NR 509 WEEK 2 EXAM WITH CORRECT
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2025
When performing a physical assessment, the first technique the nurse will
always use
A. Palpation
B. Inspection
C. Percussion
D. Auscultation - CORRECT-ANSWERSB. Inspection
The nurse is preparing to perform a physical assessment. Which statement is
true about the physical assessment? The inspection phase:
A. Usually yields little information
B. Takes time and reveals a surprising amount of information
C. May be somewhat uncomfortable for the expert practitioner
D. Requires a quick glance at the patient's body systems before proceeding
with palpation - CORRECT-ANSWERSB. Takes time and reveals a surprising
amount of information
The nurse is assessing a patient's skin during an office visit. What part of the
hand and technique should be used to best assess the patient's skin
temperature?
A. Fingertips; they are more sensitive to small changes in temperature
B. Dorsal surface of the hand; the skin is thinner on this surface than on the
palms
C. Ulnar portion of the hand, increased blood supply in this area enhances
temperature sensitivity
D. Palmar surface of the hand; this surface is the most sensitive to
temperature variations because of its increased nerve supply in this area. -
,CORRECT-ANSWERSB. Dorsal surface of the hand; the skin is thinner on this
surface than on the palms
Which of these techniques uses the sense of touch to assess texture,
temperature, moisture, and swelling when the nurse is assessing a patient?
A. Palpation
B. Inspection
C. Percussion
D. Auscultation - CORRECT-ANSWERSA. Palpation
The nurse is preparing to assess a patient's abdomen by palpation. How
should the nurse proceed?
A. Palpation of reportedly tender areas are avoided because palpation in
these areas may cause pain
B. Palpating a tender area is quickly performed to avoid any discomfort that
the patient may experience
C. The assessment begins with deep palpation, while encouraging the
patient to relax and to take deep breaths.
D. The assessment begins with light palpation to detect surface
characteristics and to accustom the patient to being touched. - CORRECT-
ANSWERSD. The assessment begins with light palpation to detect surface
characteristics and to accustom the patient to being touched.
The nurse would use bimanual palpation technique in which situation?
A. Palpating the thorax of an infant
B. Palpating the kidneys and the uterus
C. Assessing pulsations and vibrations
D. Assessing the presence of tenderness and pain - CORRECT-ANSWERSB.
Palpating the kidneys and the uterus
The nurse is preparing to percuss the abdomen of a patient. The purpose of
the percussion is to assess the ___________ of the underlying tissue.
A. Turgor
B. Texture
C. Density
,D. Consistency - CORRECT-ANSWERSC. Density
The nurse is reviewing percussion techniques with a newly graduated nurse.
Which technique, if used by the new nurse, indicates that more review is
needed?
A. Percussing once over each area
B. Quickly lifting be striking finger after each stroke
C. Striking with the fingertip, not the finger pad
D. Using the wrist to make the strikes, not the arm - CORRECT-ANSWERSA.
Percussing once over each area
When percussing over the liver of a patient, the nurse notices a dull sound.
The nurse should:
A. Consider this a normal finding
B. Palpate this area for an underlying mass
C. Reposition the hands, and attempt to percuss in this area again
D. Consider this finding abnormal, and refer the patient for additional
treatment - CORRECT-ANSWERSA. Consider this a normal finding
The nurse is unable to identify any changes in sound when percussing over
the abdomen of an obese patient. What should the nurse do next?
A. Ask the patient to take deep breaths to relax the abdominal musculature
B. Consider this finding as normal and proceed with the abdominal
assessment
C. Increase the amount of strength used when attempting to percuss over
the abdomen
D. Decrease the amount of strength used when attempting to percuss over
the abdomen. - CORRECT-ANSWERSC. Increase the amount of strength used
when attempting to percuss over the abdomen
The nurse hears bilateral loud, long and low tones when percussing over the
lungs of a 4 year old child. The nurse should
A. Palpate over the area for increased pain and tenderness
B. Ask the child to take shallow breaths and percuss over the area again
, C. Immediately refer the child because of an increased amount of air in the
lungs
D. Consider this finding as normal for a child this age and proceed with the
examination - CORRECT-ANSWERSD. Consider this finding as normal for a
child this age and proceed with the examination
A patient has suddenly developed shortness of breath and appears to be
insignificant respiratory distress. After calling the position and placing the
patient on oxygen, which of these actions is the best for the nurse to take
went further assisting this patient?
A. Count the patient's respirations
B. Bilaterally percuss the thorax, noting any differences in percussion tones
C. Call for a chest x-ray study and wait for the results before beginning an
assessment
D. Inspect the thorax for any new masses and bleeding associated with
respirations - CORRECT-ANSWERSB. Bilaterally percuss the thorax, noting
any differences in percussion tones
The nurse is teaching a class on basic assessment skills. Which of these
statements is true regarding the stethoscope and its use?
A. Slope of the earpieces should point posteriorly (toward to occiput)
B. Although the stethoscope does not magnify sound, it does block out
extraneous room noise
C. Fit and quality of the stethoscope are not as important as its ability to
magnify sound
D. Ideal tubing length should be 22 inches to dampen the distortion of sound
- CORRECT-ANSWERSB. Although the stethoscope does not magnify sound, it
does block out extraneous room noise
The nurse is preparing to use a stethoscope for auscultation. Which
statement is true regarding the diaphragm of the stethoscope? The
diaphragm:
A. Is used to listen for high-pitched sounds
B. Is used to listen for low-pitched sounds
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2025
When performing a physical assessment, the first technique the nurse will
always use
A. Palpation
B. Inspection
C. Percussion
D. Auscultation - CORRECT-ANSWERSB. Inspection
The nurse is preparing to perform a physical assessment. Which statement is
true about the physical assessment? The inspection phase:
A. Usually yields little information
B. Takes time and reveals a surprising amount of information
C. May be somewhat uncomfortable for the expert practitioner
D. Requires a quick glance at the patient's body systems before proceeding
with palpation - CORRECT-ANSWERSB. Takes time and reveals a surprising
amount of information
The nurse is assessing a patient's skin during an office visit. What part of the
hand and technique should be used to best assess the patient's skin
temperature?
A. Fingertips; they are more sensitive to small changes in temperature
B. Dorsal surface of the hand; the skin is thinner on this surface than on the
palms
C. Ulnar portion of the hand, increased blood supply in this area enhances
temperature sensitivity
D. Palmar surface of the hand; this surface is the most sensitive to
temperature variations because of its increased nerve supply in this area. -
,CORRECT-ANSWERSB. Dorsal surface of the hand; the skin is thinner on this
surface than on the palms
Which of these techniques uses the sense of touch to assess texture,
temperature, moisture, and swelling when the nurse is assessing a patient?
A. Palpation
B. Inspection
C. Percussion
D. Auscultation - CORRECT-ANSWERSA. Palpation
The nurse is preparing to assess a patient's abdomen by palpation. How
should the nurse proceed?
A. Palpation of reportedly tender areas are avoided because palpation in
these areas may cause pain
B. Palpating a tender area is quickly performed to avoid any discomfort that
the patient may experience
C. The assessment begins with deep palpation, while encouraging the
patient to relax and to take deep breaths.
D. The assessment begins with light palpation to detect surface
characteristics and to accustom the patient to being touched. - CORRECT-
ANSWERSD. The assessment begins with light palpation to detect surface
characteristics and to accustom the patient to being touched.
The nurse would use bimanual palpation technique in which situation?
A. Palpating the thorax of an infant
B. Palpating the kidneys and the uterus
C. Assessing pulsations and vibrations
D. Assessing the presence of tenderness and pain - CORRECT-ANSWERSB.
Palpating the kidneys and the uterus
The nurse is preparing to percuss the abdomen of a patient. The purpose of
the percussion is to assess the ___________ of the underlying tissue.
A. Turgor
B. Texture
C. Density
,D. Consistency - CORRECT-ANSWERSC. Density
The nurse is reviewing percussion techniques with a newly graduated nurse.
Which technique, if used by the new nurse, indicates that more review is
needed?
A. Percussing once over each area
B. Quickly lifting be striking finger after each stroke
C. Striking with the fingertip, not the finger pad
D. Using the wrist to make the strikes, not the arm - CORRECT-ANSWERSA.
Percussing once over each area
When percussing over the liver of a patient, the nurse notices a dull sound.
The nurse should:
A. Consider this a normal finding
B. Palpate this area for an underlying mass
C. Reposition the hands, and attempt to percuss in this area again
D. Consider this finding abnormal, and refer the patient for additional
treatment - CORRECT-ANSWERSA. Consider this a normal finding
The nurse is unable to identify any changes in sound when percussing over
the abdomen of an obese patient. What should the nurse do next?
A. Ask the patient to take deep breaths to relax the abdominal musculature
B. Consider this finding as normal and proceed with the abdominal
assessment
C. Increase the amount of strength used when attempting to percuss over
the abdomen
D. Decrease the amount of strength used when attempting to percuss over
the abdomen. - CORRECT-ANSWERSC. Increase the amount of strength used
when attempting to percuss over the abdomen
The nurse hears bilateral loud, long and low tones when percussing over the
lungs of a 4 year old child. The nurse should
A. Palpate over the area for increased pain and tenderness
B. Ask the child to take shallow breaths and percuss over the area again
, C. Immediately refer the child because of an increased amount of air in the
lungs
D. Consider this finding as normal for a child this age and proceed with the
examination - CORRECT-ANSWERSD. Consider this finding as normal for a
child this age and proceed with the examination
A patient has suddenly developed shortness of breath and appears to be
insignificant respiratory distress. After calling the position and placing the
patient on oxygen, which of these actions is the best for the nurse to take
went further assisting this patient?
A. Count the patient's respirations
B. Bilaterally percuss the thorax, noting any differences in percussion tones
C. Call for a chest x-ray study and wait for the results before beginning an
assessment
D. Inspect the thorax for any new masses and bleeding associated with
respirations - CORRECT-ANSWERSB. Bilaterally percuss the thorax, noting
any differences in percussion tones
The nurse is teaching a class on basic assessment skills. Which of these
statements is true regarding the stethoscope and its use?
A. Slope of the earpieces should point posteriorly (toward to occiput)
B. Although the stethoscope does not magnify sound, it does block out
extraneous room noise
C. Fit and quality of the stethoscope are not as important as its ability to
magnify sound
D. Ideal tubing length should be 22 inches to dampen the distortion of sound
- CORRECT-ANSWERSB. Although the stethoscope does not magnify sound, it
does block out extraneous room noise
The nurse is preparing to use a stethoscope for auscultation. Which
statement is true regarding the diaphragm of the stethoscope? The
diaphragm:
A. Is used to listen for high-pitched sounds
B. Is used to listen for low-pitched sounds
