NU650 | NU650 Health Assessment / Nursing Exam
2 Version 2 | Questions with Correct Answers and
Expert Explanation for Each Question | Regis
1. When auscultating the heart, where is the aortic valve area best heard?
A. Second intercostal space at the left sternal border
B. Fourth intercostal space at the left sternal border
C. Fifth intercostal space at the midclavicular line
D. Second intercostal space at the right sternal border
Correct Answer: D
Expert Explanation: The aortic area is located at the second right intercostal space.
This is the anatomical location where sounds from the aortic valve are most clearly
transmitted. Proper placement of the stethoscope is essential for distinguishing
specific cardiac murmurs or abnormalities.
2. In what sequence should the abdominal physical examination be performed?
A. Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion, Palpation
B. Inspection, Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation
C. Auscultation, Inspection, Percussion, Palpation
D. Percussion, Palpation, Inspection, Auscultation
,Correct Answer: A
Expert Explanation: The abdomen is examined in the order of inspection,
auscultation, percussion, and then palpation. This specific order is used because
percussion and palpation can stimulate bowel activity and change the frequency of
bowel sounds. Auscultating before touching ensures the findings reflect the patient’s
resting state.
3. Dullness on percussion of the lungs usually indicates what condition?
A. Pneumothorax
B. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
C. Pneumonia or pleural effusion
D. Normal lung tissue
Correct Answer: C
Expert Explanation: Percussion over normal, air-filled lung tissue produces a
resonant sound. Dullness suggests that the underlying tissue is dense or filled with
fluid, which is common in pneumonia or pleural effusion. In contrast,
hyperresonance is typically found in conditions like pneumothorax or COPD where
there is excess air.
4. A positive Phalen’s test is a diagnostic indicator for which condition?
A. Rotator cuff tear
, B. Carpal tunnel syndrome
C. Herniated lumbar disc
D. De Quervain tenosynovitis
Correct Answer: B
Expert Explanation: The Phalen test involves holding the wrists in maximum
flexion for 60 seconds to compress the median nerve. If the patient experiences
numbness or tingling in the distribution of the median nerve, the test is positive.
This is a common clinical assessment for identifying carpal tunnel syndrome.
5. Which heart sound is often associated with heart failure and fluid overload in
adults?
A. S1
B. S2
C. S4
D. S3
Correct Answer: D
Expert Explanation: The S3 heart sound, or ventricular gallop, occurs early in
diastole during rapid ventricular filling. In older adults, it often signifies decreased
ventricular compliance and fluid volume overload, which are hallmark signs of heart
2 Version 2 | Questions with Correct Answers and
Expert Explanation for Each Question | Regis
1. When auscultating the heart, where is the aortic valve area best heard?
A. Second intercostal space at the left sternal border
B. Fourth intercostal space at the left sternal border
C. Fifth intercostal space at the midclavicular line
D. Second intercostal space at the right sternal border
Correct Answer: D
Expert Explanation: The aortic area is located at the second right intercostal space.
This is the anatomical location where sounds from the aortic valve are most clearly
transmitted. Proper placement of the stethoscope is essential for distinguishing
specific cardiac murmurs or abnormalities.
2. In what sequence should the abdominal physical examination be performed?
A. Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion, Palpation
B. Inspection, Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation
C. Auscultation, Inspection, Percussion, Palpation
D. Percussion, Palpation, Inspection, Auscultation
,Correct Answer: A
Expert Explanation: The abdomen is examined in the order of inspection,
auscultation, percussion, and then palpation. This specific order is used because
percussion and palpation can stimulate bowel activity and change the frequency of
bowel sounds. Auscultating before touching ensures the findings reflect the patient’s
resting state.
3. Dullness on percussion of the lungs usually indicates what condition?
A. Pneumothorax
B. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
C. Pneumonia or pleural effusion
D. Normal lung tissue
Correct Answer: C
Expert Explanation: Percussion over normal, air-filled lung tissue produces a
resonant sound. Dullness suggests that the underlying tissue is dense or filled with
fluid, which is common in pneumonia or pleural effusion. In contrast,
hyperresonance is typically found in conditions like pneumothorax or COPD where
there is excess air.
4. A positive Phalen’s test is a diagnostic indicator for which condition?
A. Rotator cuff tear
, B. Carpal tunnel syndrome
C. Herniated lumbar disc
D. De Quervain tenosynovitis
Correct Answer: B
Expert Explanation: The Phalen test involves holding the wrists in maximum
flexion for 60 seconds to compress the median nerve. If the patient experiences
numbness or tingling in the distribution of the median nerve, the test is positive.
This is a common clinical assessment for identifying carpal tunnel syndrome.
5. Which heart sound is often associated with heart failure and fluid overload in
adults?
A. S1
B. S2
C. S4
D. S3
Correct Answer: D
Expert Explanation: The S3 heart sound, or ventricular gallop, occurs early in
diastole during rapid ventricular filling. In older adults, it often signifies decreased
ventricular compliance and fluid volume overload, which are hallmark signs of heart
