NUR 2180 PHYSICAL ASSESSMENT FINAL EXAM 2026 | 140 VERIFIED
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS ALREADY GRADED A+, GUARANTEED
PASS
1.
During a physical assessment, the nurse uses the diaphragm of the stethoscope
primarily to:
A. Detect low-pitched sounds
B. Detect high-pitched sounds
C. Detect heart murmurs only
D. Detect bruits only
Answer: B. Detect high-pitched sounds
Rationale: The diaphragm is best for high-pitched sounds such as breath, bowel,
and normal heart sounds.
2.
The bell of the stethoscope is most useful for:
A. High-pitched lung sounds
B. Low-pitched heart murmurs
C. Blood pressure readings
D. Bowel sounds
Answer: B. Low-pitched heart murmurs
Rationale: The bell detects low-pitched sounds like murmurs and some vascular
bruits.
3.
,Which cranial nerve is assessed by testing visual acuity?
A. Cranial Nerve II (Optic)
B. Cranial Nerve III (Oculomotor)
C. Cranial Nerve IV (Trochlear)
D. Cranial Nerve VI (Abducens)
Answer: A. Cranial Nerve II (Optic)
Rationale: The optic nerve is responsible for vision and is tested with Snellen or
Rosenbaum charts.
4.
A nurse asks a patient to smile, frown, and show their teeth. This is testing which
cranial nerve?
A. CN VII (Facial)
B. CN V (Trigeminal)
C. CN IX (Glossopharyngeal)
D. CN X (Vagus)
Answer: A. CN VII (Facial)
Rationale: The facial nerve controls facial expressions and symmetry.
5.
Which finding would be considered abnormal in a lung assessment?
A. Resonance over lung fields
B. Symmetric chest expansion
C. Crackles heard on auscultation
D. Bronchial breath sounds over trachea
Answer: C. Crackles heard on auscultation
Rationale: Crackles indicate fluid in alveoli and are abnormal.
6.
,The nurse palpates the dorsalis pedis pulse to assess:
A. Cerebral perfusion
B. Peripheral circulation in the foot
C. Carotid artery patency
D. Jugular vein distension
Answer: B. Peripheral circulation in the foot
Rationale: Dorsalis pedis pulse is used to assess peripheral perfusion and
circulation.
7.
Which assessment technique is performed first during a physical exam?
A. Percussion
B. Palpation
C. Inspection
D. Auscultation
Answer: C. Inspection
Rationale: Inspection is always the first step—observing posture, skin, symmetry,
etc.
8.
When assessing pupillary light reflex, the nurse is testing which cranial nerves?
A. CN II and CN III
B. CN IV and CN VI
C. CN V and CN VII
D. CN VIII and CN IX
Answer: A. CN II and CN III
Rationale: CN II (optic) detects light, CN III (oculomotor) causes constriction.
9.
, Which sound is expected when percussing a healthy lung?
A. Tympany
B. Dullness
C. Resonance
D. Flatness
Answer: C. Resonance
Rationale: Resonance is the normal sound over healthy air-filled lung tissue.
10.
The nurse notices a patient’s trachea is shifted to the left side. This may indicate:
A. Normal finding
B. Pneumothorax or large pleural effusion
C. Asthma attack
D. Pulmonary embolism
Answer: B. Pneumothorax or large pleural effusion
Rationale: Tracheal deviation is abnormal and usually indicates a shift caused by
pressure changes.
11.
A nurse asks the patient to shrug their shoulders against resistance. This tests which
cranial nerve?
A. CN IX
B. CN X
C. CN XI (Spinal Accessory)
D. CN XII
Answer: C. CN XI (Spinal Accessory)
Rationale: The spinal accessory nerve controls the trapezius and
sternocleidomastoid muscles.
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS ALREADY GRADED A+, GUARANTEED
PASS
1.
During a physical assessment, the nurse uses the diaphragm of the stethoscope
primarily to:
A. Detect low-pitched sounds
B. Detect high-pitched sounds
C. Detect heart murmurs only
D. Detect bruits only
Answer: B. Detect high-pitched sounds
Rationale: The diaphragm is best for high-pitched sounds such as breath, bowel,
and normal heart sounds.
2.
The bell of the stethoscope is most useful for:
A. High-pitched lung sounds
B. Low-pitched heart murmurs
C. Blood pressure readings
D. Bowel sounds
Answer: B. Low-pitched heart murmurs
Rationale: The bell detects low-pitched sounds like murmurs and some vascular
bruits.
3.
,Which cranial nerve is assessed by testing visual acuity?
A. Cranial Nerve II (Optic)
B. Cranial Nerve III (Oculomotor)
C. Cranial Nerve IV (Trochlear)
D. Cranial Nerve VI (Abducens)
Answer: A. Cranial Nerve II (Optic)
Rationale: The optic nerve is responsible for vision and is tested with Snellen or
Rosenbaum charts.
4.
A nurse asks a patient to smile, frown, and show their teeth. This is testing which
cranial nerve?
A. CN VII (Facial)
B. CN V (Trigeminal)
C. CN IX (Glossopharyngeal)
D. CN X (Vagus)
Answer: A. CN VII (Facial)
Rationale: The facial nerve controls facial expressions and symmetry.
5.
Which finding would be considered abnormal in a lung assessment?
A. Resonance over lung fields
B. Symmetric chest expansion
C. Crackles heard on auscultation
D. Bronchial breath sounds over trachea
Answer: C. Crackles heard on auscultation
Rationale: Crackles indicate fluid in alveoli and are abnormal.
6.
,The nurse palpates the dorsalis pedis pulse to assess:
A. Cerebral perfusion
B. Peripheral circulation in the foot
C. Carotid artery patency
D. Jugular vein distension
Answer: B. Peripheral circulation in the foot
Rationale: Dorsalis pedis pulse is used to assess peripheral perfusion and
circulation.
7.
Which assessment technique is performed first during a physical exam?
A. Percussion
B. Palpation
C. Inspection
D. Auscultation
Answer: C. Inspection
Rationale: Inspection is always the first step—observing posture, skin, symmetry,
etc.
8.
When assessing pupillary light reflex, the nurse is testing which cranial nerves?
A. CN II and CN III
B. CN IV and CN VI
C. CN V and CN VII
D. CN VIII and CN IX
Answer: A. CN II and CN III
Rationale: CN II (optic) detects light, CN III (oculomotor) causes constriction.
9.
, Which sound is expected when percussing a healthy lung?
A. Tympany
B. Dullness
C. Resonance
D. Flatness
Answer: C. Resonance
Rationale: Resonance is the normal sound over healthy air-filled lung tissue.
10.
The nurse notices a patient’s trachea is shifted to the left side. This may indicate:
A. Normal finding
B. Pneumothorax or large pleural effusion
C. Asthma attack
D. Pulmonary embolism
Answer: B. Pneumothorax or large pleural effusion
Rationale: Tracheal deviation is abnormal and usually indicates a shift caused by
pressure changes.
11.
A nurse asks the patient to shrug their shoulders against resistance. This tests which
cranial nerve?
A. CN IX
B. CN X
C. CN XI (Spinal Accessory)
D. CN XII
Answer: C. CN XI (Spinal Accessory)
Rationale: The spinal accessory nerve controls the trapezius and
sternocleidomastoid muscles.
