NURS 190 PHYSICAL ASSESSMENT MIDTERM EXAM
REVIEW LATEST 2026/ 2027 ACTUAL EXAM|
COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND CORRECT VERIFIED
ANSWERS/ ALREADY GRADED A+
Question 1: What is the correct order of the four basic physical
assessment techniques for most body systems?
A) Palpation, Inspection, Percussion, Auscultation
B) Inspection, Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation
C) Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion, Palpation
D) Percussion, Inspection, Auscultation, Palpation
Answer: B
Rationale: The standard order for physical assessment is
Inspection first, followed by Palpation, then Percussion, and
finally Auscultation. This sequence allows for systematic data
collection without altering underlying sounds or structures. The
1
,abdominal assessment is an exception where auscultation is
performed before palpation and percussion.
Question 2: When assessing the abdomen, why should the
nurse perform auscultation before palpation and percussion?
A) To prevent the patient from experiencing pain during the
exam
B) To ensure the patient is relaxed and comfortable
C) To avoid increasing peristalsis and altering bowel sounds
D) To allow time for the patient to empty their bladder
Answer: C
Rationale: Palpation and percussion can stimulate the intestines
and increase peristalsis, which would alter the frequency and
character of bowel sounds. Performing auscultation first ensures
the nurse hears an accurate representation of the patient's
baseline bowel sounds.
2
,Question 3: Which part of the hand is most sensitive for
assessing temperature?
A) Finger pads
B) Palmar surface
C) Dorsal (back) surface
D) Ulnar surface
Answer: C
Rationale: The dorsal surface of the hand has thinner skin and is
more sensitive to temperature variations, making it the best part
of the hand to assess skin warmth or coolness.
Question 4: Which finger pads are best for assessing fine
discrimination such as pulses, superficial lymph nodes, or
crepitus?
A) Dorsal surface of fingers
B) Palmar surface of hand
3
, C) Ulnar surface of hand
D) Finger pads (pads of the fingertips)
Answer: D
Rationale: The finger pads contain the highest concentration of
nerve endings and are most sensitive for fine discrimination tasks
such as assessing pulses, lymph node characteristics, texture, and
crepitus.
Question 5: Which part of the hand is used to assess for
vibrations such as tactile fremitus?
A) Finger pads
B) Dorsal surface
C) Ulnar surface or base of fingers (metacarpophalangeal
joints)
D) Palmar surface of fingers
Answer: C
4
REVIEW LATEST 2026/ 2027 ACTUAL EXAM|
COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND CORRECT VERIFIED
ANSWERS/ ALREADY GRADED A+
Question 1: What is the correct order of the four basic physical
assessment techniques for most body systems?
A) Palpation, Inspection, Percussion, Auscultation
B) Inspection, Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation
C) Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion, Palpation
D) Percussion, Inspection, Auscultation, Palpation
Answer: B
Rationale: The standard order for physical assessment is
Inspection first, followed by Palpation, then Percussion, and
finally Auscultation. This sequence allows for systematic data
collection without altering underlying sounds or structures. The
1
,abdominal assessment is an exception where auscultation is
performed before palpation and percussion.
Question 2: When assessing the abdomen, why should the
nurse perform auscultation before palpation and percussion?
A) To prevent the patient from experiencing pain during the
exam
B) To ensure the patient is relaxed and comfortable
C) To avoid increasing peristalsis and altering bowel sounds
D) To allow time for the patient to empty their bladder
Answer: C
Rationale: Palpation and percussion can stimulate the intestines
and increase peristalsis, which would alter the frequency and
character of bowel sounds. Performing auscultation first ensures
the nurse hears an accurate representation of the patient's
baseline bowel sounds.
2
,Question 3: Which part of the hand is most sensitive for
assessing temperature?
A) Finger pads
B) Palmar surface
C) Dorsal (back) surface
D) Ulnar surface
Answer: C
Rationale: The dorsal surface of the hand has thinner skin and is
more sensitive to temperature variations, making it the best part
of the hand to assess skin warmth or coolness.
Question 4: Which finger pads are best for assessing fine
discrimination such as pulses, superficial lymph nodes, or
crepitus?
A) Dorsal surface of fingers
B) Palmar surface of hand
3
, C) Ulnar surface of hand
D) Finger pads (pads of the fingertips)
Answer: D
Rationale: The finger pads contain the highest concentration of
nerve endings and are most sensitive for fine discrimination tasks
such as assessing pulses, lymph node characteristics, texture, and
crepitus.
Question 5: Which part of the hand is used to assess for
vibrations such as tactile fremitus?
A) Finger pads
B) Dorsal surface
C) Ulnar surface or base of fingers (metacarpophalangeal
joints)
D) Palmar surface of fingers
Answer: C
4
