RASMUSSEN UNIVERSITY
Physical Assessment
Quiz 2 — NUR 2180
NUR 2180 — Complete Question Bank
Academic Year: 2026/2027 Verified Answers with Rationales
Question 1
A nurse is performing a physical assessment for a client using the technique of palpation. What is
the purpose of using this technique?
A. To check the skin temperature by feeling the surface of the skin
B. To assess the sounds from the heart, lungs, and abdomen
C. To determine the density and location of structures underlying the skin's surface
D. To inspect specific structures for normal or abnormal characteristics
CORRECT ANSWER A. To check the skin temperature by feeling the surface of the skin
RATIONALE: Palpation is the technique of using the hands and fingers to feel the surface of the skin, checking
for temperature, texture, moisture, tenderness, and presence of masses or pulsations. The correct answer is
checking skin temperature by feeling the surface of the skin.
,Question 2
When assessing the left lower quadrant of the abdomen, the nurse knows that the following
structure is located in the LLQ.
A. Spleen
B. Liver
C. Sigmoid colon
D. Stomach
CORRECT ANSWER C. Sigmoid colon
RATIONALE: The sigmoid colon is located in the left lower quadrant (LLQ) of the abdomen. The spleen is in
the LUQ, the liver is in the RUQ, and the stomach is in the LUQ.
Question 3
A nurse is preparing for a skin care certification course and needs to identify various lesions that
may be seen on the skin. Which definition is correct?
A. Abrasion is a jagged wound
B. Vesicle is a round area filled with pus
C. Wheal is a a slightly elevated area, possibly due to a rash also called hives
D. Cyst is an elevated lesion filled with serous fluid
CORRECT ANSWER C. Wheal is a a slightly elevated area, possibly due to a rash also called hives
RATIONALE: A wheal is a slightly elevated, irregular-shaped area of cutaneous edema, often associated with
urticaria (hives). It is caused by localized fluid accumulation in the dermis. Abrasion is a scraping injury, not a
jagged wound; vesicles contain serous fluid, not pus; cysts are encapsulated fluid-filled sacs.
, Question 4
It is important for a client to be comfortable during the assessment. The nurse uses empathy that
assists him to make adjustments in his method during the exam. One adjustment might include:
A. Dim the lighting in the exam room
B. Keeping accessible doors open to the exam room
C. Warming any equipment prior to touching the patient
D. Assist the client to walk down the hall to the bathroom in his gown but with a blanket
CORRECT ANSWER C. Warming any equipment prior to touching the patient
RATIONALE: Warming equipment (e.g., stethoscope, hands) prior to touching the patient promotes comfort
and demonstrates empathy. Cold equipment can startle or discomfort the client, affecting the assessment.
Question 5
A client has been admitted to your unit. The nurse notes that the client's oral mucous
membranes are dry and that skin on the chest just below the clavicle remains 'tented' when
gently pinched. What is the assessment revealing to the nurse?
A. Fluid volume overload
B. Dehydration
C. Poor oral hygiene
D. Poor skin condition
CORRECT ANSWER B. Dehydration
RATIONALE: Dry mucous membranes and skin tenting (decreased skin turgor) are classic signs of dehydration.
When skin is pinched and remains tented, it indicates decreased tissue elasticity due to fluid loss, suggesting
dehydration.
Physical Assessment
Quiz 2 — NUR 2180
NUR 2180 — Complete Question Bank
Academic Year: 2026/2027 Verified Answers with Rationales
Question 1
A nurse is performing a physical assessment for a client using the technique of palpation. What is
the purpose of using this technique?
A. To check the skin temperature by feeling the surface of the skin
B. To assess the sounds from the heart, lungs, and abdomen
C. To determine the density and location of structures underlying the skin's surface
D. To inspect specific structures for normal or abnormal characteristics
CORRECT ANSWER A. To check the skin temperature by feeling the surface of the skin
RATIONALE: Palpation is the technique of using the hands and fingers to feel the surface of the skin, checking
for temperature, texture, moisture, tenderness, and presence of masses or pulsations. The correct answer is
checking skin temperature by feeling the surface of the skin.
,Question 2
When assessing the left lower quadrant of the abdomen, the nurse knows that the following
structure is located in the LLQ.
A. Spleen
B. Liver
C. Sigmoid colon
D. Stomach
CORRECT ANSWER C. Sigmoid colon
RATIONALE: The sigmoid colon is located in the left lower quadrant (LLQ) of the abdomen. The spleen is in
the LUQ, the liver is in the RUQ, and the stomach is in the LUQ.
Question 3
A nurse is preparing for a skin care certification course and needs to identify various lesions that
may be seen on the skin. Which definition is correct?
A. Abrasion is a jagged wound
B. Vesicle is a round area filled with pus
C. Wheal is a a slightly elevated area, possibly due to a rash also called hives
D. Cyst is an elevated lesion filled with serous fluid
CORRECT ANSWER C. Wheal is a a slightly elevated area, possibly due to a rash also called hives
RATIONALE: A wheal is a slightly elevated, irregular-shaped area of cutaneous edema, often associated with
urticaria (hives). It is caused by localized fluid accumulation in the dermis. Abrasion is a scraping injury, not a
jagged wound; vesicles contain serous fluid, not pus; cysts are encapsulated fluid-filled sacs.
, Question 4
It is important for a client to be comfortable during the assessment. The nurse uses empathy that
assists him to make adjustments in his method during the exam. One adjustment might include:
A. Dim the lighting in the exam room
B. Keeping accessible doors open to the exam room
C. Warming any equipment prior to touching the patient
D. Assist the client to walk down the hall to the bathroom in his gown but with a blanket
CORRECT ANSWER C. Warming any equipment prior to touching the patient
RATIONALE: Warming equipment (e.g., stethoscope, hands) prior to touching the patient promotes comfort
and demonstrates empathy. Cold equipment can startle or discomfort the client, affecting the assessment.
Question 5
A client has been admitted to your unit. The nurse notes that the client's oral mucous
membranes are dry and that skin on the chest just below the clavicle remains 'tented' when
gently pinched. What is the assessment revealing to the nurse?
A. Fluid volume overload
B. Dehydration
C. Poor oral hygiene
D. Poor skin condition
CORRECT ANSWER B. Dehydration
RATIONALE: Dry mucous membranes and skin tenting (decreased skin turgor) are classic signs of dehydration.
When skin is pinched and remains tented, it indicates decreased tissue elasticity due to fluid loss, suggesting
dehydration.
