Patient Assessment
What the exam tests
Assessment questions test a systematic approach: identify immediate threats (airway, breathing, circulation), obtain a focused history, measure vital signs, perform a physical exam, and reassess after every intervention. Know normal adult ranges and how to interpret trends rather than isolated values. Understand the sequence of exam techniques - inspection, palpation, percussion, auscultation - with the abdominal exception (auscultate before palpating or percussing). Be ready for orthostatic vital signs, pain assessment (e.g., OPQRST), review of systems, and red flags that require urgent escalation.
Traps
The most common trap is choosing an action based on one abnormal value while ignoring a worsening trend. Another is exam order, especially the abdomen. Questions on orthostatic hypotension expect you to measure lying, then standing, and to interpret a drop in systolic pressure and a rise in pulse. Pediatric and older-adult normal ranges differ; do not apply adult thresholds blindly. Also watch for failing to reassess after giving a treatment, and for documenting findings you did not actually obtain.
Worked example
An older adult reports dizziness on standing. Lying blood pressure is 128/76 with a pulse of 72; on standing it is 104/68 with a pulse of 96. The significant drop with a compensatory pulse rise suggests orthostatic hypotension - act on it (safety, hydration review, medication review, fall precautions) and document the sequence.
Rule of thumb
Treat trends, not single numbers, and always close the loop: assess, intervene, reassess, document.