NR 509 week 2 Exam
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Provided with A+ Graded
Answers| Latest Updated
2026
,When performing a physical assessment, the first technique the nurse will always use
A. Palpation
B. Inspection
C. Percussion
D. Auscultation
B. Inspection
The nurse is preparing to perform a physical assessment. Which statement is true
about the physical assessment? The inspection phase:
A. Usually yields little information
B. Takes time and reveals a surprising amount of information
C. May be somewhat uncomfortable for the expert practitioner
D. Requires a quick glance at the patient's body systems before proceeding with palpation
B. Takes time and reveals a surprising amount of information
The nurse is assessing a patient's skin during an office visit. What part of the hand and
technique should be used to best assess the patient's skin temperature?
A. Fingertips; they are more sensitive to small changes in temperature
B. Dorsal surface of the hand; the skin is thinner on this surface than on the palms
C. Ulnar portion of the hand, increased blood supply in this area enhances temperature
sensitivity
D. Palmar surface of the hand; this surface is the most sensitive to temperature variations
because of its increased nerve supply in this area.
B. Dorsal surface of the hand; the skin is thinner on this surface than on the palms
,Which of these techniques uses the sense of touch to assess texture, temperature,
moisture, and swelling when the nurse is assessing a patient?
A. Palpation
B. Inspection
C. Percussion
D. Auscultation
A. Palpation
The nurse is preparing to assess a patient's abdomen by palpation. How should the nurse
proceed?
A. Palpation of reportedly tender areas are avoided because palpation in these areas may
cause pain
B. Palpating a tender area is quickly performed to avoid any discomfort that the
patient may experience
C. The assessment begins with deep palpation, while encouraging the patient to relax
and to take deep breaths.
D. The assessment begins with light palpation to detect surface characteristics and to
accustom the patient to being touched.
D. The assessment begins with light palpation to detect surface characteristics and to
accustom the patient to being touched.
The nurse would use bimanual palpation technique in which situation?
A. Palpating the thorax of an infant
B. Palpating the kidneys and the uterus
C. Assessing pulsations and vibrations
D. Assessing the presence of tenderness and pain
B. Palpating the kidneys and the uterus
, The nurse is preparing to percuss the abdomen of a patient. The purpose of
the percussion is to assess the__of the underlying tissue.
A. Turgor
B. Texture
C. Density
D. Consistency
C. Density
The nurse is reviewing percussion techniques with a newly graduated nurse. Which
technique, if used by the new nurse, indicates that more review is needed?
A. Percussing once over each area
B. Quickly lifting be striking finger after each stroke
C. Striking with the fingertip, not the finger pad
D. Using the wrist to make the strikes, not the arm
A. Percussing once over each area
When percussing over the liver of a patient, the nurse notices a dull sound. The nurse
should:
A. Consider this a normal finding
B. Palpate this area for an underlying mass
C. Reposition the hands, and attempt to percuss in this area again
D. Consider this finding abnormal, and refer the patient for additional treatment
A. Consider this a normal finding
The nurse is unable to identify any changes in sound when percussing over the abdomen
of an obese patient. What should the nurse do next?
A. Ask the patient to take deep breaths to relax the abdominal musculature
B. Consider this finding as normal and proceed with the abdominal assessment
C. Increase the amount of strength used when attempting to percuss over the abdomen
D. Decrease the amount of strength used when attempting to percuss over the abdomen.
C. Increase the amount of strength used when attempting to percuss over the abdomen
Questions Verified and
Provided with A+ Graded
Answers| Latest Updated
2026
,When performing a physical assessment, the first technique the nurse will always use
A. Palpation
B. Inspection
C. Percussion
D. Auscultation
B. Inspection
The nurse is preparing to perform a physical assessment. Which statement is true
about the physical assessment? The inspection phase:
A. Usually yields little information
B. Takes time and reveals a surprising amount of information
C. May be somewhat uncomfortable for the expert practitioner
D. Requires a quick glance at the patient's body systems before proceeding with palpation
B. Takes time and reveals a surprising amount of information
The nurse is assessing a patient's skin during an office visit. What part of the hand and
technique should be used to best assess the patient's skin temperature?
A. Fingertips; they are more sensitive to small changes in temperature
B. Dorsal surface of the hand; the skin is thinner on this surface than on the palms
C. Ulnar portion of the hand, increased blood supply in this area enhances temperature
sensitivity
D. Palmar surface of the hand; this surface is the most sensitive to temperature variations
because of its increased nerve supply in this area.
B. Dorsal surface of the hand; the skin is thinner on this surface than on the palms
,Which of these techniques uses the sense of touch to assess texture, temperature,
moisture, and swelling when the nurse is assessing a patient?
A. Palpation
B. Inspection
C. Percussion
D. Auscultation
A. Palpation
The nurse is preparing to assess a patient's abdomen by palpation. How should the nurse
proceed?
A. Palpation of reportedly tender areas are avoided because palpation in these areas may
cause pain
B. Palpating a tender area is quickly performed to avoid any discomfort that the
patient may experience
C. The assessment begins with deep palpation, while encouraging the patient to relax
and to take deep breaths.
D. The assessment begins with light palpation to detect surface characteristics and to
accustom the patient to being touched.
D. The assessment begins with light palpation to detect surface characteristics and to
accustom the patient to being touched.
The nurse would use bimanual palpation technique in which situation?
A. Palpating the thorax of an infant
B. Palpating the kidneys and the uterus
C. Assessing pulsations and vibrations
D. Assessing the presence of tenderness and pain
B. Palpating the kidneys and the uterus
, The nurse is preparing to percuss the abdomen of a patient. The purpose of
the percussion is to assess the__of the underlying tissue.
A. Turgor
B. Texture
C. Density
D. Consistency
C. Density
The nurse is reviewing percussion techniques with a newly graduated nurse. Which
technique, if used by the new nurse, indicates that more review is needed?
A. Percussing once over each area
B. Quickly lifting be striking finger after each stroke
C. Striking with the fingertip, not the finger pad
D. Using the wrist to make the strikes, not the arm
A. Percussing once over each area
When percussing over the liver of a patient, the nurse notices a dull sound. The nurse
should:
A. Consider this a normal finding
B. Palpate this area for an underlying mass
C. Reposition the hands, and attempt to percuss in this area again
D. Consider this finding abnormal, and refer the patient for additional treatment
A. Consider this a normal finding
The nurse is unable to identify any changes in sound when percussing over the abdomen
of an obese patient. What should the nurse do next?
A. Ask the patient to take deep breaths to relax the abdominal musculature
B. Consider this finding as normal and proceed with the abdominal assessment
C. Increase the amount of strength used when attempting to percuss over the abdomen
D. Decrease the amount of strength used when attempting to percuss over the abdomen.
C. Increase the amount of strength used when attempting to percuss over the abdomen
