Quiz Module 5: NUR2180 / NUR 2180
Physical Assessment
Questions and Verified Answers | 100% Correct
Grade A Content
Rasmussen University | 2026 - 2027 Curriculum Standards
45 Questions | 4 Sections | Comprehensive Rationales
Total Questions 45 (30% Recall, 50% Application, 20% Analysis)
Format Multiple Choice (A-D), Single Best Answer
Sections 4 (Thorax/Lungs, Cardiovascular, Peripheral Vascular, Techniques/Documentation)
Focus Areas BREATH SOUNDS, HEART SOUNDS (S1-S4), MURMURS, ARTERIAL VS. VENOUS INSUFFICIENCY
,NUR2180 Module 5 | Physical Assessment | Rasmussen University 2026-2027 Page 2
Section 1: Thorax and Lung Assessment
Inspection, Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation, Breath Sounds, Adventitious Sounds
Q1: A nurse is performing a respiratory assessment on a patient with COPD. During inspection, the nurse
notes that the AP:transverse diameter of the thorax appears approximately 1:1. The nurse documents this
finding as:
A. Pectus excavatum
B. Barrel chest [CORRECT]
C. Pectus carinatum
D. Kyphoscoliosis
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A barrel chest is characterized by an increased AP:transverse diameter ratio of approximately 1:1, compared to the
normal ratio of 1:2. This finding is classically associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and emphysema due
to hyperinflation of the lungs and loss of lung elasticity. Option A (pectus excavatum) is a funnel-shaped depression of the
sternum. Option C (pectus carinatum) is a pigeon chest with anterior protrusion of the sternum. Option D describes a combination
of excessive posterior curvature (kyphosis) and lateral curvature (scoliosis).
Q2: A nurse assesses tactile fremitus on a patient with pneumonia. The nurse asks the patient to say
'ninety-nine' and palpates the chest wall using the ulnar surface of the hands. Which finding would the nurse
expect in the area of consolidation?
A. Decreased tactile fremitus
B. Absent tactile fremitus
C. Increased tactile fremitus [CORRECT]
D. No change in tactile fremitus
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Tactile fremitus is increased over areas of consolidation (such as pneumonia or tumor) because the solid or dense tissue
transmits sound vibrations more effectively than normal air-filled lung tissue. The ulnar surface of the hand is the most sensitive
area for detecting these vibrations. Option A (decreased fremitus) would be found with pleural effusion, pneumothorax, COPD, or
obesity, where air or fluid blocks vibration transmission. Option B (absent fremitus) occurs with a large pleural effusion or
pneumothorax. Fremitus normally decreases as you move downward from the apex to the base of the lungs.
Q3: A nurse is auscultating a patient's lungs and hears fine, high-pitched, discontinuous popping sounds that
do not clear with coughing. The nurse documents these as:
A. Rhonchi
B. Wheezes
C. Fine crackles (rales) [CORRECT]
D. Pleural friction rub
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Fine crackles (rales) are high-pitched, discontinuous, popping sounds caused by fluid in the small airways and alveoli.
They are associated with heart failure, pneumonia, and pulmonary fibrosis, and do not clear with coughing. Option A (rhonchi)
are low-pitched, snoring or gurgling sounds from secretions in larger airways that typically clear with coughing. Option B
(wheezes) are high-pitched, continuous, musical sounds from narrowed airways (asthma, COPD). Option D (pleural friction rub)
is a grating sound from inflamed pleural surfaces heard during both inspiration and expiration.
, NUR2180 Module 5 | Physical Assessment | Rasmussen University 2026-2027 Page 3
Q4: A nurse percusses a patient's thorax and notes a dull, relatively flat sound over the right lower lobe.
Which condition would most likely produce this percussion note?
A. Emphysema
B. Pneumothorax
C. Pleural effusion or consolidation [CORRECT]
D. Normal lung tissue
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Dullness on percussion indicates increased tissue density, which occurs with consolidation (pneumonia, tumor) or
pleural effusion (fluid in the pleural space). The sound is higher-pitched, softer, and shorter than normal resonance. Option A
(emphysema) produces hyperresonance due to air trapping. Option B (pneumothorax) also produces hyperresonance from free air
in the pleural space. Option D produces normal resonance, a low-pitched, hollow sound over air-filled lung. Flatness, even more
dull than dullness, is heard over bone or muscle.
Q5: A nurse is assessing a 6-month-old infant's respiratory status. Which finding is considered a normal
developmental variation for this age?
A. Barrel chest deformity
B. Respiratory rate of 16 breaths per minute
C. Periodic breathing pattern [CORRECT]
D. Use of accessory muscles at rest
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Periodic breathing, characterized by short episodes of apnea (10-15 seconds) followed by periods of increasing
respiratory rate, is a normal finding in premature and young infants. It is not a sign of distress in this population. Option A (barrel
chest) is normal in infants due to the rounded thorax, but the term 'deformity' implies pathology. Option B is incorrect because the
normal respiratory rate for a 6-month-old is 30-40 breaths per minute, much higher than the adult rate of 12-20. Option D
(accessory muscle use at rest) always indicates respiratory distress, not a normal finding.
Q6: A nurse auscultates the lungs of a patient with asthma and hears high-pitched, continuous, musical
sounds primarily during expiration. The nurse correctly documents this as:
A. Crackles
B. Rhonchi
C. Wheezes [CORRECT]
D. Stridor
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Wheezes are high-pitched, continuous, musical or whistling sounds produced by air passing through narrowed airways,
as occurs in asthma, COPD, and bronchospasm. They are heard primarily during expiration. Option A (crackles) are
discontinuous popping sounds, not musical or continuous. Option B (rhonchi) are low-pitched, snoring sounds from secretions in
large airways. Option D (stridor) is a high-pitched inspiratory sound from upper airway obstruction (croup, epiglottitis, foreign
body), distinct from the expiratory wheezing of asthma.
Q7: A nurse performs the whispered pectoriloquy test. When the patient whispers 'one-two-three,' the nurse
hears the whispered words clearly and distinctly through the stethoscope. This finding indicates:
A. Normal air-filled lung tissue
B. Pleural effusion
C. Pneumothorax
D. Consolidation [CORRECT]
Physical Assessment
Questions and Verified Answers | 100% Correct
Grade A Content
Rasmussen University | 2026 - 2027 Curriculum Standards
45 Questions | 4 Sections | Comprehensive Rationales
Total Questions 45 (30% Recall, 50% Application, 20% Analysis)
Format Multiple Choice (A-D), Single Best Answer
Sections 4 (Thorax/Lungs, Cardiovascular, Peripheral Vascular, Techniques/Documentation)
Focus Areas BREATH SOUNDS, HEART SOUNDS (S1-S4), MURMURS, ARTERIAL VS. VENOUS INSUFFICIENCY
,NUR2180 Module 5 | Physical Assessment | Rasmussen University 2026-2027 Page 2
Section 1: Thorax and Lung Assessment
Inspection, Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation, Breath Sounds, Adventitious Sounds
Q1: A nurse is performing a respiratory assessment on a patient with COPD. During inspection, the nurse
notes that the AP:transverse diameter of the thorax appears approximately 1:1. The nurse documents this
finding as:
A. Pectus excavatum
B. Barrel chest [CORRECT]
C. Pectus carinatum
D. Kyphoscoliosis
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A barrel chest is characterized by an increased AP:transverse diameter ratio of approximately 1:1, compared to the
normal ratio of 1:2. This finding is classically associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and emphysema due
to hyperinflation of the lungs and loss of lung elasticity. Option A (pectus excavatum) is a funnel-shaped depression of the
sternum. Option C (pectus carinatum) is a pigeon chest with anterior protrusion of the sternum. Option D describes a combination
of excessive posterior curvature (kyphosis) and lateral curvature (scoliosis).
Q2: A nurse assesses tactile fremitus on a patient with pneumonia. The nurse asks the patient to say
'ninety-nine' and palpates the chest wall using the ulnar surface of the hands. Which finding would the nurse
expect in the area of consolidation?
A. Decreased tactile fremitus
B. Absent tactile fremitus
C. Increased tactile fremitus [CORRECT]
D. No change in tactile fremitus
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Tactile fremitus is increased over areas of consolidation (such as pneumonia or tumor) because the solid or dense tissue
transmits sound vibrations more effectively than normal air-filled lung tissue. The ulnar surface of the hand is the most sensitive
area for detecting these vibrations. Option A (decreased fremitus) would be found with pleural effusion, pneumothorax, COPD, or
obesity, where air or fluid blocks vibration transmission. Option B (absent fremitus) occurs with a large pleural effusion or
pneumothorax. Fremitus normally decreases as you move downward from the apex to the base of the lungs.
Q3: A nurse is auscultating a patient's lungs and hears fine, high-pitched, discontinuous popping sounds that
do not clear with coughing. The nurse documents these as:
A. Rhonchi
B. Wheezes
C. Fine crackles (rales) [CORRECT]
D. Pleural friction rub
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Fine crackles (rales) are high-pitched, discontinuous, popping sounds caused by fluid in the small airways and alveoli.
They are associated with heart failure, pneumonia, and pulmonary fibrosis, and do not clear with coughing. Option A (rhonchi)
are low-pitched, snoring or gurgling sounds from secretions in larger airways that typically clear with coughing. Option B
(wheezes) are high-pitched, continuous, musical sounds from narrowed airways (asthma, COPD). Option D (pleural friction rub)
is a grating sound from inflamed pleural surfaces heard during both inspiration and expiration.
, NUR2180 Module 5 | Physical Assessment | Rasmussen University 2026-2027 Page 3
Q4: A nurse percusses a patient's thorax and notes a dull, relatively flat sound over the right lower lobe.
Which condition would most likely produce this percussion note?
A. Emphysema
B. Pneumothorax
C. Pleural effusion or consolidation [CORRECT]
D. Normal lung tissue
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Dullness on percussion indicates increased tissue density, which occurs with consolidation (pneumonia, tumor) or
pleural effusion (fluid in the pleural space). The sound is higher-pitched, softer, and shorter than normal resonance. Option A
(emphysema) produces hyperresonance due to air trapping. Option B (pneumothorax) also produces hyperresonance from free air
in the pleural space. Option D produces normal resonance, a low-pitched, hollow sound over air-filled lung. Flatness, even more
dull than dullness, is heard over bone or muscle.
Q5: A nurse is assessing a 6-month-old infant's respiratory status. Which finding is considered a normal
developmental variation for this age?
A. Barrel chest deformity
B. Respiratory rate of 16 breaths per minute
C. Periodic breathing pattern [CORRECT]
D. Use of accessory muscles at rest
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Periodic breathing, characterized by short episodes of apnea (10-15 seconds) followed by periods of increasing
respiratory rate, is a normal finding in premature and young infants. It is not a sign of distress in this population. Option A (barrel
chest) is normal in infants due to the rounded thorax, but the term 'deformity' implies pathology. Option B is incorrect because the
normal respiratory rate for a 6-month-old is 30-40 breaths per minute, much higher than the adult rate of 12-20. Option D
(accessory muscle use at rest) always indicates respiratory distress, not a normal finding.
Q6: A nurse auscultates the lungs of a patient with asthma and hears high-pitched, continuous, musical
sounds primarily during expiration. The nurse correctly documents this as:
A. Crackles
B. Rhonchi
C. Wheezes [CORRECT]
D. Stridor
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Wheezes are high-pitched, continuous, musical or whistling sounds produced by air passing through narrowed airways,
as occurs in asthma, COPD, and bronchospasm. They are heard primarily during expiration. Option A (crackles) are
discontinuous popping sounds, not musical or continuous. Option B (rhonchi) are low-pitched, snoring sounds from secretions in
large airways. Option D (stridor) is a high-pitched inspiratory sound from upper airway obstruction (croup, epiglottitis, foreign
body), distinct from the expiratory wheezing of asthma.
Q7: A nurse performs the whispered pectoriloquy test. When the patient whispers 'one-two-three,' the nurse
hears the whispered words clearly and distinctly through the stethoscope. This finding indicates:
A. Normal air-filled lung tissue
B. Pleural effusion
C. Pneumothorax
D. Consolidation [CORRECT]
