A 59‐year‐old unemployed man complains of almost always feeling tired and hungry, despite 

getting sufficient rest and having a good appetite and access to sufficient food. The patient is 

obese and, despite the warm weather outside, wearing thermal socks with his sandals. He says 

this is because his feet are always cold and "feel funny." With which body system should the 

clinician begin the examination?

a) Posterior thorax

b) Head and neck

c) Lower extremities

d) Nervous system

e) Abdomen

b head and neck

A 65‐year‐old retired pilot visits the clinic because of recurrent headache. The patient reports 

dizziness of recent onset (previous 2 weeks) and occasional numbness on the left side. Which of 

the following systems or regions should be examined in the clinician's focused assessment?

a) Gastrointestinal

b) Nervous

c) Respiratory

d) Musculoskeletal

e) Cardiovascular

B nervous

A 54‐year‐old diplomat working at the United Nations reports occasional chest pain and a sense 

of tightness in his chest when particularly stressed over work deadlines. The patient is 6 feet 4 

inches tall. He has a temperature of 98.6oF and blood pressure of 140/78. He has a cut over one 

eye that he says is "from shaving."Which of the following represents subjective information 

about this patient?

a) Blood pressure of 140/78

b) Employment at the United Nations

c) Temperature of 98.6oFd)

Cut over eye from shaving

e) Height of 6 feet 4 inches

D, cut over eye from shaving

A physician assistant (PA) has had a long day and has seen many patients. The last patient of the 

day is an 80‐year‐old woman brought to the office by her 35‐year‐old granddaughter. This is the 

patient's first visit to the office. As part of the patient's past history, the PA obtains information 

about childhood illnesses and adult illnesses and then moves on to inquire about the family 

history. Which important area of the past history has she omitted?

a) Allergies

b) Medications

c) Immunizations

d) Chief complaint e) Social history

C immunizations

A 39‐year‐old nurse who is a well‐established patient complains of irregular menstrual periods 

and pelvic pain. She says that she is having trouble sleeping and asks whether she could be given 

a "sleeping pill." The patient also says she is thinking of leaving her job. What is the best "next 

step" in caring for this patient?

a) Ask about recent travel destinations.

b) Obtain a urine sample for testing.

c) Obtain a more complete description of problems.

d) Perform a pelvic examination.

e) Obtain blood for testing.

C obtain a more complete description of problems

One important examination technique involves using the third fingers of each hand to determine 

the health of internal organs. What is the name of this technique?a) Inspection

b) Listening

c) Auscultation

d) Percussion

e) Palpation

d percussion

A 32‐year‐old office worker reports excessive stress at work and pain in the right lower quadrant. 

She states that last night she vomited twice. Her blood pressure is 120/75, heart rate 93 bpm. The 

patient looks pale and is sweating lightly. Which of the following is an objective finding?

a) Accelerated heart rate

b) Pain in the right lower quadrant

c) History of vomiting

d) Pale appearance

e) High stress level

A, accelerated heart rate