University of North Carolina
LANIF · 613 GSN
School of Nursing
UNC
EST. 1789
LUX LIBERTAS — LIGHT AND LIBERTY
NSG-316 Final Exam — University of North Carolina
H E A LT H A SS E SS M E N T AC R O SS T H E L I F E S PA N
INSTITUTION University of North Carolina at COURSE CODE NSG-316
Chapel Hill
PROGRAM Bachelor of Science in Nursing ACADEMIC YEAR
EXAM TITLE NSG-316 Final Exam — University TOTAL QUESTIONS 82 Questions
of North Carolina
COURSE TITLE Health Assessment Across the FORMAT Multiple Choice — Select the
Lifespan Single Best Answer
EXAMINATION INSTRUCTIONS
▸ Select the single best answer for each question unless otherwise instructed.
▸ Health assessment techniques, musculoskeletal examination, mental status, and GI/GU assessment are
all testable content.
▸ Age-related changes, developmental considerations, and screening tools are emphasized.
▸ Correct answers and rationales appear below each question for review purposes.
▸ All content reflects the NSG-316 Health Assessment curriculum.
, SECTION I — HEALTH ASSESSMENT: GI, GU,
Questions 1 – 82
MUSCULOSKELETAL & MENTAL HEALTH
1. What is the normal contour of the abdomen?
A. Flat or rounded
B. Scaphoid or sunken
C. Protruding or distended
D. Asymmetric or bulging
CORRECT ANSWER A — Flat or rounded
RATIONALE The normal contour of the abdomen is flat or rounded. A scaphoid or sunken
abdomen may indicate malnutrition or dehydration. Protruding or distended
contours may indicate obesity, ascites, or organomegaly.
2. What does the contour of the abdomen describe?
A. Nutritional state
B. Bowel function
C. Kidney function
D. Liver size
CORRECT ANSWER A — Nutritional state
RATIONALE The contour of the abdomen describes the nutritional state of the patient. A flat
or rounded contour indicates adequate nutrition, while a scaphoid abdomen may
indicate malnutrition or significant weight loss.
,3. How should you auscultate bowel sounds?
A. Use the diaphragm of the stethoscope, hold lightly against skin, begin in RLQ
B. Use the bell of the stethoscope, hold firmly against skin, begin in RUQ
C. Use the diaphragm, hold firmly against skin, begin in LUQ
D. Use the bell, hold lightly against skin, begin in LLQ
CORRECT ANSWER A — Use the diaphragm of the stethoscope, hold lightly against skin, begin
in RLQ
RATIONALE Bowel sounds are auscultated using the diaphragm of the stethoscope, held
lightly against the skin. Assessment should begin in the right lower quadrant
(RLQ) where the ileocecal valve is located, as bowel sounds are normally heard
here first.
4. How long do you need to auscultate in each quadrant to determine bowel sounds are
completely absent?
A. 5 minutes
B. 2 minutes
C. 1 minute
D. 10 minutes
CORRECT ANSWER A — 5 minutes
RATIONALE To determine that bowel sounds are completely absent, the nurse must
auscultate in each quadrant for a full 5 minutes. This ensures that absent bowel
sounds are truly absent and not just difficult to hear due to decreased peristalsis.
, 5. How should you auscultate vascular sounds?
A. Use the bell of the stethoscope, use firmer pressure over the arteries
B. Use the diaphragm, use light pressure over the arteries
C. Use the bell, use light pressure over the arteries
D. Use the diaphragm, use firm pressure over the arteries
CORRECT ANSWER A — Use the bell of the stethoscope, use firmer pressure over the arteries
RATIONALE Vascular sounds should be auscultated using the bell of the stethoscope with
firmer pressure over the arteries. The bell is better for detecting low-pitched
sounds such as bruits and vascular flow.
6. Is there usually tenderness when palpating the sigmoid colon?
A. Yes
B. No
C. Only in elderly patients
D. Only in patients with constipation
CORRECT ANSWER A — Yes
RATIONALE There is usually tenderness when palpating the sigmoid colon. This is normal due
to the presence of stool in the sigmoid colon, which can cause discomfort during
palpation.
7. What is the tonsil grading scale for 3+?
A. Touching the uvula
B. Visible
C. Halfway between tonsillar pillars and uvula
D. Touching each other
CORRECT ANSWER A — Touching the uvula
RATIONALE Tonsil grading: 1+ = visible, 2+ = halfway between tonsillar pillars and uvula, 3+ =
touching the uvula, 4+ = touching each other. Normal tonsils are graded 1-2 in
healthy individuals.
LANIF · 613 GSN
School of Nursing
UNC
EST. 1789
LUX LIBERTAS — LIGHT AND LIBERTY
NSG-316 Final Exam — University of North Carolina
H E A LT H A SS E SS M E N T AC R O SS T H E L I F E S PA N
INSTITUTION University of North Carolina at COURSE CODE NSG-316
Chapel Hill
PROGRAM Bachelor of Science in Nursing ACADEMIC YEAR
EXAM TITLE NSG-316 Final Exam — University TOTAL QUESTIONS 82 Questions
of North Carolina
COURSE TITLE Health Assessment Across the FORMAT Multiple Choice — Select the
Lifespan Single Best Answer
EXAMINATION INSTRUCTIONS
▸ Select the single best answer for each question unless otherwise instructed.
▸ Health assessment techniques, musculoskeletal examination, mental status, and GI/GU assessment are
all testable content.
▸ Age-related changes, developmental considerations, and screening tools are emphasized.
▸ Correct answers and rationales appear below each question for review purposes.
▸ All content reflects the NSG-316 Health Assessment curriculum.
, SECTION I — HEALTH ASSESSMENT: GI, GU,
Questions 1 – 82
MUSCULOSKELETAL & MENTAL HEALTH
1. What is the normal contour of the abdomen?
A. Flat or rounded
B. Scaphoid or sunken
C. Protruding or distended
D. Asymmetric or bulging
CORRECT ANSWER A — Flat or rounded
RATIONALE The normal contour of the abdomen is flat or rounded. A scaphoid or sunken
abdomen may indicate malnutrition or dehydration. Protruding or distended
contours may indicate obesity, ascites, or organomegaly.
2. What does the contour of the abdomen describe?
A. Nutritional state
B. Bowel function
C. Kidney function
D. Liver size
CORRECT ANSWER A — Nutritional state
RATIONALE The contour of the abdomen describes the nutritional state of the patient. A flat
or rounded contour indicates adequate nutrition, while a scaphoid abdomen may
indicate malnutrition or significant weight loss.
,3. How should you auscultate bowel sounds?
A. Use the diaphragm of the stethoscope, hold lightly against skin, begin in RLQ
B. Use the bell of the stethoscope, hold firmly against skin, begin in RUQ
C. Use the diaphragm, hold firmly against skin, begin in LUQ
D. Use the bell, hold lightly against skin, begin in LLQ
CORRECT ANSWER A — Use the diaphragm of the stethoscope, hold lightly against skin, begin
in RLQ
RATIONALE Bowel sounds are auscultated using the diaphragm of the stethoscope, held
lightly against the skin. Assessment should begin in the right lower quadrant
(RLQ) where the ileocecal valve is located, as bowel sounds are normally heard
here first.
4. How long do you need to auscultate in each quadrant to determine bowel sounds are
completely absent?
A. 5 minutes
B. 2 minutes
C. 1 minute
D. 10 minutes
CORRECT ANSWER A — 5 minutes
RATIONALE To determine that bowel sounds are completely absent, the nurse must
auscultate in each quadrant for a full 5 minutes. This ensures that absent bowel
sounds are truly absent and not just difficult to hear due to decreased peristalsis.
, 5. How should you auscultate vascular sounds?
A. Use the bell of the stethoscope, use firmer pressure over the arteries
B. Use the diaphragm, use light pressure over the arteries
C. Use the bell, use light pressure over the arteries
D. Use the diaphragm, use firm pressure over the arteries
CORRECT ANSWER A — Use the bell of the stethoscope, use firmer pressure over the arteries
RATIONALE Vascular sounds should be auscultated using the bell of the stethoscope with
firmer pressure over the arteries. The bell is better for detecting low-pitched
sounds such as bruits and vascular flow.
6. Is there usually tenderness when palpating the sigmoid colon?
A. Yes
B. No
C. Only in elderly patients
D. Only in patients with constipation
CORRECT ANSWER A — Yes
RATIONALE There is usually tenderness when palpating the sigmoid colon. This is normal due
to the presence of stool in the sigmoid colon, which can cause discomfort during
palpation.
7. What is the tonsil grading scale for 3+?
A. Touching the uvula
B. Visible
C. Halfway between tonsillar pillars and uvula
D. Touching each other
CORRECT ANSWER A — Touching the uvula
RATIONALE Tonsil grading: 1+ = visible, 2+ = halfway between tonsillar pillars and uvula, 3+ =
touching the uvula, 4+ = touching each other. Normal tonsils are graded 1-2 in
healthy individuals.
