NURS 103 FUNDAMENTALS OF
NURSING WEEK 3 COMPREHENSIVE
QUIZ 2026
1. When assessing a patient’s blood pressure, the nurse realizes the cuff used is too narrow
for the patient’s arm circumference. Which result should the nurse expect?
A. The systolic reading will be falsely low.
B. The diastolic reading will be falsely low.
C. The reading will be accurate regardless of cuff size.
D. The blood pressure reading will be falsely high.
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Using a blood pressure cuff that is too small or too narrow for
the patient’s arm results in a bladder that cannot provide even pressure, leading to a falsely
elevated blood pressure reading.
2. A nurse is calculating a pulse deficit for a patient with an irregular heart rhythm. What is
the correct procedure for this assessment?
A. Assess the radial pulse for 30 seconds and multiply by two.
B. Subtract the apical pulse rate from the radial pulse rate.
,C. Subtract the radial pulse rate from the apical pulse rate.
D. Add the apical and radial pulse rates together and divide by two.
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: A pulse deficit is the difference between the apical and radial
pulse rates. It occurs when some heart contractions are too weak to produce a palpable
peripheral pulse.
3. Which respiratory pattern is characterized by alternating periods of apnea and
hyperventilation, often seen in patients near the end of life?
A. Kussmaul’s respirations
B. Biot’s respirations
C. Cheyne-Stokes respirations
D. Bradypnea
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Cheyne-Stokes respirations involve a cycle of increasing depth
and rate followed by a decrease and a period of apnea. It is common in heart failure and
end-of-life scenarios.
4. The nurse is performing a physical assessment on a patient’s abdomen. In what order
should the nurse perform the assessment techniques?
A. Inspection, Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation
, B. Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion, Palpation
C. Auscultation, Inspection, Palpation, Percussion
D. Percussion, Palpation, Inspection, Auscultation
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: For abdominal assessment, the order is changed to Inspection,
Auscultation, Percussion, and then Palpation to avoid stimulating bowel sounds or causing
pain before listening.
5. Which part of the hand is most sensitive to vibration and should be used during palpation
for vocal fremitus?
A. Fingertips
B. Dorsal surface (back) of the hand
C. Ulnar surface or ball of the hand
D. Thumb and index finger pinch
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: The ulnar surface and the base of the fingers (palmar surface)
are most sensitive to vibrations, while the dorsal surface is best for temperature.
6. During the planning phase of the nursing process, the nurse establishes SMART goals. What
does the ‘M’ in SMART represent?
A. Manageable
NURSING WEEK 3 COMPREHENSIVE
QUIZ 2026
1. When assessing a patient’s blood pressure, the nurse realizes the cuff used is too narrow
for the patient’s arm circumference. Which result should the nurse expect?
A. The systolic reading will be falsely low.
B. The diastolic reading will be falsely low.
C. The reading will be accurate regardless of cuff size.
D. The blood pressure reading will be falsely high.
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Using a blood pressure cuff that is too small or too narrow for
the patient’s arm results in a bladder that cannot provide even pressure, leading to a falsely
elevated blood pressure reading.
2. A nurse is calculating a pulse deficit for a patient with an irregular heart rhythm. What is
the correct procedure for this assessment?
A. Assess the radial pulse for 30 seconds and multiply by two.
B. Subtract the apical pulse rate from the radial pulse rate.
,C. Subtract the radial pulse rate from the apical pulse rate.
D. Add the apical and radial pulse rates together and divide by two.
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: A pulse deficit is the difference between the apical and radial
pulse rates. It occurs when some heart contractions are too weak to produce a palpable
peripheral pulse.
3. Which respiratory pattern is characterized by alternating periods of apnea and
hyperventilation, often seen in patients near the end of life?
A. Kussmaul’s respirations
B. Biot’s respirations
C. Cheyne-Stokes respirations
D. Bradypnea
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Cheyne-Stokes respirations involve a cycle of increasing depth
and rate followed by a decrease and a period of apnea. It is common in heart failure and
end-of-life scenarios.
4. The nurse is performing a physical assessment on a patient’s abdomen. In what order
should the nurse perform the assessment techniques?
A. Inspection, Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation
, B. Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion, Palpation
C. Auscultation, Inspection, Palpation, Percussion
D. Percussion, Palpation, Inspection, Auscultation
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: For abdominal assessment, the order is changed to Inspection,
Auscultation, Percussion, and then Palpation to avoid stimulating bowel sounds or causing
pain before listening.
5. Which part of the hand is most sensitive to vibration and should be used during palpation
for vocal fremitus?
A. Fingertips
B. Dorsal surface (back) of the hand
C. Ulnar surface or ball of the hand
D. Thumb and index finger pinch
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: The ulnar surface and the base of the fingers (palmar surface)
are most sensitive to vibrations, while the dorsal surface is best for temperature.
6. During the planning phase of the nursing process, the nurse establishes SMART goals. What
does the ‘M’ in SMART represent?
A. Manageable
