the client, it is important to obtain an accurate reading by using the proper
equipment.
Question 18
Type: MCSA
The nurse is caring for a client diagnosed with breast cancer, who underwent a left-sided mastectomy two days
prior. The nurse has delegated vital signs on this client to the patient care assistant (PCA). What specific
instructions should the nurse provide to the (PCA) in delegating this task?
Correct Answer: 1
Rationale 1: The blood pressure should be taken in the arm opposite the surgical site. Blood pressures should not
be taken on the same side as a mastectomy. It should also not be taken on an arm with a shunt, trauma, or disease.
If this is not possible, then a thigh pressure should be obtained.
Rationale 2: The nurse should be sure to provide the PCA with instructions to use the arm opposite the surgical
site for blood pressure readings.
Rationale 3: The left arm should not be used for blood pressure readings, intravenous fluids, or other invasive
procedures.
Rationale 4: It is not possible to take the blood pressure using both arms, since the left arm should never be used
again for blood pressure readings. If bilateral readings become necessary, the thighs should be used so that a
comparison can be made.
Global Rationale: The blood pressure should be taken in the arm opposite the surgical site. Blood pressures
should not be taken on the same side as a mastectomy. It should also not be taken on an arm with a shunt, trauma,
or disease. If this is not possible, then a thigh pressure should be obtained. The nurse should be sure to provide the
PCA with instructions to use the arm opposite the surgical site for blood pressure readings. The left arm should
not be used for blood pressure readings, intravenous fluids, or other invasive procedures. It is not possible to take
the blood pressure using both arms, since the left arm should never be used again for blood pressure readings. If
bilateral readings become necessary, the thighs should be used so that a comparison can be made.
Question 19
Type: MCSA
A young adult client notes height as “5 feet 11 inches” and weight as “200 lbs.” Upon assessment, the client is
found to be 5 feet 9 inches tall with a weight of 225 lbs. The nurse identifies the most likely reason for this
discrepancy between the client’s self-reported height and weight and the objective information indicates:
2. The client may have a image of self inconsistent with actual findings.
Rationale 1: The best reason for the inconsistency is the client has a different image of himself than what is
objectively measurable.
Rationale 2: The nurse has no way of knowing if the client has a scale at home and does not account for the
discrepancy in height.
Rationale 3: The inconsistency between reported height and weight and actual height and weight does not mean
the client is being untruthful; it is what the client believes to be true.
Rationale 4: The inconsistency between reported height and actual height and weight does not indicate that the
client is trying to hide a chronic illness.
Global Rationale: The best reason for the inconsistency is the client has a different image of himself than what is
objectively measurable. The nurse has no way of knowing if the client has a scale at home and does not account
for the discrepancy in height. The inconsistency between reported height and weight and actual height and weight
does not mean the client is being untruthful; it is what the client believes to be true. The inconsistency between
reported height and actual height and weight does not indicate that the client is trying to hide a chronic illness.
Question 20
Type: MCSA
During the evening assessment of a febrile client admitted to the nursing unit with abdominal pain, the nurse
assesses a lower than normal blood pressure and a rapid pulse. These findings suggest to the nurse that the client
may be experiencing:
1. anxiety.
2. an abdominal infection.
3. a medication reaction.
4. a diurnal variation
Correct Answer: 2
Rationale 1: The physiologic response to anxiety is increased heart rate and increased blood pressure.
Rationale 2: The lowered blood pressure and increased heart rate in a febrile client with abdominal pain is
suggestive of infection. Fever causes vasodilation, which in turn causes an increase in heart rate.
Rationale 4: Diurnal variation of blood pressure is exhibited by lower morning blood pressure that increases
throughout the day.
Global Rationale: The lowered blood pressure and increased heart rate in a febrile client with abdominal pain is
suggestive of infection. Fever causes vasodilation, which in turn causes an increase in heart rate. The physiologic
response to anxiety is increased heart rate and increased blood pressure. There is no information to suggest that
the client is experiencing a reaction to medication. Diurnal variation of blood pressure is exhibited by lower
morning blood pressure that increases throughout the day.
Question 21
Type: MCSA
An older adult client says to the nurse, “I’m gaining weight around my middle and my legs look like chicken
legs.” An appropriate response by the nurse to this client is:
1. “Older people often put on weight around the middle, but lose muscle in the legs, making the legs appear
thinner. This is normal.”
2. “Have you been doing any exercises to slim down your middle?”
4. “Let’s talk about your diet to see why you’re gaining weight around your middle.”
Correct Answer: 1
Rationale 1: Older adults experience a decrease in overall muscle mass and they lose subcutaneous fat in the face
forearms and legs; however, there is an increase in fat deposits in the abdomen and hips. This is a normal
occurrence in the older adult client.
Rationale 2: While exercise is important for overall health and the client should be encouraged to participate in
30 minutes of exercise on most days, this is a normal occurrence in the older adult and this should be explained to
the client.
Rationale 3: This is not an unusual finding in an older adult client. It is not necessary to alert the healthcare
provider.
Rationale 4: Excessive calorie intake would lead to weight gain all over the body, not just the middle.
Question 22
Type: MCSA
The night nurse is reviewing the vital signs of a client in an extended care facility. The nurse notes the client’s
oral temperature at 6 a.m. was 98.0°F, but that evening, the client’s oral temperature was 99.2°F. The nurse
suspects that this variation in temperature is indicative of:
1. The client’s temperature has been improperly assessed either in the morning or evening; the nurse can’t be sure
which.
Correct Answer: 4
Rationale 1: The difference in body temperature is evidence of diurnal variation. Core body temperature is lowest
during the early morning and becomes higher during the course of the day.
Rationale 2: There is no evidence to suggest the temperatures were incorrectly assessed and the same routes were
used for both assessments.
Rationale 3: There is no evidence to suggest that the client is developing an infection other than the higher
evening body temperature.
Rationale 4: There is nothing to suggest that this client is under a great deal of stress which may elevate body
temperature.
Global Rationale: The difference in body temperature is evidence of diurnal variation. Core body temperature is
lowest during the early morning and becomes higher during the course of the day. There is no evidence to suggest
the temperatures were incorrectly assessed and the same routes were used for both assessments. There is no