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NUR 3065L: Health Assessment Lab practice exam
(Physical Assessment Practical/Written). Each
question includes four options with the correct
answer in bold and a brief rationales.
- Which technique is most appropriate when assessing the thyroid gland?
- Palpate with fingertips at the sternal notch
- Percuss lightly over the trachea
- Palpate gently while the patient swallows
- Auscultate with the bell of the stethoscope
Palpation during swallowing helps elevate and locate the thyroid
for assessment.
- What is the correct sequence of assessment techniques for the abdomen?
- Palpation, inspection, percussion, auscultation
- Inspection, percussion, auscultation, palpation
- Inspection, auscultation, percussion, palpation
- Percussion, palpation, inspection, auscultation
To prevent altering bowel sounds, auscultation is performed
before palpation or percussion.
- Which finding would you expect when percussing over the liver?
- Tympany
- Dullness
- Hyperresonance
- Flatness
The liver is a solid organ and should produce a dull sound on
percussion.
- Which cranial nerve is tested when assessing for facial symmetry and strength?
The facial nerve (CN VII) controls facial expressions and symmetry.
- The best position to assess the apical pulse is:
- Left lateral recumbent
- Supine with head elevated
- Right side-lying
- Bronchial sounds in the bases
Vesicular sounds are soft, low-pitched sounds heard over most
lung fields.
- When percussing over the lungs, resonance indicates:
- Fluid
- Tumor
- Normal air-filled lung
- Consolidation
Resonance is expected in healthy lungs.
10.When assessing the carotid arteries, you should:
- Palpate both simultaneously
- Auscultate with the diaphragm only
- Palpate one at a time to avoid occlusion
- Percuss for bruits
Palpating both simultaneously can reduce cerebral blood flow.
11.Which tool is used to assess deep tendon reflexes?
- Tuning fork
- Reflex hammer
- Penlight
The reflex hammer elicits deep tendon responses.
12.The normal location of the apical impulse is:
- 2nd right intercostal space
- 5th intercostal space, midclavicular line
- 4th intercostal space, anterior axillary line
- 6th intercostal space, midsternal line
This is the site of the point of maximal impulse (PMI).
13.To assess the trigeminal nerve, you should:
- Ask patient to shrug shoulders
- Have patient clench jaw and assess sensation on face
- Check pupil reaction to light
- Ask the patient to say "ah"
The trigeminal nerve controls facial sensation and chewing
muscles.
14.The technique of light palpation is used to:
- Detect organ size
- Assess surface tenderness and masses
- Evaluate deep organs
- Elicit rebound tenderness
Light palpation evaluates superficial structures and tenderness.
The clavicle area is less affected by aging-related skin changes.
19.The purpose of the Romberg test is to assess:
- Gait
- Reflexes
- Balance and coordination
- Cranial nerve function
Romberg tests proprioception and cerebellar function.
20.Which of the following is a normal lymph node characteristic?
- Enlarged and fixed
- Firm and tender
- Soft, mobile, and non-tender
- Hard and immobile
Normal lymph nodes are not usually palpable, but if they are, they
should be soft and mobile.
21.The bell of the stethoscope is best for hearing:
- High-pitched lung sounds
- Low-pitched heart murmurs
- Bowel sounds
The bell detects low-frequency sounds like some murmurs and
bruits.
22.What is the expected tone over an empty stomach?
- Tympany
- Dullness
- Resonance
- Flatness
Tympany indicates air-filled organs, like the stomach.
23.Which assessment is part of a general survey?
- Palpating lymph nodes
- Observing body posture and speech
- Auscultating heart sounds
- Testing reflexes
The general survey includes overall appearance, posture, and
communication.
24.A patient with clubbing likely has:
- Liver disease
- Chronic hypoxia
- Dehydration
- Hyperresonant lung sounds
Chest wall expansion decreases with aging due to reduced
elasticity.
28.Bruits are best assessed over:
- Carotid arteries
- Jugular veins
- Radial artery
- Temporal arteries
Bruits in the carotid may indicate stenosis or turbulence.
29.To assess for tactile fremitus, you should:
- Use bell of stethoscope
- Place hands on chest while patient says “99”
- Palpate for pulses
- Inspect while patient breathes
Vibrations are felt with the palms while the patient speaks.
30.When documenting a murmur, what is not a standard characteristic?
- Timing
- Location
- Skin color
Murmur documentation includes timing, pitch, intensity, location,
and radiation.
31.What is the primary assessment technique for evaluating range of motion?
- Percussion
- Inspection and palpation
- Auscultation
- Measurement
ROM is assessed by observing joint movement and palpating
muscles.
32.The normal adult respiratory rate is:
- 6 – 10 breaths/min
- 12 – 20 breaths/min
- 22 – 28 breaths/min
- 8 – 14 breaths/min
12 – 20 is the accepted normal range.
33.A positive rebound tenderness test suggests:
- Peritoneal irritation
- Gallbladder disease
- Renal stones
- Apex of the heart
- Base of the heart
- Left upper sternal border
- Right midclavicular line
S1 (lub) marks mitral/tricuspid closure at the apex.
38.How do you test for cranial nerve XI?
- Whisper test
- Shrug shoulders against resistance
- Check visual fields
- Smile and frown
CN XI controls shoulder and neck muscle movement.
39.Crackles in the lungs are most commonly associated with:
- Fluid in alveoli
- Narrowed bronchi
- Tracheal blockage
- Pneumothorax
Crackles are heard in pulmonary edema or pneumonia.
40.What is the normal grading for a palpable pulse?
A normal pulse is documented as +2, regular and palpable.
41.Which structure is percussed to assess CVA tenderness?
- Kidneys
- Liver
- Spleen
- Bladder
CVA tenderness may indicate kidney inflammation.
42.Which term describes unequal pupils?
- Ptosis
- Anisocoria
- Miosis
- Mydriasis
Anisocoria means unequal pupil size.
43.What do you assess in the Glasgow Coma Scale?
- Eye, verbal, motor response
- Reflexes and gait
- Pupillary reaction and visual fields
- Skin color and oxygen level
GCS evaluates neurological functioning.
- Soft and mobile
- Fixed and hard
- Non-tender and symmetrical
- Small and discrete
Hard, fixed nodes may suggest malignancy.
48.What is the purpose of percussion?
- To assess underlying tissue density
- Check muscle strength
- Listen to breath sounds
- Examine pupil response
Percussion provides data on organs and masses.
49.What sound indicates a pleural friction rub?
- Grating, low-pitched sound
- Continuous musical sound
- Popping inspiration sounds
- Silent auscultation
Pleural rubs result from inflamed pleura.
50.A flat affect is best observed during:
- Palpation
- Percussion
- Auscultation
Mood and affect are visually assessed.
