Page 1 of 112
NU 518 EXAM 1 STUDY QUESTIONS LATEST VERSION
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2026 EDITION
NU 518 Exam 1 Study Questions
. The nurse is preparing to perform a physical assessment. The correct action
by the nurse is
reflected by which statement? The nurse:
a Performs the examination from the left side of the bed.
B Examines tender or painful areas first to help relieve the patients anxiety.
C Follows the same examination sequence, regardless of the patients age or
condition.
D Organizes the assessment to ensure that the patient does not change
positions
too often.
D
A man is at the clinic for a physical examination. He states that he is very
anxious about the
physical examination. What steps can the nurse take to make him more
comfortable?
A Appear unhurried and confident when examining him.
B Stay in the room when he undresses in case he needs assistance.
C Ask him to change into an examining gown and to take off his
undergarments.
D Defer measuring vital signs until the end of the examination, which allows
, Page 2 of 112
him
time to become comfortable.
A
When performing a physical examination, safety must be considered to protect
the examiner
and the patient against the spread of infection. Which of these statements
describes the most
appropriate action the nurse should take when performing a physical
examination?
A Washing ones hands after removing gloves is not necessary, as long as the
gloves are still intact.
B Hands are washed before and after every physical patient encounter.
C Hands are washed before the examination of each body system to prevent
the
spread of bacteria from one part of the body to another.
D Gloves are worn throughout the entire examination to demonstrate to the
patient
concern regarding the spread of infectious diseases.
B
The nurse is examining a patients lower leg and notices a draining ulceration.
Which of these
actions is most appropriate in this situation?
A Washing hands, and contacting the physician
B Continuing to examine the ulceration, and then washing hands
C Washing hands, putting on gloves, and continuing with the examination of
the
ulceration
d Washing hands, proceeding with rest of the physical examination, and then
continuing with the examination of the leg ulceration
C
During the examination, offering some brief teaching about the patients body
or the
examiners findings is often appropriate. Which one of these statements by the
nurse is most
, Page 3 of 112
appropriate?
A Your atrial dysrhythmias are under control.
B You have pitting edema and mild varicosities.
C Your pulse is 80 beats per minute, which is within the normal range.
D Im using my stethoscope to listen for any crackles, wheezes, or rubs.
C
The nurse keeps in mind that the most important reason to share information
and to offer
brief teaching while performing the physical examination is to help the:
a Examiner feel more comfortable and to gain control of the situation.
B Examiner to build rapport and to increase the patients confidence in him or
her.
C Patient understand his or her disease process and treatment modalities.
D Patient identify questions about his or her disease and the potential areas of
patient education.
B
The nurse is examining an infant and prepares to elicit the Moro reflex at
which time during
the examination?
A When the infant is sleeping
B At the end of the examination
C Before auscultation of the thorax
D Halfway through the examination
B
When preparing to perform a physical examination on an infant, the nurse
should:
A Have the parent remove all clothing except the diaper on a boy.
B Instruct the parent to feed the infant immediately before the examination.
C Encourage the infant to suck on a pacifier during the abdominal
examination.
D Ask the parent to leave the room briefly when assessing the infants vital
signs.
A
, Page 4 of 112
A 6-month-old infant has been brought to the well-child clinic for a check-up.
She is
currently sleeping. What should the nurse do first when beginning the
examination?
A Auscultate the lungs and heart while the infant is still sleeping.
B Examine the infants hips, because this procedure is uncomfortable.
C Begin with the assessment of the eye, and continue with the remainder of
the
examination in a head-to-toe approach.
D Wake the infant before beginning any portion of the examination to obtain
the
most accurate assessment of body systems.
A
A 2-year-old child has been brought to the clinic for a well-child checkup. The
best way for
the nurse to begin the assessment is to:
a Ask the parent to place the child on the examining table.
B Have the parent remove all of the childs clothing before the examination.
C Allow the child to keep a security object such as a toy or blanket during the
examination.
D Initially focus the interactions on the child, essentially ignoring the parent
until
the childs trust has been obtained.
C
The nurse is examining a 2-year-old child and asks, May I listen to your heart
now? Which
critique of the nurses technique is most accurate?
A Asking questions enhances the childs autonomy
B Asking the child for permission helps develop a sense of trust
C This question is an appropriate statement because children at this age like
to
have choices
d Children at this age like to say, No. The examiner should not offer a choice
when no choice is available
NU 518 EXAM 1 STUDY QUESTIONS LATEST VERSION
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2026 EDITION
NU 518 Exam 1 Study Questions
. The nurse is preparing to perform a physical assessment. The correct action
by the nurse is
reflected by which statement? The nurse:
a Performs the examination from the left side of the bed.
B Examines tender or painful areas first to help relieve the patients anxiety.
C Follows the same examination sequence, regardless of the patients age or
condition.
D Organizes the assessment to ensure that the patient does not change
positions
too often.
D
A man is at the clinic for a physical examination. He states that he is very
anxious about the
physical examination. What steps can the nurse take to make him more
comfortable?
A Appear unhurried and confident when examining him.
B Stay in the room when he undresses in case he needs assistance.
C Ask him to change into an examining gown and to take off his
undergarments.
D Defer measuring vital signs until the end of the examination, which allows
, Page 2 of 112
him
time to become comfortable.
A
When performing a physical examination, safety must be considered to protect
the examiner
and the patient against the spread of infection. Which of these statements
describes the most
appropriate action the nurse should take when performing a physical
examination?
A Washing ones hands after removing gloves is not necessary, as long as the
gloves are still intact.
B Hands are washed before and after every physical patient encounter.
C Hands are washed before the examination of each body system to prevent
the
spread of bacteria from one part of the body to another.
D Gloves are worn throughout the entire examination to demonstrate to the
patient
concern regarding the spread of infectious diseases.
B
The nurse is examining a patients lower leg and notices a draining ulceration.
Which of these
actions is most appropriate in this situation?
A Washing hands, and contacting the physician
B Continuing to examine the ulceration, and then washing hands
C Washing hands, putting on gloves, and continuing with the examination of
the
ulceration
d Washing hands, proceeding with rest of the physical examination, and then
continuing with the examination of the leg ulceration
C
During the examination, offering some brief teaching about the patients body
or the
examiners findings is often appropriate. Which one of these statements by the
nurse is most
, Page 3 of 112
appropriate?
A Your atrial dysrhythmias are under control.
B You have pitting edema and mild varicosities.
C Your pulse is 80 beats per minute, which is within the normal range.
D Im using my stethoscope to listen for any crackles, wheezes, or rubs.
C
The nurse keeps in mind that the most important reason to share information
and to offer
brief teaching while performing the physical examination is to help the:
a Examiner feel more comfortable and to gain control of the situation.
B Examiner to build rapport and to increase the patients confidence in him or
her.
C Patient understand his or her disease process and treatment modalities.
D Patient identify questions about his or her disease and the potential areas of
patient education.
B
The nurse is examining an infant and prepares to elicit the Moro reflex at
which time during
the examination?
A When the infant is sleeping
B At the end of the examination
C Before auscultation of the thorax
D Halfway through the examination
B
When preparing to perform a physical examination on an infant, the nurse
should:
A Have the parent remove all clothing except the diaper on a boy.
B Instruct the parent to feed the infant immediately before the examination.
C Encourage the infant to suck on a pacifier during the abdominal
examination.
D Ask the parent to leave the room briefly when assessing the infants vital
signs.
A
, Page 4 of 112
A 6-month-old infant has been brought to the well-child clinic for a check-up.
She is
currently sleeping. What should the nurse do first when beginning the
examination?
A Auscultate the lungs and heart while the infant is still sleeping.
B Examine the infants hips, because this procedure is uncomfortable.
C Begin with the assessment of the eye, and continue with the remainder of
the
examination in a head-to-toe approach.
D Wake the infant before beginning any portion of the examination to obtain
the
most accurate assessment of body systems.
A
A 2-year-old child has been brought to the clinic for a well-child checkup. The
best way for
the nurse to begin the assessment is to:
a Ask the parent to place the child on the examining table.
B Have the parent remove all of the childs clothing before the examination.
C Allow the child to keep a security object such as a toy or blanket during the
examination.
D Initially focus the interactions on the child, essentially ignoring the parent
until
the childs trust has been obtained.
C
The nurse is examining a 2-year-old child and asks, May I listen to your heart
now? Which
critique of the nurses technique is most accurate?
A Asking questions enhances the childs autonomy
B Asking the child for permission helps develop a sense of trust
C This question is an appropriate statement because children at this age like
to
have choices
d Children at this age like to say, No. The examiner should not offer a choice
when no choice is available
