NURS 190 PHYSICAL ASSESSMENT
WEEK 9 COMPREHENSIVE QUIZ
1. When performing an abdominal assessment, which sequence of techniques should the
nurse follow to ensure accurate findings?
A. Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion, Palpation
B. Inspection, Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation
C. Auscultation, Inspection, Palpation, Percussion
D. Percussion, Auscultation, Inspection, Palpation
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Auscultation is performed before percussion and palpation
because manual manipulation of the abdomen can stimulate peristalsis and alter the
frequency and character of bowel sounds.
2. A patient presents with sharp pain in the Right Upper Quadrant (RUQ) that radiates to the
right scapula. The nurse suspects cholecystitis. Which specialized assessment should be
performed?
A. McBurney’s Point tenderness
,B. Rovsing’s Sign
C. Psoas Sign
D. Murphy’s Sign
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Murphy’s Sign is a clinical test for cholecystitis. It is positive if
the patient experiences sharp pain and abruptly stops inhaling (inspiratory arrest) when
the nurse palpates the liver border during a deep breath.
3. While auscultating the abdomen, the nurse hears loud, high-pitched, rushing, tinkling
sounds. How should these findings be documented?
A. Hyperactive bowel sounds
B. Borborygmus
C. Hypoactive bowel sounds
D. Bruit
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Hyperactive bowel sounds are loud and high-pitched, indicating
increased motility. Borborygmus is a specific type of hyperactive sound, often described as
‘stomach growling.’
, 4. The nurse is percussing a patient’s abdomen and notes a dull sound in the Traube space.
This finding is most likely associated with which condition?
A. Hepatomegaly
B. Sigmoid volvulus
C. Ascites
D. Splenomegaly
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Traube space is located over the spleen; percussion of this area
usually yields tympany. Dullness in this region suggests splenomegaly (enlarged spleen).
5. A nurse is assessing a male patient for an inguinal hernia. Which instruction should the
nurse give to the patient to help elicit the hernia?
A. ‘Take a deep breath and hold it.’
B. ‘Lie flat and lift your legs toward the ceiling.’
C. ‘Perform the Valsalva maneuver or cough.’
D. ‘Exhale completely and relax your abdominal muscles.’
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Increased intra-abdominal pressure from coughing or the
Valsalva maneuver forces the bowel or omentum into the inguinal canal, making the hernia
visible or palpable.
WEEK 9 COMPREHENSIVE QUIZ
1. When performing an abdominal assessment, which sequence of techniques should the
nurse follow to ensure accurate findings?
A. Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion, Palpation
B. Inspection, Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation
C. Auscultation, Inspection, Palpation, Percussion
D. Percussion, Auscultation, Inspection, Palpation
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Auscultation is performed before percussion and palpation
because manual manipulation of the abdomen can stimulate peristalsis and alter the
frequency and character of bowel sounds.
2. A patient presents with sharp pain in the Right Upper Quadrant (RUQ) that radiates to the
right scapula. The nurse suspects cholecystitis. Which specialized assessment should be
performed?
A. McBurney’s Point tenderness
,B. Rovsing’s Sign
C. Psoas Sign
D. Murphy’s Sign
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Murphy’s Sign is a clinical test for cholecystitis. It is positive if
the patient experiences sharp pain and abruptly stops inhaling (inspiratory arrest) when
the nurse palpates the liver border during a deep breath.
3. While auscultating the abdomen, the nurse hears loud, high-pitched, rushing, tinkling
sounds. How should these findings be documented?
A. Hyperactive bowel sounds
B. Borborygmus
C. Hypoactive bowel sounds
D. Bruit
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Hyperactive bowel sounds are loud and high-pitched, indicating
increased motility. Borborygmus is a specific type of hyperactive sound, often described as
‘stomach growling.’
, 4. The nurse is percussing a patient’s abdomen and notes a dull sound in the Traube space.
This finding is most likely associated with which condition?
A. Hepatomegaly
B. Sigmoid volvulus
C. Ascites
D. Splenomegaly
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Traube space is located over the spleen; percussion of this area
usually yields tympany. Dullness in this region suggests splenomegaly (enlarged spleen).
5. A nurse is assessing a male patient for an inguinal hernia. Which instruction should the
nurse give to the patient to help elicit the hernia?
A. ‘Take a deep breath and hold it.’
B. ‘Lie flat and lift your legs toward the ceiling.’
C. ‘Perform the Valsalva maneuver or cough.’
D. ‘Exhale completely and relax your abdominal muscles.’
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Increased intra-abdominal pressure from coughing or the
Valsalva maneuver forces the bowel or omentum into the inguinal canal, making the hernia
visible or palpable.
