NU 673 ASSESSMENT MIDTERM QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS
RATIONALES Q &A 2026 |INSTANT DOWNLOAD
PDF
1. Which of the following is the most appropriate technique to
assess a patient’s abdominal tenderness?
A. Percussion
B. Inspection
C. Palpation
D. Auscultation
Correct Answer: C. Palpation
Rationale: Palpation allows the nurse to feel for tenderness,
masses, or organ enlargement. Percussion and auscultation are
more for organ size and bowel sounds.
2. During a cardiovascular assessment, which finding indicates
a possible left-sided heart failure?
A. Jugular venous distention
B. Pulmonary crackles
C. Peripheral edema
D. Hepatomegaly
,Correct Answer: B. Pulmonary crackles
Rationale: Left-sided heart failure leads to pulmonary
congestion, causing crackles. Peripheral edema and
hepatomegaly are more typical of right-sided failure.
3. When assessing a patient’s mental status, which test
evaluates recent memory?
A. Asking birth date
B. Asking the name of the current president
C. Asking what the patient had for breakfast
D. Asking the patient to repeat three words immediately
Correct Answer: C. Asking what the patient had for breakfast
Rationale: Recent memory refers to events within hours to
days. Birth date and president’s name assess remote memory;
repeating words assesses immediate memory.
4. Which vital sign change is most indicative of hypovolemic
shock?
A. Increased blood pressure
B. Tachycardia
C. Bradypnea
D. Low-grade fever
,Correct Answer: B. Tachycardia
Rationale: Tachycardia is an early compensatory response to
hypovolemia. Blood pressure may drop later.
5. What is the primary purpose of a health history?
A. To diagnose diseases
B. To collect subjective information
C. To assess laboratory values
D. To perform a physical exam
Correct Answer: B. To collect subjective information
Rationale: Health history gathers patient-reported symptoms,
past medical history, and lifestyle factors. Diagnosis comes
after assessment.
6. While assessing a patient’s lungs, you hear high-pitched
wheezing during expiration. This suggests:
A. Pneumothorax
B. Asthma exacerbation
C. Pleural effusion
D. Pulmonary fibrosis
Correct Answer: B. Asthma exacerbation
Rationale: Wheezing is due to airway narrowing or obstruction,
common in asthma. Pneumothorax and pleural effusion usually
cause diminished or absent breath sounds.
, 7. Which cranial nerve is assessed by asking the patient to
shrug their shoulders?
A. CN V (Trigeminal)
B. CN VII (Facial)
C. CN IX (Glossopharyngeal)
D. CN XI (Accessory)
Correct Answer: D. CN XI (Accessory)
Rationale: CN XI controls the trapezius and
sternocleidomastoid muscles, which are tested by shoulder
shrug and head rotation.
8. The nurse notes a blood pressure of 150/95 mmHg in a
patient. This is classified as:
A. Normal
B. Prehypertension
C. Stage 1 Hypertension
D. Stage 2 Hypertension
Correct Answer: C. Stage 1 Hypertension
Rationale: Stage 1 hypertension is systolic 140–159 or diastolic
90–99 mmHg. Prehypertension is 120–139/80–89.
9. When performing a neurological assessment, which finding
is abnormal?
CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS
RATIONALES Q &A 2026 |INSTANT DOWNLOAD
1. Which of the following is the most appropriate technique to
assess a patient’s abdominal tenderness?
A. Percussion
B. Inspection
C. Palpation
D. Auscultation
Correct Answer: C. Palpation
Rationale: Palpation allows the nurse to feel for tenderness,
masses, or organ enlargement. Percussion and auscultation are
more for organ size and bowel sounds.
2. During a cardiovascular assessment, which finding indicates
a possible left-sided heart failure?
A. Jugular venous distention
B. Pulmonary crackles
C. Peripheral edema
D. Hepatomegaly
,Correct Answer: B. Pulmonary crackles
Rationale: Left-sided heart failure leads to pulmonary
congestion, causing crackles. Peripheral edema and
hepatomegaly are more typical of right-sided failure.
3. When assessing a patient’s mental status, which test
evaluates recent memory?
A. Asking birth date
B. Asking the name of the current president
C. Asking what the patient had for breakfast
D. Asking the patient to repeat three words immediately
Correct Answer: C. Asking what the patient had for breakfast
Rationale: Recent memory refers to events within hours to
days. Birth date and president’s name assess remote memory;
repeating words assesses immediate memory.
4. Which vital sign change is most indicative of hypovolemic
shock?
A. Increased blood pressure
B. Tachycardia
C. Bradypnea
D. Low-grade fever
,Correct Answer: B. Tachycardia
Rationale: Tachycardia is an early compensatory response to
hypovolemia. Blood pressure may drop later.
5. What is the primary purpose of a health history?
A. To diagnose diseases
B. To collect subjective information
C. To assess laboratory values
D. To perform a physical exam
Correct Answer: B. To collect subjective information
Rationale: Health history gathers patient-reported symptoms,
past medical history, and lifestyle factors. Diagnosis comes
after assessment.
6. While assessing a patient’s lungs, you hear high-pitched
wheezing during expiration. This suggests:
A. Pneumothorax
B. Asthma exacerbation
C. Pleural effusion
D. Pulmonary fibrosis
Correct Answer: B. Asthma exacerbation
Rationale: Wheezing is due to airway narrowing or obstruction,
common in asthma. Pneumothorax and pleural effusion usually
cause diminished or absent breath sounds.
, 7. Which cranial nerve is assessed by asking the patient to
shrug their shoulders?
A. CN V (Trigeminal)
B. CN VII (Facial)
C. CN IX (Glossopharyngeal)
D. CN XI (Accessory)
Correct Answer: D. CN XI (Accessory)
Rationale: CN XI controls the trapezius and
sternocleidomastoid muscles, which are tested by shoulder
shrug and head rotation.
8. The nurse notes a blood pressure of 150/95 mmHg in a
patient. This is classified as:
A. Normal
B. Prehypertension
C. Stage 1 Hypertension
D. Stage 2 Hypertension
Correct Answer: C. Stage 1 Hypertension
Rationale: Stage 1 hypertension is systolic 140–159 or diastolic
90–99 mmHg. Prehypertension is 120–139/80–89.
9. When performing a neurological assessment, which finding
is abnormal?
