NURS 190 PHYSICAL ASSESSMENT
FINAL COMPREHENSIVE QUIZ
1. During a neurological examination, the nurse asks the patient to stand with feet together
and eyes closed. The patient begins to sway significantly and loses balance. How should the
nurse document this finding?
A. Positive Romberg test
B. Negative Romberg test
C. Positive Babinski sign
D. Negative Pronator drift
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: A positive Romberg test occurs when a patient loses balance
after closing their eyes, indicating a problem with proprioception or vestibular function.
2. When auscultating the lungs of a patient with pleuritis, the nurse hears a low-pitched,
coarse, grating sound during both inspiration and expiration. This is best described as:
A. Coarse crackles
B. Pleural friction rub
,C. Stridor
D. Wheezes
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: A pleural friction rub is caused by inflamed pleural surfaces
rubbing against each other, characterized by a grating sound heard in both phases of
respiration.
3. Which cranial nerve is primarily responsible for the motor function of the tongue during
speech and swallowing?
A. CN XII (Hypoglossal)
B. CN IX (Glossopharyngeal)
C. CN X (Vagus)
D. CN VII (Facial)
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: The Hypoglossal nerve (CN XII) controls the muscles of the
tongue, essential for movement, speech, and swallowing.
4. A nurse is assessing a patient for tactile fremitus. Which condition would likely result in
decreased or absent tactile fremitus?
A. Lobar pneumonia
B. Lung consolidation
, C. Bronchitis
D. Pneumothorax
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Pneumothorax or pleural effusion decreases fremitus because
air or fluid blocks the transmission of sound vibrations to the chest wall.
5. While assessing the precordium, the nurse identifies a blowing, swooshing sound at the left
2nd intercostal space. This finding is characteristic of:
A. A heart murmur
B. A normal S2
C. A pericardial friction rub
D. An S3 gallop
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Murmurs are turbulent blood flow sounds, often described as
blowing or swooshing, heard over heart valves.
6. When performing a breast examination, in which quadrant are most breast tumors
typically located?
A. Upper outer quadrant
B. Lower outer quadrant
C. Upper inner quadrant
FINAL COMPREHENSIVE QUIZ
1. During a neurological examination, the nurse asks the patient to stand with feet together
and eyes closed. The patient begins to sway significantly and loses balance. How should the
nurse document this finding?
A. Positive Romberg test
B. Negative Romberg test
C. Positive Babinski sign
D. Negative Pronator drift
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: A positive Romberg test occurs when a patient loses balance
after closing their eyes, indicating a problem with proprioception or vestibular function.
2. When auscultating the lungs of a patient with pleuritis, the nurse hears a low-pitched,
coarse, grating sound during both inspiration and expiration. This is best described as:
A. Coarse crackles
B. Pleural friction rub
,C. Stridor
D. Wheezes
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: A pleural friction rub is caused by inflamed pleural surfaces
rubbing against each other, characterized by a grating sound heard in both phases of
respiration.
3. Which cranial nerve is primarily responsible for the motor function of the tongue during
speech and swallowing?
A. CN XII (Hypoglossal)
B. CN IX (Glossopharyngeal)
C. CN X (Vagus)
D. CN VII (Facial)
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: The Hypoglossal nerve (CN XII) controls the muscles of the
tongue, essential for movement, speech, and swallowing.
4. A nurse is assessing a patient for tactile fremitus. Which condition would likely result in
decreased or absent tactile fremitus?
A. Lobar pneumonia
B. Lung consolidation
, C. Bronchitis
D. Pneumothorax
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Pneumothorax or pleural effusion decreases fremitus because
air or fluid blocks the transmission of sound vibrations to the chest wall.
5. While assessing the precordium, the nurse identifies a blowing, swooshing sound at the left
2nd intercostal space. This finding is characteristic of:
A. A heart murmur
B. A normal S2
C. A pericardial friction rub
D. An S3 gallop
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Murmurs are turbulent blood flow sounds, often described as
blowing or swooshing, heard over heart valves.
6. When performing a breast examination, in which quadrant are most breast tumors
typically located?
A. Upper outer quadrant
B. Lower outer quadrant
C. Upper inner quadrant
