1 | Page
WEST COAST UNIVERSITY NURS HEALTH
ASSESSMENT AND PHYSICAL EXAMINATION
COMPREHENSIVE PRACTICE EXAM
QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS AND RATIONALES
GRADED A+ 2026/27 | 100% PASS GUARANTEED
Covers Physical Assessment Techniques, Head-to-Toe Assessment,
Cranial Nerves, Vital Signs, Skin, HEENT, Cardiovascular, Respiratory,
Abdominal, Neurological, and Musculoskeletal Assessment
QUESTION 1
A nurse is performing a physical assessment. Which technique should be
used to assess the thyroid gland?
A) Inspection only
B) Palpation from the posterior approach
C) Percussion
D) Auscultation with a stethoscope
Verified Answer: B
,2 | Page
Rationale: The thyroid gland is assessed by inspection and palpation,
typically from the posterior approach with the patient's neck slightly
flexed. The nurse palpates for size, symmetry, and nodules. Auscultation
is used to detect bruits if hyperthyroidism is suspected.
QUESTION 2
During an abdominal assessment, the nurse should perform auscultation
before palpation for which reason?
A) Palpation can alter bowel sounds
B) Palpation is not as accurate
C) Auscultation is faster
D) Bowel sounds are always heard
Verified Answer: A
Rationale: Palpation can stimulate peristalsis and alter bowel sounds.
Auscultation should be performed first to assess normal bowel activity
before any manipulation. Inspection is performed first, then auscultation,
percussion, and palpation.
QUESTION 3
A patient's jugular venous pressure is elevated. This finding is most
indicative of:
A) Hypovolemia
B) Right-sided heart failure
,3 | Page
C) Left-sided heart failure
D) Pulmonary embolism
Verified Answer: B
Rationale: Elevated jugular venous pressure indicates increased right-
sided heart pressure, which occurs in right-sided heart failure. Left-sided
heart failure primarily affects pulmonary circulation. Hypovolemia
causes decreased JVP.
QUESTION 4
A nurse is assessing a patient's capillary refill. How long should normal
capillary refill take?
A) Less than 1 second
B) Less than 2 seconds
C) Less than 3 seconds
D) Less than 5 seconds
Verified Answer: B
Rationale: Normal capillary refill time is less than 2 seconds. Prolonged
refill greater than 2-3 seconds suggests decreased peripheral perfusion
and may indicate circulatory compromise, shock, or hypothermia.
QUESTION 5
, 4 | Page
Which cranial nerve is being tested when a patient is asked to shrug their
shoulders against resistance?
A) Cranial nerve IX (Glossopharyngeal)
B) Cranial nerve X (Vagus)
C) Cranial nerve XI (Spinal accessory)
D) Cranial nerve XII (Hypoglossal)
Verified Answer: C
Rationale: The spinal accessory nerve (cranial nerve XI) innervates the
sternocleidomastoid and trapezius muscles. Asking the patient to shrug
shoulders and turn the head against resistance tests this nerve. Cranial
nerve X affects swallowing and vocalization.
QUESTION 6
A patient has difficulty with balance and coordination. Which part of the
neurological system is most likely affected?
A) Cerebrum
B) Cerebellum
C) Brainstem
D) Spinal cord
Verified Answer: B
Rationale: The cerebellum is responsible for balance, coordination, and
fine motor control. Lesions or dysfunction in the cerebellum result in
WEST COAST UNIVERSITY NURS HEALTH
ASSESSMENT AND PHYSICAL EXAMINATION
COMPREHENSIVE PRACTICE EXAM
QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS AND RATIONALES
GRADED A+ 2026/27 | 100% PASS GUARANTEED
Covers Physical Assessment Techniques, Head-to-Toe Assessment,
Cranial Nerves, Vital Signs, Skin, HEENT, Cardiovascular, Respiratory,
Abdominal, Neurological, and Musculoskeletal Assessment
QUESTION 1
A nurse is performing a physical assessment. Which technique should be
used to assess the thyroid gland?
A) Inspection only
B) Palpation from the posterior approach
C) Percussion
D) Auscultation with a stethoscope
Verified Answer: B
,2 | Page
Rationale: The thyroid gland is assessed by inspection and palpation,
typically from the posterior approach with the patient's neck slightly
flexed. The nurse palpates for size, symmetry, and nodules. Auscultation
is used to detect bruits if hyperthyroidism is suspected.
QUESTION 2
During an abdominal assessment, the nurse should perform auscultation
before palpation for which reason?
A) Palpation can alter bowel sounds
B) Palpation is not as accurate
C) Auscultation is faster
D) Bowel sounds are always heard
Verified Answer: A
Rationale: Palpation can stimulate peristalsis and alter bowel sounds.
Auscultation should be performed first to assess normal bowel activity
before any manipulation. Inspection is performed first, then auscultation,
percussion, and palpation.
QUESTION 3
A patient's jugular venous pressure is elevated. This finding is most
indicative of:
A) Hypovolemia
B) Right-sided heart failure
,3 | Page
C) Left-sided heart failure
D) Pulmonary embolism
Verified Answer: B
Rationale: Elevated jugular venous pressure indicates increased right-
sided heart pressure, which occurs in right-sided heart failure. Left-sided
heart failure primarily affects pulmonary circulation. Hypovolemia
causes decreased JVP.
QUESTION 4
A nurse is assessing a patient's capillary refill. How long should normal
capillary refill take?
A) Less than 1 second
B) Less than 2 seconds
C) Less than 3 seconds
D) Less than 5 seconds
Verified Answer: B
Rationale: Normal capillary refill time is less than 2 seconds. Prolonged
refill greater than 2-3 seconds suggests decreased peripheral perfusion
and may indicate circulatory compromise, shock, or hypothermia.
QUESTION 5
, 4 | Page
Which cranial nerve is being tested when a patient is asked to shrug their
shoulders against resistance?
A) Cranial nerve IX (Glossopharyngeal)
B) Cranial nerve X (Vagus)
C) Cranial nerve XI (Spinal accessory)
D) Cranial nerve XII (Hypoglossal)
Verified Answer: C
Rationale: The spinal accessory nerve (cranial nerve XI) innervates the
sternocleidomastoid and trapezius muscles. Asking the patient to shrug
shoulders and turn the head against resistance tests this nerve. Cranial
nerve X affects swallowing and vocalization.
QUESTION 6
A patient has difficulty with balance and coordination. Which part of the
neurological system is most likely affected?
A) Cerebrum
B) Cerebellum
C) Brainstem
D) Spinal cord
Verified Answer: B
Rationale: The cerebellum is responsible for balance, coordination, and
fine motor control. Lesions or dysfunction in the cerebellum result in
