NUR 2092 HEALTH ASSESSMENT EXAM
3 PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
1. When assessing the abdomen, which sequence should the nurse follow to ensure accurate
findings?
A. Inspection, Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation
B. Auscultation, Inspection, Palpation, Percussion
C. Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion, Palpation
D. Percussion, Auscultation, Inspection, Palpation
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Auscultation is performed after inspection because percussion
and palpation can increase peristalsis, which would yield false bowel sound results.
2. During an abdominal assessment, the nurse notes a loud, gurgling sound known as
‘borborygmi’. How should the nurse document this?
A. Hypoactive bowel sounds
B. Normal bowel sounds
,C. Absent bowel sounds
D. Hyperactive bowel sounds
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Borborygmi refers to hyperactive bowel sounds that are loud,
high-pitched, and rushing, often indicating increased motility.
3. The nurse is testing for a ‘fluid wave’ in a patient with a distended abdomen. What
condition is this test assessing?
A. Appendicitis
B. Cholecystitis
C. Splenomegaly
D. Ascites
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: The fluid wave test is used to detect the presence of free fluid in
the peritoneal cavity, known as ascites.
4. A patient reports sharp pain in the right upper quadrant that worsens with deep
inspiration during palpation. This is known as a positive:
A. Rovsing sign
B. McBurney sign
C. Murphy sign
, D. Psoas sign
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: A positive Murphy sign indicates gallbladder inflammation
(cholecystitis) when the patient stops breathing due to pain upon liver/gallbladder
palpation.
5. Which percussion note is normally heard over most of the abdomen?
A. Dullness
B. Resonance
C. Hyperresonance
D. Tympany
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Tympany should predominate because air in the intestines rises
to the surface when the patient is supine.
6. To assess for CVA tenderness, where should the nurse apply pressure?
A. At the 12th rib at the costovertebral angle
B. Over the xiphoid process
C. In the left lower quadrant
D. At the symphysis pubis
3 PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
1. When assessing the abdomen, which sequence should the nurse follow to ensure accurate
findings?
A. Inspection, Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation
B. Auscultation, Inspection, Palpation, Percussion
C. Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion, Palpation
D. Percussion, Auscultation, Inspection, Palpation
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Auscultation is performed after inspection because percussion
and palpation can increase peristalsis, which would yield false bowel sound results.
2. During an abdominal assessment, the nurse notes a loud, gurgling sound known as
‘borborygmi’. How should the nurse document this?
A. Hypoactive bowel sounds
B. Normal bowel sounds
,C. Absent bowel sounds
D. Hyperactive bowel sounds
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Borborygmi refers to hyperactive bowel sounds that are loud,
high-pitched, and rushing, often indicating increased motility.
3. The nurse is testing for a ‘fluid wave’ in a patient with a distended abdomen. What
condition is this test assessing?
A. Appendicitis
B. Cholecystitis
C. Splenomegaly
D. Ascites
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: The fluid wave test is used to detect the presence of free fluid in
the peritoneal cavity, known as ascites.
4. A patient reports sharp pain in the right upper quadrant that worsens with deep
inspiration during palpation. This is known as a positive:
A. Rovsing sign
B. McBurney sign
C. Murphy sign
, D. Psoas sign
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: A positive Murphy sign indicates gallbladder inflammation
(cholecystitis) when the patient stops breathing due to pain upon liver/gallbladder
palpation.
5. Which percussion note is normally heard over most of the abdomen?
A. Dullness
B. Resonance
C. Hyperresonance
D. Tympany
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Tympany should predominate because air in the intestines rises
to the surface when the patient is supine.
6. To assess for CVA tenderness, where should the nurse apply pressure?
A. At the 12th rib at the costovertebral angle
B. Over the xiphoid process
C. In the left lower quadrant
D. At the symphysis pubis
