NU650 | NU650 Health Assessment / Nursing Exam
2 Version 1 | Questions with Correct Answers and
Expert Explanation for Each Question | Regis
1. When auscultating the heart, the nurse knows that the S1 heart sound represents
which physiological event?
A. Closure of the aortic and pulmonic valves
B. Opening of the semilunar valves
C. Closure of the mitral and tricuspid valves
D. The beginning of diastole
Correct Answer: C
Expert Explanation: The S1 heart sound corresponds to the closure of the
atrioventricular valves, which are the mitral and tricuspid valves. This event signals
the beginning of systole as the ventricles contract. It is typically loudest at the apex
of the heart.
2. A patient presents with increased tactile fremitus over the right lower lobe. Which
condition is most likely associated with this finding?
A. Pneumothorax
B. Pleural effusion
C. Emphysema
,D. Lobar pneumonia
Correct Answer: D
Expert Explanation: Increased tactile fremitus occurs when there is consolidation
of lung tissue, such as in pneumonia. This happens because sound travels better
through solid or fluid-filled mediums than through air. Conversely, conditions like
pneumothorax or emphysema decrease fremitus due to air trapping or separation of
the lung from the chest wall.
3. In what order should the nurse perform the physical assessment of the abdomen?
A. Inspection, palpation, percussion, auscultation
B. Percussion, palpation, inspection, auscultation
C. Auscultation, inspection, percussion, palpation
D. Inspection, auscultation, percussion, palpation
Correct Answer: D
Expert Explanation: The abdomen is assessed in the order of inspection,
auscultation, percussion, and then palpation. This sequence is necessary because
percussion and palpation can stimulate bowel activity and alter the bowel sounds
heard during auscultation. Following this order ensures the most accurate
representation of the patient’s bowel function.
,4. While assessing the cranial nerves, the nurse asks the patient to puff out their
cheeks and smile. Which cranial nerve is being tested?
A. CN VII (Facial)
B. CN V (Trigeminal)
C. CN IX (Glossopharyngeal)
D. CN XII (Hypoglossal)
Correct Answer: A
Expert Explanation: Puffing out cheeks and smiling are motor functions of Cranial
Nerve VII, the facial nerve. This nerve is responsible for the muscles of facial
expression as well as taste on the anterior two-thirds of the tongue. Symmetry of
these movements is a key indicator of intact nerve function.
5. A 65-year-old patient reports pain in the calf that occurs during walking and is
relieved by rest. This is a classic symptom of:
A. Intermittent claudication
B. Deep vein thrombosis
C. Venous insufficiency
D. Lymphedema
Correct Answer: A
, Expert Explanation: Intermittent claudication is a hallmark symptom of peripheral
arterial disease (PAD). It occurs because the arterial blood supply cannot meet the
metabolic demands of the muscles during exercise. The pain typically subsides
within a few minutes of rest when oxygen demand decreases.
6. The nurse is percussing the lungs of a patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary
disease (COPD). What percussion note is expected?
A. Hyperresonance
B. Dullness
C. Tympany
D. Resonance
Correct Answer: A
Expert Explanation: Hyperresonance is a lower-pitched, booming sound found
when too much air is present, such as in emphysema or COPD. Normal lung tissue
typically produces a resonant sound. Dullness would indicate fluid or solid mass,
while tympany is usually reserved for air-filled structures like the stomach.
7. What is the correct technique for assessing the Murphy sign, and what does a
positive result indicate?
A. Deep palpation of the LLQ; indicates appendicitis
B. Percussing the costovertebral angle; indicates kidney stones
2 Version 1 | Questions with Correct Answers and
Expert Explanation for Each Question | Regis
1. When auscultating the heart, the nurse knows that the S1 heart sound represents
which physiological event?
A. Closure of the aortic and pulmonic valves
B. Opening of the semilunar valves
C. Closure of the mitral and tricuspid valves
D. The beginning of diastole
Correct Answer: C
Expert Explanation: The S1 heart sound corresponds to the closure of the
atrioventricular valves, which are the mitral and tricuspid valves. This event signals
the beginning of systole as the ventricles contract. It is typically loudest at the apex
of the heart.
2. A patient presents with increased tactile fremitus over the right lower lobe. Which
condition is most likely associated with this finding?
A. Pneumothorax
B. Pleural effusion
C. Emphysema
,D. Lobar pneumonia
Correct Answer: D
Expert Explanation: Increased tactile fremitus occurs when there is consolidation
of lung tissue, such as in pneumonia. This happens because sound travels better
through solid or fluid-filled mediums than through air. Conversely, conditions like
pneumothorax or emphysema decrease fremitus due to air trapping or separation of
the lung from the chest wall.
3. In what order should the nurse perform the physical assessment of the abdomen?
A. Inspection, palpation, percussion, auscultation
B. Percussion, palpation, inspection, auscultation
C. Auscultation, inspection, percussion, palpation
D. Inspection, auscultation, percussion, palpation
Correct Answer: D
Expert Explanation: The abdomen is assessed in the order of inspection,
auscultation, percussion, and then palpation. This sequence is necessary because
percussion and palpation can stimulate bowel activity and alter the bowel sounds
heard during auscultation. Following this order ensures the most accurate
representation of the patient’s bowel function.
,4. While assessing the cranial nerves, the nurse asks the patient to puff out their
cheeks and smile. Which cranial nerve is being tested?
A. CN VII (Facial)
B. CN V (Trigeminal)
C. CN IX (Glossopharyngeal)
D. CN XII (Hypoglossal)
Correct Answer: A
Expert Explanation: Puffing out cheeks and smiling are motor functions of Cranial
Nerve VII, the facial nerve. This nerve is responsible for the muscles of facial
expression as well as taste on the anterior two-thirds of the tongue. Symmetry of
these movements is a key indicator of intact nerve function.
5. A 65-year-old patient reports pain in the calf that occurs during walking and is
relieved by rest. This is a classic symptom of:
A. Intermittent claudication
B. Deep vein thrombosis
C. Venous insufficiency
D. Lymphedema
Correct Answer: A
, Expert Explanation: Intermittent claudication is a hallmark symptom of peripheral
arterial disease (PAD). It occurs because the arterial blood supply cannot meet the
metabolic demands of the muscles during exercise. The pain typically subsides
within a few minutes of rest when oxygen demand decreases.
6. The nurse is percussing the lungs of a patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary
disease (COPD). What percussion note is expected?
A. Hyperresonance
B. Dullness
C. Tympany
D. Resonance
Correct Answer: A
Expert Explanation: Hyperresonance is a lower-pitched, booming sound found
when too much air is present, such as in emphysema or COPD. Normal lung tissue
typically produces a resonant sound. Dullness would indicate fluid or solid mass,
while tympany is usually reserved for air-filled structures like the stomach.
7. What is the correct technique for assessing the Murphy sign, and what does a
positive result indicate?
A. Deep palpation of the LLQ; indicates appendicitis
B. Percussing the costovertebral angle; indicates kidney stones
