NURS 190 PA Midterm Exam 2026 | West Coast University
Physical Assessment –{2 NEWEST VERSONS} Questions with
Verified Answers & Rationales| LATEST UPDATE THIS YEAR
JUST RELEASED
Introduction
This comprehensive study guide contains verified practice questions for the NURS 190
Physical Assessment (PA) Midterm Exam at West Coast University (WCU). The exam
covers foundational assessment techniques, general survey, skin and integumentary
assessment, HEENT examination, respiratory assessment, cardiovascular assessment, and
professional documentation.
All answers are presented with detailed rationales citing the clinical reasoning and
pathophysiological basis for each correct response.
SECTION 1: Fundamentals of Physical Assessment (Questions 1–30)
Q1. A nurse is preparing to perform a physical assessment on a new patient. In which
order should the nurse perform the four basic assessment techniques?
A) Palpation, Inspection, Percussion, Auscultation
B) Inspection, Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation
C) Inspection, Percussion, Palpation, Auscultation
D) Auscultation, Inspection, Palpation, Percussion
Answer: B – Inspection, Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation
,Explanation: The correct sequence for a physical assessment is inspection first to observe
for any abnormalities, followed by palpation to assess texture, temperature, and masses.
Percussion comes next to assess density of underlying structures, and auscultation is last—
except for the abdominal assessment, where auscultation is performed before palpation and
percussion to avoid altering bowel sounds .
Q2. What is the correct assessment order for the abdomen?
A) Inspection, Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation
B) Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion, Palpation
C) Auscultation, Inspection, Percussion, Palpation
D) Palpation, Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion
Answer: B – Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion, Palpation
Explanation: For the abdominal assessment, the order changes to inspection, auscultation,
percussion, and palpation. Auscultation is performed before palpation and percussion
because these techniques can alter bowel sounds .
Q3. A nurse is unable to palpate a patient's dorsalis pedis pulse. What piece of
equipment should the nurse use next?
A) Stethoscope
B) Goniometer
C) Transilluminator
D) Doppler
Answer: D – Doppler
Explanation: A Doppler ultrasound device is used to assess pulses that are difficult or
impossible to palpate. It amplifies the sound of blood flow through the vessel .
Q4. What is the function of a goniometer?
,A) To measure blood pressure
B) To measure the degree of joint flexion and extension
C) To assess hearing acuity
D) To measure skin temperature
Answer: B – To measure the degree of joint flexion and extension
Explanation: A goniometer is used to measure the degree of joint flexion and extension .
Q5. A patient presents with a suspected fungal skin infection. Which piece of
equipment is most appropriate to use?
A) Wood's lamp
B) Otoscope
C) Ophthalmoscope
D) Doppler
Answer: A – Wood's lamp
Explanation: A Wood's lamp uses ultraviolet light to detect fungal infections of the skin,
which fluoresce under UV light .
Q6. What are the three main layers of the skin?
A) Epidermis, dermis, and subcutaneous tissue
B) Epidermis, dermis, and muscle
C) Dermis, fascia, and muscle
D) Epidermis, dermis, and fascia
Answer: A – Epidermis, dermis, and subcutaneous tissue
Explanation: The three main layers of the skin are the epidermis (outermost), dermis
(middle), and subcutaneous tissue (innermost) .
, Q7. Which part of the hand is used to assess skin temperature?
A) Finger pads
B) Palmar surface (dorsal surface of the hand)
C) Fingertips
D) Ulnar surface
Answer: B – Palmar surface (dorsal surface of the hand)
Explanation: The dorsal surface of the hand (back of the hand) is used to assess skin
temperature because it is more sensitive to temperature changes .
Q8. Which part of the hand is used for fine tactile discrimination?
A) Dorsal surface
B) Finger pads
C) Palmar surface
D) Ulnar surface
Answer: B – Finger pads
Explanation: The finger pads are used for fine tactile discrimination, such as assessing
texture, swelling, and pulsations .
Q9. What is the purpose of percussion in physical assessment?
A) To assess skin color
B) To produce sound and vibration to assess underlying structures
C) To assess joint range of motion
D) To assess cranial nerve function
Answer: B – To produce sound and vibration to assess underlying structures
Physical Assessment –{2 NEWEST VERSONS} Questions with
Verified Answers & Rationales| LATEST UPDATE THIS YEAR
JUST RELEASED
Introduction
This comprehensive study guide contains verified practice questions for the NURS 190
Physical Assessment (PA) Midterm Exam at West Coast University (WCU). The exam
covers foundational assessment techniques, general survey, skin and integumentary
assessment, HEENT examination, respiratory assessment, cardiovascular assessment, and
professional documentation.
All answers are presented with detailed rationales citing the clinical reasoning and
pathophysiological basis for each correct response.
SECTION 1: Fundamentals of Physical Assessment (Questions 1–30)
Q1. A nurse is preparing to perform a physical assessment on a new patient. In which
order should the nurse perform the four basic assessment techniques?
A) Palpation, Inspection, Percussion, Auscultation
B) Inspection, Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation
C) Inspection, Percussion, Palpation, Auscultation
D) Auscultation, Inspection, Palpation, Percussion
Answer: B – Inspection, Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation
,Explanation: The correct sequence for a physical assessment is inspection first to observe
for any abnormalities, followed by palpation to assess texture, temperature, and masses.
Percussion comes next to assess density of underlying structures, and auscultation is last—
except for the abdominal assessment, where auscultation is performed before palpation and
percussion to avoid altering bowel sounds .
Q2. What is the correct assessment order for the abdomen?
A) Inspection, Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation
B) Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion, Palpation
C) Auscultation, Inspection, Percussion, Palpation
D) Palpation, Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion
Answer: B – Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion, Palpation
Explanation: For the abdominal assessment, the order changes to inspection, auscultation,
percussion, and palpation. Auscultation is performed before palpation and percussion
because these techniques can alter bowel sounds .
Q3. A nurse is unable to palpate a patient's dorsalis pedis pulse. What piece of
equipment should the nurse use next?
A) Stethoscope
B) Goniometer
C) Transilluminator
D) Doppler
Answer: D – Doppler
Explanation: A Doppler ultrasound device is used to assess pulses that are difficult or
impossible to palpate. It amplifies the sound of blood flow through the vessel .
Q4. What is the function of a goniometer?
,A) To measure blood pressure
B) To measure the degree of joint flexion and extension
C) To assess hearing acuity
D) To measure skin temperature
Answer: B – To measure the degree of joint flexion and extension
Explanation: A goniometer is used to measure the degree of joint flexion and extension .
Q5. A patient presents with a suspected fungal skin infection. Which piece of
equipment is most appropriate to use?
A) Wood's lamp
B) Otoscope
C) Ophthalmoscope
D) Doppler
Answer: A – Wood's lamp
Explanation: A Wood's lamp uses ultraviolet light to detect fungal infections of the skin,
which fluoresce under UV light .
Q6. What are the three main layers of the skin?
A) Epidermis, dermis, and subcutaneous tissue
B) Epidermis, dermis, and muscle
C) Dermis, fascia, and muscle
D) Epidermis, dermis, and fascia
Answer: A – Epidermis, dermis, and subcutaneous tissue
Explanation: The three main layers of the skin are the epidermis (outermost), dermis
(middle), and subcutaneous tissue (innermost) .
, Q7. Which part of the hand is used to assess skin temperature?
A) Finger pads
B) Palmar surface (dorsal surface of the hand)
C) Fingertips
D) Ulnar surface
Answer: B – Palmar surface (dorsal surface of the hand)
Explanation: The dorsal surface of the hand (back of the hand) is used to assess skin
temperature because it is more sensitive to temperature changes .
Q8. Which part of the hand is used for fine tactile discrimination?
A) Dorsal surface
B) Finger pads
C) Palmar surface
D) Ulnar surface
Answer: B – Finger pads
Explanation: The finger pads are used for fine tactile discrimination, such as assessing
texture, swelling, and pulsations .
Q9. What is the purpose of percussion in physical assessment?
A) To assess skin color
B) To produce sound and vibration to assess underlying structures
C) To assess joint range of motion
D) To assess cranial nerve function
Answer: B – To produce sound and vibration to assess underlying structures
