,West Coast University NURS 190 Module Exam 1 | Physical Assessment
(2026) Q&A
1. A nurse is preparing to perform a physical assessment on a client. Which of the following
is the correct order of the four basic physical assessment techniques?
A) Palpation, Inspection, Percussion, Auscultation
B) Inspection, Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation
C) Inspection, Percussion, Palpation, Auscultation
D) Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion, Palpation
Correct Answer: Inspection, Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation
Rationale: The standard order for a general physical assessment is Inspection, Palpation,
Percussion, and Auscultation. This sequence prevents altering findings, as palpation and
percussion can stimulate bowel sounds and make auscultation less reliable. The abdominal
assessment is an exception where auscultation is performed after inspection but before
palpation and percussion.
2. A nurse is performing an abdominal assessment on a client. In which order should the
nurse perform the assessment techniques?
A) Inspection, Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation
B) Inspection, Auscultation, Palpation, Percussion
C) Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion, Palpation
D) Auscultation, Inspection, Palpation, Percussion
Correct Answer: Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion, Palpation
Rationale: For abdominal assessment, the order is Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion,
and Palpation. Auscultation is performed before palpation and percussion to avoid altering
bowel sounds, which could lead to inaccurate assessment of gastrointestinal motility.
,3. A patient states, "I have had a headache for three days." This is an example of which type
of data?
A) Objective data
B) Secondary data
C) Subjective data
D) Observable data
Correct Answer: Subjective data
Rationale: Subjective data are symptoms described by the patient that cannot be directly
observed by the examiner. Objective data are measurable and observable findings such as
vital signs.
4. The nurse is performing a physical assessment and notes the patient's blood pressure is
140/90 mmHg. This is an example of which type of data?
A) Objective data
B) Inference
C) Subjective data
D) A symptom
Correct Answer: Objective data
Rationale: Objective data are signs that are measurable and observable by the healthcare
provider. A blood pressure reading is a measurable finding, unlike subjective symptoms
reported by the patient.
5. Which technique of physical assessment should usually be performed first?
A) Palpation
B) Percussion
C) Auscultation
D) Inspection
, Correct Answer: Inspection
Rationale: Inspection is always the first step in the physical assessment sequence (except
for the abdomen, where inspection is followed by auscultation). It involves visually observing
the patient's overall appearance and specific body systems.
6. What is the primary purpose of the "General Survey" in physical assessment?
A) To perform a head-to-toe examination
B) To obtain a set of vital signs
C) To document the patient's medical history
D) To form an initial overall impression of the patient
Correct Answer: To form an initial overall impression of the patient
Rationale: The general survey is a study of the whole person, covering the general health
state and any obvious physical characteristics. It provides an initial impression of the
patient's overall condition.
7. When assessing the temperature of a patient's skin, which part of the hand should the
nurse use?
A) Palmar surface
B) Fingertips
C) Ulnar surface
D) Dorsal surface
Correct Answer: Dorsal surface
Rationale: The dorsal (back) surface of the hand is best for sensing temperature because
the skin is thinner than on the palms. The palmar surface is better for assessing texture and
masses.
(2026) Q&A
1. A nurse is preparing to perform a physical assessment on a client. Which of the following
is the correct order of the four basic physical assessment techniques?
A) Palpation, Inspection, Percussion, Auscultation
B) Inspection, Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation
C) Inspection, Percussion, Palpation, Auscultation
D) Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion, Palpation
Correct Answer: Inspection, Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation
Rationale: The standard order for a general physical assessment is Inspection, Palpation,
Percussion, and Auscultation. This sequence prevents altering findings, as palpation and
percussion can stimulate bowel sounds and make auscultation less reliable. The abdominal
assessment is an exception where auscultation is performed after inspection but before
palpation and percussion.
2. A nurse is performing an abdominal assessment on a client. In which order should the
nurse perform the assessment techniques?
A) Inspection, Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation
B) Inspection, Auscultation, Palpation, Percussion
C) Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion, Palpation
D) Auscultation, Inspection, Palpation, Percussion
Correct Answer: Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion, Palpation
Rationale: For abdominal assessment, the order is Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion,
and Palpation. Auscultation is performed before palpation and percussion to avoid altering
bowel sounds, which could lead to inaccurate assessment of gastrointestinal motility.
,3. A patient states, "I have had a headache for three days." This is an example of which type
of data?
A) Objective data
B) Secondary data
C) Subjective data
D) Observable data
Correct Answer: Subjective data
Rationale: Subjective data are symptoms described by the patient that cannot be directly
observed by the examiner. Objective data are measurable and observable findings such as
vital signs.
4. The nurse is performing a physical assessment and notes the patient's blood pressure is
140/90 mmHg. This is an example of which type of data?
A) Objective data
B) Inference
C) Subjective data
D) A symptom
Correct Answer: Objective data
Rationale: Objective data are signs that are measurable and observable by the healthcare
provider. A blood pressure reading is a measurable finding, unlike subjective symptoms
reported by the patient.
5. Which technique of physical assessment should usually be performed first?
A) Palpation
B) Percussion
C) Auscultation
D) Inspection
, Correct Answer: Inspection
Rationale: Inspection is always the first step in the physical assessment sequence (except
for the abdomen, where inspection is followed by auscultation). It involves visually observing
the patient's overall appearance and specific body systems.
6. What is the primary purpose of the "General Survey" in physical assessment?
A) To perform a head-to-toe examination
B) To obtain a set of vital signs
C) To document the patient's medical history
D) To form an initial overall impression of the patient
Correct Answer: To form an initial overall impression of the patient
Rationale: The general survey is a study of the whole person, covering the general health
state and any obvious physical characteristics. It provides an initial impression of the
patient's overall condition.
7. When assessing the temperature of a patient's skin, which part of the hand should the
nurse use?
A) Palmar surface
B) Fingertips
C) Ulnar surface
D) Dorsal surface
Correct Answer: Dorsal surface
Rationale: The dorsal (back) surface of the hand is best for sensing temperature because
the skin is thinner than on the palms. The palmar surface is better for assessing texture and
masses.
