NUR 170-171 EXAM 1 COMPREHENSIVE
ASSESSMENT QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS 2026/2027
1. A nurse is assessing a patient’s radial pulse and finds it to be irregular. What is the priority
nursing action?
A. Document the finding as normal for the patient
B. Notify the healthcare provider immediately
C. Assess the apical pulse for one full minute
D. Administer a PRN dose of digoxin
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: When a peripheral pulse is irregular, the nurse should assess the
apical pulse for 60 seconds to determine the actual heart rate and identify any pulse deficit.
2. When performing an abdominal assessment, in which order should the nurse perform the
examination techniques?
A. Inspection, Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation
B. Auscultation, Inspection, Palpation, Percussion
C. Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion, Palpation
D. Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation, Inspection
,Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: For abdominal assessment, auscultation is performed before
percussion and palpation to avoid stimulating bowel sounds that were not originally
present.
3. Which ethical principle is the nurse upholding when they ensure a patient has all the
information needed to make a decision about their care?
A. Beneficence
B. Justice
C. Autonomy
D. Non-maleficence
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Autonomy refers to the right of patients to make their own
decisions about their medical care, which requires being fully informed.
4. A nurse is caring for a patient on contact precautions. Which of the following items of
personal protective equipment (PPE) are required?
A. Gown and N95 respirator
B. Mask and goggles
C. N95 respirator and gloves
D. Gown and gloves
, Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Contact precautions require a gown and gloves for all
interactions that may involve contact with the patient or contaminated areas in the
patient’s environment.
5. The nurse is preparing to transfer a patient from the bed to a chair. Which principle of body
mechanics should the nurse apply?
A. Keep the feet close together for stability
B. Bend at the waist when lifting
C. Twist the torso to move the patient toward the chair
D. Maintain a wide base of support with feet apart
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Maintaining a wide base of support by keeping feet shoulder-
width apart provides better stability and reduces the risk of back injury.
6. A patient has a blood pressure reading of 150/95 mmHg. How should the nurse classify this
reading?
A. Normal
B. Elevated
C. Stage 2 Hypertension
D. Stage 1 Hypertension
ASSESSMENT QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS 2026/2027
1. A nurse is assessing a patient’s radial pulse and finds it to be irregular. What is the priority
nursing action?
A. Document the finding as normal for the patient
B. Notify the healthcare provider immediately
C. Assess the apical pulse for one full minute
D. Administer a PRN dose of digoxin
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: When a peripheral pulse is irregular, the nurse should assess the
apical pulse for 60 seconds to determine the actual heart rate and identify any pulse deficit.
2. When performing an abdominal assessment, in which order should the nurse perform the
examination techniques?
A. Inspection, Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation
B. Auscultation, Inspection, Palpation, Percussion
C. Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion, Palpation
D. Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation, Inspection
,Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: For abdominal assessment, auscultation is performed before
percussion and palpation to avoid stimulating bowel sounds that were not originally
present.
3. Which ethical principle is the nurse upholding when they ensure a patient has all the
information needed to make a decision about their care?
A. Beneficence
B. Justice
C. Autonomy
D. Non-maleficence
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Autonomy refers to the right of patients to make their own
decisions about their medical care, which requires being fully informed.
4. A nurse is caring for a patient on contact precautions. Which of the following items of
personal protective equipment (PPE) are required?
A. Gown and N95 respirator
B. Mask and goggles
C. N95 respirator and gloves
D. Gown and gloves
, Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Contact precautions require a gown and gloves for all
interactions that may involve contact with the patient or contaminated areas in the
patient’s environment.
5. The nurse is preparing to transfer a patient from the bed to a chair. Which principle of body
mechanics should the nurse apply?
A. Keep the feet close together for stability
B. Bend at the waist when lifting
C. Twist the torso to move the patient toward the chair
D. Maintain a wide base of support with feet apart
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Maintaining a wide base of support by keeping feet shoulder-
width apart provides better stability and reduces the risk of back injury.
6. A patient has a blood pressure reading of 150/95 mmHg. How should the nurse classify this
reading?
A. Normal
B. Elevated
C. Stage 2 Hypertension
D. Stage 1 Hypertension
