,NU 610 Exam 2 Advanced Health Assessment Questions And
Answers 2026/2027 Herzing University
Q1. Which sequence is generally used when performing an
abdominal examination?
A) Inspection, palpation, auscultation, percussion
B) Auscultation, inspection, percussion, palpation
C) Inspection, auscultation, percussion, palpation
D) Palpation, percussion, inspection, auscultation
Correct Answer: C) Inspection, auscultation, percussion, palpation
Rationale: The abdomen is auscultated before percussion and palpation
because manipulation can alter bowel sounds.
Q2. Which finding is generally expected during inspection of a
normal adult abdomen?
A) Symmetric contour without visible masses
B) Marked unilateral bulging
C) Prominent pulsatile mass
D) Distended veins radiating from the umbilicus
Correct Answer: A) Symmetric contour without visible masses
Rationale: A normal abdominal examination typically shows symmetry
without obvious masses, marked distention, or abnormal vascular patterns.
Q3. Which abdominal finding requires the most urgent evaluation?
A) Active bowel sounds
B) Mild tympany
C) Small healed surgical scar
D) Rigid abdomen with rebound tenderness and severe pain
Correct Answer: D) Rigid abdomen with rebound tenderness and severe pain
Rationale: Rigidity and rebound tenderness may indicate peritoneal
irritation and a potentially acute surgical abdomen.
Q4. Which percussion note is normally predominant over the
abdomen?
A) Flatness
B) Resonance
C) Tympany
D) Hyperresonance
Correct Answer: C) Tympany
Rationale: Gas within the gastrointestinal tract produces a predominantly
tympanic percussion note.
, Q5. Which question most appropriately begins assessment of
abdominal pain?
A) “Tell me where the pain began and what it feels like.”
B) “You probably have indigestion, correct?”
C) “Does everyone in your family have stomach problems?”
D) “Why did you wait so long to seek care?”
Correct Answer: A) “Tell me where the pain began and what it feels like.”
Rationale: Open-ended symptom characterization helps establish onset,
location, quality, severity, and associated features without leading the
patient.
Q6. Which finding is most consistent with possible appendiceal
irritation?
A) Left upper-quadrant discomfort after meals
B) Painless jaundice
C) Diffuse mild bloating only
D) Right lower-quadrant tenderness with guarding
Correct Answer: D) Right lower-quadrant tenderness with guarding
Rationale: Appendiceal inflammation commonly produces right lower-
quadrant pain and may cause guarding or peritoneal signs.
Q7. Which finding most strongly suggests gastrointestinal bleeding?
A) Clear emesis
B) Yellow stool
C) Black tarry stool
D) Increased appetite
Correct Answer: C) Black tarry stool
Rationale: Melena is black, tarry stool caused by digested blood and
commonly indicates upper gastrointestinal bleeding.
Q8. Which symptom should receive priority during assessment of a
patient with vomiting?
A) Preference for certain foods
B) Mild hunger
C) Duration of the last meal
D) Hematemesis with dizziness and weakness
Correct Answer: D) Hematemesis with dizziness and weakness
Rationale: Vomiting blood with symptoms suggesting hemodynamic
compromise requires prompt evaluation.
Q9. Which examination finding is most consistent with ascites?
A) Hyperactive bowel sounds only
Answers 2026/2027 Herzing University
Q1. Which sequence is generally used when performing an
abdominal examination?
A) Inspection, palpation, auscultation, percussion
B) Auscultation, inspection, percussion, palpation
C) Inspection, auscultation, percussion, palpation
D) Palpation, percussion, inspection, auscultation
Correct Answer: C) Inspection, auscultation, percussion, palpation
Rationale: The abdomen is auscultated before percussion and palpation
because manipulation can alter bowel sounds.
Q2. Which finding is generally expected during inspection of a
normal adult abdomen?
A) Symmetric contour without visible masses
B) Marked unilateral bulging
C) Prominent pulsatile mass
D) Distended veins radiating from the umbilicus
Correct Answer: A) Symmetric contour without visible masses
Rationale: A normal abdominal examination typically shows symmetry
without obvious masses, marked distention, or abnormal vascular patterns.
Q3. Which abdominal finding requires the most urgent evaluation?
A) Active bowel sounds
B) Mild tympany
C) Small healed surgical scar
D) Rigid abdomen with rebound tenderness and severe pain
Correct Answer: D) Rigid abdomen with rebound tenderness and severe pain
Rationale: Rigidity and rebound tenderness may indicate peritoneal
irritation and a potentially acute surgical abdomen.
Q4. Which percussion note is normally predominant over the
abdomen?
A) Flatness
B) Resonance
C) Tympany
D) Hyperresonance
Correct Answer: C) Tympany
Rationale: Gas within the gastrointestinal tract produces a predominantly
tympanic percussion note.
, Q5. Which question most appropriately begins assessment of
abdominal pain?
A) “Tell me where the pain began and what it feels like.”
B) “You probably have indigestion, correct?”
C) “Does everyone in your family have stomach problems?”
D) “Why did you wait so long to seek care?”
Correct Answer: A) “Tell me where the pain began and what it feels like.”
Rationale: Open-ended symptom characterization helps establish onset,
location, quality, severity, and associated features without leading the
patient.
Q6. Which finding is most consistent with possible appendiceal
irritation?
A) Left upper-quadrant discomfort after meals
B) Painless jaundice
C) Diffuse mild bloating only
D) Right lower-quadrant tenderness with guarding
Correct Answer: D) Right lower-quadrant tenderness with guarding
Rationale: Appendiceal inflammation commonly produces right lower-
quadrant pain and may cause guarding or peritoneal signs.
Q7. Which finding most strongly suggests gastrointestinal bleeding?
A) Clear emesis
B) Yellow stool
C) Black tarry stool
D) Increased appetite
Correct Answer: C) Black tarry stool
Rationale: Melena is black, tarry stool caused by digested blood and
commonly indicates upper gastrointestinal bleeding.
Q8. Which symptom should receive priority during assessment of a
patient with vomiting?
A) Preference for certain foods
B) Mild hunger
C) Duration of the last meal
D) Hematemesis with dizziness and weakness
Correct Answer: D) Hematemesis with dizziness and weakness
Rationale: Vomiting blood with symptoms suggesting hemodynamic
compromise requires prompt evaluation.
Q9. Which examination finding is most consistent with ascites?
A) Hyperactive bowel sounds only
