,NU 137 Exam 2 Fundamentals of Nursing Questions And Answers
2026/2027 Galen College
Q1. Which action should the nurse perform first when beginning a
physical assessment?
A) Document the findings
B) Perform hand hygiene and identify the patient
C) Begin auscultating the lungs
D) Ask the patient to stand
Correct Answer: B) Perform hand hygiene and identify the patient
Rationale: Hand hygiene reduces transmission of microorganisms, and
correct patient identification is essential before providing care.
Q2. Which method is used to collect subjective information from the
patient?
A) Inspection
B) Interview
C) Palpation
D) Auscultation
Correct Answer: B) Interview
Rationale: An interview allows the nurse to obtain subjective information
directly from the patient.
Q3. Which assessment technique involves visually examining the
patient?
A) Inspection
B) Palpation
C) Percussion
D) Auscultation
Correct Answer: A) Inspection
Rationale: Inspection involves using sight to assess the patient's appearance,
skin, movements, and other visible characteristics.
Q4. Which assessment technique uses the hands to detect
temperature, texture, tenderness, masses, or pulses?
A) Inspection
B) Palpation
, C) Percussion
D) Auscultation
Correct Answer: B) Palpation
Rationale: Palpation uses touch to evaluate characteristics such as texture,
temperature, tenderness, and underlying structures.
Q5. Which assessment technique involves tapping the body surface
to produce sounds?
A) Inspection
B) Palpation
C) Percussion
D) Auscultation
Correct Answer: C) Percussion
Rationale: Percussion uses tapping to produce sounds that provide
information about the underlying tissues.
Q6. Which assessment technique involves listening to body sounds
with a stethoscope?
A) Inspection
B) Palpation
C) Percussion
D) Auscultation
Correct Answer: D) Auscultation
Rationale: Auscultation is the process of listening to internal body sounds,
such as heart, lung, and bowel sounds.
Q7. Which sequence is generally used for most physical
assessments?
A) Auscultation, inspection, percussion, palpation
B) Inspection, palpation, percussion, auscultation
C) Palpation, percussion, auscultation, inspection
D) Percussion, palpation, inspection, auscultation
Correct Answer: B) Inspection, palpation, percussion, auscultation
Rationale: This sequence generally allows the nurse to collect physical
findings systematically without altering findings unnecessarily.
2026/2027 Galen College
Q1. Which action should the nurse perform first when beginning a
physical assessment?
A) Document the findings
B) Perform hand hygiene and identify the patient
C) Begin auscultating the lungs
D) Ask the patient to stand
Correct Answer: B) Perform hand hygiene and identify the patient
Rationale: Hand hygiene reduces transmission of microorganisms, and
correct patient identification is essential before providing care.
Q2. Which method is used to collect subjective information from the
patient?
A) Inspection
B) Interview
C) Palpation
D) Auscultation
Correct Answer: B) Interview
Rationale: An interview allows the nurse to obtain subjective information
directly from the patient.
Q3. Which assessment technique involves visually examining the
patient?
A) Inspection
B) Palpation
C) Percussion
D) Auscultation
Correct Answer: A) Inspection
Rationale: Inspection involves using sight to assess the patient's appearance,
skin, movements, and other visible characteristics.
Q4. Which assessment technique uses the hands to detect
temperature, texture, tenderness, masses, or pulses?
A) Inspection
B) Palpation
, C) Percussion
D) Auscultation
Correct Answer: B) Palpation
Rationale: Palpation uses touch to evaluate characteristics such as texture,
temperature, tenderness, and underlying structures.
Q5. Which assessment technique involves tapping the body surface
to produce sounds?
A) Inspection
B) Palpation
C) Percussion
D) Auscultation
Correct Answer: C) Percussion
Rationale: Percussion uses tapping to produce sounds that provide
information about the underlying tissues.
Q6. Which assessment technique involves listening to body sounds
with a stethoscope?
A) Inspection
B) Palpation
C) Percussion
D) Auscultation
Correct Answer: D) Auscultation
Rationale: Auscultation is the process of listening to internal body sounds,
such as heart, lung, and bowel sounds.
Q7. Which sequence is generally used for most physical
assessments?
A) Auscultation, inspection, percussion, palpation
B) Inspection, palpation, percussion, auscultation
C) Palpation, percussion, auscultation, inspection
D) Percussion, palpation, inspection, auscultation
Correct Answer: B) Inspection, palpation, percussion, auscultation
Rationale: This sequence generally allows the nurse to collect physical
findings systematically without altering findings unnecessarily.
