,Galen NSG 3160 Exam 3 | Health Assessment (2026)
Actual Q&A PDF
1. Which of the following best describes the primary purpose of palpation during a physical
examination?
A) To visualize the color and texture of the skin
B) To assess texture, temperature, moisture, and swelling using the sense of touch
C) To listen for internal body sounds
D) To tap on body surfaces to produce sounds
Correct Answer: To assess texture, temperature, moisture, and swelling using the sense of
touch
Rationale: Palpation uses the hands to assess texture, temperature, moisture, swelling, and
tenderness. The dorsal surface of the hand is best for temperature assessment. Inspection
involves visualization, auscultation involves listening, and percussion involves tapping.
2. What is the primary function of the spleen?
A) Production of bile for digestion
B) Filtration of blood and production of lymphocytes
C) Secretion of insulin to regulate glucose
D) Storage of digestive enzymes
Correct Answer: Filtration of blood and production of lymphocytes
Rationale: The spleen filters blood, removes old or damaged red blood cells, and produces
lymphocytes for immune function. The liver produces bile, the pancreas secretes insulin and
digestive enzymes, and the gallbladder stores bile.
3. According to the framework of gastrointestinal assessment, what is the correct sequence
for examining the abdomen?
,A) Inspection, Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation
B) Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion, Palpation
C) Palpation, Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion
D) Percussion, Auscultation, Palpation, Inspection
Correct Answer: Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion, Palpation
Rationale: Auscultation is performed before percussion and palpation to avoid artificially
stimulating bowel sounds. The correct sequence is inspection, auscultation, percussion, and
palpation.
4. What is the most likely outcome if a nurse palpates the abdomen deeply before
auscultating?
A) Increased bowel sounds that were not originally present
B) Decreased bowel sounds due to relaxation
C) No change in bowel sounds
D) Immediate detection of a bruit
Correct Answer: Increased bowel sounds that were not originally present
Rationale: Palpation and percussion can stimulate bowel motility and artificially increase
bowel sounds. Auscultation must be performed before these techniques to accurately assess
bowel sound frequency and character.
5. Which principle explains the rationale for listening for bowel sounds in all four quadrants?
A) Bowel sounds are uniform throughout the abdomen
B) Bowel sounds may be absent in one quadrant while present in others
C) Bowel sounds are loudest in the right upper quadrant
D) Bowel sounds are only present after eating
Correct Answer: Bowel sounds may be absent in one quadrant while present in others
, Rationale: Bowel sounds are assessed in all four quadrants because motility may be unequal.
Absent bowel sounds in one quadrant may indicate localized ileus or obstruction, requiring
further evaluation.
6. A nurse is assessing a patient with suspected appendicitis. Which finding is most consistent
with this condition?
A) Tenderness in the left upper quadrant
B) Tenderness at McBurney’s point in the right lower quadrant
C) Tenderness at the xiphoid process
D) Tenderness in the left lower quadrant
Correct Answer: Tenderness at McBurney’s point in the right lower quadrant
Rationale: McBurney’s point is located in the right lower quadrant and is the classic location
of tenderness in appendicitis. The left upper quadrant contains the spleen and stomach, the
xiphoid area relates to the epigastrium, and the left lower quadrant contains the sigmoid
colon.
7. In the context of abdominal assessment, which sound is expected over the stomach?
A) Dullness
B) Tympany
C) Resonance
D) Flatness
Correct Answer: Tympany
Rationale: Tympany is a drumlike, high-pitched sound heard over the stomach because of air
in the gastrointestinal tract. Dullness is heard over solid organs such as the liver, and
resonance is heard over normal lung tissue.
8. What is the primary function of the liver in relation to the gastrointestinal system?
Actual Q&A PDF
1. Which of the following best describes the primary purpose of palpation during a physical
examination?
A) To visualize the color and texture of the skin
B) To assess texture, temperature, moisture, and swelling using the sense of touch
C) To listen for internal body sounds
D) To tap on body surfaces to produce sounds
Correct Answer: To assess texture, temperature, moisture, and swelling using the sense of
touch
Rationale: Palpation uses the hands to assess texture, temperature, moisture, swelling, and
tenderness. The dorsal surface of the hand is best for temperature assessment. Inspection
involves visualization, auscultation involves listening, and percussion involves tapping.
2. What is the primary function of the spleen?
A) Production of bile for digestion
B) Filtration of blood and production of lymphocytes
C) Secretion of insulin to regulate glucose
D) Storage of digestive enzymes
Correct Answer: Filtration of blood and production of lymphocytes
Rationale: The spleen filters blood, removes old or damaged red blood cells, and produces
lymphocytes for immune function. The liver produces bile, the pancreas secretes insulin and
digestive enzymes, and the gallbladder stores bile.
3. According to the framework of gastrointestinal assessment, what is the correct sequence
for examining the abdomen?
,A) Inspection, Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation
B) Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion, Palpation
C) Palpation, Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion
D) Percussion, Auscultation, Palpation, Inspection
Correct Answer: Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion, Palpation
Rationale: Auscultation is performed before percussion and palpation to avoid artificially
stimulating bowel sounds. The correct sequence is inspection, auscultation, percussion, and
palpation.
4. What is the most likely outcome if a nurse palpates the abdomen deeply before
auscultating?
A) Increased bowel sounds that were not originally present
B) Decreased bowel sounds due to relaxation
C) No change in bowel sounds
D) Immediate detection of a bruit
Correct Answer: Increased bowel sounds that were not originally present
Rationale: Palpation and percussion can stimulate bowel motility and artificially increase
bowel sounds. Auscultation must be performed before these techniques to accurately assess
bowel sound frequency and character.
5. Which principle explains the rationale for listening for bowel sounds in all four quadrants?
A) Bowel sounds are uniform throughout the abdomen
B) Bowel sounds may be absent in one quadrant while present in others
C) Bowel sounds are loudest in the right upper quadrant
D) Bowel sounds are only present after eating
Correct Answer: Bowel sounds may be absent in one quadrant while present in others
, Rationale: Bowel sounds are assessed in all four quadrants because motility may be unequal.
Absent bowel sounds in one quadrant may indicate localized ileus or obstruction, requiring
further evaluation.
6. A nurse is assessing a patient with suspected appendicitis. Which finding is most consistent
with this condition?
A) Tenderness in the left upper quadrant
B) Tenderness at McBurney’s point in the right lower quadrant
C) Tenderness at the xiphoid process
D) Tenderness in the left lower quadrant
Correct Answer: Tenderness at McBurney’s point in the right lower quadrant
Rationale: McBurney’s point is located in the right lower quadrant and is the classic location
of tenderness in appendicitis. The left upper quadrant contains the spleen and stomach, the
xiphoid area relates to the epigastrium, and the left lower quadrant contains the sigmoid
colon.
7. In the context of abdominal assessment, which sound is expected over the stomach?
A) Dullness
B) Tympany
C) Resonance
D) Flatness
Correct Answer: Tympany
Rationale: Tympany is a drumlike, high-pitched sound heard over the stomach because of air
in the gastrointestinal tract. Dullness is heard over solid organs such as the liver, and
resonance is heard over normal lung tissue.
8. What is the primary function of the liver in relation to the gastrointestinal system?
