NSG 300 COMPREHENSIVE HEALTH
ASSESSMENT FINAL EXAM QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS
1. When performing a physical assessment on a patient’s abdomen, in which order should the
nurse perform the examination techniques?
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 bowel
sounds.
2. A nurse is assessing a patient for tactile fremitus. Which condition would the nurse expect
to cause an increase in tactile fremitus?
A. Pneumothorax
B. Pleural Effusion
,C. Asthma
D. Lobar Pneumonia
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Tactile fremitus is increased with conditions that increase the
density of lung tissue, such as consolidation in lobar pneumonia. It is decreased with air or
fluid in the pleural space.
3. During the cardiovascular assessment, the nurse notes a blowing, swishing sound when
auscultating over the carotid artery. This finding is known as a:
A. Thrill
B. Murmur
C. Gallop
D. Bruit
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: A bruit is a blowing, vascular sound caused by turbulent blood
flow through a narrowed or partially occluded artery.
4. When assessing the deep tendon reflexes of a patient, the nurse notes a very brisk
response with clonus. How should this be documented?
A. 4+
B. 2+
, C. 3+
D. 1+
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Reflexes are graded on a 0 to 4+ scale: 0 is no response, 2+ is
normal, and 4+ is very brisk, hyperactive, and indicative of disease, often associated with
clonus.
5. Which cranial nerve is responsible for the motor function of the muscles of mastication?
A. Cranial Nerve V (Trigeminal)
B. Cranial Nerve III (Oculomotor)
C. Cranial Nerve VII (Facial)
D. Cranial Nerve IX (Glossopharyngeal)
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Cranial Nerve V (Trigeminal) has both sensory and motor
functions; its motor component controls the muscles for chewing (mastication).
6. A nurse is using the ABCDE rule to assess a patient’s mole. What does the ‘D’ in the
mnemonic represent?
A. Diameter
B. Density
C. Depth
ASSESSMENT FINAL EXAM QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS
1. When performing a physical assessment on a patient’s abdomen, in which order should the
nurse perform the examination techniques?
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 bowel
sounds.
2. A nurse is assessing a patient for tactile fremitus. Which condition would the nurse expect
to cause an increase in tactile fremitus?
A. Pneumothorax
B. Pleural Effusion
,C. Asthma
D. Lobar Pneumonia
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Tactile fremitus is increased with conditions that increase the
density of lung tissue, such as consolidation in lobar pneumonia. It is decreased with air or
fluid in the pleural space.
3. During the cardiovascular assessment, the nurse notes a blowing, swishing sound when
auscultating over the carotid artery. This finding is known as a:
A. Thrill
B. Murmur
C. Gallop
D. Bruit
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: A bruit is a blowing, vascular sound caused by turbulent blood
flow through a narrowed or partially occluded artery.
4. When assessing the deep tendon reflexes of a patient, the nurse notes a very brisk
response with clonus. How should this be documented?
A. 4+
B. 2+
, C. 3+
D. 1+
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Reflexes are graded on a 0 to 4+ scale: 0 is no response, 2+ is
normal, and 4+ is very brisk, hyperactive, and indicative of disease, often associated with
clonus.
5. Which cranial nerve is responsible for the motor function of the muscles of mastication?
A. Cranial Nerve V (Trigeminal)
B. Cranial Nerve III (Oculomotor)
C. Cranial Nerve VII (Facial)
D. Cranial Nerve IX (Glossopharyngeal)
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Cranial Nerve V (Trigeminal) has both sensory and motor
functions; its motor component controls the muscles for chewing (mastication).
6. A nurse is using the ABCDE rule to assess a patient’s mole. What does the ‘D’ in the
mnemonic represent?
A. Diameter
B. Density
C. Depth
