Health Assessment: Chapter 10 - Head, Eyes, Ears, Nose, and Throat

A nurse is obtaining a health history from a 52-year-old male patient with a red lesion at the base of the tongue. What additional data does the nurse specifically collect about this patient? a. Alcohol and tobacco use b. The date of his last dental examination c. The presence of dentures d. A history of pyorrhea

a. Alcohol and tobacco use

A patient complains of itching, swelling, and drainage from the eyes with a postnasal drip and sneezing. What type of nasal drainage does the nurse anticipate seeing during inspection of this patient's nares? a. Clear b. Malodorous c. Yellow d. Green

a. Clear

When inspecting a patient's nasal mucous membrane, which finding does the nurse expect to see? a. Deep pink turbinates b. Red, edematous mucous membranes c. Septum that angles to the left d. Clear exudate

a. Deep pink turbinates

A nurse shines a light toward the bridge of the patient's nose and notices that the light reflection in the right cornea is at the 9 o'clock position and in the left cornea at the 9 o'clock position. What is the interpretation of this finding? a. The extraocular muscles of both eyes are intact. b. The cornea of each eye is transparent. c. The sclera of each eye is clear. d. The consensual reaction of both eyes is intact.

a. The extraocular muscles of both eyes are intact.

A 32-year-old woman has a 4-day history of sore throat and difficulty swallowing. The nurse observes tonsils, covered with yellow patches. The tonsils are so large that they fill the entire oropharynx and appear to be touching. How does the nurse document these findings? a. "Tonsils yellow and swollen." b. "Enlarged tonsils 4+ with yellow exudate." c. "Strep infection to tonsils with 3+ swelling d. "1+ edema of tonsils with pus."

b. "Enlarged tonsils 4+ with yellow exudate."

A nurse is assessing the eyes of a healthy 72-year-old adult. What findings does the nurse expect? Select all that apply. a. Bulbar conjunctiva pink and clear, with small red vessels noted b. Sclera yellow and moist, cornea transparent c. Extraocular movement symmetric with peripheral vision noted d. Newspaper held at 18 inches to see clearly e. Sclera visible between upper lid and iris f. Gray to white circle noted where the sclera merges with the cornea g. Light reflects on the cornea at 12 o'clock in each eye

A, C, G

What findings does the nurse expect when assessing the ears of a healthy adult? Select all that apply. a. Cerumen noted in the outer ear canal b. Pinna located below the external corner of the eye c. Cone of light located in the 5 o'clock position in the left ear d. Ratio of air conduction to bone conduction 2:1 e. Tympanic membrane pearly gray f. Whispered words repeated accurately

A, D, E, F

During an eye assessment, the nurse asks the patient to keep the head stationary and by moving the eyes only follow the nurse's finger as it moves side to side, up and down, and obliquely. This assessment technique collects what data about which cranial nerves? Select all that apply. a. Cranial nerve II (optic) b. Cranial nerve III (oculomotor) c. Cranial nerve IV (trochlear) d. Cranial nerve VI (abducens) e. Cranial nerve V (trigeminal)

B, C, D

During an examination of the head and neck of a healthy adult, the nurse expects which findings? Select all that apply. a. Small red lesions with white flakes scattered on the scalp b. The head and facial bones are proportional for the size of the body c. Depressions palpated on the right and left sides over the parietal bones d. Head held flexed 15 degrees to the left e. Face and jaw are symmetric and proportional f. Temporomandibular joint moves smoothly

B, E, F

During symptom analysis, the nurse helps the patient distinguish between dizziness and vertigo. Which description by the patient indicates dizziness? a. "I felt faint, like I was going to pass out." b. "It felt like I was on a merry-go-round." c. "The room seemed to be spinning around." d. "My body felt like it was revolving and could not stop."

a. "I felt faint, like I was going to pass out."

What instruction does a nurse give a patient to facilitate palpation of the right lobe of the thyroid gland? a. "Swallow for me one time." b. "Flex your head down and to the left." c. "Rotate your head to the right for me." d. "Hold your breath for a few seconds."

a. "Swallow for me one time."

A patient describes a recent onset of frequent and severe unilateral headaches that last about 1 hour. Based on these symptoms, the nurse suspects which types of headache? a. Cluster headaches b. Migraine headaches c. Tension headache d. Sinus headache

a. Cluster headaches

During the history, a patient reports watery nasal drainage from allergies. Based on this information, what does the nurse expect to find on inspection of the nares? a. Enlarged and pale turbinates b. Polyps within the nares c. High vascularity of the turbinates d. Dry and dull turbinates

a. Enlarged and pale turbinates

After assessment of the nose and paranasal sinuses, which finding requires further investigation by the nurse? a. Nasal septum off the midline b. Nose in the midline of the face c. Middle turbinates deep pink in color d. Noiseless exchange of air from each naris

a. Nasal septum off the midline

A patient reports having migraine headaches on one side of the head that often start with an aura and last 1 to 3 days. As a part of the symptom analysis, the patient reports which associated symptoms of migraine headaches? a. Nausea, vomiting, or visual disturbances b. Nasal stuffiness or discharge c. Ringing in the ears or dizziness d. Red, watery eyes or drooping eyelids

a. Nausea, vomiting, or visual disturbances

Which cranial nerve is assessed by using the Snellen visual acuity chart? a. Optic cranial nerve (CN II) b. Oculomotor cranial nerve (CN III) c. Abducens cranial nerve (CN IV) d. Trochlear cranial nerve (CN VI)

a. Optic cranial nerve (CN II)

An adult patient comes to the clinic complaining of right ear pain. What technique does the nurse use to inspect this patient's auditory canal? a. Position the otoscope speculum 1.0 to 1.5 cm (about 0.5 inches) into the ear canal. b. Remove cerumen from each canal before inserting otoscope. c. Choose the smallest otoscope speculum that will fit the patient's ear comfortably. d. Pull the pinna slightly downward and backward before inserting the otoscope speculum.

a. Position the otoscope speculum 1.0 to 1.5 cm (about 0.5 inches) into the ear canal.

When inspecting a patient's eyes, the nurse assesses the presence of cranial nerve III (oculomotor nerve) by observing the eyelids open and close bilaterally. What other technique does a nurse use to test the function of this cranial nerve? a. Pupillary constriction to light b. Visual acuity c. Peripheral vision d. Presence of the red reflex

a. Pupillary constriction to light

During a physical examination the nurse is unable to feel the patient's thyroid gland with palpation. What is the appropriate action of the nurse at this time? a. Recognize that this is an expected finding b. Auscultate the thyroid area c. Percuss the anterior neck for thyroid span d. Refer the patient for follow-up with endocrinologist

a. Recognize that this is an expected finding

On palpation the nurse determines that the patient's left thyroid lobe is larger than the right thyroid lobe. What is the nurse's most appropriate action at this time? a. Refer the patient to the health care provider for further evaluation. b. Document that the patient's thyroid is normal on palpation. c. Palpate the left thyroid lobe again using very firm pressure. d. Ask the patient to flex the chin toward his chest and palpate again.

a. Refer the patient to the health care provider for further evaluation.

When using an ophthalmoscope to examine the internal eye, how does the nurse distinguish the retinal arteries from the retinal veins? a. The arteries are narrower than veins. b. The arteries are a darker red than veins. c. The arteries have no light reflex and the veins have a narrow band of light in the center. d. The arteries have prominent pulsations and veins have no pulsations.

a. The arteries are narrower than veins.

Which finding indicates that this patient has a sensorineural hearing loss? a. The patient hears sound by air conduction longer than by bone conduction. b. The patient hears sound from a vibrating tuning fork in the affected ear only. c. The patient hears normal conversation at 40 dB and a whisper at 20 dB. d. The patient hears the rubbing of fingers together from a distance of 4 inches from each ear.

a. The patient hears sound by air conduction longer than by bone conduction.

What are the characteristics of lymph nodes in patients who have an acute infection? a. They are enlarged and tender b. They are round, rubbery, and mobile c. They are hard, fixed, and painless d. They are soft, mobile, and painless

a. They are enlarged and tender

A patient is being seen in the clinic for suspected nasal obstruction from a foreign body. The nurse recognizes which finding as most consistent with this diagnosis? a. Unilateral foul-smelling drainage b. Bilateral purulent green-yellow discharge c. Bilateral bloody discharge d. Unilateral watery discharge

a. Unilateral foul-smelling drainage

Which finding on assessment of a patient's eyes should the nurse document as abnormal? a. An Asian American patient with an upward slant to the palpebral fissure b. A Caucasian American patient whose sclerae are visible between the upper and lower lids and the iris c. An African American patient who has off-white sclerae with tiny black dots of pigmentation near the limbus d. An American Indian patient whose pupillary diameters are 5 mm bilaterally

b. A Caucasian American patient whose sclerae are visible between the upper and lower lids and the iris

A nurse assessing the hearing of a patient with presbycusis expects which finding on a test for hearing? a. Bone conduction will be longer than air conduction on the Rinne test (BC > AC). b. Air conduction will be longer than bone conduction on the Rinne test (AC > BC). c. Sound lateralizes to the affected ear on the Weber test. d. Sound lateralizes to both ears equally on the Weber test.

b. Air conduction will be longer than bone conduction on the Rinne test (AC > BC).

How does the nurse test the function of the patient's spinal accessory nerve (CN XI)? a. Ask the patient to stick out the tongue and move it side to side. b. Ask the patient to shrug the shoulders against the resistance of the nurse's hands. c. Ask the patient to open the mouth and observe the uvula rise when he says "ah." d. Ask the patient to move the chin to the chest and then up toward the ceiling.

b. Ask the patient to shrug the shoulders against the resistance of the nurse's hands.

After seeing the red reflex and retinal vessels through the ophthalmoscope, how does the nurse locate the optic disc? a. By rotating the diopter to the block (positive) numbers until the optic disc comes into focus b. By following the retinal vessels inward toward the nose until optic disc is seen c. By using the green beam light while looking outward toward the ear until the disc is seen d. By locating the macula and then looking temporally (toward the ear) until the disc is seen

b. By following the retinal vessels inward toward the nose until optic disc is seen

A nurse is assessing a patient who was hit at the base of the skull with a blunt instrument causing a skull fracture. What assessment finding does this nurse anticipate during the inspection? a. Tinnitus, vertigo, and dizziness b. Clear drainage from the ear and nose c. Loss of hearing and smell d. Purulent drainage from the ear and bloody drainage from the nose

b. Clear drainage from the ear and nose

What technique does a nurse use when palpating the right lobe of a patient's thyroid gland using the anterior approach? a. Pushes the cricoid process to the left with the right thumb b. Displaces the trachea to the right with the left thumb c. Manipulates the thyroid between the thumb and index finger d. Moves the sternocleidomastoid muscle to the right with the left thumb

b. Displaces the trachea to the right with the left thumb

A patient is admitted with edema of the occipital lobe following a head injury. The nurse correlates which finding with damage to this area? a. Ipsilateral ptosis b. Impaired vision c. Pupillary constriction d. Increased intraocular pressure

b. Impaired vision

A patient complains of a lesion in his nose. Which technique does a nurse use to inspect the nasal mucosa? a. Inserts a nasal speculum horizontally into the patient's affected nares b. Inserts a nasal speculum obliquely into the patient's affected nares c. Uses a light source from the ophthalmoscope d. Inserts a nasal speculum vertically into the patient's affected nares

b. Inserts a nasal speculum obliquely into the patient's affected nares

When inspecting a patient's posterior wall of the pharynx and tonsils, a nurse documents which finding as abnormal? a. Both tonsils have a smooth surface. b. Left and right tonsils meet at the midline. c. Left and right tonsils extend beyond the posterior pillars. d. Both tonsils have a glistening appearance.

b. Left and right tonsils meet at the midline.

The nurse palpates the patient's jaw movement, placing two fingers in front of each ear and asking the patient to slowly open and close the mouth. What additional request does the nurse ask the patient to do to assess the jaw? a. Clench the jaws together as tightly as possible. b. Move the lower jaw from side to side. c. Open the mouth as wide as possible, like a yawn. d. Move the lower jaw forward and backward several times.

b. Move the lower jaw from side to side.

During an eye examination of an Asian patient, a nurse notices an involuntary rhythmical, horizontal movement of the patient's eyes. How does a nurse document this finding? a. An expected racial variation b. Nystagmus c. Exophthalmus d. Myopia

b. Nystagmus

A nurse shines a light toward the bridge of the patient's nose and notices that the light reflection in the right cornea is at the 2 o'clock position and in the left cornea at the 10 o'clock position. Based on these data, the nurse should take what action? a. Document these findings as normal. b. Perform the cover-uncover test. c. Perform the confrontation test. d. Document these findings as abnormal.

b. Perform the cover-uncover test.

How does the nurse perform a Weber test to assess hearing function? a. Whispers three to four words into the patient's ear and asks him to repeat the words heard b. Places a vibrating tuning fork in the middle of the head and asks the patient if the sound is heard the same in both ears c. Places a set of headphones over both ears, plays several tones, and asks the patient to identify the sounds d. Places a vibrating tuning fork on the mastoid process and asks the patient to signal when he can no longer hear the sound

b. Places a vibrating tuning fork in the middle of the head and asks the patient if the sound is heard the same in both ears

To assess jaw movement of an adult patient, the nurse uses which technique? a. Asking the patient to open the mouth and then passively moving the patient's open jaw from side to side b. Placing two fingers in front of each ear and asking the patient to slowly open and close the mouth c. Asking the patient to open the mouth and to resist the nurse's attempt to close the mouth d. Using the pads of all fingers to feel along the mandible for tenderness and nodules

b. Placing two fingers in front of each ear and asking the patient to slowly open and close the mouth

A patient complains of nasal drainage and sinus headache. The nurse suspects a nasal infection and anticipates observing which finding during examination? a. Foul-smelling drainage b. Purulent green-yellow drainage c. Bloody drainage d. Watery drainage

b. Purulent green-yellow drainage

During the history, a patient reports blurred vision, seeing double at times, and a glare from headlights from oncoming cars at night. Based on this information, what finding does the nurse expect to find on assessment of this patient's eyes? a. Anterior chamber depth is shallow. b. Red reflex is absent. c. Extraocular muscle movement is asymmetric. d. Retinal arteries are wider than retinal veins.

b. Red reflex is absent.

A patient has had an infected facial wound for more than 3 months. How does the nurse expect the patient's enlarged lymph nodes to feel? a. Soft, edematous, and tender b. Round, tender, and movable c. Hard, nontender, and nonmobile d. Irregularly shaped, tender, and firm

b. Round, tender, and movable

A nurse observes a student using the whisper test to screen a patient with hearing loss. Which behavior by the student requires a corrective comment from the nurse? a. Instructing the patient to cover the ear not being tested b. Standing beside the patient on the side of the ear being tested c. Shielding the mouth to prevent the patient from reading lips d. Whispering one or two syllable words and ask the patient to repeat what is heard

b. Standing beside the patient on the side of the ear being tested

During the Rinne test, a nurse determines that the patient hears the tuning fork held on the mastoid process for 15 seconds and hears the tuning fork held in front of the ear for 30 seconds. The same results are found in both ears. Based on this finding, what is the most appropriate response of the nurse? a. Repeat the test again using a 2000 Hz tuning fork. b. Tell the patient that this represents an expected finding. c. Refer the patient for additional testing to detect hearing abnormality. d. Perform a Weber test to confirm the findings of the Rinne test.

b. Tell the patient that this represents an expected finding.

Which patient in the eye clinic should the nurse assess first? a. The patient who reports a gradual clouding of vision b. The patient who complains of sudden loss of vision c. The patient who complains of double vision d. The patient who complains of poor night vision

b. The patient who complains of sudden loss of vision

A teenager comes to the clinic complaining about the whiteheads and blackhead on his face interfering with his social life. During the examination the nurse palpates an enlarged submental lymph node. Where is this lymph node located? a. In front of the ear b. Under the mandible c. At the base of the skull d. Along the angle of the jaw

b. Under the mandible

In assessing a patient with head injury, the nurse should be most concerned with which finding? a. Pain on palpation of the scalp b. Unilateral clear, watery nasal discharge c. A scalp laceration at the sight of injury d. Complaints of dizziness

b. Unilateral clear, watery nasal discharge

The nurse examines a patient's auditory canal and tympanic membrane with an otoscope. Which finding is considered abnormal? a. Presence of cerumen b. Yellow or amber color to the tympanic membrane c. Presence of a cone of light d. Shiny, translucent tympanic membrane

b. Yellow or amber color to the tympanic membrane

During the history the patient indicates that her eyes have been red and itching. Which additional question does the nurse ask? a. "Have you ever had a detached retina?" b. "Have you had the pressure in your eyes checked?" c. "Do you have seasonal allergies?" d. "Do you also have double vision?"

c. "Do you have seasonal allergies?"

What instructions does the nurse give the patient before palpating the right supraclavicular lymph nodes? a. "Lean your head backward and toward the right as far as comfortably possible." b. "Lie supine and turn your head away from the right side." c. "Draw up your shoulders forward, and flex your chin toward the right side." d. "Sit up, raise both arms over your head, and flex your chin away from the right side."

c. "Draw up your shoulders forward, and flex your chin toward the right side."

What instructions does the nurse give the patient before using the Snellen visual acuity chart? a. "Remove your eyeglasses before attempting to read the lowest line." b. "Stand 10 feet from the chart and read the first line aloud." c. "Hold a white card over one eye and read the smallest possible line." d. "Squint if necessary to improve the ability to read the largest letters."

c. "Hold a white card over one eye and read the smallest possible line."

The nurse is taking a health history on a patient who reports frequent headaches with pain in the front of the head, but sometimes felt in the back of the head. Which statement by the patient is most indicative of tension headaches? a. "I usually have nausea and vomiting with my headaches." b. "My whole head is constantly throbbing." c. "It feels like my head is in a vice." d. "The pain is on the left side over my eye, forehead, and cheek."

c. "It feels like my head is in a vice."

During symptom analysis, the nurse helps the patient distinguish between dizziness and vertigo. Which description by the patient indicates vertigo? a. "I felt faint, like I was going to pass out." b. "I just could not keep my balance when I sat up." c. "It seemed that the room was spinning around." d. "I was afraid that I was going to lose consciousness."

c. "It seemed that the room was spinning around."

Which data from the health history of a 42-year old man should be evaluated further as a possible risk for hearing loss? a. "I watch TV in the evenings with my wife and children." b. "When I was younger, I wore an earring." c. "My primary hobby is carpentry work." d. "I have been an accountant for 16 years for an insurance agency."

c. "My primary hobby is carpentry work."

A nurse suspects the patient has an infection of the maxillary sinuses. How can this suspicion be confirmed? a. Using a flashlight to illuminate the floor of the mouth b. Pressing gently with both thumbs into the eyebrow ridges c. Applying firm pressure with the thumbs below the cheekbones d. Standing behind the patient and asking him or her to slowly rotate the head

c. Applying firm pressure with the thumbs below the cheekbones

During a Weber test, a patient with right ear hearing loss reports hearing sound longer in the right ear than the left ear. What results should the nurse expect to find from this patient during a Rinne test? a. Air conduction will be twice as long as bone conduction (2:1 ratio). b. Air conduction will be 1.5 times as long as bone conduction (1.5:1 ratio). c. Bone conduction will be longer than air conduction. d. Bone conduction will be equal to air conduction.

c. Bone conduction will be longer than air conduction.

A patient complains of right ear pain. What findings does the nurse anticipate on inspecting the patient's ears? a. Redness and edema of the pinna of the right ear b. Report of pain when the nurse manipulates the right ear c. Bulging and red tympanic membrane in the right ear d. Increased cerumen in the right ear canal

c. Bulging and red tympanic membrane in the right ear

How does a nurse assess movements of the eyes? a. By assessing peripheral vision b. By noting the symmetry of the corneal light reflex c. By assessing the cardinal fields of gaze d. By performing the cover-uncover test

c. By assessing the cardinal fields of gaze

How does the nurse assess a patient's consensual reaction? a. By touching the cornea with a small piece of sterile cotton and observing the change in the pupil size b. By observing the patient's pupil size when she or he looks at an object 2 to 3 feet away and then looks at an object 6 to 8 inches away. c. By shining a light into the patient's right eye and observing the pupillary reaction of the left eye d. By covering one eye with a card and observing the pupillary reaction when the card is removed

c. By shining a light into the patient's right eye and observing the pupillary reaction of the left eye

A patient is in a sitting position as the nurse palpates the temporal arteries and feels smooth, bilateral pulsations. What is the appropriate action for the nurse at this time? a. Auscultate the temporal arteries for bruits. b. Palpate the arteries with the patient in supine position. c. Document this as an expected finding. d. Measure the patient's blood pressure.

c. Document this as an expected finding.

A nurse shines a light in the right pupil to test constriction and notices that the left pupil constricts as well. Based on these data, the nurse should take what action? a. Document this finding as an abnormal finding. b. Assess the patient for accommodation. c. Document this finding as a consensual reaction. d. Assess the patient's corneal light reflex.

c. Document this finding as a consensual reaction.

A nurse's presentation to patients on risk factors for oral cancer includes which fact? a. The peak incidence oral cancer is before 40 years of age. b. Women have a higher risk than men. c. Excessive alcohol consumption is a risk factor. d. Eating a low fiber diet is a risk factor.

c. Excessive alcohol consumption is a risk factor.

A nurse assesses neck range of movement of several adults. Which patient has an expected range of motion of the neck? a. Patient A is unable to resist the nurse's attempt to move the head upright. b. Patient B bends the head to the right and left (ear to shoulder) 15 degrees. c. Patient C flexes chin toward the chest 45 degrees. d. Patient D hyperextends the head 30 degrees from midline.

c. Patient C flexes chin toward the chest 45 degrees.

A patient reports a history of snorting cocaine and is concerned about his bloody nasal drainage. What does the nurse expect to see on inspection of his nose? a. Deviated septum b. Pale turbinates c. Perforated nasal septum d. Localized erythema and edema

c. Perforated nasal septum

During an eye assessment, a nurse asks the patient to cover one eye with a card as the nurse covers his or her eye directly opposite the patient's covered eye. The nurse moves an object into the field of vision and asks the patient to tell when the object can be seen. This assessment technique collects what data about the patient's eyes? a. Symmetry of extraocular muscles b. Visual acuity in the uncovered eye c. Peripheral vision of the uncovered eye d. Consensual reaction of the uncovered eye

c. Peripheral vision of the uncovered eye

What technique does a nurse use when palpating the right lobe of a patient's thyroid gland using the posterior approach? a. Pushes the cricoid process to the left with the right thumb and feels the right lobe with the left hand b. Uses the left hand to push the sternocleidomastoid muscle to the right and feels the lobe with the right hand c. Pushes the trachea to the right with the left hand and feels the right lobe with the right hand d. Places the fingers on either side of the trachea above the cricoid cartilage and feels the right lobe

c. Pushes the trachea to the right with the left hand and feels the right lobe with the right hand

A nurse reads in the history that a patient has a new onset of acute otitis media. Based on this information, how does the nurse expect this patient's tympanic membrane to appear? a. Dull b. Shiny c. Red d. Blue to deep red

c. Red

What changes in using the ophthalmoscope should the nurse need to make when inspecting the eye of a patient who is nearsighted? a. Holding the ophthalmoscope in the right hand when inspecting the patient's right eye b. Using the grid light of the lens aperture to visualize the internal structures of the eye c. Rotating the diopter to the red (minus) numbers d. Asking the patient to look directly into the ophthalmoscope light

c. Rotating the diopter to the red (minus) numbers

While taking a history, the nurse observes that the patient's facial cranial nerves (CN VII) are intact based on which behaviors of the patient? a. The patient's eyes move to the left, right, up, down, and obliquely during conversation. b. The patient moistens the lips with the tongue. c. The sides of the mouth are symmetric when the patient smiles. d. The patient's eyelids blink periodically.

c. The sides of the mouth are symmetric when the patient smiles.

A nurse uses which technique to assess a patient's peripheral vision? a. The nurse asks the patient to keep the head still and by moving the eyes only, follow the nurse's finger as it moves side to side, up and down, and obliquely. b. The nurse covers one of the patient's eyes with a card and observes the uncovered eye for movement, then removes the card and observes the just uncovered eye for movement. c. With the patient and nurse facing each other and a card covering their corresponding eyes, the nurse moves an object into the visual field and the patient reports when the object is seen. d. The nurse shines a light on both corneas at the same time and notes the location of the reflection in each eye.

c. With the patient and nurse facing each other and a card covering their corresponding eyes, the nurse moves an object into the visual field and the patient reports when the object is seen.

A 24-year-old female patient has a 2-day history of clear nasal drainage. Based on these data, which question is the most logical for the nurse to ask? a. "Is there a foul odor coming from your nose?" b. "Have you recently had nosebleeds?" c. "Do you snore when sleeping?" d. "Do you have allergies?"

d. "Do you have allergies?"

The nurse is taking a health history on a patient who reports frequent stabbing headaches occurring once a day lasting about an hour. Which statement by the patient is most indicative of cluster headaches? a. "I usually have nausea and vomiting with my headaches." b. "My whole head is constantly throbbing." c. "It feels like my head is in a vice." d. "The pain is on the left side over my eye, forehead, and cheek."

d. "The pain is on the left side over my eye, forehead, and cheek."

While taking a history, the nurse notices that the patient's family member repeats most of the questions to the patient in a loud voice. Based on this information, what finding does the nurse anticipate when assessing this patient's hearing using an audioscope? a. 5 dB hearing loss at all frequencies b. 10 dB hearing loss at all frequencies c. 20 dB hearing loss at all frequencies d. 40 dB hearing loss at all frequencies

d. 40 dB hearing loss at all frequencies

A patient comes to the clinic for evaluation after a sinus infection. To evaluate the therapy, the nurse uses transillumination to assess the sinuses and notes which finding indicating recovery from a frontal sinus infection? a. The soft palate illuminates brightly when the light source is placed against the lateral nose. b. No illumination is noted when the light source is placed firmly against the lateral nose. c. A bright glow illuminates the hard palate when the light source is placed against each temporal bone. d. A reddish light is noted above the eyebrows when the light is placed against each supraorbital rim.

d. A reddish light is noted above the eyebrows when the light is placed against each supraorbital rim.

A nurse examines a patient's auditory canal and tympanic membrane with an otoscope and observes which finding as normal? a. Clear fluid lining the auditory canal b. A firm tympanic membrane without fluctuation with puffs of air c. A small hole within the cone of light d. A shiny, translucent tympanic membrane

d. A shiny, translucent tympanic membrane

A patient complains of sore throat, pain with swallowing, fever, and chills. The nurse suspects tonsillitis and plans to palpate the anterior cervical lymph nodes. Where does the nurse place his fingers to palpate these nodes? a. In front of the ears b. Under the mandibles c. Along the angle of the mandibles d. Adjacent to the sternocleidomastoid muscles

d. Adjacent to the sternocleidomastoid muscles

Which technique is used for palpating lymph nodes? a. Apply firm pressure over the nodes with the pads of the fingers b. Apply gentle pressure over the nodes with the tips of the fingers. c. Apply firm pressure anterior to the nodes with the tips of the fingers d. Apply gentle pressure over the nodes with the pads of the fingers

d. Apply gentle pressure over the nodes with the pads of the fingers

On inspection of the external eye structures of an African American patient, the nurse notices the sclerae are not white, but appear a darker shade with tiny black dots of pigmentation near the limbus. How does the nurse document this finding? a. As an indication of a type of anemia b. As a hordeolum or sty c. As jaundice d. As an expected racial variation

d. As an expected racial variation

While talking with a patient, the nurse suspects that he has hearing loss. Which examination technique is most accurate for assessing hearing loss? a. Whispered voice test b. Rinne test c. Weber's test d. Audiometry test

d. Audiometry test

A nurse's presentation to patients on risk factors for macular degeneration includes which fact? a. The peak incidence is before 60 years of age. b. Women have a higher risk than men. c. Eating a low fat diet causes a vitamin A deficiency, which increases risk. d. Cigarette smokers have twice the risk as nonsmokers.

d. Cigarette smokers have twice the risk as nonsmokers.

During the history, a 65-year-old male patient reports smoking two packs of cigarettes a day for more than 40 years. With this knowledge, what does the nurse expect for during the examination of this patient's mouth? a. Cracks and erythema in the corners of the mouth b. Slightly rough papillae on the dorsal surface of the tongue c. Smooth or beefy, red-colored, edematous tongue d. Painless, nonhealing mouth ulcers

d. Painless, nonhealing mouth ulcers

Wearing gloves, the nurse grasps the patient's tongue with a gauze pad and palpates a small, firm nodule on the left side of the tongue. Based upon this finding, what is the nurse's appropriate response? a. Document that the patient's tongue is normal on palpation. b. Inspect the left submandibular salivary glands for redness. c. Ask the patient to move the tongue in all directions. d. Palpate cervical and submental lymph nodes for enlargement.

d. Palpate cervical and submental lymph nodes for enlargement.

Which finding warrants a referral for additional evaluation? a. Earlobes hanging freely from the base of the pinna b. Ears having painless nodules less than 1 cm in diameter at the helix c. Ears measuring 8 cm in length d. Pinna is 20 degrees lower than the outer canthus of the eye

d. Pinna is 20 degrees lower than the outer canthus of the eye

How does the nurse perform a Rinne test of hearing function? a. Whispers several words to the patient and requests that the patient repeat the words heard b. Places a vibrating tuning fork in the middle of the head and asks the patient if the sound is heard the same in both ears or if it is louder in one ear than the other c. Places a set of headphones over both ears, plays several tones, and asks the patient to identify the sounds d. Places a vibrating tuning fork on the mastoid process until the patient no longer hears it, and then moves it in front of the ear until the patient no longer hears it

d. Places a vibrating tuning fork on the mastoid process until the patient no longer hears it, and then moves it in front of the ear until the patient no longer hears it

When palpating the right lobe of the patient's thyroid gland using the anterior approach, the nurse feels the tissue between which two structures? a. Sternocleidomastoid and the trapezius muscles b. Trapezius muscle and the trachea c. Cricoid process and the trachea d. Sternocleidomastoid muscle and the trachea

d. Sternocleidomastoid muscle and the trachea

How does a nurse recognize a patient's mydriasis? a. The lens of each of the patient's eyes is opaque. b. There is involuntary rhythmical, horizontal movement of the patient's eyes. c. There is a white opaque ring encircling the patient's limbus. d. The patient's pupils are 7 mm and do not constrict.

d. The patient's pupils are 7 mm and do not constrict.

How does a nurse recognize normal accommodation? a. The patient has peripheral vision of 90 degrees left and right. b. The patient's eyes move up and down, side to side, and obliquely. c. The right pupil constricts when a light is shown in the left pupil. d. The patient's pupils dilate when looking toward a distant object.

d. The patient's pupils dilate when looking toward a distant object.