NUR 2092 HEALTH ASSESSMENT
COMPREHENSIVE EXAM QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS
1. When performing a physical assessment, in what order should the nurse perform the
techniques for the abdominal examination?
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 abdomen, auscultation is performed before percussion
and palpation to prevent the stimulation of bowel sounds, which could lead to an
inaccurate assessment.
2. The nurse notes a patient has a ‘barrel chest.’ This finding is most commonly associated
with which chronic condition?
A. Heart Failure
,B. Pneumonia
C. Pulmonary Embolism
D. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: A barrel chest, characterized by an increased anteroposterior-
to-transverse diameter ratio (1:1), is caused by hyperinflation of the lungs, common in
COPD/Emphysema.
3. During a neurological exam, the nurse asks the patient to shrug their shoulders against
resistance. Which cranial nerve is being tested?
A. CN IX (Glossopharyngeal)
B. CN X (Vagus)
C. CN XII (Hypoglossal)
D. CN XI (Spinal Accessory)
E.
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Cranial nerve XI, the Spinal Accessory nerve, controls the
trapezius and sternocleidomastoid muscles used for shoulder shrugging and head turning.
, 4. A patient presents with a deep, regular breathing pattern with periods of apnea. The nurse
identifies this as:
A. Cheyne-Stokes respirations
B. Kussmaul’s respirations
C. Biot’s respirations
D. Bradypnea
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Cheyne-Stokes respirations are characterized by a gradual
increase and decrease in depth followed by a period of apnea, often seen in heart failure or
end-of-life.
5. Which heart sound is caused by the closure of the AV valves (mitral and tricuspid) and
marks the beginning of systole?
A. S3
B. S2
C. S1
D. S4
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: S1, the ‘lub’ sound, occurs when the mitral and tricuspid valves
close at the start of ventricular contraction (systole).
COMPREHENSIVE EXAM QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS
1. When performing a physical assessment, in what order should the nurse perform the
techniques for the abdominal examination?
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 abdomen, auscultation is performed before percussion
and palpation to prevent the stimulation of bowel sounds, which could lead to an
inaccurate assessment.
2. The nurse notes a patient has a ‘barrel chest.’ This finding is most commonly associated
with which chronic condition?
A. Heart Failure
,B. Pneumonia
C. Pulmonary Embolism
D. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: A barrel chest, characterized by an increased anteroposterior-
to-transverse diameter ratio (1:1), is caused by hyperinflation of the lungs, common in
COPD/Emphysema.
3. During a neurological exam, the nurse asks the patient to shrug their shoulders against
resistance. Which cranial nerve is being tested?
A. CN IX (Glossopharyngeal)
B. CN X (Vagus)
C. CN XII (Hypoglossal)
D. CN XI (Spinal Accessory)
E.
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Cranial nerve XI, the Spinal Accessory nerve, controls the
trapezius and sternocleidomastoid muscles used for shoulder shrugging and head turning.
, 4. A patient presents with a deep, regular breathing pattern with periods of apnea. The nurse
identifies this as:
A. Cheyne-Stokes respirations
B. Kussmaul’s respirations
C. Biot’s respirations
D. Bradypnea
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Cheyne-Stokes respirations are characterized by a gradual
increase and decrease in depth followed by a period of apnea, often seen in heart failure or
end-of-life.
5. Which heart sound is caused by the closure of the AV valves (mitral and tricuspid) and
marks the beginning of systole?
A. S3
B. S2
C. S1
D. S4
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: S1, the ‘lub’ sound, occurs when the mitral and tricuspid valves
close at the start of ventricular contraction (systole).
