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NR302 / NR 302: Health Assessment Exam 2 Latest 2025
/ 2026 | Comprehensive Study Guide Q-Bank
Chamberlain College of Nursing | Actual Questions &
Correct Detailed Answers
SECTION 1: GENERAL ASSESSMENT & SKIN, HAIR, NAILS (1–18)
Question 1
A nurse is preparing to examine a patient’s skin using palpation. Which part of the
hand is BEST for assessing skin temperature?
A) Fingertips
B) Dorsal surface of the hand
C) Palmar surface of the hand
D) Ulnar surface of the hand
E) Thumb and index finger
CORRECT ANSWER : B) Dorsal surface of the hand
RATIONALE:
The dorsal (back) surface of the hand is most sensitive to temperature because
the skin is thinner. Fingertips are best for fine tactile discrimination (texture,
pulses). The palmar surface is used for general palpation. The ulnar surface is best
for detecting vibration.
Question 2
A nurse observes a flat, circumscribed lesion less than 1 cm in diameter that is a
change in skin color only. This is documented as a:
A) Papule
B) Nodule
C) Macule
pg. 1
,2
D) Vesicle
E) Pustule
CORRECT ANSWER : C) Macule
RATIONALE:
A macule is a flat, nonpalpable change in skin color, <1 cm (e.g., freckle,
petechiae). A patch is >1 cm. A papule is elevated, solid, <1 cm. A nodule is solid,
elevated, >1 cm. A vesicle is elevated, fluid-filled, <1 cm. A pustule is elevated,
pus-filled.
Question 3
A patient has a skin lesion with irregular borders, asymmetry, color variation, and
a diameter of 7 mm. The nurse should:
A) Document as a benign nevus
B) Recognize these as ABCDE features of melanoma and report to the provider
C) Apply topical antibiotic
D) Reassure the patient it is a normal age-related change
E) Schedule follow-up in 6 months
CORRECT ANSWER : B) Recognize these as ABCDE features of melanoma and
report to the provider
RATIONALE:
The ABCDE rule for melanoma: A – Asymmetry, B – Border irregularity, C – Color
variation, D – Diameter >6 mm, E – Evolving. Any lesion with these features
requires immediate provider evaluation and possible biopsy.
Question 4
A patient has a bluish discoloration of the lips and oral mucosa. The nurse
documents this as:
A) Pallor
B) Erythema
C) Central cyanosis
pg. 2
,3
D) Jaundice
E) Peripheral cyanosis
CORRECT ANSWER : C) Central cyanosis
RATIONALE:
Central cyanosis (bluish discoloration of lips, tongue, oral mucosa, trunk) indicates
decreased oxygen saturation and is a medical emergency. Peripheral cyanosis
(acrocyanosis) is bluish discoloration of hands/feet only and may be normal in
newborns or due to cold exposure.
Question 5
A nurse is assessing a patient’s skin turgor. The BEST location to assess skin turgor
in an older adult is:
A) Back of the hand
B) Forehead
C) Over the sternum or clavicle
D) Lower leg
E) Abdomen
CORRECT ANSWER : C) Over the sternum or clavicle
RATIONALE:
Skin turgor is assessed by pinching a fold of skin and observing its return. In older
adults, the back of the hand is unreliable due to loss of subcutaneous tissue and
decreased elasticity. The sternum or clavicle provides a more accurate
assessment.
Question 6
A patient has a yellow-orange discoloration of the sclera and skin. The nurse
recognizes this as:
A) Pallor
B) Jaundice
C) Carotenemia
pg. 3
, 4
D) Cyanosis
E) Vitiligo
CORRECT ANSWER : B) Jaundice
RATIONALE:
Jaundice (icterus) is a yellow discoloration of the skin, sclera, and mucous
membranes due to elevated bilirubin. Carotenemia causes yellow-orange skin but
spares the sclera (from excessive carrot/squash intake). Pallor is paleness. Vitiligo
is depigmented patches.
Question 7
A nurse palpates a patient's nail base and feels a spongy sensation with slight
movement. This finding is consistent with:
A) Paronychia
B) Clubbing
C) Onychomycosis
D) Koilonychia
E) Beau's lines
CORRECT ANSWER : B) Clubbing
RATIONALE:
Clubbing is assessed by the Schamroth technique or palpating the nail base for
sponginess. It is associated with chronic hypoxia (COPD, cystic fibrosis, congenital
heart disease). The normal nail base is firm. Paronychia is infection.
Onychomycosis is fungal infection. Koilonychia is spoon nails (iron deficiency).
Question 8
Which skin finding would the nurse identify as a PRIMARY skin lesion?
A) Scar
B) Ulcer
C) Macule
pg. 4
NR302 / NR 302: Health Assessment Exam 2 Latest 2025
/ 2026 | Comprehensive Study Guide Q-Bank
Chamberlain College of Nursing | Actual Questions &
Correct Detailed Answers
SECTION 1: GENERAL ASSESSMENT & SKIN, HAIR, NAILS (1–18)
Question 1
A nurse is preparing to examine a patient’s skin using palpation. Which part of the
hand is BEST for assessing skin temperature?
A) Fingertips
B) Dorsal surface of the hand
C) Palmar surface of the hand
D) Ulnar surface of the hand
E) Thumb and index finger
CORRECT ANSWER : B) Dorsal surface of the hand
RATIONALE:
The dorsal (back) surface of the hand is most sensitive to temperature because
the skin is thinner. Fingertips are best for fine tactile discrimination (texture,
pulses). The palmar surface is used for general palpation. The ulnar surface is best
for detecting vibration.
Question 2
A nurse observes a flat, circumscribed lesion less than 1 cm in diameter that is a
change in skin color only. This is documented as a:
A) Papule
B) Nodule
C) Macule
pg. 1
,2
D) Vesicle
E) Pustule
CORRECT ANSWER : C) Macule
RATIONALE:
A macule is a flat, nonpalpable change in skin color, <1 cm (e.g., freckle,
petechiae). A patch is >1 cm. A papule is elevated, solid, <1 cm. A nodule is solid,
elevated, >1 cm. A vesicle is elevated, fluid-filled, <1 cm. A pustule is elevated,
pus-filled.
Question 3
A patient has a skin lesion with irregular borders, asymmetry, color variation, and
a diameter of 7 mm. The nurse should:
A) Document as a benign nevus
B) Recognize these as ABCDE features of melanoma and report to the provider
C) Apply topical antibiotic
D) Reassure the patient it is a normal age-related change
E) Schedule follow-up in 6 months
CORRECT ANSWER : B) Recognize these as ABCDE features of melanoma and
report to the provider
RATIONALE:
The ABCDE rule for melanoma: A – Asymmetry, B – Border irregularity, C – Color
variation, D – Diameter >6 mm, E – Evolving. Any lesion with these features
requires immediate provider evaluation and possible biopsy.
Question 4
A patient has a bluish discoloration of the lips and oral mucosa. The nurse
documents this as:
A) Pallor
B) Erythema
C) Central cyanosis
pg. 2
,3
D) Jaundice
E) Peripheral cyanosis
CORRECT ANSWER : C) Central cyanosis
RATIONALE:
Central cyanosis (bluish discoloration of lips, tongue, oral mucosa, trunk) indicates
decreased oxygen saturation and is a medical emergency. Peripheral cyanosis
(acrocyanosis) is bluish discoloration of hands/feet only and may be normal in
newborns or due to cold exposure.
Question 5
A nurse is assessing a patient’s skin turgor. The BEST location to assess skin turgor
in an older adult is:
A) Back of the hand
B) Forehead
C) Over the sternum or clavicle
D) Lower leg
E) Abdomen
CORRECT ANSWER : C) Over the sternum or clavicle
RATIONALE:
Skin turgor is assessed by pinching a fold of skin and observing its return. In older
adults, the back of the hand is unreliable due to loss of subcutaneous tissue and
decreased elasticity. The sternum or clavicle provides a more accurate
assessment.
Question 6
A patient has a yellow-orange discoloration of the sclera and skin. The nurse
recognizes this as:
A) Pallor
B) Jaundice
C) Carotenemia
pg. 3
, 4
D) Cyanosis
E) Vitiligo
CORRECT ANSWER : B) Jaundice
RATIONALE:
Jaundice (icterus) is a yellow discoloration of the skin, sclera, and mucous
membranes due to elevated bilirubin. Carotenemia causes yellow-orange skin but
spares the sclera (from excessive carrot/squash intake). Pallor is paleness. Vitiligo
is depigmented patches.
Question 7
A nurse palpates a patient's nail base and feels a spongy sensation with slight
movement. This finding is consistent with:
A) Paronychia
B) Clubbing
C) Onychomycosis
D) Koilonychia
E) Beau's lines
CORRECT ANSWER : B) Clubbing
RATIONALE:
Clubbing is assessed by the Schamroth technique or palpating the nail base for
sponginess. It is associated with chronic hypoxia (COPD, cystic fibrosis, congenital
heart disease). The normal nail base is firm. Paronychia is infection.
Onychomycosis is fungal infection. Koilonychia is spoon nails (iron deficiency).
Question 8
Which skin finding would the nurse identify as a PRIMARY skin lesion?
A) Scar
B) Ulcer
C) Macule
pg. 4
