NR509 / NR 509 Advanced Physical
Assessment Final Exam Questions and
Answers (2026) – Chamberlain
SECTION 1: THE CLINICAL INTERVIEW & HEALTH
HISTORY (Questions 1-15)
Question 1
What is the primary purpose of a physical assessment?
A) To confirm a diagnosis
B) To gather baseline data
C) To develop a treatment plan
D) To prescribe medication
Answer: B
Rationale: The primary purpose of a physical assessment is to collect
comprehensive baseline data about a patient's health status. This
information serves as the foundation for identifying actual and
potential health problems, planning interventions, and evaluating
outcomes.
,Question 2
Which of the following techniques is NOT commonly used in
physical assessment?
A) Inspection
B) Auscultation
C) Palpation
D) Extraction
Answer: D
Rationale: Extraction is not a standard technique in physical
assessment. The four primary techniques are inspection, palpation,
percussion, and auscultation. Extraction refers to removal of tissue or
foreign bodies and is not a physical assessment technique.
Question 3
What is the correct order for performing the components of the lung
examination?
A) Auscultation, Inspection, Palpation, Percussion
B) Inspection, Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation
C) Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation, Inspection
D) Percussion, Auscultation, Inspection, Palpation
Answer: B
Rationale: The correct order for the lung examination is Inspection,
Palpation, Percussion, and Auscultation (IPPA). This order allows
the clinician to observe general appearance, feel for abnormalities,
percuss for resonance or dullness, and then listen to breath sounds
without altering them through preceding maneuvers.
,Question 4
When performing an abdominal examination, in which order should
the techniques be applied?
A) Inspection, palpation, percussion, auscultation
B) Auscultation, inspection, palpation, percussion
C) Inspection, auscultation, percussion, palpation
D) Inspection, percussion, palpation, auscultation
Answer: C
Rationale: The correct order for abdominal examination is
Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion, then Palpation. Auscultation is
performed before palpation and percussion because palpation and
percussion can alter bowel sounds. This is standard practice for
abdominal examinations to avoid altering bowel sounds.
Question 5
Which cranial nerve is tested by assessing the patient's ability to
smell?
A) Cranial Nerve I (Olfactory)
B) Cranial Nerve II (Optic)
C) Cranial Nerve III (Oculomotor)
D) Cranial Nerve V (Trigeminal)
Answer: A
Rationale: Cranial Nerve I (Olfactory nerve) is responsible for the
sense of smell. Testing smell involves having the patient identify
familiar odors with eyes closed, testing each nostril separately.
, Question 6
What is the normal range for adult resting heart rate?
A) 40-60 bpm
B) 60-100 bpm
C) 100-120 bpm
D) 120-140 bpm
Answer: B
Rationale: The normal resting heart rate for adults typically ranges
from 60 to 100 beats per minute. Bradycardia is defined as a heart
rate below 60 bpm, and tachycardia is defined as a heart rate above
100 bpm.
Question 7
A patient with a history of complex social and medical needs
(including substance abuse) presents to a primary care clinic. He has
had adversarial relationships with prior clinicians. Which interview
style is most likely to lead to comprehensive care and patient
compliance?
A) Focusing on the need for immediate diagnostic certainty over
personal connection
B) Taking charge of the interaction to meet the clinician's desire to
acquire diagnostic information
C) Following the patient's lead to understand their thoughts, ideas,
concerns, and requests
D) Deferring respect, empathy, humility, and sensitivity in favor of
acquiring concrete details
Answer: C
Rationale: Following the patient's lead to understand their thoughts,
Assessment Final Exam Questions and
Answers (2026) – Chamberlain
SECTION 1: THE CLINICAL INTERVIEW & HEALTH
HISTORY (Questions 1-15)
Question 1
What is the primary purpose of a physical assessment?
A) To confirm a diagnosis
B) To gather baseline data
C) To develop a treatment plan
D) To prescribe medication
Answer: B
Rationale: The primary purpose of a physical assessment is to collect
comprehensive baseline data about a patient's health status. This
information serves as the foundation for identifying actual and
potential health problems, planning interventions, and evaluating
outcomes.
,Question 2
Which of the following techniques is NOT commonly used in
physical assessment?
A) Inspection
B) Auscultation
C) Palpation
D) Extraction
Answer: D
Rationale: Extraction is not a standard technique in physical
assessment. The four primary techniques are inspection, palpation,
percussion, and auscultation. Extraction refers to removal of tissue or
foreign bodies and is not a physical assessment technique.
Question 3
What is the correct order for performing the components of the lung
examination?
A) Auscultation, Inspection, Palpation, Percussion
B) Inspection, Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation
C) Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation, Inspection
D) Percussion, Auscultation, Inspection, Palpation
Answer: B
Rationale: The correct order for the lung examination is Inspection,
Palpation, Percussion, and Auscultation (IPPA). This order allows
the clinician to observe general appearance, feel for abnormalities,
percuss for resonance or dullness, and then listen to breath sounds
without altering them through preceding maneuvers.
,Question 4
When performing an abdominal examination, in which order should
the techniques be applied?
A) Inspection, palpation, percussion, auscultation
B) Auscultation, inspection, palpation, percussion
C) Inspection, auscultation, percussion, palpation
D) Inspection, percussion, palpation, auscultation
Answer: C
Rationale: The correct order for abdominal examination is
Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion, then Palpation. Auscultation is
performed before palpation and percussion because palpation and
percussion can alter bowel sounds. This is standard practice for
abdominal examinations to avoid altering bowel sounds.
Question 5
Which cranial nerve is tested by assessing the patient's ability to
smell?
A) Cranial Nerve I (Olfactory)
B) Cranial Nerve II (Optic)
C) Cranial Nerve III (Oculomotor)
D) Cranial Nerve V (Trigeminal)
Answer: A
Rationale: Cranial Nerve I (Olfactory nerve) is responsible for the
sense of smell. Testing smell involves having the patient identify
familiar odors with eyes closed, testing each nostril separately.
, Question 6
What is the normal range for adult resting heart rate?
A) 40-60 bpm
B) 60-100 bpm
C) 100-120 bpm
D) 120-140 bpm
Answer: B
Rationale: The normal resting heart rate for adults typically ranges
from 60 to 100 beats per minute. Bradycardia is defined as a heart
rate below 60 bpm, and tachycardia is defined as a heart rate above
100 bpm.
Question 7
A patient with a history of complex social and medical needs
(including substance abuse) presents to a primary care clinic. He has
had adversarial relationships with prior clinicians. Which interview
style is most likely to lead to comprehensive care and patient
compliance?
A) Focusing on the need for immediate diagnostic certainty over
personal connection
B) Taking charge of the interaction to meet the clinician's desire to
acquire diagnostic information
C) Following the patient's lead to understand their thoughts, ideas,
concerns, and requests
D) Deferring respect, empathy, humility, and sensitivity in favor of
acquiring concrete details
Answer: C
Rationale: Following the patient's lead to understand their thoughts,
