Clinical Assessment Flashcards

A patient has pitting edema graded 3+. How deep is the pit and how long does it take to rebound?

Answer: 5–6 mm pit, rebounds in >1 minute

Grade 3+ pitting edema produces a 5–6 mm deep pit that takes more than one minute to rebound.

When auscultating the abdomen, the FNP hears a bruit over the renal artery. This finding suggests:

Answer: Renal artery stenosis

A renal artery bruit indicates turbulent blood flow, most commonly from renal artery stenosis, a correctable cause of secondary hypertension.

The FNP notes a S4 heart sound in an older patient with hypertension. This sound occurs because of:

Answer: Reduced ventricular compliance requiring forceful atrial contraction

An S4 results from atrial contraction against a stiff, noncompliant ventricle, commonly seen in hypertensive heart disease.

A positive Phalen's test reproduces which symptom and in which condition?

Answer: Paresthesias in the first three fingers; carpal tunnel syndrome

Phalen's test reproduces median nerve paresthesias in the thumb, index, and middle fingers, confirming carpal tunnel syndrome.

During a thyroid exam, the FNP asks the patient to swallow. This maneuver is done to:

Answer: Distinguish thyroid tissue from other neck masses by observing upward movement

Thyroid tissue is attached to the trachea and moves upward with swallowing, distinguishing it from fixed neck masses.

A patient reports pain on palpation of the anatomical snuffbox. The FNP should FIRST suspect:

Answer: Scaphoid fracture

Anatomical snuffbox tenderness after wrist injury is the hallmark sign of scaphoid fracture, which requires imaging even if initial X-rays are negative.