NSG 1600 Health Assessment
VERIFIED EXAM PREP & SUCCESS GUIDE (2026/2027) - GALEN COLLEGE
(1) Which assessment technique is always performed first (except for abdominal
assessment)?
A. Palpation
B. Percussion
C. Inspection
D. Auscultation
CORRECT ANSWER: C
Assessment Rationale: Inspection is the first step of physical assessment. It involves purposeful
observation of the client's physical characteristics and behavior.
(2) The nurse is preparing to assess the 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. Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation, Inspection
CORRECT ANSWER: B
Assessment Rationale: For the abdomen, auscultation follows inspection to prevent bowel
sounds from being altered by palpation or percussion.
,(3) Which part of the hand is most sensitive to vibration and should be used during
palpation for tactile fremitus?
A. Fingertips
B. Dorsal surface (back of hand)
C. Ulnar surface or base of fingers
D. Thumb and index finger pinch
CORRECT ANSWER: C
Assessment Rationale: The ulnar surface of the hand or the metacarpophalangeal joints are
best for detecting vibration. The dorsal surface is best for temperature.
(4) When assessing the pupillary light reflex, the nurse shines a light into the right eye and
observes the left pupil constrict as well. This is known as:
A. Direct light reflex
B. Consensual light reflex
C. Accommodation
D. Convergence
CORRECT ANSWER: B
Assessment Rationale: Consensual light reflex is the simultaneous constriction of the other pupil
when one eye is exposed to bright light.
,(5) The nurse hears high-pitched, musical sounds primarily during expiration while
auscultating the lungs. These are documented as:
A. Crackles (Rales)
B. Wheezes
C. Rhonchi
D. Pleural friction rub
CORRECT ANSWER: B
Assessment Rationale: Wheezes are continuous musical sounds produced by air passing
through narrowed airways, commonly heard in asthma or COPD.
(6) Where is the apical pulse (Point of Maximal Impulse) normally located in an adult?
A. Second intercostal space, right sternal border
B. Fourth intercostal space, left sternal border
C. Fifth intercostal space, left midclavicular line
D. Second intercostal space, left sternal border
CORRECT ANSWER: C
Assessment Rationale: The apical pulse is found at the 5th intercostal space at or just medial to
the left midclavicular line.
, (7) When percussing over a healthy adult's liver, which sound does the nurse expect to
hear?
A. Tympany
B. Resonance
C. Dullness
D. Hyperresonance
CORRECT ANSWER: C
Assessment Rationale: Dullness is heard over dense organs like the liver or spleen. Tympany is
heard over air-filled structures like the stomach.
(8) The nurse asks the client to stand with feet together and arms at the side, then close
their eyes. The client begins to sway significantly and lose balance. This is a positive:
A. Babinski sign
B. Romberg test
C. Allen test
D. Phalen's test
CORRECT ANSWER: B
Assessment Rationale: A positive Romberg sign indicates a loss of balance when the eyes are
closed, which may suggest cerebellar ataxia or vestibular dysfunction.
VERIFIED EXAM PREP & SUCCESS GUIDE (2026/2027) - GALEN COLLEGE
(1) Which assessment technique is always performed first (except for abdominal
assessment)?
A. Palpation
B. Percussion
C. Inspection
D. Auscultation
CORRECT ANSWER: C
Assessment Rationale: Inspection is the first step of physical assessment. It involves purposeful
observation of the client's physical characteristics and behavior.
(2) The nurse is preparing to assess the 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. Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation, Inspection
CORRECT ANSWER: B
Assessment Rationale: For the abdomen, auscultation follows inspection to prevent bowel
sounds from being altered by palpation or percussion.
,(3) Which part of the hand is most sensitive to vibration and should be used during
palpation for tactile fremitus?
A. Fingertips
B. Dorsal surface (back of hand)
C. Ulnar surface or base of fingers
D. Thumb and index finger pinch
CORRECT ANSWER: C
Assessment Rationale: The ulnar surface of the hand or the metacarpophalangeal joints are
best for detecting vibration. The dorsal surface is best for temperature.
(4) When assessing the pupillary light reflex, the nurse shines a light into the right eye and
observes the left pupil constrict as well. This is known as:
A. Direct light reflex
B. Consensual light reflex
C. Accommodation
D. Convergence
CORRECT ANSWER: B
Assessment Rationale: Consensual light reflex is the simultaneous constriction of the other pupil
when one eye is exposed to bright light.
,(5) The nurse hears high-pitched, musical sounds primarily during expiration while
auscultating the lungs. These are documented as:
A. Crackles (Rales)
B. Wheezes
C. Rhonchi
D. Pleural friction rub
CORRECT ANSWER: B
Assessment Rationale: Wheezes are continuous musical sounds produced by air passing
through narrowed airways, commonly heard in asthma or COPD.
(6) Where is the apical pulse (Point of Maximal Impulse) normally located in an adult?
A. Second intercostal space, right sternal border
B. Fourth intercostal space, left sternal border
C. Fifth intercostal space, left midclavicular line
D. Second intercostal space, left sternal border
CORRECT ANSWER: C
Assessment Rationale: The apical pulse is found at the 5th intercostal space at or just medial to
the left midclavicular line.
, (7) When percussing over a healthy adult's liver, which sound does the nurse expect to
hear?
A. Tympany
B. Resonance
C. Dullness
D. Hyperresonance
CORRECT ANSWER: C
Assessment Rationale: Dullness is heard over dense organs like the liver or spleen. Tympany is
heard over air-filled structures like the stomach.
(8) The nurse asks the client to stand with feet together and arms at the side, then close
their eyes. The client begins to sway significantly and lose balance. This is a positive:
A. Babinski sign
B. Romberg test
C. Allen test
D. Phalen's test
CORRECT ANSWER: B
Assessment Rationale: A positive Romberg sign indicates a loss of balance when the eyes are
closed, which may suggest cerebellar ataxia or vestibular dysfunction.
