NR 302 Health Assessment I Comprehensive Exam 9 Study Guide 2026
|Chamberlain College
1. What is the correct sequence for performing an abdominal assessment?
A. Inspection, Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation
B. Auscultation, Inspection, Palpation, Percussion
C. Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion, Palpation
D. Percussion, Palpation, Inspection, Auscultation
Answer: C
Rationale: For the abdomen, auscultation follows inspection to prevent bowel sounds from
being altered by percussion or palpation.
2. When auscultating the heart, the S1 sound is loudest at which location?
A. Aortic area
B. Pulmonic area
C. Apex of the heart
D. Erb’s point
Answer: C
Rationale: The S1 sound, representing closure of the AV valves, is loudest at the apex of
the heart (mitral area).
,3. What does a ‘2+’ rating signify when documenting peripheral pulse strength?
A. Normal pulse
B. Weak or thready pulse
C. Absent pulse
D. Bounding pulse
Answer: A
Rationale: On a scale of 0 to 3+, 2+ is considered a normal, expected pulse strength.
4. Which cranial nerve is being tested when a nurse asks the patient to shrug
their shoulders against resistance?
A. Cranial Nerve X (Vagus)
B. Cranial Nerve IX (Glossopharyngeal)
C. Cranial Nerve XII (Hypoglossal)
D. Cranial Nerve XI (Spinal Accessory)
Answer: D
Rationale: CN XI innervates the sternomastoid and trapezius muscles, responsible for
shoulder shrugging and head turning.
5. A nurse notes a ‘thrill’ while palpating the precordium. What does this
indicate?
A. A palpable vibration signaling turbulent blood flow
B. A normal heart rhythm
C. A high-pitched clicking sound
D. Increased intracranial pressure
Answer: A
Rationale: A thrill is a palpable vibration that often accompanies loud heart murmurs,
indicating turbulent flow.
, 6. When assessing the lungs, what sound is expected over healthy lung tissue
during percussion?
A. Dullness
B. Hyperresonance
C. Resonance
D. Tympany
Answer: C
Rationale: Resonance is the low-pitched, clear, hollow sound elicited over normal, air-
filled lung tissue.
7. The nurse asks the patient to identify a common object placed in their hand
with eyes closed. This tests for:
A. Graphesthesia
B. Stereognosis
C. Proprioception
D. Kinesthesia
Answer: B
Rationale: Stereognosis is the ability to recognize objects by feel; graphesthesia is
recognizing numbers traced on the skin.
8. What is the primary purpose of the Romberg test?
A. To assess visual acuity
B. To evaluate hearing loss
C. To check for deep vein thrombosis
D. To assess cerebellar function and balance
Answer: D
Rationale: The Romberg test evaluates the patient’s ability to maintain an upright posture
with eyes closed, testing vestibular and cerebellar function.
|Chamberlain College
1. What is the correct sequence for performing an abdominal assessment?
A. Inspection, Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation
B. Auscultation, Inspection, Palpation, Percussion
C. Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion, Palpation
D. Percussion, Palpation, Inspection, Auscultation
Answer: C
Rationale: For the abdomen, auscultation follows inspection to prevent bowel sounds from
being altered by percussion or palpation.
2. When auscultating the heart, the S1 sound is loudest at which location?
A. Aortic area
B. Pulmonic area
C. Apex of the heart
D. Erb’s point
Answer: C
Rationale: The S1 sound, representing closure of the AV valves, is loudest at the apex of
the heart (mitral area).
,3. What does a ‘2+’ rating signify when documenting peripheral pulse strength?
A. Normal pulse
B. Weak or thready pulse
C. Absent pulse
D. Bounding pulse
Answer: A
Rationale: On a scale of 0 to 3+, 2+ is considered a normal, expected pulse strength.
4. Which cranial nerve is being tested when a nurse asks the patient to shrug
their shoulders against resistance?
A. Cranial Nerve X (Vagus)
B. Cranial Nerve IX (Glossopharyngeal)
C. Cranial Nerve XII (Hypoglossal)
D. Cranial Nerve XI (Spinal Accessory)
Answer: D
Rationale: CN XI innervates the sternomastoid and trapezius muscles, responsible for
shoulder shrugging and head turning.
5. A nurse notes a ‘thrill’ while palpating the precordium. What does this
indicate?
A. A palpable vibration signaling turbulent blood flow
B. A normal heart rhythm
C. A high-pitched clicking sound
D. Increased intracranial pressure
Answer: A
Rationale: A thrill is a palpable vibration that often accompanies loud heart murmurs,
indicating turbulent flow.
, 6. When assessing the lungs, what sound is expected over healthy lung tissue
during percussion?
A. Dullness
B. Hyperresonance
C. Resonance
D. Tympany
Answer: C
Rationale: Resonance is the low-pitched, clear, hollow sound elicited over normal, air-
filled lung tissue.
7. The nurse asks the patient to identify a common object placed in their hand
with eyes closed. This tests for:
A. Graphesthesia
B. Stereognosis
C. Proprioception
D. Kinesthesia
Answer: B
Rationale: Stereognosis is the ability to recognize objects by feel; graphesthesia is
recognizing numbers traced on the skin.
8. What is the primary purpose of the Romberg test?
A. To assess visual acuity
B. To evaluate hearing loss
C. To check for deep vein thrombosis
D. To assess cerebellar function and balance
Answer: D
Rationale: The Romberg test evaluates the patient’s ability to maintain an upright posture
with eyes closed, testing vestibular and cerebellar function.
