Sherpath: Examination Equipment Mini Quizzes

The nurse demonstrates proper use of the standardized Snellen eye chart when she positions the patient what distance from the chart on the wall?

20 feet - The patient should be 20 feet away from the Snellen chart to test visual acuity.

What action best demonstrates proper use of the tuning fork to assess vibratory sensation?

Activate the tuning fork, then apply the stem of the fork to the top of the head - Holding an activated tuning fork on the top of the head assesses sense of hearing, not vibratory sensation. Activate the tuning fork, then apply the stem of the fork to a muscle - Vibratory sensation is not assessed with a tuning fork over muscle groups. ✅ Activate the tuning fork, then apply the stem of the fork to a bony prominence - Vibratory sensation is assessed by holding an activated tuning fork on a bony prominence and assessing whether the patient feels a vibration or a tingling sensation. Activate the tuning fork, then hold the tuning fork in the air by the ear - Holding an activated tuning fork in the air by the ear assesses sense of hearing, not vibratory sensation.

What should the nurse do to properly visualize the inner eye structures of a patient wearing corrective lenses?

Examine the eyes through the patient's glasses - Glasses hinder accurate eye exam. ✅ Ask the patient to remove glasses prior to the eye examination - Patient glasses should be removed prior to an eye exam because they obstruct proper visualization of the inner eye structures. Ask the patient to remove contact lenses prior to the eye examination Contact lenses do not obstruct proper visualization of the inner eye structures. ✅ Examine the eyes through the patient's contact lenses - Patient contact lenses may be left in place during the ophthalmoscope examination because they do not obstruct visualization of inner eye structures. ✅ Use the plus and minus lens to compensate for myopia or hyperopia - The nurse should use the plus and minus lens to compensate for the patient's myopia or hyperopia.

Match the visual assessment with the appropriate measurement technique.

Far vision (6 years and older) - Snellen chart Near vision - Rosenbaum and Jaeger charts Macular degeneration - Amsler grid Far vision (3 to 5 years old) - Tumbling E chart

Place the steps for use of the percussion hammer in the correct order.

Hold hammer loosely between thumb and index finger Use a rapid downward snap of the wrist Tap the tendon quickly and firmly Snap the wrist back, removing the hammer from the tendon

What part of the otoscope is used to assess fluctuating capacity of the tympanic membrane?

Otoscope speculum - The otoscope speculum is attached to the head of the otoscope to direct the light source and provide better visualization of the inner structures. Head of the otoscope - The head of the otoscope has a magnification lens and a light source, which allow for better visualization of the tympanic membrane at its resting state (nonmoving membrane). Adjustable focus - On newer models of otoscopes, an adjustable focus provides greater magnification and viewing of the tympanic membrane. Pneumatic bulb attachment - The pneumatic bulb attaches to the head of the otoscope. When the bulb is squeezed, small puffs of air move across the tympanic membrane, causing the membrane to move. This assesses the fluctuating capacity of the tympanic membrane.

Match the equipment with the manner in which it is appropriately used.

Pointed end of percussion hammer - Useful in small areas Flat end of percussion hammer - More comfortable when striking patient directly Finger acting as percussion hammer - Useful in very young patients

During auscultation of the patient's chest, how should the nurse position the stethoscope to minimize extraneous noises?

Position and hold the diaphragm lightly against the patient's skin -The diaphragm of the stethoscope should be held firmly against the skin. Position and hold the bell firmly on the patient's skin -The bell of the stethoscope should be held lightly against the skin. Position the head of the stethoscope on the patient's skin and hold the tubing so it does not touch the bed - Placing the head of the stethoscope on the patient's skin prevents extraneous noises; however, holding the stethoscope tubing can cause extraneous noises. ✅ Position the head of the stethoscope between the second and third fingers and position it on the patient's skin - Holding the head of the stethoscope between the second and third fingers stabilizes the head and prevents extraneous noises. Placing the head of the stethoscope on the patient's skin prevents extraneous noises.

During the physical exam, which physiologic measurement does the nurse use a pulse oximeter to obtain?

Respiratory rate and pulse rate - A pulse oximeter measures pulse rate but not respiratory rate. Percentage of deoxygenated hemoglobin in the blood - A pulse oximeter does not measure the percentage of deoxygenated hemoglobin. ✅ Percentage of hemoglobin saturated with oxygen in the blood - A pulse oximeter measures the ratio of oxyhemoglobin to deoxyhemoglobin; the difference between the two values gives a measure of the fraction of the oxyhemoglobin in the blood, which is reported as a percentage of hemoglobin saturated with oxygen in the blood. Total amount of oxygen in the blood - A pulse oximeter does not measure the total amount of oxygen in the blood.

In using the ophthalmoscope, the nurse would select the correct aperture to improve accuracy of the inner eye assessment. Match the appropriate aperture to its intended use.

Small aperture - Small pupils Red-free filter - Optic disc for pallor, vessel changes, and hemorrhages Slit - Anterior eye and retinal lesions Grid - Fundal lesions

How should the nurse position the arm to properly obtain a blood pressure measurement?

Supported below the heart - Obtaining a blood pressure reading on an arm supported below the heart results in a falsely low reading. Supported above the heart - Obtaining a blood pressure reading on an arm supported above the heart results in a falsely high reading. ✅ Supported at heart level - Obtaining a blood pressure reading on an arm supported at heart level results in an accurate reading. Unsupported and lying at the patient's side - Obtaining a blood pressure reading on an unsupported arm at the patient's side results in a falsely high reading.

Which of the following describes the functions of an acoustic stethoscope?

To pick up vibrations transmitted to the body surface and convert them to electronic impulses - The electronic stethoscope picks up vibrations transmitted to the body surface and converts them to electrical impulses that are then reconverted to sound. ✅ To channel difficult-to-hear body sounds by blocking out extra sounds - The acoustic stethoscope is used routinely for health assessment and channels difficult-to-hear body sounds by blocking out extra sounds. To differentiate between right and left auscultatory sounds - The stereophonic stethoscope is used to differentiate between right and left auscultatory sounds using a two-channel design with a divided bell and diaphragm. To magnify body sounds so that they can be heard more loudly - The acoustic stethoscope does not magnify sounds but allows difficult-to-hear sounds to be heard more easily by blocking out extra sounds.

The nurse appropriately selects what visual acuity chart when assessing the adult patient's far vision?

Tumbling E chart - The Tumbling E chart assesses visual acuity in patients 3 to 5 years old. Rosenbaum and Jaeger charts P The Rosenbaum and Jaeger charts assess near vision. Amsler grid - The Amsler grid assesses for macular degeneration. ✅ Snellen chart - The Snellen chart assesses visual acuity in patients 6 years and older.

When obtaining a pulse oximetry reading, which action facilitates an accurate measurement?

✅ Aligning photodetectors in the sensor probe before use - The photodetectors in the probe measure the light passing through the capillaries and recognize the amount of color absorbed in the arterial blood. This calculates the oxygen saturation level. Placing the sensor probe on the patient's finger regardless of nail polish - Nail polish should be removed from the sensor probe site before use; nail polish causes an inaccurate measurement. Encouraging the patient to shake the body site to facilitate blood flow to the sensor probe - The patient should stay still during pulse oximetry measurement; patient movement can cause inaccuracies in measurement. Correlating the patient's respiratory rate with pulse oximeter reading - Respiratory rate does not correlate to the pulse oximetry reading.

When using the stethoscope, which actions should be taken to decrease extraneous noise?

✅ Allow the tubing to be free from objects - In order to prevent extraneous noises, do not allow the tubing to touch or rub against any surfaces, including hands or clothing. ✅ Avoid conversation during auscultation - In order to prevent extraneous noises, the patient and nurse should not talk during auscultation. Listen through the patient's gown - Friction between fabric and the stethoscope could produce extraneous sounds. ✅ Hold the head of the stethoscope between the second and third fingers - Holding the stethoscope between the second and third fingers stabilizes the stethoscope and prevents extraneous noises.

A patient who is severely obese may need to use a thigh cuff to obtain an accurate blood pressure reading, because choosing the wrong size may:

✅ Artificially inflate the blood pressure - Use of a cuff that is too small for the arm may artificially inflate the patient's blood pressure, resulting in an inaccurate reading. Cause harm to the patient - Use of the wrong cuff size is not likely to cause harm to the patient. Prevent the blood pressure from being obtained - Use of the wrong cuff size will not prevent the blood pressure from being taken, but may affect the accuracy. Make the patient uncomfortable - Patient comfort does not affect the accuracy of the blood pressure reading.

What physical assessment information does the nurse obtain with the percussion hammer?

✅ Assessment of deep tendon reflexes - The percussion hammer assesses deep tendon reflexes by striking the tendon. Assessment of motor strength - The percussion hammer does not assess motor strength by striking the tendon. Assessment of pain sensation - The percussion hammer does not assess pain sensation by striking the tendon. Assessment of peripheral paresthesias - The percussion hammer does not assess peripheral paresthesias by striking the tendon.

What body areas can be used to obtain a pulse oximetry reading?

✅ Finger - The sensor probe should be placed at a site where capillaries are near the skin, such as a nail bed of a finger. ✅ Toe - The sensor probe should be placed at a site where capillaries are near the skin, such as a nail bed of a toe. Tip of nose - The tip of the nose is not a highly vascular area; it should not be used for pulse oximetry. ✅ Ear lobe - The ear lobe is a highly vascular area and can be used for sensor probe placement. ✅ Bridge of nose - The bridge of the nose is a highly vascular area and can be used for sensor probe placement.

Which statement describes the correct use of a tuning fork to measure vibratory sensation?

✅ Hold fork against bony prominences - The fork should be held against bony prominences to measure vibratory sensation. Hold fork against skull bone or in the air by the ear - The fork should be held against the skull bone or by the ear for auditory screening, not to measure vibratory sensation. Use fork with a frequency of 500 to 1000 Hz - A fork with a frequency of 500 to 1000 Hz should be used for auditory screening and can estimate hearing loss in the range of normal speech. Activate the fork with a hard tap on the table or your hand - The fork may be activated by gentle squeezing or rubbing, but it should not be tapped hard.

What action demonstrates proper technique when using a tuning fork for auditory screening?

✅ Hold the tuning fork by the stem and activate by squeezing and stroking the tines - Holding the tuning fork by the stem and squeezing and stroking the tines is the correct procedure for using a tuning fork. Hold the tuning fork by the base of the prongs and activate by tapping the tip of the prongs against the heel of the hand - Holding the tuning fork by the base of the prongs or the prongs damps the sound. Hold the tuning fork by the stem and activate by vigorously hitting the prongs against the heel of the hand - Vigorously hitting the prongs of the tuning fork causes a loud, high pitch and could lead to inaccurate results. Hold the tuning fork by the base of the prongs and activate by squeezing and stroking the tines - Holding the tuning fork by the base of the prongs or the prongs damps the sound.

What action straightens the adult patient's ear canal to improve visualization of inner structures?

✅ Pulling the pinna up and back - Pulling the pinna up and back straightens the adult ear canal. Pulling the pinna down and back - Pulling the pinna down and back straightens the child's ear canal, not the adult patient's ear canal. Selecting and inserting the proper size otoscope speculum - Proper size and fit of otoscope speculum is necessary for proper visualization of inner structures and patient comfort but does not straighten the ear canal. Tilting the patient's head slightly toward the opposite ear - Tilting the patient's head slightly toward the opposite ear brings the eardrum into better view but does not straighten the ear canal.

In choosing a cuff to measure blood pressure in an adult, the nurse knows to apply which principle?

✅ The bladder within the cuff should be 40% as wide as the patient's arm circumference. - The bladder of a blood pressure cuff should be 40% as wide as the patient's arm circumference. An accurate blood pressure reading is obtained when the cuff size is appropriate for the patient's limb size. The bladder within the cuff should encircle 50% of the limb being used. - The bladder within the cuff should encircle at least 80% of the limb being used. A cuff that is too small will provide an inaccurate measurement of blood pressure. The bladder within the cuff should be 20% as wide as the patient's arm circumference. - Too narrow a blood pressure cuff results in a falsely high reading. The bladder within the cuff should be 60% as wide as the patient's arm circumference. - Too wide a blood pressure cuff results in a falsely low reading.