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NURS 190 Week 1 Quiz – Physical
Assessment Techniques, Skin &
HEENT Q&A (WCU)
NURS 190 Week 1 Quiz study resource for WCU Physical
Assessment. Covers the four assessment techniques:
inspection, palpation, percussion, auscultation. Includes
abdominal assessment sequencing, hand surfaces for
palpation, percussion sounds, skin lesions (macule,
papule, vesicle, pustule), nail abnormalities, hair
distribution, skin turgor, edema grading, and HEENT
assessment fundamentals.
1. A nurse is collecting data during a health history. The patient states, "I feel
dizzy when I stand up." This is an example of which type of data?
A. Objective data
B. Subjective data
C. Laboratory data
D. Observational data
B. Subjective data
Subjective data is information the patient reports, including feelings, symptoms, and
perceptions. It cannot be directly measured or observed by the nurse.
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2. A nurse is preparing to assess a patient's abdomen. Which sequence should
the nurse use?
A. Inspection, palpation, percussion, auscultation
B. Inspection, auscultation, percussion, palpation
C. Auscultation, inspection, palpation, percussion
D. Palpation, percussion, auscultation, inspection
B. Inspection, auscultation, percussion, palpation
Auscultation is performed before percussion and palpation during an abdominal
assessment because manipulating the abdomen can alter bowel sounds and lead to
inaccurate findings.
3. A nurse is percussing the patient's liver. Which sound should the nurse
expect to hear?
A. Tympany
B. Resonance
C. Dullness
D. Hyperresonance
C. Dullness
Dullness is heard over dense, solid organs such as the liver and spleen. Tympany is
heard over air-filled structures like the stomach and intestines. Resonance is heard over
normal lung tissue.
4. A nurse is using the OLD CARTS method to assess a patient's pain. What does
the "C" stand for?
A. Color
B. Characteristics
C. Consequences
D. Cognition
B. Characteristics
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In OLD CARTS, the "C" stands for Characteristics, which refers to the quality or nature
of the pain, such as sharp, dull, burning, or throbbing.
5. Which part of the hand is best for assessing skin temperature?
A. Fingertips
B. Dorsal surface
C. Palmar surface
D. Ulnar surface
B. Dorsal surface
The dorsal surface of the hand has thinner skin and is more sensitive to temperature
changes, making it the preferred area for assessing skin temperature.
6. A nurse is performing a general survey. Which of the following is included in
this assessment?
A. Blood pressure reading
B. Appearance and behavior
C. Deep tendon reflexes
D. Cranial nerve function
B. Appearance and behavior
The general survey is the first part of the physical assessment and includes observation
of the patient's appearance, behavior, mobility, and mental status.
7. A nurse documents "WNL" in the patient's chart. Why is this documentation
considered inappropriate?
A. It is too detailed
B. It is vague and nonspecific
C. It is only used for laboratory values
D. It is not a recognized abbreviation
B. It is vague and nonspecific
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"WNL" (within normal limits) does not describe what was actually assessed or found.
Documentation should include specific, objective findings so other providers can
understand the patient's status.
8. A nurse is interviewing a patient who speaks limited English. Which action is
most appropriate?
A. Ask a family member to interpret
B. Use a certified medical interpreter
C. Speak louder and slower
D. Skip the health history
B. Use a certified medical interpreter
Using a certified medical interpreter ensures accurate communication and protects
patient confidentiality. Family members should not be used as interpreters for medical
matters.
9. Which assessment technique involves tapping the body surface to produce
sounds?
A. Inspection
B. Palpation
C. Percussion
D. Auscultation
C. Percussion
Percussion involves tapping the body surface to produce sounds that help determine
the density and location of underlying structures.
10. A nurse is assessing a patient's pain using OLD CARTS. Which question
assesses the "R" component?
A. "Where is the pain located?"
B. "Does anything make the pain better or worse?"
NURS 190 Week 1 Quiz – Physical
Assessment Techniques, Skin &
HEENT Q&A (WCU)
NURS 190 Week 1 Quiz study resource for WCU Physical
Assessment. Covers the four assessment techniques:
inspection, palpation, percussion, auscultation. Includes
abdominal assessment sequencing, hand surfaces for
palpation, percussion sounds, skin lesions (macule,
papule, vesicle, pustule), nail abnormalities, hair
distribution, skin turgor, edema grading, and HEENT
assessment fundamentals.
1. A nurse is collecting data during a health history. The patient states, "I feel
dizzy when I stand up." This is an example of which type of data?
A. Objective data
B. Subjective data
C. Laboratory data
D. Observational data
B. Subjective data
Subjective data is information the patient reports, including feelings, symptoms, and
perceptions. It cannot be directly measured or observed by the nurse.
,2|Page
2. A nurse is preparing to assess a patient's abdomen. Which sequence should
the nurse use?
A. Inspection, palpation, percussion, auscultation
B. Inspection, auscultation, percussion, palpation
C. Auscultation, inspection, palpation, percussion
D. Palpation, percussion, auscultation, inspection
B. Inspection, auscultation, percussion, palpation
Auscultation is performed before percussion and palpation during an abdominal
assessment because manipulating the abdomen can alter bowel sounds and lead to
inaccurate findings.
3. A nurse is percussing the patient's liver. Which sound should the nurse
expect to hear?
A. Tympany
B. Resonance
C. Dullness
D. Hyperresonance
C. Dullness
Dullness is heard over dense, solid organs such as the liver and spleen. Tympany is
heard over air-filled structures like the stomach and intestines. Resonance is heard over
normal lung tissue.
4. A nurse is using the OLD CARTS method to assess a patient's pain. What does
the "C" stand for?
A. Color
B. Characteristics
C. Consequences
D. Cognition
B. Characteristics
,3|Page
In OLD CARTS, the "C" stands for Characteristics, which refers to the quality or nature
of the pain, such as sharp, dull, burning, or throbbing.
5. Which part of the hand is best for assessing skin temperature?
A. Fingertips
B. Dorsal surface
C. Palmar surface
D. Ulnar surface
B. Dorsal surface
The dorsal surface of the hand has thinner skin and is more sensitive to temperature
changes, making it the preferred area for assessing skin temperature.
6. A nurse is performing a general survey. Which of the following is included in
this assessment?
A. Blood pressure reading
B. Appearance and behavior
C. Deep tendon reflexes
D. Cranial nerve function
B. Appearance and behavior
The general survey is the first part of the physical assessment and includes observation
of the patient's appearance, behavior, mobility, and mental status.
7. A nurse documents "WNL" in the patient's chart. Why is this documentation
considered inappropriate?
A. It is too detailed
B. It is vague and nonspecific
C. It is only used for laboratory values
D. It is not a recognized abbreviation
B. It is vague and nonspecific
, 4|Page
"WNL" (within normal limits) does not describe what was actually assessed or found.
Documentation should include specific, objective findings so other providers can
understand the patient's status.
8. A nurse is interviewing a patient who speaks limited English. Which action is
most appropriate?
A. Ask a family member to interpret
B. Use a certified medical interpreter
C. Speak louder and slower
D. Skip the health history
B. Use a certified medical interpreter
Using a certified medical interpreter ensures accurate communication and protects
patient confidentiality. Family members should not be used as interpreters for medical
matters.
9. Which assessment technique involves tapping the body surface to produce
sounds?
A. Inspection
B. Palpation
C. Percussion
D. Auscultation
C. Percussion
Percussion involves tapping the body surface to produce sounds that help determine
the density and location of underlying structures.
10. A nurse is assessing a patient's pain using OLD CARTS. Which question
assesses the "R" component?
A. "Where is the pain located?"
B. "Does anything make the pain better or worse?"
