NU 518 Health Assessment Exam 3 Practice 2026 | USA
1. When percussing the posterior thorax of a healthy adult, which sound does
the nurse expect to hear over the lung fields?
A. Resonance
B. Dullness
C. Hyperresonance
D. Tympany
Answer: A
Rationale: Resonance is the low-pitched, clear, hollow sound that predominates in healthy
lung tissue in the adult.
2. Where is the S2 heart sound heard loudest?
A. At the apex of the heart
B. In the 5th intercostal space
C. At the left lower sternal border
D. At the base of the heart
Answer: D
Rationale: The S2 heart sound, which signals the closure of the semilunar valves, is loudest
at the base of the heart.
,3. The nurse is performing a respiratory assessment and notes a coarse, low-
pitched sound during both inspiration and expiration that clears with coughing.
This is most likely:
A. Fine crackles
B. Wheezes
C. Rhonchi
D. Pleural friction rub
Answer: C
Rationale: Rhonchi (sonorous wheezes) are low-pitched, monophonic sounds that may
clear with coughing, often caused by airflow obstruction or secretions in larger airways.
4. During an abdominal assessment, in which order should the nurse perform
the physical examination techniques?
A. Inspection, Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation
B. Inspection, Percussion, Palpation, Auscultation
C. Auscultation, Inspection, Percussion, Palpation
D. Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion, Palpation
Answer: D
Rationale: Auscultation is performed second in the abdominal assessment because
percussion and palpation can increase peristalsis, leading to false interpretations of bowel
sounds.
5. A patient exhibits a positive Murphy sign. This finding is indicative of
inflammation in which organ?
A. Appendix
B. Gallbladder
C. Spleen
D. Liver
Answer: B
, Rationale: Murphy sign is a test for gallbladder inflammation (cholecystitis); a positive test
occurs when pain is felt as the descending gallbladder touches the nurse’s palpating fingers
during inspiration.
6. To assess the function of Cranial Nerve VII (Facial), the nurse should ask the
patient to:
A. Smile, frown, and puff out their cheeks
B. Shrug their shoulders against resistance
C. Stick out their tongue
D. Identify smells like coffee or soap
Answer: A
Rationale: Cranial Nerve VII (Facial) is tested by checking symmetric facial movements
such as smiling, frowning, puffing cheeks, and closing eyes tightly.
7. Which of the following describes a 3+ pulse on the standard 4-point scale?
A. Full and bounding
B. Weak and thready
C. Normal/Full
D. Absent
Answer: A
Rationale: In the standard clinical scale, 0 is absent, 1+ is weak/thready, 2+ is normal, and
3+ is full/bounding.
8. The nurse is assessing a patient’s neurological status and uses the Romberg
test. A positive Romberg test is indicated by:
A. The patient losing balance when closing their eyes while standing
B. The patient moving their heel down the opposite shin smoothly
C. The patient being unable to identify a familiar object in their hand
D. The patient showing asymmetrical facial expressions
Answer: A
1. When percussing the posterior thorax of a healthy adult, which sound does
the nurse expect to hear over the lung fields?
A. Resonance
B. Dullness
C. Hyperresonance
D. Tympany
Answer: A
Rationale: Resonance is the low-pitched, clear, hollow sound that predominates in healthy
lung tissue in the adult.
2. Where is the S2 heart sound heard loudest?
A. At the apex of the heart
B. In the 5th intercostal space
C. At the left lower sternal border
D. At the base of the heart
Answer: D
Rationale: The S2 heart sound, which signals the closure of the semilunar valves, is loudest
at the base of the heart.
,3. The nurse is performing a respiratory assessment and notes a coarse, low-
pitched sound during both inspiration and expiration that clears with coughing.
This is most likely:
A. Fine crackles
B. Wheezes
C. Rhonchi
D. Pleural friction rub
Answer: C
Rationale: Rhonchi (sonorous wheezes) are low-pitched, monophonic sounds that may
clear with coughing, often caused by airflow obstruction or secretions in larger airways.
4. During an abdominal assessment, in which order should the nurse perform
the physical examination techniques?
A. Inspection, Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation
B. Inspection, Percussion, Palpation, Auscultation
C. Auscultation, Inspection, Percussion, Palpation
D. Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion, Palpation
Answer: D
Rationale: Auscultation is performed second in the abdominal assessment because
percussion and palpation can increase peristalsis, leading to false interpretations of bowel
sounds.
5. A patient exhibits a positive Murphy sign. This finding is indicative of
inflammation in which organ?
A. Appendix
B. Gallbladder
C. Spleen
D. Liver
Answer: B
, Rationale: Murphy sign is a test for gallbladder inflammation (cholecystitis); a positive test
occurs when pain is felt as the descending gallbladder touches the nurse’s palpating fingers
during inspiration.
6. To assess the function of Cranial Nerve VII (Facial), the nurse should ask the
patient to:
A. Smile, frown, and puff out their cheeks
B. Shrug their shoulders against resistance
C. Stick out their tongue
D. Identify smells like coffee or soap
Answer: A
Rationale: Cranial Nerve VII (Facial) is tested by checking symmetric facial movements
such as smiling, frowning, puffing cheeks, and closing eyes tightly.
7. Which of the following describes a 3+ pulse on the standard 4-point scale?
A. Full and bounding
B. Weak and thready
C. Normal/Full
D. Absent
Answer: A
Rationale: In the standard clinical scale, 0 is absent, 1+ is weak/thready, 2+ is normal, and
3+ is full/bounding.
8. The nurse is assessing a patient’s neurological status and uses the Romberg
test. A positive Romberg test is indicated by:
A. The patient losing balance when closing their eyes while standing
B. The patient moving their heel down the opposite shin smoothly
C. The patient being unable to identify a familiar object in their hand
D. The patient showing asymmetrical facial expressions
Answer: A
