WCU NURS 190 Physical Assessment Midterm Exam 2026 –
Complete Practice Questions & Verified Answers – West Coast
University Health Assessment Study Guide
SECTION 1: QUESTIONS 1–50
1. A patient pauses and becomes tearful while discussing a recent diagnosis. What is the
most therapeutic response?
A. "Try not to think about it."
B. "You need to stay positive."
C. Remain present and allow the patient time to respond.
D. Immediately change the subject.
Rationale: Therapeutic silence communicates acceptance and gives the patient time to process
emotions.
2. Which statement is an example of clarification?
A. "Everything will be fine."
B. "When you say you feel dizzy, what does that sensation feel like?"
C. "You appear worried."
D. "Why did you wait so long?"
Rationale: Clarification asks the patient to explain an unclear term or description.
3. Which finding is subjective data?
A. Blood pressure of 148/88 mmHg
B. Respiratory rate of 24/min
C. Temperature of 38.1°C
D. "My stomach feels like it is burning."
Rationale: Subjective data are symptoms reported by the patient.
,4. Which finding is objective data?
A. "I feel weak."
B. "My pain is sharp."
C. Respiratory rate of 28/min
D. "I feel nauseated."
Rationale: Objective data are observable or measurable findings obtained by the nurse.
5. Which source is generally considered primary data?
A. Previous medical record
B. Family member
C. Previous laboratory report
D. The patient
Rationale: The patient is usually the primary source of subjective health-history information.
6. The primary purpose of a comprehensive nursing health assessment is to:
A. Establish a medical diagnosis independently
B. Determine which medications should be prescribed
C. Collect and analyze patient information to identify health needs and guide nursing care
D. Replace laboratory and diagnostic testing
Rationale: Nursing assessment establishes a systematic database used to identify actual or
potential health problems and plan appropriate nursing care.
7. A nurse begins an assessment by introducing herself, confirming the patient's identity,
and explaining the purpose of the interview. Which principle is being demonstrated?
A. Diagnostic reasoning
B. Establishing a therapeutic relationship
C. Percussion
D. Differential diagnosis
Rationale: Introduction, identification, explanation, and rapport establish trust and promote
effective communication.
8. Which question is most appropriate when beginning an open-ended health history?
A. "Does your chest hurt when you breathe?"
B. "You don't smoke, correct?"
C. "What brings you to the clinic today?"
D. "Is your pain a 7 out of 10?"
,Rationale: Open-ended questions allow patients to describe concerns in their own words and
provide the nurse with an initial narrative.
9. Which interviewing technique should the nurse avoid?
A. Clarification
B. Reflection
C. Facilitation
D. Asking multiple questions at once
Rationale: Multiple questions can confuse patients and make it difficult to determine which
question is being answered.
10. A patient is confused and cannot provide an accurate history. Which source may
provide important supplemental information?
A. Social media
B. Another patient
C. A reliable family member or caregiver
D. An unrelated visitor
Rationale: Secondary sources may provide information when the patient cannot communicate
reliably.
11. Which sequence correctly identifies the four basic physical examination techniques?
A. Palpation, inspection, auscultation, percussion
B. Inspection, palpation, percussion, auscultation
C. Auscultation, inspection, percussion, palpation
D. Percussion, auscultation, palpation, inspection
Rationale: The conventional sequence is inspection, palpation, percussion, and auscultation,
with abdominal assessment using inspection, auscultation, percussion, then palpation.
12. Why is inspection performed first?
A. It produces the most painful findings
B. It prevents all abnormal findings
C. It provides initial visual information before the examiner alters the area
D. It replaces palpation
Rationale: Inspection allows the nurse to observe appearance, symmetry, movement, color, and
other characteristics before manipulation.
, 13. Which technique is most appropriate for determining skin temperature?
A. Deep palpation
B. Percussion
C. Light palpation with the dorsal surface of the hand
D. Auscultation
Rationale: The dorsal surface of the hand is sensitive to temperature differences.
14. Deep palpation is primarily used to assess:
A. Skin color
B. Surface temperature
C. Deep organs, masses, tenderness, and structures
D. Breath sounds
Rationale: Deep palpation assesses deeper structures and may identify masses, enlargement, or
tenderness.
15. Percussion produces sounds that help the nurse determine:
A. Blood pressure
B. Underlying tissue density and borders
C. Visual acuity
D. Skin moisture
Rationale: Percussion sounds vary according to whether underlying tissue contains air, fluid, or
solid material.
16. A tympanic percussion note is most commonly associated with:
A. Solid muscle
B. Bone
C. Air-filled structures
D. Pleural fluid
Rationale: Tympany is a drumlike sound associated with air-filled structures, particularly the
stomach.
17. A nurse hears a dull percussion note over an area expected to contain air. What should
the nurse consider?
A. Normal air-filled lung
B. Possible increased density such as fluid or consolidation
C. Normal tympany
D. Increased bowel gas
Complete Practice Questions & Verified Answers – West Coast
University Health Assessment Study Guide
SECTION 1: QUESTIONS 1–50
1. A patient pauses and becomes tearful while discussing a recent diagnosis. What is the
most therapeutic response?
A. "Try not to think about it."
B. "You need to stay positive."
C. Remain present and allow the patient time to respond.
D. Immediately change the subject.
Rationale: Therapeutic silence communicates acceptance and gives the patient time to process
emotions.
2. Which statement is an example of clarification?
A. "Everything will be fine."
B. "When you say you feel dizzy, what does that sensation feel like?"
C. "You appear worried."
D. "Why did you wait so long?"
Rationale: Clarification asks the patient to explain an unclear term or description.
3. Which finding is subjective data?
A. Blood pressure of 148/88 mmHg
B. Respiratory rate of 24/min
C. Temperature of 38.1°C
D. "My stomach feels like it is burning."
Rationale: Subjective data are symptoms reported by the patient.
,4. Which finding is objective data?
A. "I feel weak."
B. "My pain is sharp."
C. Respiratory rate of 28/min
D. "I feel nauseated."
Rationale: Objective data are observable or measurable findings obtained by the nurse.
5. Which source is generally considered primary data?
A. Previous medical record
B. Family member
C. Previous laboratory report
D. The patient
Rationale: The patient is usually the primary source of subjective health-history information.
6. The primary purpose of a comprehensive nursing health assessment is to:
A. Establish a medical diagnosis independently
B. Determine which medications should be prescribed
C. Collect and analyze patient information to identify health needs and guide nursing care
D. Replace laboratory and diagnostic testing
Rationale: Nursing assessment establishes a systematic database used to identify actual or
potential health problems and plan appropriate nursing care.
7. A nurse begins an assessment by introducing herself, confirming the patient's identity,
and explaining the purpose of the interview. Which principle is being demonstrated?
A. Diagnostic reasoning
B. Establishing a therapeutic relationship
C. Percussion
D. Differential diagnosis
Rationale: Introduction, identification, explanation, and rapport establish trust and promote
effective communication.
8. Which question is most appropriate when beginning an open-ended health history?
A. "Does your chest hurt when you breathe?"
B. "You don't smoke, correct?"
C. "What brings you to the clinic today?"
D. "Is your pain a 7 out of 10?"
,Rationale: Open-ended questions allow patients to describe concerns in their own words and
provide the nurse with an initial narrative.
9. Which interviewing technique should the nurse avoid?
A. Clarification
B. Reflection
C. Facilitation
D. Asking multiple questions at once
Rationale: Multiple questions can confuse patients and make it difficult to determine which
question is being answered.
10. A patient is confused and cannot provide an accurate history. Which source may
provide important supplemental information?
A. Social media
B. Another patient
C. A reliable family member or caregiver
D. An unrelated visitor
Rationale: Secondary sources may provide information when the patient cannot communicate
reliably.
11. Which sequence correctly identifies the four basic physical examination techniques?
A. Palpation, inspection, auscultation, percussion
B. Inspection, palpation, percussion, auscultation
C. Auscultation, inspection, percussion, palpation
D. Percussion, auscultation, palpation, inspection
Rationale: The conventional sequence is inspection, palpation, percussion, and auscultation,
with abdominal assessment using inspection, auscultation, percussion, then palpation.
12. Why is inspection performed first?
A. It produces the most painful findings
B. It prevents all abnormal findings
C. It provides initial visual information before the examiner alters the area
D. It replaces palpation
Rationale: Inspection allows the nurse to observe appearance, symmetry, movement, color, and
other characteristics before manipulation.
, 13. Which technique is most appropriate for determining skin temperature?
A. Deep palpation
B. Percussion
C. Light palpation with the dorsal surface of the hand
D. Auscultation
Rationale: The dorsal surface of the hand is sensitive to temperature differences.
14. Deep palpation is primarily used to assess:
A. Skin color
B. Surface temperature
C. Deep organs, masses, tenderness, and structures
D. Breath sounds
Rationale: Deep palpation assesses deeper structures and may identify masses, enlargement, or
tenderness.
15. Percussion produces sounds that help the nurse determine:
A. Blood pressure
B. Underlying tissue density and borders
C. Visual acuity
D. Skin moisture
Rationale: Percussion sounds vary according to whether underlying tissue contains air, fluid, or
solid material.
16. A tympanic percussion note is most commonly associated with:
A. Solid muscle
B. Bone
C. Air-filled structures
D. Pleural fluid
Rationale: Tympany is a drumlike sound associated with air-filled structures, particularly the
stomach.
17. A nurse hears a dull percussion note over an area expected to contain air. What should
the nurse consider?
A. Normal air-filled lung
B. Possible increased density such as fluid or consolidation
C. Normal tympany
D. Increased bowel gas
