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NSG 3160 HEALTH ASSESSMENT
EXAM 3 QUESTIONS WITH
SOLUTIONS 2026
Question 1
A nurse is preparing to assess a patient's abdomen. Which sequence represents the
correct order of assessment techniques?
A. Inspection, palpation, percussion, auscultation
B. Auscultation, inspection, percussion, palpation
C. Inspection, auscultation, percussion, palpation
D. Palpation, percussion, auscultation, inspection
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct abdominal assessment sequence is Inspection, Auscultation,
Percussion, Palpation. Auscultation is performed before percussion and palpation
because physical manipulation can artificially stimulate bowel sounds.
Question 2
A nurse is auscultating bowel sounds in a patient with a suspected bowel
obstruction. How long should the nurse listen in each quadrant before
documenting absent bowel sounds?
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A. 30 seconds
B. 1 minute
C. 2 minutes
D. 5 minutes
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The nurse should listen in all four quadrants for at least 5 minutes before
documenting absent bowel sounds.
Question 3
A patient presents with tenderness at McBurney's point. The nurse practitioner
suspects:
A. Cholecystitis
B. Appendicitis
C. Diverticulitis
D. Pancreatitis
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: McBurney's point is located in the right lower quadrant. Tenderness at this
point is the classic sign of appendicitis.
Question 4
A nurse is assessing a patient with a suspected enlarged spleen. Which action
should the nurse take?
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A. Deeply palpate the left upper quadrant
B. Avoid palpating the spleen due to rupture risk
C. Percuss the spleen to confirm enlargement
D. Auscultate the spleen for bruits
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: An enlarged spleen should NOT be palpated because it can easily rupture.
Question 5
A nurse auscultates a bruit over the abdominal aorta. Which action should the
nurse take next?
A. Deeply palpate the area to assess for aneurysm
B. Document the finding as normal
C. Avoid deep palpation due to risk of rupture
D. Percuss the area to confirm the finding
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A bruit over the abdominal aorta may indicate an aortic aneurysm. Deep
palpation is contraindicated because it could cause rupture.
Question 6
A patient presents with a systolic murmur heard best at the second intercostal
space, right sternal border. This finding is most consistent with:
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A. Mitral regurgitation
B. Aortic stenosis
C. Tricuspid regurgitation
D. Pulmonic stenosis
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Aortic stenosis produces a systolic murmur heard best at the second
intercostal space, right sternal border, radiating to the carotids.
Question 7
A patient presents with a murmur that radiates to the left axilla. This finding is
most consistent with:
A. Aortic stenosis
B. Mitral regurgitation
C. Pulmonic stenosis
D. Tricuspid stenosis
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Mitral regurgitation produces a systolic murmur that radiates to the left
axilla, best heard at the apex.
Question 8
A nurse auscultates an S3 gallop in a patient with heart failure. This finding is most
consistent with:
NSG 3160 HEALTH ASSESSMENT
EXAM 3 QUESTIONS WITH
SOLUTIONS 2026
Question 1
A nurse is preparing to assess a patient's abdomen. Which sequence represents the
correct order of assessment techniques?
A. Inspection, palpation, percussion, auscultation
B. Auscultation, inspection, percussion, palpation
C. Inspection, auscultation, percussion, palpation
D. Palpation, percussion, auscultation, inspection
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct abdominal assessment sequence is Inspection, Auscultation,
Percussion, Palpation. Auscultation is performed before percussion and palpation
because physical manipulation can artificially stimulate bowel sounds.
Question 2
A nurse is auscultating bowel sounds in a patient with a suspected bowel
obstruction. How long should the nurse listen in each quadrant before
documenting absent bowel sounds?
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A. 30 seconds
B. 1 minute
C. 2 minutes
D. 5 minutes
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The nurse should listen in all four quadrants for at least 5 minutes before
documenting absent bowel sounds.
Question 3
A patient presents with tenderness at McBurney's point. The nurse practitioner
suspects:
A. Cholecystitis
B. Appendicitis
C. Diverticulitis
D. Pancreatitis
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: McBurney's point is located in the right lower quadrant. Tenderness at this
point is the classic sign of appendicitis.
Question 4
A nurse is assessing a patient with a suspected enlarged spleen. Which action
should the nurse take?
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A. Deeply palpate the left upper quadrant
B. Avoid palpating the spleen due to rupture risk
C. Percuss the spleen to confirm enlargement
D. Auscultate the spleen for bruits
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: An enlarged spleen should NOT be palpated because it can easily rupture.
Question 5
A nurse auscultates a bruit over the abdominal aorta. Which action should the
nurse take next?
A. Deeply palpate the area to assess for aneurysm
B. Document the finding as normal
C. Avoid deep palpation due to risk of rupture
D. Percuss the area to confirm the finding
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A bruit over the abdominal aorta may indicate an aortic aneurysm. Deep
palpation is contraindicated because it could cause rupture.
Question 6
A patient presents with a systolic murmur heard best at the second intercostal
space, right sternal border. This finding is most consistent with:
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A. Mitral regurgitation
B. Aortic stenosis
C. Tricuspid regurgitation
D. Pulmonic stenosis
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Aortic stenosis produces a systolic murmur heard best at the second
intercostal space, right sternal border, radiating to the carotids.
Question 7
A patient presents with a murmur that radiates to the left axilla. This finding is
most consistent with:
A. Aortic stenosis
B. Mitral regurgitation
C. Pulmonic stenosis
D. Tricuspid stenosis
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Mitral regurgitation produces a systolic murmur that radiates to the left
axilla, best heard at the apex.
Question 8
A nurse auscultates an S3 gallop in a patient with heart failure. This finding is most
consistent with:
