NSG 300 COMPREHENSIVE HEALTH
ASSESSMENT FINAL EXAM QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS
1. When performing a physical assessment, in which order should the nurse assess the
abdomen?
A. Inspection, Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation
B. Auscultation, Inspection, Palpation, Percussion
C. Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion, Palpation
D. Percussion, Auscultation, Inspection, Palpation
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: For the abdominal assessment, the sequence is Inspection,
Auscultation, Percussion, and then Palpation to avoid altering bowel sounds through
physical manipulation.
2. A patient presents with a ‘swishing’ sound heard over the carotid artery. This is most likely
a:
A. Thrill
B. Bruit
,C. Murmur
D. Heave
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: A bruit is a blowing or swishing sound heard over a vessel (like
the carotid) indicating turbulent blood flow, usually due to narrowing.
3. Which cranial nerve is responsible for the movement of the tongue during speech and
swallowing?
A. CN XII (Hypoglossal)
B. CN X (Vagus)
C. CN IX (Glossopharyngeal)
D. CN V (Trigeminal)
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: CN XII, the Hypoglossal nerve, controls the muscles of the
tongue, essential for speech and swallowing.
4. When assessing a patient’s pupils using the PERRLA mnemonic, what does the ‘A’ stand
for?
A. Alignment
B. Acuity
C. Asymmetry
, D. Accommodation
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: PERRLA stands for Pupils Equal, Round, Reactive to Light and
Accommodation.
5. The nurse is testing a patient’s visual acuity using a Snellen chart. The patient is recorded
as having 20/40 vision. What does this mean?
A. The patient can see at 40 feet what a normal eye sees at 20 feet.
B. The patient can see at 20 feet what a normal eye sees at 40 feet.
C. The patient has 20% vision in both eyes.
D. The patient is legally blind.
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: 20/40 vision means the patient must be at 20 feet to see what a
person with normal vision can see at 40 feet.
6. A high-pitched, musical whistling sound heard mainly on expiration is documented as:
A. Crackles
B. Rhonchi
C. Wheezes
D. Pleural friction rub
ASSESSMENT FINAL EXAM QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS
1. When performing a physical assessment, in which order should the nurse assess the
abdomen?
A. Inspection, Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation
B. Auscultation, Inspection, Palpation, Percussion
C. Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion, Palpation
D. Percussion, Auscultation, Inspection, Palpation
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: For the abdominal assessment, the sequence is Inspection,
Auscultation, Percussion, and then Palpation to avoid altering bowel sounds through
physical manipulation.
2. A patient presents with a ‘swishing’ sound heard over the carotid artery. This is most likely
a:
A. Thrill
B. Bruit
,C. Murmur
D. Heave
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: A bruit is a blowing or swishing sound heard over a vessel (like
the carotid) indicating turbulent blood flow, usually due to narrowing.
3. Which cranial nerve is responsible for the movement of the tongue during speech and
swallowing?
A. CN XII (Hypoglossal)
B. CN X (Vagus)
C. CN IX (Glossopharyngeal)
D. CN V (Trigeminal)
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: CN XII, the Hypoglossal nerve, controls the muscles of the
tongue, essential for speech and swallowing.
4. When assessing a patient’s pupils using the PERRLA mnemonic, what does the ‘A’ stand
for?
A. Alignment
B. Acuity
C. Asymmetry
, D. Accommodation
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: PERRLA stands for Pupils Equal, Round, Reactive to Light and
Accommodation.
5. The nurse is testing a patient’s visual acuity using a Snellen chart. The patient is recorded
as having 20/40 vision. What does this mean?
A. The patient can see at 40 feet what a normal eye sees at 20 feet.
B. The patient can see at 20 feet what a normal eye sees at 40 feet.
C. The patient has 20% vision in both eyes.
D. The patient is legally blind.
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: 20/40 vision means the patient must be at 20 feet to see what a
person with normal vision can see at 40 feet.
6. A high-pitched, musical whistling sound heard mainly on expiration is documented as:
A. Crackles
B. Rhonchi
C. Wheezes
D. Pleural friction rub
