Chapter 11: Assessing

The nurse has entered a client's room to find the client diaphoretic (sweat-covered) and shivering, inferring that the client has a fever. How should the nurse best follow up this cue and inference? A) Measure the client's oral temperature. B) Ask a colleague for assistance. C) Give the client a clean gown and warm blankets. D) Obtain an order for blood cultures

Ans: A Feedback: An inference must be followed by a validation process. In this case, the inference of fever is best validated or rejected by measuring the client's temperature. This should precede interventions such as blood work or even providing a warm blanket.

A client comes to her health care provider's office because she is having abdominal pain. She has been seen for this problem before. What type of assessment would the nurse do? A) Initial assessment B) Focused assessment C) Emergency assessment D) Time-lapsed assessment

Ans: B Feedback: A focused assessment is completed by the nurse to gather data about a specific problem that has already been identified. It is also used to identify new or overlooked problems.

After assessment of a client in an ambulatory clinic, the nurse records the data on the computer. The nurse recognizes which of the following as objective data? A) Auscultation of the lungs B) Complaint of nausea C) Sensation of burning in her epigastric area D) Belief that demons are in her stomach

Ans: A Feedback: Objective data include techniques of inspection, palpation, percussion, and auscultation. Symptoms, values, perceptions, feelings, beliefs, attitudes, and sensations are sources of subjective data.

Which of the following examples of client data needs to be validated? Select all that apply. A) A client has trouble reading an informed consent, but states he does not need glasses. B) An elderly client explains that the black and blue marks on his arms and legs are due to a fall. C) A nurse examining a client with a respiratory infection documents fever and chills. D) A client in a nursing home states that she is unable to eat the food being served. E) A pregnant client is experiencing contractions that are two minutes apart.

Ans: A, B Feedback: Because validation of all data is neither possible nor necessary, nurses need to decide which items need verification. For example, data need to be verified when there are discrepancies: A patient tells the nurse he is fine and has no concerns, but the nurse notes that he demonstrates tense body musculature and seems curt in his responses. When there is a discrepancy between what the person is saying and what the nurse is observing, validation is necessary to determine accuracy. Data also need verification when they lack objectivity.

Which of the following are examples of common factors in a client that may influence assessment priorities? Select all that apply. A) Diet and exercise program B) Standing in the community C) Ability to pay for services D) Developmental stage E) Need for nursing

Ans: A, D, E Feedback: The purpose for which the assessment is being performed offers the best guideline about what type and how much data to collect. Assessment priorities are influenced by the client's health orientation, developmental stage, culture, and need for nursing. After the comprehensive nursing assessment has been completed, client health problems dictate assessment priorities for future nurse-client interactions.

Which of the following data regarding a client with a diagnosis of colon cancer are subjective? Select all that apply. A) The client's chemotherapy causes him nausea and loss of appetite. B) The client became teary when his daughter from out of state came to the bedside. C) The client's ileostomy put out 125 mL of effluent in the past four hours. D) The patient is unwilling to manipulate or empty his ostomy bag. E) The patient has been experiencing fatigue in recent weeks.

Ans: A, E Feedback: Reports of nausea, anorexia, and fatigue are subjective data that depend on the client's self-report. Weeping, ostomy output, and an inability to perform a kinesthetic task are observable assessment findings that would be characterized as objective.

When the nurse inspects a postoperative incision site for infection, which one of the following types of assessments is being performed? A) Complete B) Focused C) General D) Time-lapse

Ans: B Feedback: In focused assessments, the nurse determines whether the problem still exists and whether the status of the problem has changed.

A nurse is conducting a health history interview for a woman at an assisted-living facility. The woman says, "I have been so constipated lately." How should the nurse respond? A) "Do you have a family history of chest problems?" B) "Why don't you use a laxative every night?" C) "Do you take anything to help your constipation?" D) "Everyone who ages has bowel problems."

Ans: C Feedback: A possible cause of omission of pertinent data is failing to follow up on cues during data collection. The nurse should ask about what the client uses to self-treat her constipation in order to identify further important information. It is not correct to ignore the statement, ask "why" questions, or make assumptions.

Which of the following questions or statements would be appropriate in eliciting further information when conducting a health history interview? A) "Why didn't you go to the doctor when you began to have this pain?" B) "Are you feeling better now than you did during the night?" C) "Tell me more about what caused your pain." D) "If I were you, I would not wait to get medical help next time."

Ans: C Feedback: Avoid questions that impede communication during the interview, including those that can be answered by yes or no, why or how questions, and giving advice.

A nurse is collecting information from a client with dementia. The client's daughter accompanies the client. Which of the following statements by the nurse would recognize the client's value as an individual? A) "Can you tell me how long your father has been this way?" B) "Sarah, I have to go and read your father's old charts before we talk." C) "Mr. Koeppe, tell me what you do to take care of yourself." D) "Mr. Koeppe, I know you can't answer my questions, but it's okay."

Ans: C Feedback: Clients such as older adults with dementia, and their children, cannot be relied on to report accurately. However, they should be encouraged to respond to interview questions as best as they can. Bypassing the client communicates that the nurse does not have time or has doubts in the client's ability to communicate.

A nurse performing triage in an emergency room makes assessments of clients using critical thinking skills. Which of the following are critical thinking activities linked to assessment? Select all that apply. A) Carrying out a physician's order to intubate a client B) Educating a novice nurse on the principles of triage C) Using the nursing process to diagnose a blocked airway D) Interviewing privately a client suspected of being a victim of abuse E) Checking with the family about the data supplied by a client suffering from dementia

Ans: C, D, E Feedback: Since the entire nursing process rests on the initial and ongoing assessment of the client, it is imperative to use excellent critical thinking skills when gathering, validating, analyzing, and communicating data. The nurse using critical thinking skills assesses information systematically using the nursing process, detects biases, makes judgments about the significance of data, and identifies assumptions and inconsistencies. Carrying out physician's orders and educating a novice nurse involve the implementation stage of the nursing process.

The nurse completes a health history and physical assessment on a client who has been admitted to the hospital for surgery. What is the purpose of this initial assessment? A) To gather data about a specific and current health problem B) To identify life-threatening problems that require immediate attention C) To compare and contrast current health status to baseline data D) To establish a database to identify problems and strengths

Ans: D Feedback: An initial assessment is performed shortly after the client is admitted to a health care agency or service. The purpose of the initial assessment is to establish a complete database for problem identification and care planning.

A nurse is preparing to conduct a health history for a client who is confined to bed. How should the nurse position herself? A) Standing at the end of the bed B) Standing at the side of the bed C) Sitting at least six feet from the beside D) sitting at a 45-degree angle to the bed

Ans: D Feedback: If the patient is in bed, placing a chair at a 45-degree angle is helpful in facilitating an easy exchange of information. If the nurse stands at the side or foot of the bed and physically looks down at the client, a superior-inferior relationship is communicated and can negatively affect the interview.

The nurse is conducting a nursing history of a client with a respiratory rate of 30, audible wheezing, and nasal flaring. During the interview, the client denies problems with breathing. What action should the nurse take next? A) Clarify discrepancies of assessment data with the client. B) Validate client data with members of the health care team. C) Document all data collected in the nursing history and physical examination. D) Seek input from family members regarding the client's breathing at home.

Ans: A Feedback: First, the nurse needs to validate the data with the client, who is the primary source. The nurse can validate data with the health care provider but consulting with the client is the best option. The client must give permission for family members to participate in the health history. Ultimately, the nurse documents all assessment data, both from the history and the physical exam.

The nurse observes the client as he walks into the room. What information will this provide the nurse? A) Information regarding the client's gait B) Information regarding the client's personality C) Information regarding the client's psychosocial status D) Information on the rate of recovery from surgery

Ans: A Feedback: Observation includes looking, watching, examining, scrutinizing, surveying, scanning, and appraising.

The nurse is using a systematic approach to the collection of assessment data. The nurse uses an assessment guide that uses a hierarchy of five life requirements universal to all persons. What model for organizing the assessment data is the nurse using? A) Human Needs (Maslow) model B) Functional Health Patterns model C) Human Response Patterns model D) Body System model

Ans: A Feedback: The nurse is following the Human Needs model based on Maslow's Hierarchy of Human Needs. The Functional Health Patterns model was developed by Gordon and is a framework that identifies 11 functional health patterns and organizes data according to these patterns. The Body System model is often used by the medical community, and it organizes data according to organ and tissue function in various body systems. The Human Response Pattern model focuses on a unitary person.

A nurse is assisting with lunch at a nursing home. Suddenly, one of the residents begins to choke and is unable to breathe. The nurse assesses the resident's ability to breathe and then begins CPR. Why did the nurse assess respiratory status? A) To identify a life-threatening problem B) To establish a database for medical care C) To practice respiratory assessment skills D) To facilitate the resident's ability to breathe

Ans: A Feedback: When a life-threatening physiologic or psychological crisis occurs, the nurse performs an emergency assessment to identify life-threatening problems. Emergency assessments are not used to establish a database for medical care, practice assessment skills, or help a physiologic process (such as breathing).

The nurse is reviewing information about a client and notes the following documentation Client is confused. The nurse recognizes this information is an example of what? A) Subjective data B) A data cue C) An inference D) Primary data

Ans: C Feedback: Making a judgment that the client is confused is an inference. An inference must be validated with subjective and/or objective data cues. Sources of data cues can be primary or secondary.

Of the following information collected during a nursing assessment, which are subjective data? A) vomiting, pulse 96 B) respirations 22, blood pressure 130/80 C) nausea, abdominal pain D) pale skin, thick toenails

Ans: C Feedback: Subjective data are information perceived only by the affected person. They cannot be perceived or verified by another person. Other terms for subjective data are symptoms or covert data.

An unconscious patient is brought to the emergency department. Which of the following assessments should be implemented first? A) The client's airway should be assessed. B) The nurse should determine the reason for admission. C) The nurse should review the client's medications. D) The client's past medical history is assessed.

Ans: A Feedback: Emergency assessment takes place in life-threatening situations in which the preservation of life is the top priority. Often, the client's difficulty involves airway, breathing, and circulatory problems.

A client is brought to the emergency department in an unconscious condition. The client's wife hands over the previous medical files and points out that the client had suddenly fallen unconscious after trying to get out of bed. Which of the following is a primary source of information? A) Client'swife B) Medical documents C) Test results D) Assessment data

Ans: A Feedback: In this case, the primary source of information is the client's wife, as she can provide a detailed description of the incident as well as provide the medical history of the client. The medical files, test results, and assessment data are secondary sources of information.

Which of the following guidelines should a nursing instructor provide to nursing students who are now responsible for assessing their clients? A) "Assessment data about the client should be collected continuously." B) "Assess your client after receiving the nursing report and again before giving a report to the next shift of nurses." C) "Assess your client at least hourly if the client's vital signs are unstable, and every two hours if the vital signs are stable." D) "Assessment data should be collected prior to the physician rounding on the unit."

Ans: A Feedback: Data about the client are collected continuously because the client's health status can change quickly.

The nurse has entered a client's room to find the client diaphoretic (sweat-covered) and shivering, inferring that the client has a fever. How should the nurse best follow up this cue and inference? A) Measure the client's oral temperature. B) Ask a colleague for assistance. C) Give the client a clean gown and warm blankets. D) Obtain an order for blood cultures.

Ans: A Feedback: An inference must be followed by a validation process. In this case, the inference of fever is best validated or rejected by measuring the client's temperature. This should precede interventions such as blood work or even providing a warm blanket.

The nurse is performing an assessment of a client who has a small wound on the knee, collecting cues about the client's health status. Which of the following would the nurse identify as a subjective cue? A) Sharp pain in the knee B) Small bloody drainage on dressing C) Temperature of 102 degrees F D) Pulse rate of 90 beats per minute

Ans: A Feedback: Sharp pain in the knee is an example of a subjective cue. Subjective cues are imperceptible, immeasurable, and abstract. Small bloody drainage on dressing, a temperature of 102 degrees F, and a pulse rate of 90 beats per minute are examples of objective cues.

A nurse who collected and organized data during a client history realizes that there is not enough information to plan interventions. Which of the following would be the best remedy to prevent this from happening in the future? A) The nurse should practice interviewing strategies. B) The nurse should modify data collection tool. C) The nurse should determine specific purpose of data collection. D) The nurse should update the database.

Ans: A Feedback: Strong interviewing skills are needed to obtain the necessary patient data. A common cause of data omission is the nurse's failure to know what information is wanted or not following up on client cues. The nurse only needs to modify the data collection tool if the database is inappropriately organized. If irrelevant or duplicate data is collected, the nurse should determine specific purpose of data collection. Data collection should be ongoing. If the nurse notices that data collection stopped after the initial assessment data were collected, the nurse should update the database.

When documenting subjective data, the nurse should do which of the following? A) Use the client's own words placed in quotation marks. B) Paraphrase the information stated by the client. C) Validate the information with the client's family prior to documentation. D) Record the information using nonspecific words.

Ans: A Feedback: Subjective data should be recorded using the client's own words, whenever possible. Quotation marks should be used around the client's statement. The tendency to use nonspecific terms that are subject to individual definition or interpretation should be avoided.

A novice nurse collects data on a newly admitted client. Upon evaluation of this data, the nurse provides an erroneous interpretation. What is a corrective action for this interpretation? A) Encourage the novice nurse to independently observe the same situation with a peer, validate the data, and discuss the situation afterward. B) Encourage the novice nurse to develop his or her own tool for data collection. C) Encourage the novice nurse to collect and interpret the data for the client repeatedly, until the novice nurse arrives at the correct interpretation. D) Encourage the novice nurse to meet with the nurse manager to discuss the situation and seek mentoring for communication skills.

Ans: A Feedback: The novice nurse can improve interpretation skills by independently observing the same situation with a peer, comparing notes afterward, and role-playing various validation techniques.

A client is being prepared for cardiac catheterization. The nurse performs an initial assessment and records the vital signs. Which of the following data collected can be classified as subjective data? A) Blood pressure B) Nausea C) Heart rate D) Respiratory rate

Ans: B Feedback: Subjective data are those which the client can feel and describe. Nausea is subjective data, as it can only be described and not measured. Blood pressure, heart rate, and respiratory rate are measurable factors and are therefore objective data.

A nurse caring for a client admitted to the intensive care unit with a stroke assesses the client's vital signs, pupils, and orientation every few minutes. The nurse is performing which type of assessment? A) Initial assessment B) Focused assessment C) Time-lapsed reassessment D) Emergency assessment

Ans: B Feedback: The nurse is performing a focused assessment to determine whether the problem still exists, and whether the status of the problem has changed. An initial or admission assessment is the initial identification of normal function, functional status, and collection of data concerning actual or potential dysfunction. Time-lapsed reassessment is performed after the initial assessment when substantial periods of time have elapsed between assessments. An emergency assessment is performed any time a physiologic, psychological, or emotional crisis occurs.

A nurse is collecting data from a home care client. In addition to information about the client's health status, what is another observation the nurse should make? A) Number of rooms in the house B) Safety of the immediate environment C) Frequency of home visits to be made D) Friendliness of the client and family

Ans: B Feedback: The nurse should also observe the safety of the immediate environment. Observation is the conscious and deliberate use of the five senses to gather data. Each time a client is observed, the nurse observes current responses, ability to provide self-care, the immediate environment, and the larger environment.

Which of the following questions or statements would be an appropriate termination of the health history interview? A) "Well, I can't think of anything else to ask you right now." B) "Can you think of anything else you would like to tell me?" C) "I wish you could have remembered more about your illness." D) "Perhaps we can talk again sometime. Goodbye."

Ans: B Feedback: The successful interview is concluded carefully. After summarizing the data, it is helpful to ask the client if he or she has anything else to tell the nurse. This gives the client the chance to add data the nurse did not think to include.

While bathing the client, the nurse observes the client grimacing. The nurse asks if the client is experiencing pain. The client nods yes and refuses to continue the bath. The nurse removes the wash basin, makes the client comfortable, and documents the event in the client's chart. Which of the following actions clearly demonstrates assessing? A) The nurse bathing the client B) The nurse documenting the incident C) The nurse asking if the client is having pain D) The nurse removing the wash basin

Ans: C Feedback: The nurse asking if the client is having pain clearly demonstrates assessing. Bathing the client and removing the wash basin demonstrate implementation. Documentation is part of every step of nursing process.

A nurse performs an assessment of a client in a long-term care facility and records baseline data. The nurse reassesses the client a month later and makes revisions in the plan of care. What type of assessment is the second assessment? A) Comprehensive B) Focused C) Time-lapsed D) Emergency

Ans: C Feedback: The time-lapsed assessment is scheduled to compare a client's current status to baseline data obtained earlier. Most clients in residential settings and those receiving nursing care over longer periods of time, such as homebound clients with visiting nurses, are scheduled for periodic time-lapsed assessments to reassess health status and to make necessary revisions in the plan of care.

A nurse in the emergency department is completing an emergency assessment for a teenager just admitted from a car crash. Which of the following is objective data? A) "My leg hurts so bad. I can't stand it." B) "Appears anxious and frightened." C) "I am so sick; I am about to throw up." D) "Unable to palpate femoral pulse in left leg."

Ans: D Feedback: Objective data are observable and measurable data that can be seen, heard, or felt by someone other than the person experiencing them. Objective data observed by one person can be verified by another person observing the same client. Objective data are also called signs or overt data. The only objective data in this question would be that the nurse is unable to palpate a femoral pulse.

What is the primary purpose of validation as a part of assessment? A) To identify data to be validated B) To establish an effective nurse-client communication C) To maintain effective relationships with coworkers D) To plan appropriate nursing care

Ans: D Feedback: Validation is the act of confirming or verifying to plan appropriate nursing care. Validation is an important part of assessment because invalid information can lead to inappropriate nursing care. Validation does not identify data to be validated, nor does it establish effective nurse-client communication or relationships with coworkers.