,NUR 242 EXAM 3 Medical-Surgical Nursing Concepts Questions And
Answers 2026/2027 Galen College
Q1. Which assessment sequence is appropriate when examining the
abdomen?
A) Palpation, percussion, auscultation, inspection
B) Percussion, palpation, inspection, auscultation
C) Inspection, auscultation, percussion, palpation
D) Auscultation, palpation, inspection, percussion
Correct Answer: C) Inspection, auscultation, percussion, palpation
Rationale: The abdomen is assessed by inspection first, followed by
auscultation, percussion, and palpation. Auscultation precedes manipulation
because percussion and palpation can alter bowel sounds.
Q2. Which technique should the nurse perform first during an
abdominal assessment?
A) Inspection
B) Deep palpation
C) Percussion
D) Rebound tenderness testing
Correct Answer: A) Inspection
Rationale: Inspection allows the nurse to observe abdominal contour,
symmetry, skin changes, visible pulsations, distention, and other findings
before manipulating the abdomen.
Q3. Which abdominal finding requires the most cautious approach to
further palpation?
A) Mild bloating after a meal
B) Suspected abdominal aortic aneurysm
C) Occasional constipation
D) Heartburn after spicy food
Correct Answer: A) Mild bloating after a meal
Rationale: Mild postprandial bloating does not itself indicate a condition in
which palpation would be particularly dangerous. Suspected aneurysm
requires avoidance of unnecessary deep palpation.
, Q4. Why is auscultation performed before percussion and palpation
during abdominal assessment?
A) It provides the patient's blood pressure.
B) It determines whether the liver is enlarged.
C) Manipulation can alter bowel sounds.
D) It measures abdominal muscle strength.
Correct Answer: C) Manipulation can alter bowel sounds.
Rationale: Percussion and palpation stimulate the abdominal contents and
may change bowel activity, so bowel sounds are assessed before those
techniques.
Q5. A patient reports severe right-lower-quadrant pain that worsens
with movement. Which condition should the nurse consider?
A) Gastritis
B) Gastroesophageal reflux disease
C) Hiatal hernia
D) Appendicitis
Correct Answer: D) Appendicitis
Rationale: Appendicitis commonly causes pain that localizes to the right
lower quadrant and may worsen with movement, coughing, or palpation.
Q6. Which symptom is most characteristic of gastroesophageal
reflux disease?
A) Heartburn that worsens when lying down
B) Bloody diarrhea
C) Right-lower-quadrant rebound pain
D) Sudden painless jaundice
Correct Answer: B) Heartburn that worsens when lying down
Rationale: GERD occurs when gastric contents reflux into the esophagus
and often causes heartburn that worsens after meals or when the patient lies
down.
Q7. Which intervention is most appropriate for a patient with GERD?
A) Remain upright after meals.
B) Eat large meals immediately before bedtime.
Answers 2026/2027 Galen College
Q1. Which assessment sequence is appropriate when examining the
abdomen?
A) Palpation, percussion, auscultation, inspection
B) Percussion, palpation, inspection, auscultation
C) Inspection, auscultation, percussion, palpation
D) Auscultation, palpation, inspection, percussion
Correct Answer: C) Inspection, auscultation, percussion, palpation
Rationale: The abdomen is assessed by inspection first, followed by
auscultation, percussion, and palpation. Auscultation precedes manipulation
because percussion and palpation can alter bowel sounds.
Q2. Which technique should the nurse perform first during an
abdominal assessment?
A) Inspection
B) Deep palpation
C) Percussion
D) Rebound tenderness testing
Correct Answer: A) Inspection
Rationale: Inspection allows the nurse to observe abdominal contour,
symmetry, skin changes, visible pulsations, distention, and other findings
before manipulating the abdomen.
Q3. Which abdominal finding requires the most cautious approach to
further palpation?
A) Mild bloating after a meal
B) Suspected abdominal aortic aneurysm
C) Occasional constipation
D) Heartburn after spicy food
Correct Answer: A) Mild bloating after a meal
Rationale: Mild postprandial bloating does not itself indicate a condition in
which palpation would be particularly dangerous. Suspected aneurysm
requires avoidance of unnecessary deep palpation.
, Q4. Why is auscultation performed before percussion and palpation
during abdominal assessment?
A) It provides the patient's blood pressure.
B) It determines whether the liver is enlarged.
C) Manipulation can alter bowel sounds.
D) It measures abdominal muscle strength.
Correct Answer: C) Manipulation can alter bowel sounds.
Rationale: Percussion and palpation stimulate the abdominal contents and
may change bowel activity, so bowel sounds are assessed before those
techniques.
Q5. A patient reports severe right-lower-quadrant pain that worsens
with movement. Which condition should the nurse consider?
A) Gastritis
B) Gastroesophageal reflux disease
C) Hiatal hernia
D) Appendicitis
Correct Answer: D) Appendicitis
Rationale: Appendicitis commonly causes pain that localizes to the right
lower quadrant and may worsen with movement, coughing, or palpation.
Q6. Which symptom is most characteristic of gastroesophageal
reflux disease?
A) Heartburn that worsens when lying down
B) Bloody diarrhea
C) Right-lower-quadrant rebound pain
D) Sudden painless jaundice
Correct Answer: B) Heartburn that worsens when lying down
Rationale: GERD occurs when gastric contents reflux into the esophagus
and often causes heartburn that worsens after meals or when the patient lies
down.
Q7. Which intervention is most appropriate for a patient with GERD?
A) Remain upright after meals.
B) Eat large meals immediately before bedtime.
