NUR-2180 Module Quiz 2 | Original Practice Module Quiz | 2026/2027 1
, NUR-2180 MODULE QUIZ 2
Physical Assessment
Rasmussen College
100-Question Original Practice Module Quiz
2026/2027 Edition
1. What is the usual sequence of physical assessment techniques outside the abdomen?
A) Inspection, palpation, percussion, auscultation
B) Palpation, auscultation, inspection, percussion
C) Auscultation, deep palpation, inspection, percussion
D) Percussion, auscultation, inspection, palpation
Correct Answer: A) Inspection, palpation, percussion, auscultation
Rationale: Inspection comes first, followed by touch, tapping, and listening as appropriate to the system.
2. Why is the abdominal examination sequence different?
A) Deep palpation must always come first
B) Inspection is not used in abdominal assessment
C) Auscultation generally precedes percussion and palpation to avoid altering bowel sounds
D) The abdomen cannot be auscultated
Correct Answer: C) Auscultation generally precedes percussion and palpation to avoid altering bowel sounds
Rationale: Abdominal examination typically uses inspection, auscultation, percussion, then palpation.
3. What does inspection assess?
A) Deep tissue firmness by touch
B) Internal organ resonance by tapping
C) Heart valve sounds by listening
D) Visual appearance, symmetry, movement, and visible abnormalities
Correct Answer: D) Visual appearance, symmetry, movement, and visible abnormalities
Rationale: Inspection uses observation to identify visible clinical cues.
4. Which portion of the hand is most useful for assessing temperature?
A) Dorsal surface of fingers or hand
B) Fingernails only
C) Palm heel exclusively for vibration
D) Ulnar edge for pulses only
Correct Answer: A) Dorsal surface of fingers or hand
Correct Answer:
Rationale:
NUR-2180 Module Quiz 2 | Original Practice Module Quiz | 2026/2027 2
, Rationale: The dorsal hand is sensitive to subtle surface temperature differences.
5. Which part of the hand best detects tactile fremitus?
A) Fingernail edge
B) Wristwatch
C) Back of index fingernail
D) Ulnar aspect or palm base
Correct Answer: D) Ulnar aspect or palm base
Rationale: Vibrations are best transmitted to the ulnar surface or base of the hand.
6. What does palpation help assess?
A) Hearing threshold without tools
B) Visual acuity
C) Temperature, tenderness, consistency, mobility, and masses
D) Airway sounds heard only with stethoscope
Correct Answer: C) Temperature, tenderness, consistency, mobility, and masses
Rationale: Palpation characterizes tissues by touch and can locate tenderness and abnormal structures.
7. Why is light palpation usually performed before deep palpation?
A) It guarantees no tenderness
B) It replaces inspection
C) It detects only bone fractures
D) It assesses superficial tissues and patient comfort before deeper pressure
Correct Answer: D) It assesses superficial tissues and patient comfort before deeper pressure
Rationale: Progressive pressure reduces guarding and permits safe examination.
8. What finding should prompt caution before deep palpation?
A) Normal skin temperature
B) Stable appetite
C) Acute severe pain or suspected abdominal inflammation
D) Symmetric muscle tone
Correct Answer: C) Acute severe pain or suspected abdominal inflammation
Rationale: Deep pressure may worsen discomfort or risk injury in acute inflammatory conditions.
9. What does percussion primarily evaluate?
A) Surface hair distribution
B) Visual field clarity
C) Underlying density, size, and fluid or air characteristics
Correct Answer:
Rationale:
NUR-2180 Module Quiz 2 | Original Practice Module Quiz | 2026/2027 3
, NUR-2180 MODULE QUIZ 2
Physical Assessment
Rasmussen College
100-Question Original Practice Module Quiz
2026/2027 Edition
1. What is the usual sequence of physical assessment techniques outside the abdomen?
A) Inspection, palpation, percussion, auscultation
B) Palpation, auscultation, inspection, percussion
C) Auscultation, deep palpation, inspection, percussion
D) Percussion, auscultation, inspection, palpation
Correct Answer: A) Inspection, palpation, percussion, auscultation
Rationale: Inspection comes first, followed by touch, tapping, and listening as appropriate to the system.
2. Why is the abdominal examination sequence different?
A) Deep palpation must always come first
B) Inspection is not used in abdominal assessment
C) Auscultation generally precedes percussion and palpation to avoid altering bowel sounds
D) The abdomen cannot be auscultated
Correct Answer: C) Auscultation generally precedes percussion and palpation to avoid altering bowel sounds
Rationale: Abdominal examination typically uses inspection, auscultation, percussion, then palpation.
3. What does inspection assess?
A) Deep tissue firmness by touch
B) Internal organ resonance by tapping
C) Heart valve sounds by listening
D) Visual appearance, symmetry, movement, and visible abnormalities
Correct Answer: D) Visual appearance, symmetry, movement, and visible abnormalities
Rationale: Inspection uses observation to identify visible clinical cues.
4. Which portion of the hand is most useful for assessing temperature?
A) Dorsal surface of fingers or hand
B) Fingernails only
C) Palm heel exclusively for vibration
D) Ulnar edge for pulses only
Correct Answer: A) Dorsal surface of fingers or hand
Correct Answer:
Rationale:
NUR-2180 Module Quiz 2 | Original Practice Module Quiz | 2026/2027 2
, Rationale: The dorsal hand is sensitive to subtle surface temperature differences.
5. Which part of the hand best detects tactile fremitus?
A) Fingernail edge
B) Wristwatch
C) Back of index fingernail
D) Ulnar aspect or palm base
Correct Answer: D) Ulnar aspect or palm base
Rationale: Vibrations are best transmitted to the ulnar surface or base of the hand.
6. What does palpation help assess?
A) Hearing threshold without tools
B) Visual acuity
C) Temperature, tenderness, consistency, mobility, and masses
D) Airway sounds heard only with stethoscope
Correct Answer: C) Temperature, tenderness, consistency, mobility, and masses
Rationale: Palpation characterizes tissues by touch and can locate tenderness and abnormal structures.
7. Why is light palpation usually performed before deep palpation?
A) It guarantees no tenderness
B) It replaces inspection
C) It detects only bone fractures
D) It assesses superficial tissues and patient comfort before deeper pressure
Correct Answer: D) It assesses superficial tissues and patient comfort before deeper pressure
Rationale: Progressive pressure reduces guarding and permits safe examination.
8. What finding should prompt caution before deep palpation?
A) Normal skin temperature
B) Stable appetite
C) Acute severe pain or suspected abdominal inflammation
D) Symmetric muscle tone
Correct Answer: C) Acute severe pain or suspected abdominal inflammation
Rationale: Deep pressure may worsen discomfort or risk injury in acute inflammatory conditions.
9. What does percussion primarily evaluate?
A) Surface hair distribution
B) Visual field clarity
C) Underlying density, size, and fluid or air characteristics
Correct Answer:
Rationale:
NUR-2180 Module Quiz 2 | Original Practice Module Quiz | 2026/2027 3
