APEA 3P – Physical Assessment – Real Exam Study Guide – USA – 2024 – Complete Study Notes and Exam Prep

3P APEA REAL Exam Study Guide
Physical Assessment
✅ 70 Verified Practice Questions with Correct Answers and
Rationales



1. What is the primary purpose of inspection during a physical assessment?

 A. To assess the size of organs
 B. To evaluate the skin, body movements, and posture
 C. To measure body temperature
 D. To listen to heart sounds

✅ Correct Answer: B. To evaluate the skin, body movements, and posture
💡 Rationale: Inspection involves visually assessing the patient’s body posture, movements,
and any visible abnormalities.



2. What is the most appropriate method to assess lung sounds?

 A. Inspection
 B. Palpation
 C. Percussion
 D. Auscultation

✅ Correct Answer: D. Auscultation
💡 Rationale: Auscultation is the technique used to listen to lung sounds using a stethoscope,
helping identify abnormalities like wheezing or crackles.



3. When performing palpation, what should the nurse assess for?

 A. Skin temperature and texture
 B. Lung sounds
 C. Blood pressure
 D. Joint range of motion

,✅ Correct Answer: A. Skin temperature and texture
💡 Rationale: Palpation involves feeling the body to assess skin temperature, texture, and the
presence of any lumps or tenderness.



4. What is the correct technique for assessing abdominal tenderness?

 A. Palpate the abdomen last after inspection
 B. Palpate the abdomen first before percussion
 C. Palpate over the tender area first
 D. Always palpate deeply

✅ Correct Answer: A. Palpate the abdomen last after inspection
💡 Rationale: To avoid causing discomfort, palpation is performed last after inspecting the
abdomen, and gentle palpation is used to assess for tenderness.



5. When performing a head-to-toe assessment, the nurse should begin with which
of the following?

 A. Vital signs
 B. Skin assessment
 C. Neurological assessment
 D. Respiratory assessment

✅ Correct Answer: A. Vital signs
💡 Rationale: Vital signs (blood pressure, pulse, temperature, and respiratory rate) are assessed
first as part of the overall physical exam to evaluate the patient's immediate health status.



6. Which technique should be used to assess for tactile fremitus?

 A. Percussion
 B. Palpation
 C. Auscultation
 D. Inspection

✅ Correct Answer: B. Palpation
💡 Rationale: Tactile fremitus is assessed by palpating the chest while the patient repeats a
phrase, checking for vibration differences that may indicate lung abnormalities.

, 7. During an ocular examination, which of the following tests is used to check for
pupil reaction?

 A. Snellen chart
 B. Confrontation test
 C. Accommodation test
 D. PERRLA

✅ Correct Answer: D. PERRLA
💡 Rationale: PERRLA (Pupils Equal, Round, Reactive to Light and Accommodation) is used
to assess the reaction of the pupils to light and accommodation.



8. When examining the lungs, the nurse should assess for which of the following?

 A. Lung expansion and symmetry
 B. Skin temperature of the chest
 C. Presence of capillary refill
 D. Heart rate

✅ Correct Answer: A. Lung expansion and symmetry
💡 Rationale: Lung expansion and symmetry are assessed during inspection and palpation to
identify any abnormalities like uneven lung expansion or fluid buildup.



9. In the assessment of neurological status, which of the following is assessed
first?

 A. Pupillary response
 B. Sensory function
 C. Motor function
 D. Level of consciousness

✅ Correct Answer: D. Level of consciousness
💡 Rationale: The level of consciousness is assessed first to gauge the patient's awareness and
cognitive state before testing for specific neurological functions.



10. When assessing musculoskeletal strength, what action should be taken?

 A. Ask the patient to squeeze your hand and resist pressure
 B. Measure the range of motion