Rasmussen Univ NUR 2180 Module 8 (pdf) | 2026/2027 | Phys Assess
Q&A | Physical Assessment
**1. Which of the following factors is most likely to depress (decrease) the
respiratory rate?**
A) Exercise
B) Anxiety
C) Low hemoglobin level in the blood
D) Narcotic and sedative medications
Correct Answer: Narcotic and sedative medications
Rationale: Narcotic and sedative medications are central nervous system
depressants that directly act on the medullary respiratory center, slowing the
respiratory drive. Exercise and anxiety increase respiratory rate, and low
hemoglobin is more associated with increased respiratory effort to
compensate for hypoxia.
**2. A postoperative patient is breathing rapidly. What is the nurse's highest
priority action?**
A) Count the respirations
B) Assess the oxygen saturation
C) Call the physician
D) Ask the client if they feel uncomfortable
Correct Answer: Assess the oxygen saturation
Rationale: Rapid breathing (tachypnea) in a postoperative patient is a
potential indicator of hypoxia, pain, or other complications. Assessing oxygen
saturation provides immediate objective data about the patient's
oxygenation status and guides the need for further intervention.
,**3. The medical term for a client experiencing difficulty breathing is:**
A) Tachypnea
B) Dyspnea
C) Orthopnea
D) Apnea
Correct Answer: Dyspnea
Rationale: Dyspnea is the subjective experience of difficulty or
uncomfortable breathing. Tachypnea refers to a rapid respiratory rate,
orthopnea is difficulty breathing when lying flat, and apnea is the absence of
breathing.
**4. A measurement of oxygen saturation and perfusion is obtained by:**
A) An incentive spirometer
B) A peak flow meter
C) A pulse oximeter
D) A sphygmomanometer
Correct Answer: A pulse oximeter
Rationale: A pulse oximeter is a non-invasive device that measures the
oxygen saturation of hemoglobin in arterial blood (SpO₂) and provides an
indirect assessment of tissue perfusion. An incentive spirometer measures
lung volume, a peak flow meter measures expiratory flow, and a
sphygmomanometer measures blood pressure.
,**5. Where does the nurse listen to determine if a bruit is present (or
absent)?**
A) Over the carotid artery, one at a time
B) Over the femoral artery
C) Over the abdominal aorta
D) Over the popliteal artery
Correct Answer: Over the carotid artery, one at a time
Rationale: A bruit is an abnormal, whooshing sound caused by turbulent
blood flow, often due to stenosis. The carotid arteries are a common site for
auscultating bruits to assess for carotid artery disease. Each side should be
listened to separately to avoid confusing sounds.
**6. What is the correct term for the abnormal anterior curvature of the
lumbar spine, often described as a sway-back condition?**
A) Kyphosis
B) Lordosis
C) Scoliosis
D) Spondylosis
Correct Answer: Lordosis
Rationale: Lordosis is an exaggerated inward curvature of the lumbar spine.
Kyphosis is an exaggerated outward curvature of the thoracic spine
(hunchback), scoliosis is a lateral curvature, and spondylosis is a
degenerative condition of the spine.
**7. A patient reports being unsteady on their feet. What should the nurse
assess to evaluate cerebellar function?**
, A) Muscle strength
B) Balance
C) Sensation
D) Deep tendon reflexes
Correct Answer: Balance
Rationale: The cerebellum is primarily responsible for coordination and
balance. If a patient reports being unsteady, the nurse should assess balance
through tests such as the Romberg test, heel-to-toe walking, and the finger-
to-nose test.
**8. How should the nurse assess the different deep tendon reflexes?**
A) Apply pressure to the tendon and observe for a slow response
B) Use a brisk strike at the tendon insertion with a reflex hammer
C) Use a tuning fork on the tendon and ask the patient if they feel the
vibration
D) Gently pinch the tendon between the thumb and forefinger
Correct Answer: Use a brisk strike at the tendon insertion with a reflex
hammer
Rationale: Deep tendon reflexes (DTRs) are elicited by a brisk strike at the
tendon insertion using a reflex hammer. The hammer should not rest on the
skin after the strike to allow the tendon to recoil freely and produce a
response.
**9. The briskness of a deep tendon reflex response is graded on which
scale?**
A) 0 to 5
Q&A | Physical Assessment
**1. Which of the following factors is most likely to depress (decrease) the
respiratory rate?**
A) Exercise
B) Anxiety
C) Low hemoglobin level in the blood
D) Narcotic and sedative medications
Correct Answer: Narcotic and sedative medications
Rationale: Narcotic and sedative medications are central nervous system
depressants that directly act on the medullary respiratory center, slowing the
respiratory drive. Exercise and anxiety increase respiratory rate, and low
hemoglobin is more associated with increased respiratory effort to
compensate for hypoxia.
**2. A postoperative patient is breathing rapidly. What is the nurse's highest
priority action?**
A) Count the respirations
B) Assess the oxygen saturation
C) Call the physician
D) Ask the client if they feel uncomfortable
Correct Answer: Assess the oxygen saturation
Rationale: Rapid breathing (tachypnea) in a postoperative patient is a
potential indicator of hypoxia, pain, or other complications. Assessing oxygen
saturation provides immediate objective data about the patient's
oxygenation status and guides the need for further intervention.
,**3. The medical term for a client experiencing difficulty breathing is:**
A) Tachypnea
B) Dyspnea
C) Orthopnea
D) Apnea
Correct Answer: Dyspnea
Rationale: Dyspnea is the subjective experience of difficulty or
uncomfortable breathing. Tachypnea refers to a rapid respiratory rate,
orthopnea is difficulty breathing when lying flat, and apnea is the absence of
breathing.
**4. A measurement of oxygen saturation and perfusion is obtained by:**
A) An incentive spirometer
B) A peak flow meter
C) A pulse oximeter
D) A sphygmomanometer
Correct Answer: A pulse oximeter
Rationale: A pulse oximeter is a non-invasive device that measures the
oxygen saturation of hemoglobin in arterial blood (SpO₂) and provides an
indirect assessment of tissue perfusion. An incentive spirometer measures
lung volume, a peak flow meter measures expiratory flow, and a
sphygmomanometer measures blood pressure.
,**5. Where does the nurse listen to determine if a bruit is present (or
absent)?**
A) Over the carotid artery, one at a time
B) Over the femoral artery
C) Over the abdominal aorta
D) Over the popliteal artery
Correct Answer: Over the carotid artery, one at a time
Rationale: A bruit is an abnormal, whooshing sound caused by turbulent
blood flow, often due to stenosis. The carotid arteries are a common site for
auscultating bruits to assess for carotid artery disease. Each side should be
listened to separately to avoid confusing sounds.
**6. What is the correct term for the abnormal anterior curvature of the
lumbar spine, often described as a sway-back condition?**
A) Kyphosis
B) Lordosis
C) Scoliosis
D) Spondylosis
Correct Answer: Lordosis
Rationale: Lordosis is an exaggerated inward curvature of the lumbar spine.
Kyphosis is an exaggerated outward curvature of the thoracic spine
(hunchback), scoliosis is a lateral curvature, and spondylosis is a
degenerative condition of the spine.
**7. A patient reports being unsteady on their feet. What should the nurse
assess to evaluate cerebellar function?**
, A) Muscle strength
B) Balance
C) Sensation
D) Deep tendon reflexes
Correct Answer: Balance
Rationale: The cerebellum is primarily responsible for coordination and
balance. If a patient reports being unsteady, the nurse should assess balance
through tests such as the Romberg test, heel-to-toe walking, and the finger-
to-nose test.
**8. How should the nurse assess the different deep tendon reflexes?**
A) Apply pressure to the tendon and observe for a slow response
B) Use a brisk strike at the tendon insertion with a reflex hammer
C) Use a tuning fork on the tendon and ask the patient if they feel the
vibration
D) Gently pinch the tendon between the thumb and forefinger
Correct Answer: Use a brisk strike at the tendon insertion with a reflex
hammer
Rationale: Deep tendon reflexes (DTRs) are elicited by a brisk strike at the
tendon insertion using a reflex hammer. The hammer should not rest on the
skin after the strike to allow the tendon to recoil freely and produce a
response.
**9. The briskness of a deep tendon reflex response is graded on which
scale?**
A) 0 to 5
