Sample Questions and Answers
Which of the following is the most important action when performing a health assessment on a new patient?
A) Ask about family history
B) Gather information on the patient’s medical history
C) Perform a complete physical examination
D) Establish rapport with the patient
Answer: D) Establish rapport with the patient
Which of the following is the correct technique for auscultating heart sounds?
A) Use the diaphragm of the stethoscope
B) Use the bell of the stethoscope
C) Place the stethoscope over the patient’s spine
D) Place the stethoscope on the patient’s neck
Answer: A) Use the diaphragm of the stethoscope
When assessing a patient’s respirations, which of the following should be noted?
A) Rate and rhythm
B) Pulse rate and blood pressure
C) Temperature and pulse rate
D) Capillary refill time
Answer: A) Rate and rhythm
The nurse is inspecting a patient’s skin for signs of dehydration. Which of the following is an expected finding?
A) Dry, cracked lips
B) Warm, flushed skin
C) Increased skin turgor
D) Pale, moist skin
Answer: A) Dry, cracked lips
What should the nurse do first when conducting a physical assessment of an adult patient?
A) Check the patient’s vital signs
B) Perform an abdominal examination
C) Observe the patient’s overall appearance
D) Auscultate heart and lung sounds
Answer: C) Observe the patient’s overall appearance
During the inspection of the abdomen, the nurse notes a distended belly. What does this finding indicate?
A) Normal gas accumulation
B) Possible abdominal trauma
C) Bowel obstruction or fluid retention
D) Weight loss
Answer: C) Bowel obstruction or fluid retention
What is the purpose of palpating the patient’s abdomen during a health assessment?
A) To detect the presence of fluid
B) To assess muscle strength
C) To measure body temperature
D) To listen for bowel sounds
Answer: A) To detect the presence of fluid
The nurse is assessing a patient’s lymph nodes. Which of the following is considered an abnormal finding?
A) Tender and mobile nodes
B) Non-tender and fixed nodes
C) Enlarged nodes
D) Absence of palpable nodes
Answer: B) Non-tender and fixed nodes
The nurse is assessing a patient’s respiratory rate. Which of the following is the normal adult respiratory rate?
A) 12-16 breaths per minute
B) 18-22 breaths per minute
C) 20-24 breaths per minute
D) 10-14 breaths per minute
Answer: A) 12-16 breaths per minute
Which of the following is the best technique to assess a patient’s pulse rate?
A) Place the index and middle fingers over the radial artery
B) Use a stethoscope to auscultate the carotid artery
C) Place the thumb over the femoral artery
D) Count for 15 seconds and multiply by 2
Answer: A) Place the index and middle fingers over the radial artery
When performing a musculoskeletal examination, the nurse notes the patient has limited range of motion in the left shoulder. What should the nurse do next?
A) Ask the patient to perform the movement slowly
B) Inquire about any pain or discomfort during the movement
C) Immediately refer the patient for X-ray
D) Record it as normal
Answer: B) Inquire about any pain or discomfort during the movement
A nurse is performing an abdominal assessment on a patient. What is the correct order for performing the abdominal assessment?
A) Inspection, palpation, percussion, auscultation
B) Inspection, auscultation, percussion, palpation
C) Palpation, inspection, auscultation, percussion
D) Palpation, percussion, auscultation, inspection
Answer: B) Inspection, auscultation, percussion, palpation
When inspecting a patient’s mouth, which of the following findings should be reported immediately?
A) Slight redness of the gums
B) Presence of a white coating on the tongue
C) Ulcers or lesions in the mouth
D) Dryness of the lips
Answer: C) Ulcers or lesions in the mouth
What does a decrease in the patient’s blood pressure when standing up indicate?
A) Hypertension
B) Orthostatic hypotension
C) Normal blood pressure change
D) Dehydration
Answer: B) Orthostatic hypotension
When performing a physical examination of a patient, the nurse should ask about the patient’s history of which of the following?
A) Employment history
B) Family history of chronic diseases
C) Childhood vaccinations
D) Travel history to other countries
Answer: B) Family history of chronic diseases
A nurse is assessing a patient’s temperature. Which of the following is considered a normal body temperature?
A) 96.6°F (35.9°C)
B) 97.6°F (36.4°C)
C) 98.6°F (37°C)
D) 100.4°F (38°C)
Answer: C) 98.6°F (37°C)
When inspecting a patient’s nails, what is a normal finding?
A) Clubbing of the nails
B) Cyanosis around the nail beds
C) Pink, well-circulated nail beds
D) Nail pitting or ridging
Answer: C) Pink, well-circulated nail beds
When performing a neurological examination, which of the following is tested by having the patient close their eyes and identify a familiar object placed in their hand?
A) Stereognosis
B) Graphesthesia
C) Proprioception
D) Coordination
Answer: A) Stereognosis
The nurse is assessing the skin of a patient with suspected dehydration. Which of the following skin findings should be noted?
A) Skin that is warm and moist
B) Skin that is cool and dry
C) Skin that is slightly flushed
D) Skin with decreased turgor
Answer: D) Skin with decreased turgor
What is the best approach for assessing the pain level of a non-verbal patient?
A) Ask family members about the patient’s pain
B) Observe the patient for non-verbal signs of discomfort
C) Ask the patient to rate their pain on a scale of 1-10
D) Examine the patient’s vital signs only
Answer: B) Observe the patient for non-verbal signs of discomfort
The nurse observes that a patient’s pupils are unequal in size. What is this finding called?
A) Anisocoria
B) Mydriasis
C) Miosis
D) Nystagmus
Answer: A) Anisocoria
Which of the following is a sign of jaundice that should be assessed in a patient?
A) Redness of the palms
B) Yellowish tint to the sclera
C) Blue discoloration of the lips
D) Pale skin and mucous membranes
Answer: B) Yellowish tint to the sclera
When performing a health history assessment, the nurse asks the patient to describe their sleep patterns. What is the nurse assessing for?
A) Physical activity level
B) Anxiety or depression
C) Respiratory function
D) Sleep disorders
Answer: D) Sleep disorders
A nurse is performing a head-to-toe assessment on a patient. What should the nurse do next after obtaining the patient’s vital signs?
A) Begin by inspecting the head and neck
B) Palpate the abdomen
C) Perform a focused respiratory assessment
D) Ask the patient about any current medications
Answer: A) Begin by inspecting the head and neck
The nurse finds a non-tender, hard lump in the patient’s breast during a physical exam. What action should the nurse take next?
A) Document the finding and schedule a follow-up
B) Instruct the patient to monitor the lump and return if it changes
C) Refer the patient for further evaluation
D) Reassure the patient that it is a normal finding
Answer: C) Refer the patient for further evaluation
Which of the following is the best method for assessing a patient’s skin turgor?
A) Pinch the skin on the back of the hand and release it
B) Observe for redness around the skin
C) Check the skin temperature with the back of the hand
D) Palpate the skin for texture and moisture
Answer: A) Pinch the skin on the back of the hand and release it
The nurse is assessing a patient’s gait. Which of the following indicates an abnormal finding?
A) Smooth, coordinated movements
B) Uneven or unsteady walking
C) Slightly wide stance
D) Heel-to-toe walking
Answer: B) Uneven or unsteady walking
What does a patient’s decreased level of consciousness indicate during a neurological exam?
A) Normal aging process
B) A potential emergency requiring immediate intervention
C) A sign of improved health status
D) Expected response to a fever
Answer: B) A potential emergency requiring immediate intervention
Which of the following is the best technique for assessing a patient’s lung sounds?
A) Use the diaphragm of the stethoscope and listen to the anterior and posterior chest
B) Use the bell of the stethoscope over the trachea
C) Place the stethoscope over the patient’s back only
D) Use the diaphragm only over the heart
Answer: A) Use the diaphragm of the stethoscope and listen to the anterior and posterior chest
What should the nurse assess during the physical examination of a patient’s neck?
A) Range of motion and symmetry of the carotid pulse
B) Palpation of the thyroid gland and neck lymph nodes
C) Bruits in the jugular vein
D) All of the above
Answer: D) All of the above
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