PC Patient Assessment & Documentation 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When documenting a diabetic patient's foot ulcer, which classification system is most widely used in podiatric practice?
- Wagner Ulcer Classification System (Correct answer)
- Norton Pressure Ulcer Scale
- Braden Scale
- PUSH Tool
Correct answer: Wagner Ulcer Classification System
The Wagner Ulcer Classification System (grades 0-5) is the most widely used tool for grading diabetic foot ulcers in podiatric practice.
Question 2: A patient presents with numbness and tingling in the feet. Which assessment tool is used to evaluate protective sensation in diabetic patients?
- Semmes-Weinstein monofilament test (Correct answer)
- Tinel sign test
- Phalen test
- Thompson test
Correct answer: Semmes-Weinstein monofilament test
The Semmes-Weinstein monofilament test using a 10-gram monofilament assesses protective sensation in diabetic patients to identify neuropathy risk.
Question 3: In a podiatric SOAP note, under which section would the findings of an ankle-brachial index (ABI) test be recorded?
- Objective (Correct answer)
- Subjective
- Assessment
- Plan
Correct answer: Objective
ABI test results are measurable, observable findings and are documented in the Objective section of a SOAP note.
Question 4: During a vascular assessment, a normal ankle-brachial index (ABI) value falls within which range?
- 0.91–1.30 (Correct answer)
- 0.61–0.90
- 0.41–0.60
- 1.31–1.50
Correct answer: 0.91–1.30
An ABI of 0.91–1.30 is considered normal, while values below 0.90 indicate peripheral arterial disease.
Question 5: Which neurological test evaluates the integrity of the posterior tibial nerve by percussing the tarsal tunnel?
- Tinel sign at the ankle (Correct answer)
- Babinski reflex
- Romberg test
- Phalen test
Correct answer: Tinel sign at the ankle
Tinel sign at the ankle reproduces tingling or pain along the posterior tibial nerve distribution when the tarsal tunnel is percussed.
Question 6: What does the acronym 'OLDCARTS' help the podiatrist obtain during patient history documentation?
- Characteristics of the chief complaint (Correct answer)
- Vascular assessment findings
- Radiographic findings
- Wound measurement data
Correct answer: Characteristics of the chief complaint
OLDCARTS (Onset, Location, Duration, Character, Aggravating factors, Relieving factors, Timing, Severity) is a mnemonic for thorough chief complaint documentation.
Question 7: A patient has a 2 cm x 1.5 cm plantar wound. When documenting wound dimensions, which measurement is taken last in standard podiatric practice?
- Depth (Correct answer)
- Width
- Length
- Undermining
Correct answer: Depth
Standard wound documentation records length x width x depth, with depth being the final measurement obtained using a sterile probe.
PC Patient Assessment & Documentation 2
When documenting a diabetic patient's foot ulcer, which classification system is most widely used in podiatric practice?