NR-304 Health Assessment II Skills Check-offs
Exam Questions And Correct Answers
{Verified Answers} Plus Rationales
2025/2026 Q&A / Instant Download Pdf
1. When performing a cardiac auscultation, the bell of the stethoscope is best used to
assess
a. High-pitched sounds
b. Murmurs and low-pitched sounds
c. Lung crackles
d. Bowel sounds
b. Murmurs and low-pitched sounds
The bell is designed to pick up low-frequency sounds, such as certain heart
murmurs and extra heart sounds (S3, S4).
2. In assessing jugular venous distension (JVD), the patient should be positioned at
a. 0 degrees
b. 45 degrees
c. 90 degrees
d. Prone
b. 45 degrees
This position allows optimal visualization of the jugular vein pulsations without
engorgement from lying flat or collapse from sitting upright.
3. The correct sequence for abdominal assessment is
a. Palpation, auscultation, percussion, inspection
b. Inspection, percussion, palpation, auscultation
c. Inspection, auscultation, percussion, palpation
d. Auscultation, palpation, percussion, inspection
c. Inspection, auscultation, percussion, palpation
Auscultation precedes percussion and palpation to avoid altering bowel sounds.
4. A positive Murphy’s sign is associated with
a. Appendicitis
b. Cholecystitis
c. Pancreatitis
d. Hepatitis
, b. Cholecystitis
Murphy’s sign indicates gallbladder inflammation, elicited by palpating the right
upper quadrant during inspiration.
5. To assess tactile fremitus, the nurse should use
a. Fingertips
b. Ulnar surface of the hand
c. Palm of the hand
d. Dorsum of the hand
b. Ulnar surface of the hand
The ulnar surface is most sensitive to vibrations transmitted through the chest wall.
6. Crackles in the lungs are best described as
a. Continuous musical sounds
b. Discontinuous popping sounds
c. Wheezing noises
d. Harsh inspiratory sounds
b. Discontinuous popping sounds
Crackles are caused by air moving through fluid or collapsed alveoli that suddenly
pop open.
7. The Allen test evaluates
a. Patency of the radial and ulnar arteries
b. Deep vein thrombosis
c. Carotid artery stenosis
d. Capillary refill
a. Patency of the radial and ulnar arteries
This test ensures adequate collateral circulation before arterial puncture.
8. When percussing over a healthy lung, the expected sound is
a. Dullness
b. Resonance
c. Hyperresonance
d. Flatness
b. Resonance
Resonance indicates normal air-filled lung tissue.
9. A patient with unilateral decreased breath sounds may have
a. Pneumothorax
b. Pulmonary embolism
c. Asthma
d. Bronchitis
a. Pneumothorax
, Air in the pleural space can collapse the lung, reducing breath sounds on the
affected side.
10. Which cranial nerve is tested by assessing facial symmetry during smiling?
a. CN III
b. CN VII
c. CN IX
d. CN XII
b. CN VII
The facial nerve controls facial expressions such as smiling, frowning, and puffing
cheeks.
11. When assessing for pitting edema, pressing the skin for 5 seconds and noting an
indentation indicates
a. Normal tissue turgor
b. Non-pitting edema
c. Pitting edema
d. Erythema
c. Pitting edema
Indentation after pressure suggests fluid accumulation in the interstitial space.
12. Which heart sound is normally heard in children and young adults but may indicate
heart failure in older adults?
a. S1
b. S2
c. S3
d. S4
c. S3
An S3 in adults over 40 often indicates ventricular overload or failure.
13. When assessing peripheral pulses, a grading of 3+ indicates
a. Absent pulse
b. Weak pulse
c. Normal pulse
d. Bounding pulse
d. Bounding pulse
A 3+ pulse is full and strong, often seen in conditions with increased cardiac output.
14. Which abdominal quadrant contains the spleen?
a. Right upper quadrant
b. Right lower quadrant
c. Left upper quadrant
Exam Questions And Correct Answers
{Verified Answers} Plus Rationales
2025/2026 Q&A / Instant Download Pdf
1. When performing a cardiac auscultation, the bell of the stethoscope is best used to
assess
a. High-pitched sounds
b. Murmurs and low-pitched sounds
c. Lung crackles
d. Bowel sounds
b. Murmurs and low-pitched sounds
The bell is designed to pick up low-frequency sounds, such as certain heart
murmurs and extra heart sounds (S3, S4).
2. In assessing jugular venous distension (JVD), the patient should be positioned at
a. 0 degrees
b. 45 degrees
c. 90 degrees
d. Prone
b. 45 degrees
This position allows optimal visualization of the jugular vein pulsations without
engorgement from lying flat or collapse from sitting upright.
3. The correct sequence for abdominal assessment is
a. Palpation, auscultation, percussion, inspection
b. Inspection, percussion, palpation, auscultation
c. Inspection, auscultation, percussion, palpation
d. Auscultation, palpation, percussion, inspection
c. Inspection, auscultation, percussion, palpation
Auscultation precedes percussion and palpation to avoid altering bowel sounds.
4. A positive Murphy’s sign is associated with
a. Appendicitis
b. Cholecystitis
c. Pancreatitis
d. Hepatitis
, b. Cholecystitis
Murphy’s sign indicates gallbladder inflammation, elicited by palpating the right
upper quadrant during inspiration.
5. To assess tactile fremitus, the nurse should use
a. Fingertips
b. Ulnar surface of the hand
c. Palm of the hand
d. Dorsum of the hand
b. Ulnar surface of the hand
The ulnar surface is most sensitive to vibrations transmitted through the chest wall.
6. Crackles in the lungs are best described as
a. Continuous musical sounds
b. Discontinuous popping sounds
c. Wheezing noises
d. Harsh inspiratory sounds
b. Discontinuous popping sounds
Crackles are caused by air moving through fluid or collapsed alveoli that suddenly
pop open.
7. The Allen test evaluates
a. Patency of the radial and ulnar arteries
b. Deep vein thrombosis
c. Carotid artery stenosis
d. Capillary refill
a. Patency of the radial and ulnar arteries
This test ensures adequate collateral circulation before arterial puncture.
8. When percussing over a healthy lung, the expected sound is
a. Dullness
b. Resonance
c. Hyperresonance
d. Flatness
b. Resonance
Resonance indicates normal air-filled lung tissue.
9. A patient with unilateral decreased breath sounds may have
a. Pneumothorax
b. Pulmonary embolism
c. Asthma
d. Bronchitis
a. Pneumothorax
, Air in the pleural space can collapse the lung, reducing breath sounds on the
affected side.
10. Which cranial nerve is tested by assessing facial symmetry during smiling?
a. CN III
b. CN VII
c. CN IX
d. CN XII
b. CN VII
The facial nerve controls facial expressions such as smiling, frowning, and puffing
cheeks.
11. When assessing for pitting edema, pressing the skin for 5 seconds and noting an
indentation indicates
a. Normal tissue turgor
b. Non-pitting edema
c. Pitting edema
d. Erythema
c. Pitting edema
Indentation after pressure suggests fluid accumulation in the interstitial space.
12. Which heart sound is normally heard in children and young adults but may indicate
heart failure in older adults?
a. S1
b. S2
c. S3
d. S4
c. S3
An S3 in adults over 40 often indicates ventricular overload or failure.
13. When assessing peripheral pulses, a grading of 3+ indicates
a. Absent pulse
b. Weak pulse
c. Normal pulse
d. Bounding pulse
d. Bounding pulse
A 3+ pulse is full and strong, often seen in conditions with increased cardiac output.
14. Which abdominal quadrant contains the spleen?
a. Right upper quadrant
b. Right lower quadrant
c. Left upper quadrant
