NUR 376 HEALTH ASSESSMENT
COMPREHENSIVE EXAM QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS
1. During a physical assessment, the nurse is using the bell of the stethoscope. Which sound is
the nurse most likely listening for?
A. High-pitched heart sounds
B. Normal breath sounds
C. Low-pitched heart murmurs
D. Bowel sounds
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: The bell of the stethoscope is best for hearing soft, low-pitched
sounds such as extra heart sounds or murmurs, while the diaphragm is used for high-
pitched sounds like breath and bowel sounds.
2. The nurse is assessing a patient’s skin and notices a flat, circumscribed area of color change
that is less than 1 cm in diameter. How should this be documented?
A. Papule
B. Nodule
,C. Macule
D. Vesicle
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: A macule is a flat, distinct, discolored area of skin less than 1 cm
wide. A papule is raised; a vesicle contains fluid; a nodule is a solid elevated mass.
3. When assessing the pupillary light reflex, the nurse shines a light into the right eye and
observes the left pupil constricting. What is this phenomenon called?
A. Consensual light reflex
B. Direct light reflex
C. Accommodation
D. Convergence
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: The consensual light reflex is the simultaneous constriction of
the opposite pupil when one eye is exposed to bright light.
4. In what order should the nurse perform the physical assessment of the abdomen?
A. Inspection, Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation
B. Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion, Palpation
C. Auscultation, Inspection, Percussion, Palpation
, D. Percussion, Palpation, Inspection, Auscultation
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: For the abdomen, auscultation is performed after inspection
because percussion and palpation can increase peristalsis, which would yield false bowel
sounds.
5. Which heart sound represents the closure of the atrioventricular (AV) valves?
A. S3
B. S2
C. S1
D. S4
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: The first heart sound (S1) occurs with closure of the AV valves
(mitral and tricuspid) and signals the beginning of systole.
6. The nurse is assessing the lungs and hears low-pitched, bubbling, moist sounds that persist
from early inspiration to early expiration. These are best described as:
A. Wheezes
B. Coarse crackles
C. Stridor
D. Pleural friction rub
COMPREHENSIVE EXAM QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS
1. During a physical assessment, the nurse is using the bell of the stethoscope. Which sound is
the nurse most likely listening for?
A. High-pitched heart sounds
B. Normal breath sounds
C. Low-pitched heart murmurs
D. Bowel sounds
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: The bell of the stethoscope is best for hearing soft, low-pitched
sounds such as extra heart sounds or murmurs, while the diaphragm is used for high-
pitched sounds like breath and bowel sounds.
2. The nurse is assessing a patient’s skin and notices a flat, circumscribed area of color change
that is less than 1 cm in diameter. How should this be documented?
A. Papule
B. Nodule
,C. Macule
D. Vesicle
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: A macule is a flat, distinct, discolored area of skin less than 1 cm
wide. A papule is raised; a vesicle contains fluid; a nodule is a solid elevated mass.
3. When assessing the pupillary light reflex, the nurse shines a light into the right eye and
observes the left pupil constricting. What is this phenomenon called?
A. Consensual light reflex
B. Direct light reflex
C. Accommodation
D. Convergence
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: The consensual light reflex is the simultaneous constriction of
the opposite pupil when one eye is exposed to bright light.
4. In what order should the nurse perform the physical assessment of the abdomen?
A. Inspection, Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation
B. Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion, Palpation
C. Auscultation, Inspection, Percussion, Palpation
, D. Percussion, Palpation, Inspection, Auscultation
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: For the abdomen, auscultation is performed after inspection
because percussion and palpation can increase peristalsis, which would yield false bowel
sounds.
5. Which heart sound represents the closure of the atrioventricular (AV) valves?
A. S3
B. S2
C. S1
D. S4
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: The first heart sound (S1) occurs with closure of the AV valves
(mitral and tricuspid) and signals the beginning of systole.
6. The nurse is assessing the lungs and hears low-pitched, bubbling, moist sounds that persist
from early inspiration to early expiration. These are best described as:
A. Wheezes
B. Coarse crackles
C. Stridor
D. Pleural friction rub
