MIDTERM EXAM:NR 509/NR 509 ADVANCED PHYSICAL
ASSESSMENT 2026 UPDATE QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED
ANSWERS (CHAMBERLAIN)
1. A mother brings her 2-month-old daughter in for an
examination and says, "My daughter rolled over against the
wall and now I have noticed that she has this spot that is soft
on the top of her head."
Answer: That “soft spot” is normal and actually allows for
growth of the brain during the first year of your baby's life.
2. During a visual assessment, the patient is asked to cover one
eye and read the letters on an eye chart. Which cranial nerve is
primarily being assessed?
Answer: Cranial Nerve II (Optic Nerve), which controls vision
and visual acuity.
3. While auscultating the carotid arteries, a nurse hears a
swishing sound. What does this finding most likely indicate?
Answer: A carotid bruit indicates turbulent blood flow, usually
caused by narrowing of the artery.
4. A patient is positioned at a 45-degree angle for examination
of the neck veins. What is the nurse assessing?
Answer: The nurse is assessing jugular venous distention, which
reflects right atrial pressure and fluid status.
5. A nurse hears a low-pitched, early diastolic sound after S2
when auscultating the apex of the heart. What is this finding?
Answer: This is an S3 heart sound, which is associated with
, increased ventricular filling pressures and may indicate heart
failure.
6. What is the first step in a physical assessment of the
abdomen?
Answer: Inspection should always be performed first to
observe for contour, distention, and skin changes before
palpation or percussion.
7. A patient complains of sharp pain in the right lower quadrant
that worsens when pressure is released. What does this
suggest?
Answer: This is rebound tenderness, which is most indicative of
appendicitis.
8. During a respiratory assessment of an elderly patient, what
change is commonly expected with aging?
Answer: Decreased vital capacity and reduced lung elasticity
are expected normal age-related changes.
9. Which lymph nodes are located in the posterior triangle of
the neck and should be assessed during palpation?
Answer: Posterior cervical lymph nodes, which drain the scalp
and neck region.
10. What type of breath sound is normally heard over the
trachea?
Answer: Bronchial breath sounds, which are high-pitched and
loud.
ASSESSMENT 2026 UPDATE QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED
ANSWERS (CHAMBERLAIN)
1. A mother brings her 2-month-old daughter in for an
examination and says, "My daughter rolled over against the
wall and now I have noticed that she has this spot that is soft
on the top of her head."
Answer: That “soft spot” is normal and actually allows for
growth of the brain during the first year of your baby's life.
2. During a visual assessment, the patient is asked to cover one
eye and read the letters on an eye chart. Which cranial nerve is
primarily being assessed?
Answer: Cranial Nerve II (Optic Nerve), which controls vision
and visual acuity.
3. While auscultating the carotid arteries, a nurse hears a
swishing sound. What does this finding most likely indicate?
Answer: A carotid bruit indicates turbulent blood flow, usually
caused by narrowing of the artery.
4. A patient is positioned at a 45-degree angle for examination
of the neck veins. What is the nurse assessing?
Answer: The nurse is assessing jugular venous distention, which
reflects right atrial pressure and fluid status.
5. A nurse hears a low-pitched, early diastolic sound after S2
when auscultating the apex of the heart. What is this finding?
Answer: This is an S3 heart sound, which is associated with
, increased ventricular filling pressures and may indicate heart
failure.
6. What is the first step in a physical assessment of the
abdomen?
Answer: Inspection should always be performed first to
observe for contour, distention, and skin changes before
palpation or percussion.
7. A patient complains of sharp pain in the right lower quadrant
that worsens when pressure is released. What does this
suggest?
Answer: This is rebound tenderness, which is most indicative of
appendicitis.
8. During a respiratory assessment of an elderly patient, what
change is commonly expected with aging?
Answer: Decreased vital capacity and reduced lung elasticity
are expected normal age-related changes.
9. Which lymph nodes are located in the posterior triangle of
the neck and should be assessed during palpation?
Answer: Posterior cervical lymph nodes, which drain the scalp
and neck region.
10. What type of breath sound is normally heard over the
trachea?
Answer: Bronchial breath sounds, which are high-pitched and
loud.
