Nursing Health
Assessment 2026 |
Physical Assessment
Study Guide, Practice
Questions, Answers &
Exam Review | Complete
Ethics Study Guide
Updated 2026 Questions and Answers
100% Verified Exam Prep and Comprehensive
Rationales
Included
,The nurse is preparing to perform a health assessment of Inspect, auscultate, percuss, palpate
the abdomen. In which order should the nurse perform the
assessment?
1. Auscultate, percuss, palpate, inspect
2. Inspect, auscultate, palpate, percuss
3. Inspect, auscultate, percuss, palpate
4. Palpate, percuss, auscultate, inspect
The nurse is performing a health assessment and notes a jaundice
yellow tinge to the sclera of the eye. The nurse should
document this as being
1. cyanosis.
2. jaundice.
3. pallor.
4. erythema.
While performing an assessment of the integument Exophthalmos
system, the nurse notes the client's eyeballs are protruding
and the upper eyelids are elevated. What term should the
nurse use to document this finding?
1. Erythema
2. Cyanosis
3. Exophthalmos
4. Normocephalic
The nurse is preparing for morning rounds. What should Skull and face assessment
the nurse avoid delegating to unlicensed assistive
personnel?
1. Vital signs
2. Filling of water pitchers
3. Skull and face assessment
4. Ambulation of surgical clients
The nurse is performing a lung assessment on a client with Asymmetrical chest expansion
suspected pneumonia. Which finding should the nurse
report to the physician immediately?
1. Chest symmetrical
2. Breath sounds equal bilaterally
3. Asymmetrical chest expansion
4. Bilateral symmetric vocal fremitus
While performing a health assessment, in which position 30- to 45-degree angle
should the nurse place the client for inspection of the
jugular veins?
1. 90-degree angle
2. 30- to 45-degree angle
3. 15-degree angle
4. 60-degree angle
The nurse is assessing peripheral pulses on a client with Thready pulses
suspected peripheral vascular disease. Which finding
should the nurse report to the physician immediately?
1. Pulses equal bilaterally
2. Full pulsations
3. Thready pulses
4. Pulses present bilaterally
During the assessment of a client's breasts, the nurse Document the findings in the nurse's notes as normal
finds both breasts rounded, slightly unequal in size, skin
smooth and intact, and nipples without discharge. What
should the nurse do next?
1. Notify the charge nurse.
2. Notify the physician.
3. Document the findings in the nurse's notes as normal.
4. Document the findings in the nurse's notes as abnormal.
,Type: MCSA Ask the client to urinate
The nurse is preparing a client for an abdominal
examination. What should the nurse done before
beginning the examination?
1. Ask the client to urinate.
2. Ask the client to drink 8 ounces of water.
3. Assess vital signs.
4. Assess heart rate.
The nurse is performing a musculoskeletal assessment on Grasp the nurse's index and middle fingers while the nurse tries to pull the fingers
a client admitted with a possible stroke. When testing for out.
muscle grip strength, the nurse should ask the client to
perform which action?
1. Grasp the nurse's index and middle fingers while the
nurse tries to pull the fingers out.
2. Hold an arm up and resist while the nurse tries to push it
down.
3. Flex each arm and then try to extend it against the
nurse's attempt to keep the arm in flexion.
4. Shrug the shoulders against the resistance of the
nurse's hands
The nurse is preparing to conduct a mental status Cognitive and affective functions
assessment. What should the nurse include in this
assessment?
1. Cognitive and affective functions
2. Cognitive and effective functions
3. Affective and memory functions
4. Affective and knowledge functions
The nurse is caring for a client following a cerebrovascular Expressive aphasia
accident (stroke). The client is able to comprehend what is
being said to him; however, he is unable to respond by
speech or writing. What type of aphasia should the nurse
realize this patient is demonstrating?
1. Auditory aphasia
2. Acoustic aphasia
3. Sensory aphasia
4. Expressive aphasia
The nurse is preparing to assess a client's reflexes. What Percussion hammer
equipment should the nurse gather before entering the
room?
1. Sterile gloves
2. Clean gloves
3. Percussion hammer
4. Penlight
The nurse is assisting the physician who is preparing to Pap test
test a sexually active female client for cervical cancer.
What should the nurse expect the health care provider to
perform?
1. Pap test
2. Breast exam
3. Rectal exam
4. Abdominal exam
The nurse is preparing the morning assignments. Which Vital signs assessment
assessment could the nurse delegate to unlicensed
assistive personnel?
1. Neurological assessment
2. Musculoskeletal assessment
3. Vital signs assessment
4. Female genital assessment
, The nurse is preparing to administer a cardiotonic drug to Apical pulse
a client. Which assessment should the nurse perform
before administering the medication?
1. Respiratory rate
2. Apical pulse
3. Popliteal pulse
4. Capillary blanch test
The nurse is preparing to complete a physical examination 1,2, 3
on a client. What should the nurse realize as being the
purpose for this examination?
Standard Text: Select all that apply.
1. Obtain baseline data.
2. Obtain data to help determine nursing diagnoses.
3. Identify areas for disease prevention.
4. Identify the client's employment status.
5. Obtain data about the client's leisure activities.
A client has been receiving a new medication to address 1,2
specific symptoms. The nurse will perform a physical
examination to determine
Standard Text: Select all that apply.
1. the progress of the client's health problem.
2. the physiological impact of the prescribed medication.
3. baseline data.
4. data to support nursing diagnoses.
5. areas for health promotion.
The nurse is utilizing the technique of inspection during a 1,2,3
physical examination with a client. When using this
technique, the nurse will take which actions?
Standard Text: Select all that apply.
1. Visually observe a body area.
2. Obtain information through the sense of smell.
3. Obtain information through the sense of hearing.
4. Examine the body through the use of touch.
5. Strike the body to elicit a sound from a body part.
The nurse is planning to perform indirect percussion on an 1,2, 3, 4
area of a client's body during a physical examination.
Which actions should the nurse take to use this
assessment technique?
Standard Text: Select all that apply.
1. Place the middle finger of the nondominant hand on the
client's skin.
2. Use the tip of the flexed middle finger of the other hand
to strike the middle finger of the nondominant hand.
3. Perform a striking motion by moving the wrist.
4. Perform short, rapid, firm blows.
5. Use a stethoscope to transmit sounds to the ears.
The nurse is assessing the nose and sinuses of a client. 1,2,3
Which findings should the nurse identify as being within
normal limits?
Standard Text: Select all that apply.
1. Nose straight
2. Nares symmetrical
3. No tenderness over the bridge
4. Air movement restricted in one nare
5. Clear drainage from one nare
The nurse is planning a physical examination of a client Head, upper extremities, abdomen, lower extremities
following a head-to-toe format. In which order should the
nurse conduct this assessment?
1. Head, upper extremities, abdomen, lower extremities
2. Neck, head, vital signs, chest and back
3. Lower extremities, abdomen, upper extremities, chest
and back
4. Head, neck, lower extremities, abdomen
Assessment 2026 |
Physical Assessment
Study Guide, Practice
Questions, Answers &
Exam Review | Complete
Ethics Study Guide
Updated 2026 Questions and Answers
100% Verified Exam Prep and Comprehensive
Rationales
Included
,The nurse is preparing to perform a health assessment of Inspect, auscultate, percuss, palpate
the abdomen. In which order should the nurse perform the
assessment?
1. Auscultate, percuss, palpate, inspect
2. Inspect, auscultate, palpate, percuss
3. Inspect, auscultate, percuss, palpate
4. Palpate, percuss, auscultate, inspect
The nurse is performing a health assessment and notes a jaundice
yellow tinge to the sclera of the eye. The nurse should
document this as being
1. cyanosis.
2. jaundice.
3. pallor.
4. erythema.
While performing an assessment of the integument Exophthalmos
system, the nurse notes the client's eyeballs are protruding
and the upper eyelids are elevated. What term should the
nurse use to document this finding?
1. Erythema
2. Cyanosis
3. Exophthalmos
4. Normocephalic
The nurse is preparing for morning rounds. What should Skull and face assessment
the nurse avoid delegating to unlicensed assistive
personnel?
1. Vital signs
2. Filling of water pitchers
3. Skull and face assessment
4. Ambulation of surgical clients
The nurse is performing a lung assessment on a client with Asymmetrical chest expansion
suspected pneumonia. Which finding should the nurse
report to the physician immediately?
1. Chest symmetrical
2. Breath sounds equal bilaterally
3. Asymmetrical chest expansion
4. Bilateral symmetric vocal fremitus
While performing a health assessment, in which position 30- to 45-degree angle
should the nurse place the client for inspection of the
jugular veins?
1. 90-degree angle
2. 30- to 45-degree angle
3. 15-degree angle
4. 60-degree angle
The nurse is assessing peripheral pulses on a client with Thready pulses
suspected peripheral vascular disease. Which finding
should the nurse report to the physician immediately?
1. Pulses equal bilaterally
2. Full pulsations
3. Thready pulses
4. Pulses present bilaterally
During the assessment of a client's breasts, the nurse Document the findings in the nurse's notes as normal
finds both breasts rounded, slightly unequal in size, skin
smooth and intact, and nipples without discharge. What
should the nurse do next?
1. Notify the charge nurse.
2. Notify the physician.
3. Document the findings in the nurse's notes as normal.
4. Document the findings in the nurse's notes as abnormal.
,Type: MCSA Ask the client to urinate
The nurse is preparing a client for an abdominal
examination. What should the nurse done before
beginning the examination?
1. Ask the client to urinate.
2. Ask the client to drink 8 ounces of water.
3. Assess vital signs.
4. Assess heart rate.
The nurse is performing a musculoskeletal assessment on Grasp the nurse's index and middle fingers while the nurse tries to pull the fingers
a client admitted with a possible stroke. When testing for out.
muscle grip strength, the nurse should ask the client to
perform which action?
1. Grasp the nurse's index and middle fingers while the
nurse tries to pull the fingers out.
2. Hold an arm up and resist while the nurse tries to push it
down.
3. Flex each arm and then try to extend it against the
nurse's attempt to keep the arm in flexion.
4. Shrug the shoulders against the resistance of the
nurse's hands
The nurse is preparing to conduct a mental status Cognitive and affective functions
assessment. What should the nurse include in this
assessment?
1. Cognitive and affective functions
2. Cognitive and effective functions
3. Affective and memory functions
4. Affective and knowledge functions
The nurse is caring for a client following a cerebrovascular Expressive aphasia
accident (stroke). The client is able to comprehend what is
being said to him; however, he is unable to respond by
speech or writing. What type of aphasia should the nurse
realize this patient is demonstrating?
1. Auditory aphasia
2. Acoustic aphasia
3. Sensory aphasia
4. Expressive aphasia
The nurse is preparing to assess a client's reflexes. What Percussion hammer
equipment should the nurse gather before entering the
room?
1. Sterile gloves
2. Clean gloves
3. Percussion hammer
4. Penlight
The nurse is assisting the physician who is preparing to Pap test
test a sexually active female client for cervical cancer.
What should the nurse expect the health care provider to
perform?
1. Pap test
2. Breast exam
3. Rectal exam
4. Abdominal exam
The nurse is preparing the morning assignments. Which Vital signs assessment
assessment could the nurse delegate to unlicensed
assistive personnel?
1. Neurological assessment
2. Musculoskeletal assessment
3. Vital signs assessment
4. Female genital assessment
, The nurse is preparing to administer a cardiotonic drug to Apical pulse
a client. Which assessment should the nurse perform
before administering the medication?
1. Respiratory rate
2. Apical pulse
3. Popliteal pulse
4. Capillary blanch test
The nurse is preparing to complete a physical examination 1,2, 3
on a client. What should the nurse realize as being the
purpose for this examination?
Standard Text: Select all that apply.
1. Obtain baseline data.
2. Obtain data to help determine nursing diagnoses.
3. Identify areas for disease prevention.
4. Identify the client's employment status.
5. Obtain data about the client's leisure activities.
A client has been receiving a new medication to address 1,2
specific symptoms. The nurse will perform a physical
examination to determine
Standard Text: Select all that apply.
1. the progress of the client's health problem.
2. the physiological impact of the prescribed medication.
3. baseline data.
4. data to support nursing diagnoses.
5. areas for health promotion.
The nurse is utilizing the technique of inspection during a 1,2,3
physical examination with a client. When using this
technique, the nurse will take which actions?
Standard Text: Select all that apply.
1. Visually observe a body area.
2. Obtain information through the sense of smell.
3. Obtain information through the sense of hearing.
4. Examine the body through the use of touch.
5. Strike the body to elicit a sound from a body part.
The nurse is planning to perform indirect percussion on an 1,2, 3, 4
area of a client's body during a physical examination.
Which actions should the nurse take to use this
assessment technique?
Standard Text: Select all that apply.
1. Place the middle finger of the nondominant hand on the
client's skin.
2. Use the tip of the flexed middle finger of the other hand
to strike the middle finger of the nondominant hand.
3. Perform a striking motion by moving the wrist.
4. Perform short, rapid, firm blows.
5. Use a stethoscope to transmit sounds to the ears.
The nurse is assessing the nose and sinuses of a client. 1,2,3
Which findings should the nurse identify as being within
normal limits?
Standard Text: Select all that apply.
1. Nose straight
2. Nares symmetrical
3. No tenderness over the bridge
4. Air movement restricted in one nare
5. Clear drainage from one nare
The nurse is planning a physical examination of a client Head, upper extremities, abdomen, lower extremities
following a head-to-toe format. In which order should the
nurse conduct this assessment?
1. Head, upper extremities, abdomen, lower extremities
2. Neck, head, vital signs, chest and back
3. Lower extremities, abdomen, upper extremities, chest
and back
4. Head, neck, lower extremities, abdomen
