NSG 3160 HEALTH ASSESSMENT EXAM
3 - COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW
QUESTIONS & VERIFIED ANSWERS
2026/2027 UPDATE
1. During a respiratory assessment, the nurse notes increased tactile fremitus over the right
lower lobe. Which condition is most consistent with this finding?
A. Pneumothorax
B. Lobar pneumonia
C. Pleural effusion
D. Asthmatic bronchospasm
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Tactile fremitus is increased in conditions where lung tissue is
consolidated, such as lobar pneumonia, because sound travels better through solid/dense
medium than air.
,2. When auscultating the heart, where is the best location to hear the closure of the mitral
valve?
A. Second intercostal space, right sternal border
B. Fifth intercostal space, left midclavicular line
C. Second intercostal space, left sternal border
D. Fourth intercostal space, left sternal border
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: The mitral valve (apex of the heart) is best heard at the fifth
intercostal space at the left midclavicular line.
3. The nurse is assessing a patient for a suspected arterial insufficiency. Which of the
following symptoms is a hallmark sign of chronic arterial insufficiency?
A. Pitting edema in the lower extremities
B. Brownish skin pigmentation around the ankles
C. Intermittent claudication
D. Warm, erythematous skin
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Intermittent claudication, or pain with walking that is relieved
by rest, is a classic sign of peripheral arterial disease (PAD).
, 4. In what order should the nurse perform an abdominal assessment?
A. Inspection, Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation
B. Auscultation, Inspection, Palpation, Percussion
C. Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation, Inspection
D. Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion, Palpation
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Auscultation is performed second in an abdominal assessment
to prevent manipulation of the bowel (via palpation/percussion) from creating false bowel
sounds.
5. A patient presents with sharp pain when the nurse performs deep palpation of the right
upper quadrant and asks the patient to inhale. This is known as a positive:
A. McBurney’s Sign
B. Blumberg’s Sign
C. Psoas Sign
D. Murphy’s Sign
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: A positive Murphy’s sign occurs when the patient experiences
sharp pain and stops inspiration during deep palpation of the gallbladder, indicating
cholecystitis.
3 - COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW
QUESTIONS & VERIFIED ANSWERS
2026/2027 UPDATE
1. During a respiratory assessment, the nurse notes increased tactile fremitus over the right
lower lobe. Which condition is most consistent with this finding?
A. Pneumothorax
B. Lobar pneumonia
C. Pleural effusion
D. Asthmatic bronchospasm
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Tactile fremitus is increased in conditions where lung tissue is
consolidated, such as lobar pneumonia, because sound travels better through solid/dense
medium than air.
,2. When auscultating the heart, where is the best location to hear the closure of the mitral
valve?
A. Second intercostal space, right sternal border
B. Fifth intercostal space, left midclavicular line
C. Second intercostal space, left sternal border
D. Fourth intercostal space, left sternal border
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: The mitral valve (apex of the heart) is best heard at the fifth
intercostal space at the left midclavicular line.
3. The nurse is assessing a patient for a suspected arterial insufficiency. Which of the
following symptoms is a hallmark sign of chronic arterial insufficiency?
A. Pitting edema in the lower extremities
B. Brownish skin pigmentation around the ankles
C. Intermittent claudication
D. Warm, erythematous skin
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Intermittent claudication, or pain with walking that is relieved
by rest, is a classic sign of peripheral arterial disease (PAD).
, 4. In what order should the nurse perform an abdominal assessment?
A. Inspection, Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation
B. Auscultation, Inspection, Palpation, Percussion
C. Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation, Inspection
D. Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion, Palpation
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Auscultation is performed second in an abdominal assessment
to prevent manipulation of the bowel (via palpation/percussion) from creating false bowel
sounds.
5. A patient presents with sharp pain when the nurse performs deep palpation of the right
upper quadrant and asks the patient to inhale. This is known as a positive:
A. McBurney’s Sign
B. Blumberg’s Sign
C. Psoas Sign
D. Murphy’s Sign
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: A positive Murphy’s sign occurs when the patient experiences
sharp pain and stops inspiration during deep palpation of the gallbladder, indicating
cholecystitis.
