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Exam Prep Guide | Health Assessment | Galen
College of Nursing | Q & A | 2026/2027 Edition
(PDF)
1. A nurse is performing percussion during an abdominal assessment. Which technique is
correct?
A) Percuss with a firm, quick stroke using the pads of the fingers
B) Percuss using the ulnar surface of the hand
C) Percuss with a quick, sharp striking motion using the middle finger
D) Percuss using the palmar surface of the fingers
Correct Answer: C) Percuss with a quick, sharp striking motion using the middle finger
Rationale: Percussion involves striking the body surface with a quick, sharp motion to produce
sounds that help determine the density of underlying tissue. The middle finger (plexor) strikes
the middle finger of the other hand (pleximeter) placed on the body surface. The pads of the
fingers are used for palpation; the ulnar surface is used to detect vibration; the palmar surface is
used to assess temperature.
2. During an abdominal assessment, what is the correct sequence of examination techniques?
A) Palpation, percussion, auscultation, inspection
B) Inspection, auscultation, percussion, palpation
,C) Inspection, palpation, percussion, auscultation
D) Auscultation, inspection, palpation, percussion
Correct Answer: B) Inspection, auscultation, percussion, palpation
Rationale: The correct sequence for abdominal assessment is inspection, auscultation,
percussion, and palpation. Auscultation is performed before palpation and percussion because
these techniques can alter bowel sounds. Inspection is always the first assessment technique for
any body system.
3. A nurse is assessing a patient's skin turgor. Which technique is most appropriate?
A) Pinching the skin on the forearm and observing for tenting
B) Pinching the skin on the sternum and observing for tenting
C) Gently stroking the skin to assess for moisture
D) Inspecting the skin for color and lesions
Correct Answer: B) Pinching the skin on the sternum and observing for tenting
Rationale: Skin turgor is assessed by pinching the skin over the sternum or the back of the hand.
Tenting (skin remaining elevated) indicates dehydration. The forearm is less reliable due to age-
related changes in elasticity.
4. Which part of the hand is most sensitive to vibration and is used to detect tactile fremitus?
A) Finger pads
, B) Palmar surface
C) Ulnar surface
D) Dorsal surface
Correct Answer: C) Ulnar surface
Rationale: The ulnar surface (the base of the fingers) is most sensitive to vibration. It is used to
assess for tactile fremitus (vibrations felt on the chest wall during speech) and thrills (vibrations
felt over blood vessels).
5. A patient comes to the emergency department and tells the triage nurse, "I think I'm having a
heart attack." What is the nurse's top priority at this time?
A) Obtain a complete health history
B) Perform a comprehensive physical assessment
C) Perform a focused assessment and initiate emergency measures
D) Notify the healthcare provider
Correct Answer: C) Perform a focused assessment and initiate emergency measures
Rationale: In an emergency situation, a focused assessment is performed to gather data related
to the immediate problem. A comprehensive assessment is not appropriate in an emergency.
The priority is to assess the patient's condition and initiate life-saving measures.
Exam Prep Guide | Health Assessment | Galen
College of Nursing | Q & A | 2026/2027 Edition
(PDF)
1. A nurse is performing percussion during an abdominal assessment. Which technique is
correct?
A) Percuss with a firm, quick stroke using the pads of the fingers
B) Percuss using the ulnar surface of the hand
C) Percuss with a quick, sharp striking motion using the middle finger
D) Percuss using the palmar surface of the fingers
Correct Answer: C) Percuss with a quick, sharp striking motion using the middle finger
Rationale: Percussion involves striking the body surface with a quick, sharp motion to produce
sounds that help determine the density of underlying tissue. The middle finger (plexor) strikes
the middle finger of the other hand (pleximeter) placed on the body surface. The pads of the
fingers are used for palpation; the ulnar surface is used to detect vibration; the palmar surface is
used to assess temperature.
2. During an abdominal assessment, what is the correct sequence of examination techniques?
A) Palpation, percussion, auscultation, inspection
B) Inspection, auscultation, percussion, palpation
,C) Inspection, palpation, percussion, auscultation
D) Auscultation, inspection, palpation, percussion
Correct Answer: B) Inspection, auscultation, percussion, palpation
Rationale: The correct sequence for abdominal assessment is inspection, auscultation,
percussion, and palpation. Auscultation is performed before palpation and percussion because
these techniques can alter bowel sounds. Inspection is always the first assessment technique for
any body system.
3. A nurse is assessing a patient's skin turgor. Which technique is most appropriate?
A) Pinching the skin on the forearm and observing for tenting
B) Pinching the skin on the sternum and observing for tenting
C) Gently stroking the skin to assess for moisture
D) Inspecting the skin for color and lesions
Correct Answer: B) Pinching the skin on the sternum and observing for tenting
Rationale: Skin turgor is assessed by pinching the skin over the sternum or the back of the hand.
Tenting (skin remaining elevated) indicates dehydration. The forearm is less reliable due to age-
related changes in elasticity.
4. Which part of the hand is most sensitive to vibration and is used to detect tactile fremitus?
A) Finger pads
, B) Palmar surface
C) Ulnar surface
D) Dorsal surface
Correct Answer: C) Ulnar surface
Rationale: The ulnar surface (the base of the fingers) is most sensitive to vibration. It is used to
assess for tactile fremitus (vibrations felt on the chest wall during speech) and thrills (vibrations
felt over blood vessels).
5. A patient comes to the emergency department and tells the triage nurse, "I think I'm having a
heart attack." What is the nurse's top priority at this time?
A) Obtain a complete health history
B) Perform a comprehensive physical assessment
C) Perform a focused assessment and initiate emergency measures
D) Notify the healthcare provider
Correct Answer: C) Perform a focused assessment and initiate emergency measures
Rationale: In an emergency situation, a focused assessment is performed to gather data related
to the immediate problem. A comprehensive assessment is not appropriate in an emergency.
The priority is to assess the patient's condition and initiate life-saving measures.
