NURS 104L Fundamentals of Nursing Skills Lab Week 3 Comprehensive
Quiz 2026 |WCU
1. During a physical assessment of the abdomen, in which order should the
nurse perform the assessment techniques?
A. Inspection, Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation
B. Auscultation, Inspection, Palpation, Percussion
C. Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion, Palpation
D. Percussion, Auscultation, Palpation, Inspection
Answer: C
Rationale: For the abdominal assessment, the sequence is changed to Inspection,
Auscultation, Percussion, and Palpation (IAPP) to avoid altering bowel sounds through
physical manipulation.
2. A nurse is measuring a patient’s blood pressure and finds the cuff is too
narrow for the patient’s arm. What impact will this have on the reading?
A. The reading will be falsely low.
B. The reading will be accurate if the patient is supine.
C. The systolic pressure will be accurate, but diastolic will be low.
D. The reading will be falsely high.
Answer: D
Rationale: Using a blood pressure cuff that is too small or too narrow will result in a falsely
high blood pressure reading.
,3. Which of the following findings would most likely indicate orthostatic
hypotension in a patient moving from a supine to a standing position?
A. A decrease in systolic blood pressure by 10 mmHg
B. A decrease in systolic blood pressure by 20 mmHg
C. An increase in diastolic blood pressure by 5 mmHg
D. A decrease in heart rate by 15 beats per minute
Answer: B
Rationale: Orthostatic hypotension is defined as a drop in systolic blood pressure of at
least 20 mmHg or a drop in diastolic blood pressure of at least 10 mmHg within three
minutes of standing.
4. When performing hand hygiene after caring for a patient with Clostridioides
difficile (C. diff), what is the most appropriate action?
A. Wash hands with soap and water.
B. Use an alcohol-based hand rub for at least 15 seconds.
C. Use a chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) wipe.
D. No specific action is needed if gloves were worn.
Answer: A
Rationale: C. difficile spores are resistant to alcohol-based hand rubs; therefore, physical
scrubbing with soap and water is required to mechanically remove the spores.
5. A nurse is assessing the apical pulse of a patient. At which anatomical
location should the nurse place the stethoscope?
A. Second intercostal space at the right sternal border
B. Second intercostal space at the left sternal border
C. Fifth intercostal space at the left midclavicular line
D. Fourth intercostal space at the left sternal border
Answer: C
, Rationale: The apical pulse, or point of maximal impulse (PMI), is located at the fifth
intercostal space, left midclavicular line.
6. What is the primary purpose of the ‘bell’ on a stethoscope during a physical
assessment?
A. To hear high-pitched sounds like bowel sounds
B. To hear low-pitched sounds like heart murmurs or bruits
C. To amplify all body sounds equally
D. To listen to normal breath sounds
Answer: B
Rationale: The bell of the stethoscope is best for hearing low-pitched sounds, such as
vascular bruits and certain heart murmurs. The diaphragm is used for high-pitched sounds.
7. When opening a sterile package, which flap should the nurse open first?
A. The flap closest to the body
B. The flap to the right
C. The flap to the left
D. The flap furthest away from the body
Answer: D
Rationale: To prevent reaching over the sterile field, which would contaminate it, the
nurse should first open the flap that is furthest away from them.
8. A patient is on Airborne Precautions. Which of the following PPE is specifically
required for the nurse before entering the room?
A. Surgical mask
B. Gown and gloves
C. Face shield
D. N95 respirator
Answer: D
Quiz 2026 |WCU
1. During a physical assessment of the abdomen, in which order should the
nurse perform the assessment techniques?
A. Inspection, Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation
B. Auscultation, Inspection, Palpation, Percussion
C. Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion, Palpation
D. Percussion, Auscultation, Palpation, Inspection
Answer: C
Rationale: For the abdominal assessment, the sequence is changed to Inspection,
Auscultation, Percussion, and Palpation (IAPP) to avoid altering bowel sounds through
physical manipulation.
2. A nurse is measuring a patient’s blood pressure and finds the cuff is too
narrow for the patient’s arm. What impact will this have on the reading?
A. The reading will be falsely low.
B. The reading will be accurate if the patient is supine.
C. The systolic pressure will be accurate, but diastolic will be low.
D. The reading will be falsely high.
Answer: D
Rationale: Using a blood pressure cuff that is too small or too narrow will result in a falsely
high blood pressure reading.
,3. Which of the following findings would most likely indicate orthostatic
hypotension in a patient moving from a supine to a standing position?
A. A decrease in systolic blood pressure by 10 mmHg
B. A decrease in systolic blood pressure by 20 mmHg
C. An increase in diastolic blood pressure by 5 mmHg
D. A decrease in heart rate by 15 beats per minute
Answer: B
Rationale: Orthostatic hypotension is defined as a drop in systolic blood pressure of at
least 20 mmHg or a drop in diastolic blood pressure of at least 10 mmHg within three
minutes of standing.
4. When performing hand hygiene after caring for a patient with Clostridioides
difficile (C. diff), what is the most appropriate action?
A. Wash hands with soap and water.
B. Use an alcohol-based hand rub for at least 15 seconds.
C. Use a chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) wipe.
D. No specific action is needed if gloves were worn.
Answer: A
Rationale: C. difficile spores are resistant to alcohol-based hand rubs; therefore, physical
scrubbing with soap and water is required to mechanically remove the spores.
5. A nurse is assessing the apical pulse of a patient. At which anatomical
location should the nurse place the stethoscope?
A. Second intercostal space at the right sternal border
B. Second intercostal space at the left sternal border
C. Fifth intercostal space at the left midclavicular line
D. Fourth intercostal space at the left sternal border
Answer: C
, Rationale: The apical pulse, or point of maximal impulse (PMI), is located at the fifth
intercostal space, left midclavicular line.
6. What is the primary purpose of the ‘bell’ on a stethoscope during a physical
assessment?
A. To hear high-pitched sounds like bowel sounds
B. To hear low-pitched sounds like heart murmurs or bruits
C. To amplify all body sounds equally
D. To listen to normal breath sounds
Answer: B
Rationale: The bell of the stethoscope is best for hearing low-pitched sounds, such as
vascular bruits and certain heart murmurs. The diaphragm is used for high-pitched sounds.
7. When opening a sterile package, which flap should the nurse open first?
A. The flap closest to the body
B. The flap to the right
C. The flap to the left
D. The flap furthest away from the body
Answer: D
Rationale: To prevent reaching over the sterile field, which would contaminate it, the
nurse should first open the flap that is furthest away from them.
8. A patient is on Airborne Precautions. Which of the following PPE is specifically
required for the nurse before entering the room?
A. Surgical mask
B. Gown and gloves
C. Face shield
D. N95 respirator
Answer: D
