https://www.stuvia.com/user/quizbit07
EVC Competency-Based Assessment Exam
2026/2027 | Challenge Test | Latest Questions
with Verified Answers | Grade A
Q: Describe the conceptual framework of the EVC nursing
...
https://www.stuvia.com/user/quizbit07
EVC Competency-Based Assessment Exam
2026/2027 | Challenge Test | Latest Questions
with Verified Answers | Grade A
Q: Describe the conceptual framework of the EVC nursing curriculum?
Answer
The conceptual framework of the EVC nursing curriculum is an adaptation of the "Client Needs
Model", a comprehensive framework for identifying nursing actions and competencies necessary
for client care in a variety of settings an throughout the life span.
Q: Framework includes 5 key concepts?
Answer
safe and effective care environment
health promotion and maintenance
physiological integrity
Psychosocial integrity
professional role of the nurse.
Q: What ties the key concepts to the program?
Answer
Critical thinking, nursing process, cultural sensitivity, and caring are the processes that integrate
the key concepts throughout the curriculum.
https://www.stuvia.com/user/quizbit07
Q: What are the nursing policies and procedures outlined in the nursing student handbook?
Answer
They are based on state regulations (Board of Registered
Nursing), EVCSJCCD policies, ANA, and health care
regulations. Joint commission on accreditation of hospitals and
healthcare organizations (JCAHO).
Q: Discuss the roles of the Associate Degree Graduate RN including
Answer
HIPAA/confidentiality and reporting abuse.
The roles of the Associate Degree Graduate RN are
autonomy/accountability, caregiver, advocate, educator, communicator, and manager.
Coordinates with other members of the health care team in the management of care for clients,
can administer oral medications, injections, and peripheral
intravenous medications, considered a supervisor.
https://www.stuvia.com/user/quizbit07
Q: HIPAA
Answer
HIPPA confidentiality states that any patients protected health information can only be shared
with those assisting in care for the patient and any personal information should be protected
and not be in public view. Patient's status can only be discussed upon
permission of the patient. Clients have the right to have their medical records amended.
Restrictions on the use of protected health information. Certain family members may not be told
rethe diagnosis. May be provided with a list of individuals or companies that received this info.
Any violation of HIPAA should be reported to the correct personnel and action steps are to be
taken.
Q: Analyze the concepts of physical safety within the health care setting.
Answer
security, transmission of pathogens, and physical hazards in the health care setting. Students
will demonstrate patterns of professional behaviors which follow the legal and ethical codes of
nursing; promote the actual or potential well-being of clients,
health care workers, and self in the biological, psychological, sociological, and cultural realms;
demonstrate accountability in preparation, documentation, and continuity of care; and show
respect for the human rights of individuals.
Q: What are the physiological implications of vital signs?
Answer
Reflect an individuals health status. Regulated by homeostatic mechanisms. Vital sign readings
may indicate the need for intervention.
Changes may indicate an alteration in health status, vital signs are not interpreted in isolation
but analyzed in relationship to client's condition and present status.
https://www.stuvia.com/user/quizbit07
Q: Discuss the appropriate nursing care for alterations in vital signs.
Answer
The appropriate nursing care would be identify and note specific alteration in vital signs.
Determine which action steps to take whether to reduce patient's temperature, address patient's
diet regarding high blood pressure.
reflect an individual's health status, Regulated via homeostatic mechanisms.Vital sign readings
may indicate the need for medication. Changes may indicate an alternation in health status.
Vital signs are not interpreted in isolation but analyzed in relationship to the client's condition
and present status
Nursing Process: Assessment, Diagnosis, Planning, Intervention, Evaluation.
Q: Discuss the evaluation of pulse sites
Answer
Amplitude: volume of blood ejected against arterial wall
• Equality and strength
• Apical
• Assess and compare all pulse sites
• Compare right & left simultaneously
• Except carotid
• Palpate for strength and equality
• 4+ -bounding
• 3+ -full strength
• 2+ - normal, expected
• 1+ - diminished, barely palpable
https://www.stuvia.com/user/quizbit07
• 0- absent
Q: Assessing pulse deficit between
Answer
Pulse deficit: btwn. 30-50 normal
o Difference btwn the radial & apical pulse when they are taken simultaneously
By 2 DIFF. people
Q: ANALYZE CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS OF STRESS.
Answer
Client's emotional status can affect their vital signs
- Important to appear calm when approaching client
- Vital signs may need to be reassessed when client is more relaxed for increased accuracy
- Pituitary gland -> release cortisol-> high blood pressure
https://www.stuvia.com/user/quizbit07
Q: what is stress?
Answer
o Fight-or-flight response
o Neuro-physiological responses:
Medulla oblongata
Reticular formation
Pituitary gland
o Increased mental activity
o Dilated pupils
o Bronchial dilation, increased respiratory rate
o Increased <3 rate,
o Increased cardiac output
o Increased glucose
o Increased fatty acids
o Increased arterial b/p
o Increased blood flow to skeletal muscles
https://www.stuvia.com/user/quizbit07
types of stress
Answer
Chronic: Occurs in stable conditions & results from stressful roles
Acute: Time-limited events that threaten a person for a relatively brief period
Post traumatic stress disorder: An acute stress disorder that begins when person experiences,
witnesses, or is confronted May include flashbacks = recurrent & intrusive recollections of event
Developmental: Developmental crises occur as a person moves through the stages of life
Situational: External sources such as job change, motor vehicle crash, death, severe illness
provoke
Adventitious: Major natural or man-made disaster or a crime of violence/ traumatic event,
situational crises
Identify the purpose of a physical assessment:
Answer
Gathering a health history requires that you communicate with the patient. Physical assessment
findings determine the individualized plan of care. While managing patient problems, you will
use physical assessment skills to assess the status of your patient's health. Nurses can revise the
care plan to ensure that the patient's problems are addressed. During the evaluation phase,
nurses can revise, amend, or discontinue nursing interventions as patients achieve their
outcomes and/or goals. Gather baseline data about patient's health. Identify health issues, Make
clinical decisions about a patient's changing health status and management. Evaluate the
outcomes of care.
Differentiate the components of the head to toe assessment:
https://www.stuvia.com/user/quizbit07
The four techniques used in a physical examination are inspection, palpation, percussion, and
auscultation.
Describe the appropriate use and techniques of inspection
Inspection: systematic observation of entire body, as well as each body system. Using visual,
auditory, olfactory information to describe. Examines, color, shape, symmetry, and position of
body parts. All body parts compared bilaterally. Needs good lighting, also environment
conducive to proper examination.
Palpation
Palpation: is a technique of using touch to gather info about temperature, turgor, texture,
moisture, size and shape and consistency, location, and tenderness of organ or body part.
Palpation can be light, ½ inch- or deep 1 inch. Patient should be provided with privacy and
should have warm hands and short nails.. any areas of tenderness should be palpated last.
During palpation assess, consistency of tissue, alignment and intactness of structures, symmetry
of body parts and movements, and transmission of fine vibrations.
percussion
Precussion: involves striking one object with another to create sound as a means of assessing the
location, size and density of underlying tissue.
Auscultation
Auscultation: involves listening to sounds produced by the body using a stethoscope.
Auscultation is performed for the purpose of examining the circulatory system, respiratory
system and GI system. Sounds must be isolated for proper identification and evaluation.
Stethoscope has diaphragm for high pitch sounds and a bell for low pitched sounds. For sounds
that should be noted: pitch, loudness, quality, duration
Describe the process of a head to toe assessment
https://www.stuvia.com/user/quizbit07
general- appearance, behavior, posture, gait, hygiene, speech, mental status, height and weight,
hearing, visual acuity, vital signs, and nutrition.
Head and neck
assess skull size, shape, symmetry, as well as hair and scalp. Palpate for masses on scalp, ears,
face, throat, and neck. (make sure to be aware of cultural sensitivities) Palpate sinuses for
tenderness and masses
EYES
Inspect eyes: sclera and conjunctiva. Assess pupil responses by using PERRLA
Assess convergence eyes shift from far object to
near object, pupils constrict. Corneal light reflex. When examining the eyes, you will assess size,
shape, structure, visual acuity, visual fields, conjunctiva, sclera, cornea, pupil, and iris.
•Nystagmus, an involuntary, rhythmical oscillation of the eyes, occurs as a result of local injury
to eye muscles and supporting structures, or may follow a disorder of the cranial nerves
innervating the muscles.
•The presence of redness in the conjunctiva indicates an allergic or infectious conjunctivitis.
•A thin white ring along the margin of the iris, called an arcus senilis, is common with aging but
is abnormal in anyone younger than age 40.
•The photo at the bottom shows the six directions of gaze. Direct patient to follow finger
movement through each gaze.
mouth, nose
Inspect mouth and teeth. Test rise in uvula and gag reflex. Assess sense of smell and taste.
Ears
When examining the eyes, you will assess size, shape, structure, visual acuity, visual fields,
conjunctiva, sclera, cornea, pupil, and iris.
https://www.stuvia.com/user/quizbit07
•Nystagmus, an involuntary, rhythmical oscillation of the eyes, occurs as a result of local injury
to eye muscles and supporting structures, or may follow a disorder of the cranial nerves
innervating the muscles.
•The presence of redness in the conjunctiva indicates an allergic or infectious conjunctivitis.
•A thin white ring along the margin of the iris, called an arcus senilis, is common with aging but
is abnormal in anyone younger than age 40.
•The photo at the bottom shows the six directions of gaze. Direct patient to follow finger
movement through each gaze.
Upper extremeties
Inspect skin, test capillary refill, palpate peripheral pulses, rate muscle strength, assess ROM,
and check deep tendon reflexes
Integumentary
The integumentary system refers to the skin, hair, scalp, and nails.
Observe for cyanosis (bluish discoloration) of the lips, nail beds, palpebral conjunctivae, and
palms. The best site to inspect for jaundice (yellow-orange discoloration) is the patient's sclera.
You can see normal reactive hyperemia, or redness, most often in regions exposed to pressure
such as the sacrum, heels, and greater trochanter. Inspect for any patches or areas of skin color
variation. Localized skin changes such as pallor or erythema (red discoloration) indicate
circulatory changes. For example, an area of erythema is caused by localized vasodilation
resulting from sunburn, inflammation, or fever.
Texture refers to the character of the surface of the skin and how the deeper layers feel. By
palpating lightly with the fingertips, you determine whether the patient's skin is smooth or
rough, thin or thick, tight or supple, and indurated (hardened) or soft.
Edema
Inspect edematous areas for location, color, and shape. The formation of edema separates the
surface of the skin from pigmented and vascular layers, masking skin color. Edematous skin also
appears stretched and shiny. Palpate edematous areas to determine mobility, consistency, and
tenderness. When pressure from the examiner's fingers leaves an indentation in the edematous
area, this is called pitting edema.
https://www.stuvia.com/user/quizbit07
To assess the degree of pitting edema (shown), press the edematous area firmly with the thumb
for several seconds, and release. The depth of pitting, recorded in millimeters, determines the
degree of edema. For example, 1+ edema equals a 2-mm depth, 2+ edema equals a 4-mm depth,
3+ equals 6 mm, and 4+ equals 8 mm.
ABCD
Asymmetry—look for an uneven shape
Border irregularity—look for edges that are blurred, notched, or ragged
Color—look for pigmentation that is not uniform; variegated areas of blue, black, and brown and
areas of pink, white, gray, blue, or red are abnormal
Diameter—look for areas greater than the size of a typical pencil eraser
HEART
Auscultation of the heart detects normal heart sounds, extra heart sounds, and murmurs.
•Failure of the heart to beat at regular successive intervals is a dysrhythmia. Some dysrhythmias
are life threatening.
•Assess for extra heart sounds at each auscultatory site. Use the bell of the stethoscope and
listen for low-pitched extra heart sounds such as S3 and S4 gallops, clicks, and rubs. Auscultate
over all anatomical areas. S3, or a ventricular gallop, occurs after S2.
•S4, or an atrial gallop, occurs just before S1, or ventricular systole.
•The final portion of the examination includes assessment for heart murmurs. Murmurs are
sustained swishing or blowing sounds heard at the beginning, middle, or end of the systolic or
diastolic phase. Intensity is recorded using grades 1 through 6. Murmurs can vary in pitch and
quality
Posterior thorax
Inspect spine for alignment, assess anteroposterior to lateral diameter: chest diameter. Assess
thoracic expansion. Assess for tactile fremitus- Fremitus refers to vibratory tremors that can be
felt through the chest by palpation. To assess for tactile fremitus, ask the patient to say "99" or
"blue moon". While the patient is speaking, palpate the chest from one side to the other.
Auscultate breath sounds, heart sounds and inspect jugular veins, and perform breast exam.
https://www.stuvia.com/user/quizbit07
LUNGS: •Reduced mental alertness, nasal flaring, somnolence, and cyanosis are examples of
assessed signs that indicate oxygenation problems.
•Inspect the posterior thorax by observing the shape and symmetry of the chest from the
patient's back.
•Auscultation assesses movement of air through the tracheobronchial tree and detects mucus or
obstructed airways. Normally, air flows through the airways in an unobstructed pattern.
Recognizing the sounds created by normal airflow allows you to detect sounds caused by airway
obstruction. When listening, follow the same systematic approach that was used for palpation.
•Abnormal sounds result from air passing through moisture, mucus, or narrowed airways. They
also result from alveoli suddenly reinflating or an inflammation between the pleural linings of
the lung. Adventitious sounds often occur superimposed over normal sounds.
•Crackles are caused by random, sudden reinflation of groups of alveoli, or disruptive passage of
air through small airways, and can be described as fine, medium, or coarse.
•Rhonchi are low-pitched, continuous sounds caused by muscular spasm, fluid, or mucus in
larger airways; or new growth or external pressure causing turbulence.
•Wheezes are high-pitched continuous musical sounds, like a squeak heard continuously during
inspiration or expiration. They usually are louder on expiration and often are heard in asthma.
•A pleural friction rub has a dry, rubbing or grating quality and is caused by inflamed pleura:
parietal pleura rubbing against visceral pleura.
•During auscultation, note the location and characteristics of the sounds, and listen for the
absence of breath sounds.
•Assess the rate and rhythm of breathing (see Chapter 29).
•Palpation of the posterior thorax provides further information about a patient's health status.
A, Hand position for palpation of posterior thorax excursion. B, As patient inhales, movement of
chest excursion separates thumbs.] Excursion indicates if the lungs are expanding equally
bilaterally.
EXCURSION- not done very often.
Abdomen
Auscultate for bowel sounds, percuss for masses, and tenderness. Percuss the liver, and palpate
kidneys and spleen.
https://www.stuvia.com/user/quizbit07
Lower extremities
inspect skin, palpate peripheral pulses, Asses for homans sign, inspect
and palpate joints for swelling, assess for pedal and ankle edema, assess ROM.
Differentiate between objective and subjective data
objective is something you can observe and measure. Subjective is how the patient feels, what
they tell you.
Analyze the significance of physical assessment in the nursing process
Significance, finds a baseline through assessment, through assessment find diagnosis and then
plan and implement interventions and evaluate outcomes of intervention. If outcomes are not
met, reassess and start over. Physical assessment finding determine the individualized plan of
care. Use physical assessment skills to assess status of your patient and your patients health.
Nurses can revise the care plan to ensure the patients problems are addressed.
STEPS OF NURSING PROCESS
1. Assessment
2. Diagnosis
3. Planning
4. Implementation
5. Evaluation
Identify principles of therapeutic communication
Is used to provide care and demonstrate caring, establish relationships, obtain and deliver info
effectively, as well assisting with changing behavior. It is the foundation to nurse client
relationships. Effective communication is key to ensuring client safety.
https://www.stuvia.com/user/quizbit07
Identify barriers to effective communication:
< PAGE 312 ATI>
The Barriers to effective communication are 1) asking irrelevant personal questions. 2) Offering
personal opinions 3) giving advice 4) giving false reassurance 5) minimizing feelings 6) changing
the topic 7) asking why questions or asking for explanations 8) offering value judgments. 9)
Excessive questioning 10) responding approvingly or disapprovingly. 11) Language
Compare and contrast the phases of the Nurse-Client relationship.
helping patient, prep, time to plan, history and background. orientation phase: introduce self,
expectations, face to face, meeting, make goals, get to know each other. working phase: major
portion, vitals signs, therapies, used to accomplish goals, get feedback from patient, when they
work together to solve problems. Termination phase: last, discharge, ask them for questions, get
summary and end relationship, recommendations.. evaluate care, and continuation of meds etc.
page: 24-4
pre interaction phase
helping patient, prep, time to plan, history and background.
orientation phase
introduce self, expectations, face to face, meeting, make goals, get to know each other.
working phase
major portion, vitals signs, therapies, used to accomplish goals, get feedback from patient, when
they work together to solve problems.
Termination phase
https://www.stuvia.com/user/quizbit07
last, discharge, ask them for questions, get summary and end relationship, recommendations..
evaluate care, and continuation of meds etc. page: 24-4
Discuss the role that caring plays in building a nurse client relationship:
Swansons 5 key component of what a nurse brings to a patient experience. 1) Knowing 2) being
with 3) doing for 4) enabling 5) maintain belief.
building relationship: client :nurse
When you engage patients in a caring and compassionate manor you learn that the therapeutic
game in caring makes enormous contributions to the health and wellbeing of your patients.
Through caring, give meaning to illness and help them through it, and collect data from that
relationship.
Recognize the significance of interviewing in the data collection process.
goals and outcomes: specific and measurable. Setting priorities, team work and collaboration.
Page 310 ati- determing communication needs. For example, hearing impaired, visual, language.
Consider developmental level, children, older people. Enhance communication, by getting on
patients level, add playing for children. Recognize if elders need hearing aides, give time.. be
slower. Identify any cultural aspects that can alter communication.
Define collaboration of the nurse with selected health care team members:
the way they communicate and collaborate. Using speech therapists, interpreters, mental health
nurse specialist, social worker
Illustrate the Registered Nurse's accountability to collaboration
https://www.stuvia.com/user/quizbit07
Chain of command
elements of communication
voice tone 38%, physiology 55%, words 7%
SBAR
Situation, background, assessment and recommendation
Hypothalamus
located between cerebral hemispheres- controls body temp, senses minor changes in body temp.
Anterior hypothalamus
controls heat loss. vasodialation occurs when AH becomes overheated, it sends out impulses to
reduce body temp. sweating, blood vessels to surface.
posterior hypothalamus
controls heat production. Vasoconstriction occurs when PH senses low body temp.
Vasoconstriction occurs to keep core warm, through shivering.
Normal pulse for adult
60-100 BPM
Bradycardia <60
tachycardia >100
https://www.stuvia.com/user/quizbit07
pyrexia
fever, alteration in hypothalamus set point caused by pyrogens.
febrile
fever greater then 99.5f
hyperpyrexia
temp over 105.8f
hyperthermia
disease or trauma induced, anesthesia malignant.
hypothermia
mild 93.2-96.8f moderate- 86.0-93.2 severe- <86f
parasympathetic NS
decrease HR
beta blockers
LOwer HR
https://www.stuvia.com/user/quizbit07
cardiac output low
increased blood pressure
cardiac output high
decreased blood pressure
hypertension
120-139/80-89
IPPA
inspection,palpation,percussion,
auscultation
cachexia
very thin, malnutrition
occular nerves
3,4,6
bruit
swooshing sound in lungs
https://www.stuvia.com/user/quizbit07
ADPIE
(AA) Analyzing, assessment, diagnosis, planning, intervention, evaluation
listen to lung sounds
13 spots
C,W,M,S
color, warmth, movement, sensation- in regard to peripheral arteries
borborygmi sounds
hunger sounds- bowel sounds
Metacommunication
Broad term refers to all factors that contribute and influence to communication
therapeutic communication
are specific responses that encourage the expression of feelings and ideas and convey acceptance
and respect.
evaluation
involves gathering info about client to determine whether client outcomes have been met.
https://www.stuvia.com/user/quizbit07
implementation
organizing resources
planning
establishing client centered outcomes and establishing priorities of care
medicaid
Medicaid is for US citizens who are low income and cannot afford health care insurance
medicare
Medicare is a federal agency that provides health insurance for people over 65, some disabled
younger adults and people who need dialysis. Covers hospitals, doctors, prescriptions and some
extended benefits.
joint commision
Joint Commission is an independent not for profit agency that evaluates hospitals and resources
to ensure safe practices and standards are upheld. If an organization fails a Joint Commission
inspection, their funding may be in jeopardy from DHHS.
DHHS
DHHS regulates the centers for Medicare and Medicaid and also regulates CDC, NIH, Indian
Act, FDA, Family and Children's, Substance Abuse and Mental Health and others.(work
together) with joint commission.
government programs
https://www.stuvia.com/user/quizbit07
Workers Comp is for workers injured on the job and provides insurance for those workers. Every
legal worker in California is covered if injured at work.
OSHA regulates work environments to provide safety for workers.
Mental hospitals are often attached to larger hospitals and provide both acute and longterm
care.
PHS is a broad service that promotes health and protects the general program through various
community programs and agencies.
ANA
American Nurses Association:
Scope of practice issues
Standards of practice
Ethics and legal issues
National Council of State Boards of Nursing
Organization of all state boards
Evergreen Valley Nursing Programs Definition of Nursing
"The protection, promotion, and optimization of health and abilities, prevention of illness and
injury, alleviation of suffering through the diagnosis and treatment of human response, and
advocacy in the care of individuals, families, communities, and populations. (American Nurses
Association, 2003)."
RN
Coordinates with other members of the health care team in the management of care for
clients(individuals, families, communities)
Can administer oral medications, injections, and peripheral intravenous medications
https://www.stuvia.com/user/quizbit07
Considered a supervisor - directs activities and is accountable for actions of C.N.A.s L.V.N.s,
UAP, etc.
Can not prescribe treatments or medications unless in advanced practice
Client needs model
Safe and effective care
Health promotion and Maintenance
Psychosocial integrity
Physiological Integrity
Professional Role of the Nurse
client needs model focus:
Critical thinking
Nursing process
Cultural sensitivity
Caring
Safety
Safety is defined as "freedom from psychological and physiological injury" and it is considered a
basic human need.
factors affecting safety
Environment
Self
Client
https://www.stuvia.com/user/quizbit07
Prevention as nurses
Nursing responsibility :
Client's environment Assessment
Health care environment Assessment
Risk for injury
Transmission of Pathogen Reduction
Client's Assessment
Client's History
Following Care Plans
Knowledge and Skills
dyspnea
shortness of breath
diaphoresis
fever- sweating