NR 305 Health Assessment in Nursing Final Exam Practice 2026
|Chamberlain College
1. When performing an abdominal assessment, in which order should the nurse
perform the physical examination techniques?
A. Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion, Palpation
B. Inspection, Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation
C. Auscultation, Inspection, Palpation, Percussion
D. Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation, Inspection
Answer: A
Rationale: For the abdomen, auscultation is performed before percussion and palpation to
avoid altering bowel sounds through physical manipulation.
2. Which of the following is considered subjective data during a health history
interview?
A. Blood pressure reading of 120/80 mmHg
B. The patient’s report of a headache
C. A visible rash on the patient’s forearm
D. Pitting edema in the lower extremities
Answer: B
Rationale: Subjective data are information provided by the patient that cannot be directly
observed or measured by the nurse, such as symptoms like pain or headache.
,3. While assessing a patient’s lungs, the nurse hears high-pitched, musical
sounds primarily during expiration. How should the nurse document this?
A. Crackles
B. Wheezes
C. Pleural friction rub
D. Stridor
Answer: B
Rationale: Wheezes are high-pitched, musical whistling sounds caused by narrowed
airways, typically heard most clearly during expiration.
4. The nurse is testing a patient’s Cranial Nerve II (Optic). Which tool should be
used?
A. Penlight
B. Tuning fork
C. Snellen chart
D. Ophthalmoscope
Answer: C
Rationale: The Snellen chart is used to test visual acuity, which evaluates the function of
the second cranial nerve (Optic nerve).
5. A nurse observes a patient’s gait and notes that it is unsteady with a wide
base. This finding is documented as:
A. Ataxia
B. Spasticity
C. Bradykinesia
D. Nystagmus
Answer: A
Rationale: Ataxia refers to an unsteady, uncoordinated gait often associated with
cerebellar dysfunction.
, 6. To assess for jaundice in a dark-skinned patient, the nurse should inspect
which area?
A. Palms of the hands
B. Nail beds
C. Abdominal skin
D. Sclera and hard palate
Answer: D
Rationale: In dark-skinned individuals, jaundice is most reliably detected in the sclera
(near the limbus) and the hard palate of the mouth.
7. The ‘S1’ heart sound is produced by the closure of which valves?
A. Aortic and Pulmonic
B. Tricuspid and Pulmonic
C. Mitral and Aortic
D. Mitral and Tricuspid
Answer: D
Rationale: S1 occurs when the atrioventricular valves (mitral and tricuspid) close at the
beginning of systole.
8. A nurse is assessing a patient with a 2+ pitting edema. What does this
indicate?
A. A deeper pit (4mm) that rebounds in 10-15 seconds
B. A slight pit that disappears rapidly
C. A deep pit (6mm) that lasts for more than a minute
D. Very deep pitting (8mm) that lasts for 2-3 minutes
Answer: A
Rationale: A 2+ edema is defined as moderate pitting (4mm) where the indentation
subsides relatively quickly (10-15 seconds).
|Chamberlain College
1. When performing an abdominal assessment, in which order should the nurse
perform the physical examination techniques?
A. Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion, Palpation
B. Inspection, Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation
C. Auscultation, Inspection, Palpation, Percussion
D. Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation, Inspection
Answer: A
Rationale: For the abdomen, auscultation is performed before percussion and palpation to
avoid altering bowel sounds through physical manipulation.
2. Which of the following is considered subjective data during a health history
interview?
A. Blood pressure reading of 120/80 mmHg
B. The patient’s report of a headache
C. A visible rash on the patient’s forearm
D. Pitting edema in the lower extremities
Answer: B
Rationale: Subjective data are information provided by the patient that cannot be directly
observed or measured by the nurse, such as symptoms like pain or headache.
,3. While assessing a patient’s lungs, the nurse hears high-pitched, musical
sounds primarily during expiration. How should the nurse document this?
A. Crackles
B. Wheezes
C. Pleural friction rub
D. Stridor
Answer: B
Rationale: Wheezes are high-pitched, musical whistling sounds caused by narrowed
airways, typically heard most clearly during expiration.
4. The nurse is testing a patient’s Cranial Nerve II (Optic). Which tool should be
used?
A. Penlight
B. Tuning fork
C. Snellen chart
D. Ophthalmoscope
Answer: C
Rationale: The Snellen chart is used to test visual acuity, which evaluates the function of
the second cranial nerve (Optic nerve).
5. A nurse observes a patient’s gait and notes that it is unsteady with a wide
base. This finding is documented as:
A. Ataxia
B. Spasticity
C. Bradykinesia
D. Nystagmus
Answer: A
Rationale: Ataxia refers to an unsteady, uncoordinated gait often associated with
cerebellar dysfunction.
, 6. To assess for jaundice in a dark-skinned patient, the nurse should inspect
which area?
A. Palms of the hands
B. Nail beds
C. Abdominal skin
D. Sclera and hard palate
Answer: D
Rationale: In dark-skinned individuals, jaundice is most reliably detected in the sclera
(near the limbus) and the hard palate of the mouth.
7. The ‘S1’ heart sound is produced by the closure of which valves?
A. Aortic and Pulmonic
B. Tricuspid and Pulmonic
C. Mitral and Aortic
D. Mitral and Tricuspid
Answer: D
Rationale: S1 occurs when the atrioventricular valves (mitral and tricuspid) close at the
beginning of systole.
8. A nurse is assessing a patient with a 2+ pitting edema. What does this
indicate?
A. A deeper pit (4mm) that rebounds in 10-15 seconds
B. A slight pit that disappears rapidly
C. A deep pit (6mm) that lasts for more than a minute
D. Very deep pitting (8mm) that lasts for 2-3 minutes
Answer: A
Rationale: A 2+ edema is defined as moderate pitting (4mm) where the indentation
subsides relatively quickly (10-15 seconds).
