NSG 3160 Lab Nesha Armstrong and Jane Hitch
High Yield Comprehensive Practice Exam with
Rationales and Study Guide for Fall Quarter
Nursing Students Just Released 2026 Update
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Topic Questions
1 Physical Assessment Techniques Questions 1 to 20
2 Vital Signs and Measurement Questions 21 to 40
3 Head and Neck Assessment Skills Questions 41 to 55
4 Respiratory Assessment Skills Questions 56 to 70
5 Cardiovascular Assessment Skills Questions 71 to 85
6 Abdominal Assessment Skills Questions 86 to 100
7 Musculoskeletal and Neurological Skills Questions 101 to 120
8 Documentation and Reporting Skills Questions 121 to 140
9 Patient Positioning and Safety Questions 141 to 160
10 Specimen Collection and Laboratory Skills Questions 161 to 180
11 Emergency and Critical Skills Questions 181 to 200
Brief Study Tips by Topic
SECTION 1 PHYSICAL ASSESSMENT TECHNIQUES
Questions 1 to 20
Question 1
A nursing student is practicing physical assessment techniques in the skills
lab. The student is preparing to perform percussion on a patient's abdomen.
Which technique should the student use to produce a resonant sound
A Place the non-dominant hand flat on the abdomen and strike the middle
finger with the dominant hand
B Place the dominant hand flat on the abdomen and strike with the non-
dominant hand
C Use direct percussion by striking the abdomen directly with the fingertips
D Use the ulnar surface of the hand to strike the abdomen
E Use the palmar surface of the hand to strike the abdomen
,
Answer A Place the non-dominant hand flat on the abdomen and strike the
middle finger with the dominant hand
Rationale Indirect percussion involves placing the non-dominant hand flat on
the body surface and striking the middle finger of that hand with the dominant
hand. This technique produces a sound that helps determine the density of
underlying tissue. Direct percussion strikes the body directly and is used less
frequently.
Question 2
A nursing student is learning to assess a patient's temperature using different
routes. The student understands that which route provides the most accurate
core body temperature
A Rectal
B Oral
C Axillary
D Tympanic
E Temporal artery
Answer A Rectal
Rationale Rectal temperature is considered the most accurate measurement of
core body temperature because it reflects internal body temperature closely.
Axillary temperature is the least accurate. Tympanic and temporal artery
temperatures are convenient but may be affected by external factors.
Question 3
A nursing student is practicing blood pressure measurement. The student
places the blood pressure cuff on the patient's arm and inflates it. Which step
should the student take to ensure accurate measurement
A Place the cuff snugly with the lower edge 2 to 3 cm above the antecubital
space
B Place the cuff loosely with the lower edge at the antecubital space
C Place the cuff snugly with the lower edge at the wrist
D Place the cuff loosely with the lower edge above the elbow
E Place the cuff snugly with the lower edge at the axilla
Answer A Place the cuff snugly with the lower edge 2 to 3 cm above the
antecubital space
,
Rationale The blood pressure cuff should be placed snugly with the lower
edge 2 to 3 cm above the antecubital space. This ensures the cuff is positioned
properly over the brachial artery. A loose cuff can cause falsely low readings.
The cuff should be placed on the upper arm, not the wrist or axilla.
Question 4
A nursing student is practicing auscultation of lung sounds. The student
places the stethoscope on the patient's chest and hears clear, soft sounds
throughout inspiration and expiration. Which term should the student use to
document this finding
A Vesicular breath sounds
B Bronchial breath sounds
C Bronchovesicular breath sounds
D Adventitious breath sounds
E Diminished breath sounds
Answer A Vesicular breath sounds
Rationale Vesicular breath sounds are soft, low-pitched sounds heard
throughout inspiration and expiration over peripheral lung fields. Bronchial
breath sounds are loud, high-pitched sounds heard over the trachea.
Bronchovesicular sounds are heard over the major bronchi. Adventitious
sounds include crackles, wheezes, and rhonchi.
Question 5
A nursing student is learning about the components of a health history. The
student understands that the chief complaint should be documented in which
way
A In the patient's own words
B In medical terminology
C In the nurse's interpretation
D In the physician's words
E In the family's words
Answer A In the patient's own words
Rationale The chief complaint should be documented in the patient's own
words to ensure accuracy and respect for the patient's perspective. Using
,
medical terminology or interpreting the complaint may alter the meaning. The
patient's exact words provide the most accurate representation of their
concern.
Question 6
A nursing student is practicing inspection of the skin. The student notes that
the patient has a flat, non-palpable area of discoloration on the forearm that is
less than 1 cm in diameter. Which term should the student use to document
this finding
A Macule
B Papule
C Nodule
D Vesicle
E Pustule
Answer A Macule
Rationale A macule is a flat, non-palpable discolored area less than 1 cm in
diameter, such as a freckle or petechiae. A papule is a raised, solid lesion less
than 1 cm. A nodule is raised and larger than 1 cm. A vesicle is fluid-filled. A
pustule contains pus.
Question 7
A nursing student is practicing palpation of lymph nodes. The student
palpates the patient's cervical lymph nodes and finds them to be enlarged and
tender. Which condition does this finding indicate
A Infection or inflammation
B Malignancy
C Normal finding
D Allergic reaction
E Autoimmune disorder
Answer A Infection or inflammation
Rationale Enlarged, tender lymph nodes indicate infection or inflammation.
Enlarged, non-tender lymph nodes may indicate malignancy. Normal lymph
nodes are not palpable or are small and mobile. The student should assess for
other signs of infection such as fever or localized symptoms.
High Yield Comprehensive Practice Exam with
Rationales and Study Guide for Fall Quarter
Nursing Students Just Released 2026 Update
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Topic Questions
1 Physical Assessment Techniques Questions 1 to 20
2 Vital Signs and Measurement Questions 21 to 40
3 Head and Neck Assessment Skills Questions 41 to 55
4 Respiratory Assessment Skills Questions 56 to 70
5 Cardiovascular Assessment Skills Questions 71 to 85
6 Abdominal Assessment Skills Questions 86 to 100
7 Musculoskeletal and Neurological Skills Questions 101 to 120
8 Documentation and Reporting Skills Questions 121 to 140
9 Patient Positioning and Safety Questions 141 to 160
10 Specimen Collection and Laboratory Skills Questions 161 to 180
11 Emergency and Critical Skills Questions 181 to 200
Brief Study Tips by Topic
SECTION 1 PHYSICAL ASSESSMENT TECHNIQUES
Questions 1 to 20
Question 1
A nursing student is practicing physical assessment techniques in the skills
lab. The student is preparing to perform percussion on a patient's abdomen.
Which technique should the student use to produce a resonant sound
A Place the non-dominant hand flat on the abdomen and strike the middle
finger with the dominant hand
B Place the dominant hand flat on the abdomen and strike with the non-
dominant hand
C Use direct percussion by striking the abdomen directly with the fingertips
D Use the ulnar surface of the hand to strike the abdomen
E Use the palmar surface of the hand to strike the abdomen
,
Answer A Place the non-dominant hand flat on the abdomen and strike the
middle finger with the dominant hand
Rationale Indirect percussion involves placing the non-dominant hand flat on
the body surface and striking the middle finger of that hand with the dominant
hand. This technique produces a sound that helps determine the density of
underlying tissue. Direct percussion strikes the body directly and is used less
frequently.
Question 2
A nursing student is learning to assess a patient's temperature using different
routes. The student understands that which route provides the most accurate
core body temperature
A Rectal
B Oral
C Axillary
D Tympanic
E Temporal artery
Answer A Rectal
Rationale Rectal temperature is considered the most accurate measurement of
core body temperature because it reflects internal body temperature closely.
Axillary temperature is the least accurate. Tympanic and temporal artery
temperatures are convenient but may be affected by external factors.
Question 3
A nursing student is practicing blood pressure measurement. The student
places the blood pressure cuff on the patient's arm and inflates it. Which step
should the student take to ensure accurate measurement
A Place the cuff snugly with the lower edge 2 to 3 cm above the antecubital
space
B Place the cuff loosely with the lower edge at the antecubital space
C Place the cuff snugly with the lower edge at the wrist
D Place the cuff loosely with the lower edge above the elbow
E Place the cuff snugly with the lower edge at the axilla
Answer A Place the cuff snugly with the lower edge 2 to 3 cm above the
antecubital space
,
Rationale The blood pressure cuff should be placed snugly with the lower
edge 2 to 3 cm above the antecubital space. This ensures the cuff is positioned
properly over the brachial artery. A loose cuff can cause falsely low readings.
The cuff should be placed on the upper arm, not the wrist or axilla.
Question 4
A nursing student is practicing auscultation of lung sounds. The student
places the stethoscope on the patient's chest and hears clear, soft sounds
throughout inspiration and expiration. Which term should the student use to
document this finding
A Vesicular breath sounds
B Bronchial breath sounds
C Bronchovesicular breath sounds
D Adventitious breath sounds
E Diminished breath sounds
Answer A Vesicular breath sounds
Rationale Vesicular breath sounds are soft, low-pitched sounds heard
throughout inspiration and expiration over peripheral lung fields. Bronchial
breath sounds are loud, high-pitched sounds heard over the trachea.
Bronchovesicular sounds are heard over the major bronchi. Adventitious
sounds include crackles, wheezes, and rhonchi.
Question 5
A nursing student is learning about the components of a health history. The
student understands that the chief complaint should be documented in which
way
A In the patient's own words
B In medical terminology
C In the nurse's interpretation
D In the physician's words
E In the family's words
Answer A In the patient's own words
Rationale The chief complaint should be documented in the patient's own
words to ensure accuracy and respect for the patient's perspective. Using
,
medical terminology or interpreting the complaint may alter the meaning. The
patient's exact words provide the most accurate representation of their
concern.
Question 6
A nursing student is practicing inspection of the skin. The student notes that
the patient has a flat, non-palpable area of discoloration on the forearm that is
less than 1 cm in diameter. Which term should the student use to document
this finding
A Macule
B Papule
C Nodule
D Vesicle
E Pustule
Answer A Macule
Rationale A macule is a flat, non-palpable discolored area less than 1 cm in
diameter, such as a freckle or petechiae. A papule is a raised, solid lesion less
than 1 cm. A nodule is raised and larger than 1 cm. A vesicle is fluid-filled. A
pustule contains pus.
Question 7
A nursing student is practicing palpation of lymph nodes. The student
palpates the patient's cervical lymph nodes and finds them to be enlarged and
tender. Which condition does this finding indicate
A Infection or inflammation
B Malignancy
C Normal finding
D Allergic reaction
E Autoimmune disorder
Answer A Infection or inflammation
Rationale Enlarged, tender lymph nodes indicate infection or inflammation.
Enlarged, non-tender lymph nodes may indicate malignancy. Normal lymph
nodes are not palpable or are small and mobile. The student should assess for
other signs of infection such as fever or localized symptoms.
