PHYSICAL EXAMINATION ACTUAL EXAM
PAPER 2026 QUESTIONS ANSWERS GRADED
A+
◉ List the principles related to the nurse performing daily physical
examinations. (4) Answer: a. A head-to-toe assessment is required
daily
b. Reassessment is performed when the patient's condition changes
as it improves or worsens
c. The environment, equipment, and patient are properly prepared
d. Safety for confused patients should be a priority
◉ Proper preparation for examination should include: (5) Answer: a.
Infection control
b. Environment
c. Equipment
d. Physical preparation of the patient
e. Psychological preparation of the patient
◉ List seven variations in the nurse's individual style that are
appropriate when examining children. (7) Answer: a. Gather all or
part of the histories of infants and children from parents
,b. Perform the examination in a nonthreatening are and provide
time for play
c. Offer support to the parents during the examination and do not
pass judgment
d. Call children by their first names and address their parents as Mr.
and Mrs.
e. Use open-ended questions to allow parents to share more
information
f. Treat adolescents as adults
g. Provide confidentiality for adolescents; speak alone with them
◉ List seven variations in the nurse's individual style that are
appropriate wen examining older adults. (7) Answer: a. Do not
stereotype about aging patients's level of cognition
b. Be sensitive to sensory or physical limitations (more time)
c. Adequate space is needed
d. use patience, allow for pauses, and observe for details
e. Certain types of information may be stressful to give
f. Perform the examination near bathroom facilities
g. Be alert for signs of increasing fatigue
◉ Identify the principles to follow to keep an examination well
organized. (7) Answer: a. Compare both sides for symmetry
,b. If a patient is ill, first assess the systems of the body part most at
risk
c. Offer rest periods if the patient becomes fatigued
d. Perform painful procedures near the end of the examination
e. Record assessments in specific terms in the record
f. Use common and accepted medical terms and abbreviations
g. Record quick notes during the examination to avoid delays
◉ Define inspection. Answer: Looking, listening, and smelling to
distinguish normal from abnormal findings
◉ Identify the guidelines to achieve the best results during
inspection. (6) Answer: a. Adequate lighting is available
b. Use direct light source
c. Inspect each area for size, shape, color, symmetry, position, and
abnormality
d. Position and expose body parts as needed, maintaining privacy
e. Check for side-to-side symmetry
f. Validate findings with the patient
◉ Define palpation Answer: Using the hands to touch body parts.
◉ Light palpation Answer: Pressing inward 1 cm (surperficial)
, ◉ Deep palpation Answer: Depressing the area 4 cm to assess the
conditions of organs.
◉ Define auscultation Answer: Listening to the internal sounds the
body makes.
◉ Auscultating sounds: Frequency Answer: Frequency indicates the
number of sound wave cycles generated per second by a vibrating
object
◉ Auscultating sounds: Amplitude Answer: Loudness, soft to loud
◉ Auscultating sounds: Quality Answer: Sounds of similar frequency
and loudness
◉ Auscultating sounds: Duration Answer: Length of time that sound
vibrations last
◉ List at least 12 specific observations of the patient's general
appearance and behavior that should be reviewed. (12) Answer: a.
Gender and race
b. Age
c. Signs of distress
PAPER 2026 QUESTIONS ANSWERS GRADED
A+
◉ List the principles related to the nurse performing daily physical
examinations. (4) Answer: a. A head-to-toe assessment is required
daily
b. Reassessment is performed when the patient's condition changes
as it improves or worsens
c. The environment, equipment, and patient are properly prepared
d. Safety for confused patients should be a priority
◉ Proper preparation for examination should include: (5) Answer: a.
Infection control
b. Environment
c. Equipment
d. Physical preparation of the patient
e. Psychological preparation of the patient
◉ List seven variations in the nurse's individual style that are
appropriate when examining children. (7) Answer: a. Gather all or
part of the histories of infants and children from parents
,b. Perform the examination in a nonthreatening are and provide
time for play
c. Offer support to the parents during the examination and do not
pass judgment
d. Call children by their first names and address their parents as Mr.
and Mrs.
e. Use open-ended questions to allow parents to share more
information
f. Treat adolescents as adults
g. Provide confidentiality for adolescents; speak alone with them
◉ List seven variations in the nurse's individual style that are
appropriate wen examining older adults. (7) Answer: a. Do not
stereotype about aging patients's level of cognition
b. Be sensitive to sensory or physical limitations (more time)
c. Adequate space is needed
d. use patience, allow for pauses, and observe for details
e. Certain types of information may be stressful to give
f. Perform the examination near bathroom facilities
g. Be alert for signs of increasing fatigue
◉ Identify the principles to follow to keep an examination well
organized. (7) Answer: a. Compare both sides for symmetry
,b. If a patient is ill, first assess the systems of the body part most at
risk
c. Offer rest periods if the patient becomes fatigued
d. Perform painful procedures near the end of the examination
e. Record assessments in specific terms in the record
f. Use common and accepted medical terms and abbreviations
g. Record quick notes during the examination to avoid delays
◉ Define inspection. Answer: Looking, listening, and smelling to
distinguish normal from abnormal findings
◉ Identify the guidelines to achieve the best results during
inspection. (6) Answer: a. Adequate lighting is available
b. Use direct light source
c. Inspect each area for size, shape, color, symmetry, position, and
abnormality
d. Position and expose body parts as needed, maintaining privacy
e. Check for side-to-side symmetry
f. Validate findings with the patient
◉ Define palpation Answer: Using the hands to touch body parts.
◉ Light palpation Answer: Pressing inward 1 cm (surperficial)
, ◉ Deep palpation Answer: Depressing the area 4 cm to assess the
conditions of organs.
◉ Define auscultation Answer: Listening to the internal sounds the
body makes.
◉ Auscultating sounds: Frequency Answer: Frequency indicates the
number of sound wave cycles generated per second by a vibrating
object
◉ Auscultating sounds: Amplitude Answer: Loudness, soft to loud
◉ Auscultating sounds: Quality Answer: Sounds of similar frequency
and loudness
◉ Auscultating sounds: Duration Answer: Length of time that sound
vibrations last
◉ List at least 12 specific observations of the patient's general
appearance and behavior that should be reviewed. (12) Answer: a.
Gender and race
b. Age
c. Signs of distress
