Question 1

During patient assessment, which of the following is an example of a subjective finding?

Accepted Answer

Subjective findings, or symptoms, are perceptible only to the patient; they are what the patient feels and can be interpreted only by the patient. For example, crushing chest pain and difficulty breathing are cardinal symptoms of a possible heart attack.
Objective findings, or signs, can be observed and/or measured by the provider or medical assistant. They are the indicators of health or disease that a provider detects when examining a patient. The provider feels, sees, hears, or measures the signs that often are associated with a certain disease or abnormal condition. For example, a mass that a provider palpates, or feels, in the patient's abdomen is an objective finding and a sign of an abnormal condition. In addition, objective data can be measured and recorded, and repeat mea-
surements can be taken to confirm the presence of or changes in the sign. The patient's temperature, pulse, respirations, and blood pressure are objective signs the medical assistant measures and records regularly.

Question 2

During a physical examination the patient reports problems with speech and balance. These signs indicate a problem with which system?

Accepted Answer

Disorders of the neurologic system include problems with speech and balance.

Question 3

When writing in a paper record and an error is made, which of the following document guidelines is acceptable?

Accepted Answer

Correct the error by drawing one line through it. Write "error" above the corrected word or words and date and initial the correction. Then write in the correction. Never scribble, erase, or use whiteout on an error. For legal purposes, it is crucial that the corrected error be readable.

Question 4

Which of the following is a good example of an open-ended question?

Accepted Answer

An open-ended question or statement asks for general information or states the topic to be discussed, but only in general terms.

Question 5

Mrs. Elizabeth Stewart was recently diagnosed with diabetes mellitus type 2. She refuses to meet with a dietician because, she states, "The tests must be wrong. No one in my family has diabetes." Which defense mechanism is she displaying?

Accepted Answer

A patient in denial rejects health information.

Question 6

The medical assistant is responsible for documenting all of the following information except the

Accepted Answer

The review of systems is performed by the physician during the physical examination.

Question 7

Which of the following are learned behaviors that are greatly influenced by our family and cultural backgrounds?

Accepted Answer

Our nonverbal actions, such as gestures, facial expressions, and mannerisms, are learned behaviors that are greatly influenced by our family and cultural backgrounds. Much of what we communicate to our patients is conveyed through the use of conscious or unconscious body language.

Question 8

Sally Tipoke, age 17, is scheduled for her first Pap test today. She appears anxious and scared. Choose the medical assistant's most appropriate statement.

Accepted Answer

Displaying empathy and using reflection help identify a patient's feelings and allow the patient to explain those feelings.

Question 9

A medical assistant who is a good listener consistently

Accepted Answer

Feedback is an essential part of the communication cycle.

Question 10

Which of the following components of the medical history provide a guide to the patient's general health?

Accepted Answer

Systems review (SR) or review of systems (ROS): These questions provide a guide to the patient's general health and help detect conditions other than those covered under the present illness. Chief complaint (CC) or present illness (history of present illness [HPI]): The purpose of the patient's visit. Family history (FH): Details about the patient's parents and siblings and their health; if they are deceased, the age and cause of death. Social history (SH): This section includes information about the patient's lifestyle.

Question 11

Which of the following is not true of holistic patient care?

Accepted Answer

Holistic care assesses all of the patient's needs, not just the physical problems.

Question 12

Which of the following processes involved in active listening seeks to summarize or simplify the sender's thoughts and feelings or to resolve any confusion in the message?

Accepted Answer

Clarification seeks to summarize or simplify the sender's thoughts and feelings and to resolve any confusion in the message. Feedback is not part of active listening. Restatement is simply paraphrasing or repeating the patient's statements. Reflection involves repeating the main idea of the conversation while also identifying the sender's feelings.

Question 13

Lois Anderson was recently diagnosed with a functional disorder of the colon. Which of the following is true about her condition?

Accepted Answer

A patient with a functional disorder has symptoms but no clinical evidence of disease.

Question 14

Which of the following questions or statements would encourage the patient to continue to communicate?

Accepted Answer

Open-ended questions and statements allow the patient to provide further details about the health problem.

Question 15

Which of the following is most important when conducting a patient interview?

Accepted Answer

Privacy is critical for gathering comprehensive patient data.

Question 16

Which of the following explains a sign of disease?

Accepted Answer

A sign of disease is a clinically evident indicator of a health problem.

Question 17

Sam Hernandez, a 17-year-old patient with burning upon urination, has just been told he has an STD. He had suspected that he had gonorrhea, but he states, "The test must be wrong. I just have a bladder infection." He is displaying which defense mechanism?

Accepted Answer

With suppression, the patient is consciously aware of the information but refuses to admit it.

Question 18

Therapeutic interactions with children include all of the following except

Accepted Answer

A child should be offered the chance to make a decision only if he or she is able to refuse an option.

Question 19

Abnormalities in the cardiovascular system that are discovered during an ROS include

Accepted Answer

Hypertension and leg cramps are indicators of CV disease.

Question 20

Helen Conrad, age 54, was recently diagnosed with epilepsy. She is very upset about the news. A therapeutic interaction might be

Accepted Answer

Therapeutic listening displays empathy and allows the patient to discuss her concerns.

Quiz 21: Patient Assessment