Sample Questions and Answers
- Which part of the hand is most sensitive to vibrations during palpation?
a) Fingertips
b) Dorsal aspect of the hand
c) Ulnar surface of the hand
d) Palmar surface of the fingers
Answer: c) Ulnar surface of the hand - What is the primary purpose of percussion during a physical exam?
a) Evaluate the texture of tissues
b) Detect abnormal sounds over organs
c) Assess temperature changes
d) Measure pulse rate
Answer: b) Detect abnormal sounds over organs - Which of the following is the correct order for physical assessment techniques?
a) Palpation, Inspection, Percussion, Auscultation
b) Inspection, Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation
c) Auscultation, Percussion, Palpation, Inspection
d) Percussion, Auscultation, Palpation, Inspection
Answer: b) Inspection, Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation - When assessing a patient’s abdomen, which technique should be performed first?
a) Percussion
b) Auscultation
c) Inspection
d) Palpation
Answer: c) Inspection - What is the purpose of using a stethoscope’s bell?
a) To detect high-pitched sounds
b) To amplify low-pitched sounds
c) To evaluate soft tissue vibrations
d) To localize arterial pressure
Answer: b) To amplify low-pitched sounds - What does tympanic percussion over a structure indicate?
a) Solid tissue
b) Air-filled space
c) Fluid accumulation
d) Muscle contraction
Answer: b) Air-filled space - When palpating for tenderness, which pressure technique is most appropriate?
a) Deep pressure immediately
b) Light pressure first
c) Circular rubbing motion
d) Use of a stethoscope diaphragm
Answer: b) Light pressure first - Which finding during inspection indicates dehydration?
a) Cyanosis
b) Skin tenting
c) Clubbing
d) Hyperemia
Answer: b) Skin tenting - Which part of the stethoscope is best for auscultating breath sounds?
a) Bell
b) Diaphragm
c) Tubing
d) Chest piece
Answer: b) Diaphragm - What type of sound would you expect to hear over a healthy lung field during percussion?
a) Resonant
b) Tympanic
c) Dull
d) Hyperresonant
Answer: a) Resonant - Which is the most common error during auscultation?
a) Using the bell for lung sounds
b) Pressing too lightly on the diaphragm
c) Not warming the stethoscope
d) Using too much lubricant
Answer: c) Not warming the stethoscope - Which of the following describes a normal capillary refill time?
a) Less than 2 seconds
b) 3-4 seconds
c) 5-6 seconds
d) More than 6 seconds
Answer: a) Less than 2 seconds - When palpating for a pulse, where should you place your fingers?
a) Over the bone
b) Medial side of the joint
c) On soft tissue with moderate pressure
d) Directly over the artery with firm pressure
Answer: c) On soft tissue with moderate pressure - What is the primary tool for inspecting the internal ear canal?
a) Stethoscope
b) Otoscope
c) Tuning fork
d) Reflex hammer
Answer: b) Otoscope - Which of the following techniques is most effective for detecting organ enlargement?
a) Auscultation
b) Light palpation
c) Deep palpation
d) Inspection
Answer: c) Deep palpation - What should the nurse assess first in a patient with suspected cardiovascular issues?
a) Palpate pulses
b) Inspect skin color
c) Auscultate heart sounds
d) Percuss heart borders
Answer: b) Inspect skin color - What does a dull percussion note over the liver indicate?
a) Normal finding
b) Air-filled cavity
c) Pleural effusion
d) Tissue atrophy
Answer: a) Normal finding - Which method is used to assess tactile fremitus?
a) Auscultation
b) Inspection
c) Palpation
d) Percussion
Answer: c) Palpation - When inspecting the nails, what condition does clubbing indicate?
a) Iron deficiency
b) Chronic hypoxia
c) Dehydration
d) Hypertension
Answer: b) Chronic hypoxia - Which artery is commonly used for manual blood pressure measurement?
a) Radial artery
b) Femoral artery
c) Brachial artery
d) Carotid artery
Answer: c) Brachial artery - Which of the following auscultatory findings indicates a potential cardiac murmur?
a) S1 and S2 sounds
b) High-pitched wheezing
c) Swishing sound between heartbeats
d) Crackles at lung bases
Answer: c) Swishing sound between heartbeats - During a head-to-toe exam, which area should be assessed last?
a) Abdomen
b) Lungs
c) Genital area
d) Eyes
Answer: c) Genital area - Which percussion note is expected over the stomach?
a) Flat
b) Dull
c) Tympanic
d) Resonant
Answer: c) Tympanic - Which cranial nerve is assessed by inspecting the movement of the uvula?
a) CN IX (Glossopharyngeal)
b) CN X (Vagus)
c) CN VII (Facial)
d) CN XI (Accessory)
Answer: b) CN X (Vagus) - What is a common error during inspection?
a) Using poor lighting
b) Starting with palpation
c) Over-relying on auscultation
d) Using gloves during all inspections
Answer: a) Using poor lighting - How should a nurse assess for pitting edema?
a) Use a measuring tape
b) Inspect skin for discoloration
c) Press firmly over bony prominences
d) Palpate using fingertips lightly
Answer: c) Press firmly over bony prominences - What sound indicates air movement in large bronchi during auscultation?
a) Vesicular sounds
b) Bronchial sounds
c) Wheezing
d) Stridor
Answer: b) Bronchial sounds - Which of the following indicates a normal finding in lymph node palpation?
a) Fixed and hard
b) Enlarged and tender
c) Movable and soft
d) Not palpable
Answer: c) Movable and soft - What is the most common cause of bruits detected during auscultation of carotid arteries?
a) Cardiac arrhythmias
b) Obstruction or stenosis
c) Hypertension
d) Peripheral artery disease
Answer: b) Obstruction or stenosis - Which of the following percussion findings is indicative of ascites?
a) Tympany
b) Hyperresonance
c) Shifting dullness
d) Flatness
Answer: c) Shifting dullness
- What is the normal range for adult respiratory rate during physical assessment?
a) 10–12 breaths per minute
b) 12–20 breaths per minute
c) 20–30 breaths per minute
d) 8–16 breaths per minute
Answer: b) 12–20 breaths per minute - When auscultating the lungs, crackles are typically associated with which condition?
a) Asthma
b) Heart failure
c) Pleural effusion
d) Pneumothorax
Answer: b) Heart failure - Which body area is best assessed with light palpation?
a) Liver
b) Skin texture
c) Deep abdominal organs
d) Kidneys
Answer: b) Skin texture
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.