NSG 3160 ADVANCED HEALTH
ASSESSMENT COMPREHENSIVE EXAM
QUESTIONS & VERIFIED ANSWERS
2026/2027 UPDATE
1. During a physical examination, which assessment technique should the nurse always
perform first, except when assessing the abdomen?
A. Palpation
B. Percussion
C. Inspection
D. Auscultation
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Inspection is always the first step in the physical examination
sequence as it provides initial data without disturbing the patient. The sequence for the
abdomen changes to avoid altering bowel sounds.
2. When assessing a patient with suspected appendicitis, the nurse performs deep palpation
and then quickly releases the pressure, causing pain. This is documented as:
A. Murphy’s sign
B. Rovsing’s sign
,C. Rebound tenderness (Blumberg sign)
D. Psoas sign
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Rebound tenderness, or Blumberg sign, is pain felt upon the
sudden release of pressure on the abdomen, indicative of peritoneal irritation.
3. Which of the following heart sounds occurs at the beginning of systole and results from the
closure of the atrioventricular valves?
A. S2
B. S1
C. S3
D. S4
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: S1 occurs with the closure of the AV valves (mitral and
tricuspid) and signals the start of systole. It is loudest at the apex.
4. A nurse is assessing a patient’s cranial nerves. To test Cranial Nerve VII (Facial), the nurse
should ask the patient to:
A. Clench the teeth and move the jaw side to side
B. Shrug the shoulders against resistance
C. Stick out the tongue and move it side to side
, D. Smile, frown, and puff out the cheeks
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Cranial Nerve VII (Facial) controls facial expressions. Clenching
teeth tests CN V, shrugging shoulders tests CN XI, and moving the tongue tests CN XII.
5. Which type of percussion note would the nurse expect to hear over a lung with lobar
pneumonia?
A. Resonance
B. Dullness
C. Tympany
D. Hyperresonance
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Dullness replaces resonance when fluid or solid tissue replaces
air-filled lung space, such as in pneumonia or pleural effusion.
6. When assessing the thorax, the nurse notes a high-pitched, musical sound heard primarily
during expiration. This is most likely:
A. Wheeze
B. Crackles
C. Stridor
D. Pleural friction rub
ASSESSMENT COMPREHENSIVE EXAM
QUESTIONS & VERIFIED ANSWERS
2026/2027 UPDATE
1. During a physical examination, which assessment technique should the nurse always
perform first, except when assessing the abdomen?
A. Palpation
B. Percussion
C. Inspection
D. Auscultation
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Inspection is always the first step in the physical examination
sequence as it provides initial data without disturbing the patient. The sequence for the
abdomen changes to avoid altering bowel sounds.
2. When assessing a patient with suspected appendicitis, the nurse performs deep palpation
and then quickly releases the pressure, causing pain. This is documented as:
A. Murphy’s sign
B. Rovsing’s sign
,C. Rebound tenderness (Blumberg sign)
D. Psoas sign
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Rebound tenderness, or Blumberg sign, is pain felt upon the
sudden release of pressure on the abdomen, indicative of peritoneal irritation.
3. Which of the following heart sounds occurs at the beginning of systole and results from the
closure of the atrioventricular valves?
A. S2
B. S1
C. S3
D. S4
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: S1 occurs with the closure of the AV valves (mitral and
tricuspid) and signals the start of systole. It is loudest at the apex.
4. A nurse is assessing a patient’s cranial nerves. To test Cranial Nerve VII (Facial), the nurse
should ask the patient to:
A. Clench the teeth and move the jaw side to side
B. Shrug the shoulders against resistance
C. Stick out the tongue and move it side to side
, D. Smile, frown, and puff out the cheeks
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Cranial Nerve VII (Facial) controls facial expressions. Clenching
teeth tests CN V, shrugging shoulders tests CN XI, and moving the tongue tests CN XII.
5. Which type of percussion note would the nurse expect to hear over a lung with lobar
pneumonia?
A. Resonance
B. Dullness
C. Tympany
D. Hyperresonance
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Dullness replaces resonance when fluid or solid tissue replaces
air-filled lung space, such as in pneumonia or pleural effusion.
6. When assessing the thorax, the nurse notes a high-pitched, musical sound heard primarily
during expiration. This is most likely:
A. Wheeze
B. Crackles
C. Stridor
D. Pleural friction rub
