NURS 190 | Physical Assessment | Week 2 Quiz 2026 |WCU
1. During a physical assessment, the nurse asks the patient about their history
of smoking. Which component of the health history does this represent?
A. Past Medical History
B. Review of Systems
C. Social History
D. Family History
Answer: C
Rationale: Social history includes lifestyle factors such as smoking, alcohol use, and
exercise habits.
2. Which of the following data points is considered objective data?
A. The patient’s blood pressure is 142/90 mmHg.
B. The patient states they feel nauseous.
C. The patient reports a pain level of 6 out of 10.
D. The patient mentions feeling dizzy when standing up.
Answer: A
Rationale: Objective data are observable and measurable signs, such as vital signs
obtained by the nurse.
,3. When assessing an older adult, the nurse notes a decrease in skin turgor.
Where is the most reliable place to check for turgor in this population?
A. The sternum or clavicle area
B. The forehead
C. The back of the hand
D. The forearm
Answer: A
Rationale: Due to loss of elasticity in aging skin, checking over the sternum or clavicle
provides a more accurate assessment of hydration status.
4. What is the correct sequence for assessing the abdomen?
A. Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion, Palpation
B. Inspection, Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation
C. Auscultation, Inspection, Palpation, Percussion
D. Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation, Inspection
Answer: A
Rationale: In abdominal assessment, auscultation follows inspection to avoid altering
bowel sounds through percussion or palpation.
5. A nurse notes a ‘swishing’ sound while auscultating a carotid artery. This
finding is known as a:
A. Murmur
B. Crepitus
C. Thrill
D. Bruit
Answer: D
Rationale: A bruit is a blowing or swishing sound caused by turbulent blood flow in an
artery.
, 6. Which part of the hand is most sensitive to vibrations during palpation?
A. Fingertips
B. Ulnar surface or base of fingers
C. Dorsum of the hand
D. Palmar surface
Answer: B
Rationale: The ulnar surface and the metacarpophalangeal joints (base of fingers) are best
for feeling vibrations.
7. The nurse is using the diaphragm of the stethoscope. For which sounds is the
diaphragm best suited?
A. High-pitched sounds like breath and bowel sounds
B. Low-pitched heart murmurs
C. Bruits
D. S3 and S4 heart sounds
Answer: A
Rationale: The diaphragm is used for high-pitched sounds, while the bell is used for low-
pitched sounds.
8. A patient’s radial pulse is irregular. What should the nurse’s next action be?
A. Document the finding and recheck in 4 hours.
B. Administer oxygen immediately.
C. Check the carotid pulse for 30 seconds.
D. Assess the apical pulse for one full minute.
Answer: D
Rationale: If a peripheral pulse is irregular, the apical pulse must be assessed for 60
seconds to ensure accuracy.
1. During a physical assessment, the nurse asks the patient about their history
of smoking. Which component of the health history does this represent?
A. Past Medical History
B. Review of Systems
C. Social History
D. Family History
Answer: C
Rationale: Social history includes lifestyle factors such as smoking, alcohol use, and
exercise habits.
2. Which of the following data points is considered objective data?
A. The patient’s blood pressure is 142/90 mmHg.
B. The patient states they feel nauseous.
C. The patient reports a pain level of 6 out of 10.
D. The patient mentions feeling dizzy when standing up.
Answer: A
Rationale: Objective data are observable and measurable signs, such as vital signs
obtained by the nurse.
,3. When assessing an older adult, the nurse notes a decrease in skin turgor.
Where is the most reliable place to check for turgor in this population?
A. The sternum or clavicle area
B. The forehead
C. The back of the hand
D. The forearm
Answer: A
Rationale: Due to loss of elasticity in aging skin, checking over the sternum or clavicle
provides a more accurate assessment of hydration status.
4. What is the correct sequence for assessing the abdomen?
A. Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion, Palpation
B. Inspection, Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation
C. Auscultation, Inspection, Palpation, Percussion
D. Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation, Inspection
Answer: A
Rationale: In abdominal assessment, auscultation follows inspection to avoid altering
bowel sounds through percussion or palpation.
5. A nurse notes a ‘swishing’ sound while auscultating a carotid artery. This
finding is known as a:
A. Murmur
B. Crepitus
C. Thrill
D. Bruit
Answer: D
Rationale: A bruit is a blowing or swishing sound caused by turbulent blood flow in an
artery.
, 6. Which part of the hand is most sensitive to vibrations during palpation?
A. Fingertips
B. Ulnar surface or base of fingers
C. Dorsum of the hand
D. Palmar surface
Answer: B
Rationale: The ulnar surface and the metacarpophalangeal joints (base of fingers) are best
for feeling vibrations.
7. The nurse is using the diaphragm of the stethoscope. For which sounds is the
diaphragm best suited?
A. High-pitched sounds like breath and bowel sounds
B. Low-pitched heart murmurs
C. Bruits
D. S3 and S4 heart sounds
Answer: A
Rationale: The diaphragm is used for high-pitched sounds, while the bell is used for low-
pitched sounds.
8. A patient’s radial pulse is irregular. What should the nurse’s next action be?
A. Document the finding and recheck in 4 hours.
B. Administer oxygen immediately.
C. Check the carotid pulse for 30 seconds.
D. Assess the apical pulse for one full minute.
Answer: D
Rationale: If a peripheral pulse is irregular, the apical pulse must be assessed for 60
seconds to ensure accuracy.
