Page 1 of 52
NURS 190 PA MIDTERM EXAM | 2026/2027
EDITION | 170 VERIFIED QUESTIONS WITH
DETAILED ANSWERS | BRAND NEW!
Questions 1–170
1. A nurse is assessing a patient who reports sudden shortness
of breath. Which assessment finding requires the most
immediate attention?
A. Respiratory rate of 22/min
B. Oxygen saturation of 86%
C. Mild anxiety
D. Productive cough
Answer: B. Oxygen saturation of 86%
2. Which assessment technique should the nurse perform first
when examining the abdomen?
A. Palpation
B. Percussion
C. Auscultation
D. Deep palpation
Answer: C. Auscultation
3. Which finding is considered a normal adult resting respiratory
rate?
,Page 2 of 52
A. 6–10/min
B. 12–20/min
C. 22–30/min
D. 30–40/min
Answer: B. 12–20/min
4. A patient has a blood pressure of 88/54 mm Hg and reports
dizziness when standing. Which condition is most consistent
with these findings?
A. Hypertension
B. Orthostatic hypotension
C. Increased intracranial pressure
D. Fluid overload
Answer: B. Orthostatic hypotension
5. Which pulse characteristic describes the force of blood
against the arterial wall?
A. Rhythm
B. Rate
C. Amplitude
D. Location
Answer: C. Amplitude
6. Which action is most appropriate when assessing a patient's
pain?
A. Assume the pain is proportional to the diagnosis
,Page 3 of 52
B. Ask the patient to rate the pain using an appropriate scale
C. Ask the family to estimate the patient's pain
D. Delay assessment until vital signs are completed
Answer: B. Ask the patient to rate the pain using an
appropriate scale
7. Which finding is most concerning in a patient experiencing
chest pain?
A. Pain rated 2/10
B. Chest discomfort radiating to the left arm
C. Pain occurring after eating
D. Tenderness over the sternum after exercise
Answer: B. Chest discomfort radiating to the left arm
8. Which assessment finding suggests adequate peripheral
perfusion?
A. Capillary refill of 4 seconds
B. Cool, pale extremities
C. Capillary refill of less than 2 seconds
D. Absent pedal pulses
Answer: C. Capillary refill of less than 2 seconds
9. A nurse is assessing a patient's level of consciousness. Which
finding indicates deterioration?
A. Alert and oriented
B. Responds appropriately to questions
, Page 4 of 52
C. Requires repeated stimulation to awaken
D. Converses normally
Answer: C. Requires repeated stimulation to awaken
10. Which finding is most characteristic of dehydration?
A. Bounding pulse
B. Moist mucous membranes
C. Poor skin turgor
D. Peripheral edema
Answer: C. Poor skin turgor
11. Which component of the nursing assessment involves
collecting information directly from the patient?
A. Objective data
B. Subjective data
C. Laboratory data
D. Diagnostic data
Answer: B. Subjective data
12. Which is an example of objective data?
A. “I feel nauseated.”
B. “My pain is severe.”
C. Temperature of 38.5°C
D. “I am dizzy.”
Answer: C. Temperature of 38.5°C
NURS 190 PA MIDTERM EXAM | 2026/2027
EDITION | 170 VERIFIED QUESTIONS WITH
DETAILED ANSWERS | BRAND NEW!
Questions 1–170
1. A nurse is assessing a patient who reports sudden shortness
of breath. Which assessment finding requires the most
immediate attention?
A. Respiratory rate of 22/min
B. Oxygen saturation of 86%
C. Mild anxiety
D. Productive cough
Answer: B. Oxygen saturation of 86%
2. Which assessment technique should the nurse perform first
when examining the abdomen?
A. Palpation
B. Percussion
C. Auscultation
D. Deep palpation
Answer: C. Auscultation
3. Which finding is considered a normal adult resting respiratory
rate?
,Page 2 of 52
A. 6–10/min
B. 12–20/min
C. 22–30/min
D. 30–40/min
Answer: B. 12–20/min
4. A patient has a blood pressure of 88/54 mm Hg and reports
dizziness when standing. Which condition is most consistent
with these findings?
A. Hypertension
B. Orthostatic hypotension
C. Increased intracranial pressure
D. Fluid overload
Answer: B. Orthostatic hypotension
5. Which pulse characteristic describes the force of blood
against the arterial wall?
A. Rhythm
B. Rate
C. Amplitude
D. Location
Answer: C. Amplitude
6. Which action is most appropriate when assessing a patient's
pain?
A. Assume the pain is proportional to the diagnosis
,Page 3 of 52
B. Ask the patient to rate the pain using an appropriate scale
C. Ask the family to estimate the patient's pain
D. Delay assessment until vital signs are completed
Answer: B. Ask the patient to rate the pain using an
appropriate scale
7. Which finding is most concerning in a patient experiencing
chest pain?
A. Pain rated 2/10
B. Chest discomfort radiating to the left arm
C. Pain occurring after eating
D. Tenderness over the sternum after exercise
Answer: B. Chest discomfort radiating to the left arm
8. Which assessment finding suggests adequate peripheral
perfusion?
A. Capillary refill of 4 seconds
B. Cool, pale extremities
C. Capillary refill of less than 2 seconds
D. Absent pedal pulses
Answer: C. Capillary refill of less than 2 seconds
9. A nurse is assessing a patient's level of consciousness. Which
finding indicates deterioration?
A. Alert and oriented
B. Responds appropriately to questions
, Page 4 of 52
C. Requires repeated stimulation to awaken
D. Converses normally
Answer: C. Requires repeated stimulation to awaken
10. Which finding is most characteristic of dehydration?
A. Bounding pulse
B. Moist mucous membranes
C. Poor skin turgor
D. Peripheral edema
Answer: C. Poor skin turgor
11. Which component of the nursing assessment involves
collecting information directly from the patient?
A. Objective data
B. Subjective data
C. Laboratory data
D. Diagnostic data
Answer: B. Subjective data
12. Which is an example of objective data?
A. “I feel nauseated.”
B. “My pain is severe.”
C. Temperature of 38.5°C
D. “I am dizzy.”
Answer: C. Temperature of 38.5°C
