Nur 211 Final Exam Questions and All
Correct Answers 2026 Update.
Explain the correct way to palpate the breast. p. 359-361 - Answer Pt supine with arm over
head -
There are several different techniques to assess for lumps. It is important that the nurse has a
systematic search pattern to thoroughly assess each breast, the tail of Spence, and axillary
lymph nodes.
Circular pattern for palpation - Answer starts by palpating the areola first and moving in a
circular motion from the areola to the outer perimeter of the breast
Radial spoke pattern for palpation - Answer also known as the wedge pattern, divides the
breast into wedges; starts at the periphery of the breast and palpates toward the nipple
Vertical strip pattern for palpation - Answer starts at the sternum palpating up and down in
straight lines toward the outer perimeter of the breast, ending up in the axillary area
Describe the correct positioning for conducting a pap smear. p.363-364 - Answer Ask the
patient to undress from the waist down, but tell her that she may leave her socks on; provide a
gown, draping, and privacy for the patient.
■ Tell the patient that she can sit at the end of the examination table until the healthcare
provider is ready to perform the assessment; the healthcare provider will assist the patient into
the lithotomy position.
When the healthcare provider is ready to begin, assist the patient into the lithotomy position by
having the patient move her buttocks down to the end of the examination table; ask the patient
to place the heels of her feet into the stirrups; assist the patient as needed for comfort and
safety. Provide a sheet over her legs and knees for privacy until the assessment begins.
Explain the needed patient teaching to treat and prevent constipation - Answer Eat a High
fiber Diet, Eat fruits, veg and whole grains
Avoid high fat foods like meat, eggs and cheese (dairy)
Stay hydrated but avoid caffeine and alcohol (these will dehydrate you)
keep moving around and exercise
If needed- stool softener or laxatives
Do not read or be on phone while on toilet
,Discuss the causes of projectile vomiting in adults. p.247 - Answer Projectile vomiting
without nausea is a sign of central stimulation of the medulla; could be a sign of brain pathology
or head trauma.
Identify the 3 organs located at the midline. p.251 - Answer Aorta
Uterus
Bladder
Describe how the jugular vein changes with congestive heart failure. p.272 - Answer Visible
distention is a sign of venous pressure elevation, commonly seen in congestive heart failure and
fluid overload.
Identify where the brachial, carotid, femoral and tibial pulses are located and palpated. -
Answer Brachial Pulse : Medial side of arm at the antecubital fossa space.
Carotid Pulse: between the trachea and sternocleidomastoid muscle.
Femoral Pulse:along the crease midway between the pubic bone and the anterior iliac crest.
Tibial Pulse: behind and below the medial malleolus.
Explain the rationale for the elderly's noncompliance with prescribed medicines. - Answer
Most cases (75%) of nonadherence among older adults are intentional due to cost or side
effects of drugs
Identify the sound of percussion of the abdomen when there is air, fluid, or a hematoma
present. - Answer Air-hollow, fluid - thudding sound, hematoma - (there would be visual
representation)
Explain all the steps for starting any physical assessment on a patient. (Accept the abdomen) -
Answer inspection, palpation, percussion, auscultation
Explain the necessary teaching for male patients with a family history of breast cancer. - Answer
most common presentation of male breast cancer is painless, palpable, subareolar lump or
mass. may also present as erythema of skin, scaling of the nipple, or nipple discharge
List the health screenings recommended for male patients and their frequency. - Answer
testicular exam by doctor annually and self exams routinely
prostate screenings annually for men over age 50 or high risk men age 40+
male breast exam - self exam . for men with fam hx of breast cancer semiannual clinical exam
(starting at age 35) baseline mamogram at age 40
, Identify the elements of good patient care documentation. - Answer documentation should
be clear, concise, and detailed. subjective data should be documented using the patients exact
words and quotation marks
Identify the purpose of health assessment for nurses. - Answer Health assessment is an
essential skill to nursing practice. Assessing patients and being able to identify normal from
abnormal findings is an essential role of the RN. Nurses must be able to use learned skills to
collect information about patients' health and physical well-being.
Health assessment means assessing the whole patient. This includes:
A method to establish a baseline health history by collecting pertinent patient health status data
An organized, systematic, ongoing process of collecting, validating, and clustering data
Collecting different types of data about the individual's past and present health
Assessing factors influencing health and well-being, including
physical health
behavioral aspects of health
spirituality
social factors
economic-political aspects of health
cultural variations
lifespan and developmental considerations
Performing a physical examination.
Define the following integumentary conditions found in the elderly: bulbus hematoma,
subcutaneous abrasions, senile purpura, and epithelial contusions. - Answer bulbus
hematoma - bulging
subcutaneous abrasions - first few layers are rubbed away (stage 2 ulcer)
senile purpura - areas of ruptured fagile cappillaries and brusing of of the skin, caused by loss of
subcutaneous fat (bruise or echhymosis area)
epithelial contusions - Think goose egg
Explain how best practices of health assessment are validated. - Answer Nurses need to
maintain currency in their profession. Best practice assessments and instruments have been
validated by research. Nursing research and evidence-based practice guide our assessments and
clinical decisions to provide safe and effective care.
Comorbidities - dx current & past
Labs & diagnostic testing related to dx
Objective information - where, how much (2+pitting edema in left lower extremity)
Correct Answers 2026 Update.
Explain the correct way to palpate the breast. p. 359-361 - Answer Pt supine with arm over
head -
There are several different techniques to assess for lumps. It is important that the nurse has a
systematic search pattern to thoroughly assess each breast, the tail of Spence, and axillary
lymph nodes.
Circular pattern for palpation - Answer starts by palpating the areola first and moving in a
circular motion from the areola to the outer perimeter of the breast
Radial spoke pattern for palpation - Answer also known as the wedge pattern, divides the
breast into wedges; starts at the periphery of the breast and palpates toward the nipple
Vertical strip pattern for palpation - Answer starts at the sternum palpating up and down in
straight lines toward the outer perimeter of the breast, ending up in the axillary area
Describe the correct positioning for conducting a pap smear. p.363-364 - Answer Ask the
patient to undress from the waist down, but tell her that she may leave her socks on; provide a
gown, draping, and privacy for the patient.
■ Tell the patient that she can sit at the end of the examination table until the healthcare
provider is ready to perform the assessment; the healthcare provider will assist the patient into
the lithotomy position.
When the healthcare provider is ready to begin, assist the patient into the lithotomy position by
having the patient move her buttocks down to the end of the examination table; ask the patient
to place the heels of her feet into the stirrups; assist the patient as needed for comfort and
safety. Provide a sheet over her legs and knees for privacy until the assessment begins.
Explain the needed patient teaching to treat and prevent constipation - Answer Eat a High
fiber Diet, Eat fruits, veg and whole grains
Avoid high fat foods like meat, eggs and cheese (dairy)
Stay hydrated but avoid caffeine and alcohol (these will dehydrate you)
keep moving around and exercise
If needed- stool softener or laxatives
Do not read or be on phone while on toilet
,Discuss the causes of projectile vomiting in adults. p.247 - Answer Projectile vomiting
without nausea is a sign of central stimulation of the medulla; could be a sign of brain pathology
or head trauma.
Identify the 3 organs located at the midline. p.251 - Answer Aorta
Uterus
Bladder
Describe how the jugular vein changes with congestive heart failure. p.272 - Answer Visible
distention is a sign of venous pressure elevation, commonly seen in congestive heart failure and
fluid overload.
Identify where the brachial, carotid, femoral and tibial pulses are located and palpated. -
Answer Brachial Pulse : Medial side of arm at the antecubital fossa space.
Carotid Pulse: between the trachea and sternocleidomastoid muscle.
Femoral Pulse:along the crease midway between the pubic bone and the anterior iliac crest.
Tibial Pulse: behind and below the medial malleolus.
Explain the rationale for the elderly's noncompliance with prescribed medicines. - Answer
Most cases (75%) of nonadherence among older adults are intentional due to cost or side
effects of drugs
Identify the sound of percussion of the abdomen when there is air, fluid, or a hematoma
present. - Answer Air-hollow, fluid - thudding sound, hematoma - (there would be visual
representation)
Explain all the steps for starting any physical assessment on a patient. (Accept the abdomen) -
Answer inspection, palpation, percussion, auscultation
Explain the necessary teaching for male patients with a family history of breast cancer. - Answer
most common presentation of male breast cancer is painless, palpable, subareolar lump or
mass. may also present as erythema of skin, scaling of the nipple, or nipple discharge
List the health screenings recommended for male patients and their frequency. - Answer
testicular exam by doctor annually and self exams routinely
prostate screenings annually for men over age 50 or high risk men age 40+
male breast exam - self exam . for men with fam hx of breast cancer semiannual clinical exam
(starting at age 35) baseline mamogram at age 40
, Identify the elements of good patient care documentation. - Answer documentation should
be clear, concise, and detailed. subjective data should be documented using the patients exact
words and quotation marks
Identify the purpose of health assessment for nurses. - Answer Health assessment is an
essential skill to nursing practice. Assessing patients and being able to identify normal from
abnormal findings is an essential role of the RN. Nurses must be able to use learned skills to
collect information about patients' health and physical well-being.
Health assessment means assessing the whole patient. This includes:
A method to establish a baseline health history by collecting pertinent patient health status data
An organized, systematic, ongoing process of collecting, validating, and clustering data
Collecting different types of data about the individual's past and present health
Assessing factors influencing health and well-being, including
physical health
behavioral aspects of health
spirituality
social factors
economic-political aspects of health
cultural variations
lifespan and developmental considerations
Performing a physical examination.
Define the following integumentary conditions found in the elderly: bulbus hematoma,
subcutaneous abrasions, senile purpura, and epithelial contusions. - Answer bulbus
hematoma - bulging
subcutaneous abrasions - first few layers are rubbed away (stage 2 ulcer)
senile purpura - areas of ruptured fagile cappillaries and brusing of of the skin, caused by loss of
subcutaneous fat (bruise or echhymosis area)
epithelial contusions - Think goose egg
Explain how best practices of health assessment are validated. - Answer Nurses need to
maintain currency in their profession. Best practice assessments and instruments have been
validated by research. Nursing research and evidence-based practice guide our assessments and
clinical decisions to provide safe and effective care.
Comorbidities - dx current & past
Labs & diagnostic testing related to dx
Objective information - where, how much (2+pitting edema in left lower extremity)
