Physical Assessment Nursing Exam – Physical
Assessment Nursing Examination Practice
Exam 2026/2027 | Practice Questions & Study
Guide | Complete Exam-Style Questions with
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Question 1
A nurse is assessing a patient's respiratory system. Which
finding most strongly suggests increased work of breathing?
A. Respiratory rate of 16 breaths/min
B. Symmetrical chest expansion
C. Use of accessory muscles during inspiration
D. Vesicular breath sounds over the peripheral lung fields
Correct Answer: C. Use of accessory muscles during inspiration
Rationale: Accessory muscle use indicates that the patient is
recruiting additional muscles to assist ventilation, which is a
clinical sign of increased respiratory effort. It may occur with
conditions such as severe asthma, chronic obstructive
,pulmonary disease exacerbation, airway obstruction, or acute
respiratory distress. A normal respiratory rate, symmetrical
chest expansion, and vesicular breath sounds in appropriate
lung fields are generally reassuring findings and do not by
themselves indicate increased work of breathing.
Question 2
During a cardiovascular assessment, which technique should
the nurse use to determine whether a cardiac murmur is
present?
A. Auscultate only over the apex
B. Auscultate systematically over the major valve areas
C. Percuss the anterior chest wall
D. Palpate the carotid arteries simultaneously
Correct Answer: B. Auscultate systematically over the major
valve areas
Rationale: Cardiac auscultation should be systematic and
include the traditional aortic, pulmonic, Erb's point, tricuspid,
and mitral areas. Systematic auscultation allows the nurse to
identify abnormal heart sounds and determine where a murmur
is loudest. Auscultating only the apex may miss findings arising
from other valve areas. Percussion is not the primary method
for detecting murmurs, and carotid arteries should not be
,palpated simultaneously because bilateral compression can
reduce cerebral blood flow.
Question 3
A nurse is preparing to assess a patient's abdomen. Which
sequence is appropriate?
A. Inspection, auscultation, percussion, palpation
B. Auscultation, inspection, palpation, percussion
C. Palpation, percussion, inspection, auscultation
D. Percussion, palpation, auscultation, inspection
Correct Answer: A. Inspection, auscultation, percussion,
palpation
Rationale: Abdominal assessment follows a different sequence
from most other physical examinations because percussion and
palpation can alter bowel sounds. The nurse first inspects the
abdomen, then auscultates bowel sounds and vascular sounds
before performing percussion and palpation. This sequence
helps preserve the reliability of auscultated findings. Deep
palpation should generally occur after the more noninvasive
portions of the assessment.
Question 4
, Which assessment finding is most concerning when evaluating a
patient's peripheral circulation?
A. Capillary refill of less than 2 seconds
B. Warm skin with equal pulses bilaterally
C. Unilateral lower-extremity swelling and tenderness
D. Mild bilateral ankle edema after prolonged standing
Correct Answer: C. Unilateral lower-extremity swelling and
tenderness
Rationale: Unilateral swelling accompanied by tenderness can
be associated with deep vein thrombosis and requires prompt
clinical evaluation, particularly when risk factors are present. A
normal capillary refill and equal peripheral pulses generally
indicate adequate perfusion. Mild bilateral dependent edema
after prolonged standing can have benign causes, although it
should still be interpreted in the context of the patient's overall
condition.
Question 5
When assessing cranial nerve function, which finding would
indicate an abnormal pupillary response?
A. Pupils constricting when exposed to light
B. Pupils constricting during accommodation
Assessment Nursing Examination Practice
Exam 2026/2027 | Practice Questions & Study
Guide | Complete Exam-Style Questions with
Correct Detailed Answers & Rationales
(Reliable Answers) | Latest Updated Version |
Instant Download PDf
Question 1
A nurse is assessing a patient's respiratory system. Which
finding most strongly suggests increased work of breathing?
A. Respiratory rate of 16 breaths/min
B. Symmetrical chest expansion
C. Use of accessory muscles during inspiration
D. Vesicular breath sounds over the peripheral lung fields
Correct Answer: C. Use of accessory muscles during inspiration
Rationale: Accessory muscle use indicates that the patient is
recruiting additional muscles to assist ventilation, which is a
clinical sign of increased respiratory effort. It may occur with
conditions such as severe asthma, chronic obstructive
,pulmonary disease exacerbation, airway obstruction, or acute
respiratory distress. A normal respiratory rate, symmetrical
chest expansion, and vesicular breath sounds in appropriate
lung fields are generally reassuring findings and do not by
themselves indicate increased work of breathing.
Question 2
During a cardiovascular assessment, which technique should
the nurse use to determine whether a cardiac murmur is
present?
A. Auscultate only over the apex
B. Auscultate systematically over the major valve areas
C. Percuss the anterior chest wall
D. Palpate the carotid arteries simultaneously
Correct Answer: B. Auscultate systematically over the major
valve areas
Rationale: Cardiac auscultation should be systematic and
include the traditional aortic, pulmonic, Erb's point, tricuspid,
and mitral areas. Systematic auscultation allows the nurse to
identify abnormal heart sounds and determine where a murmur
is loudest. Auscultating only the apex may miss findings arising
from other valve areas. Percussion is not the primary method
for detecting murmurs, and carotid arteries should not be
,palpated simultaneously because bilateral compression can
reduce cerebral blood flow.
Question 3
A nurse is preparing to assess a patient's abdomen. Which
sequence is appropriate?
A. Inspection, auscultation, percussion, palpation
B. Auscultation, inspection, palpation, percussion
C. Palpation, percussion, inspection, auscultation
D. Percussion, palpation, auscultation, inspection
Correct Answer: A. Inspection, auscultation, percussion,
palpation
Rationale: Abdominal assessment follows a different sequence
from most other physical examinations because percussion and
palpation can alter bowel sounds. The nurse first inspects the
abdomen, then auscultates bowel sounds and vascular sounds
before performing percussion and palpation. This sequence
helps preserve the reliability of auscultated findings. Deep
palpation should generally occur after the more noninvasive
portions of the assessment.
Question 4
, Which assessment finding is most concerning when evaluating a
patient's peripheral circulation?
A. Capillary refill of less than 2 seconds
B. Warm skin with equal pulses bilaterally
C. Unilateral lower-extremity swelling and tenderness
D. Mild bilateral ankle edema after prolonged standing
Correct Answer: C. Unilateral lower-extremity swelling and
tenderness
Rationale: Unilateral swelling accompanied by tenderness can
be associated with deep vein thrombosis and requires prompt
clinical evaluation, particularly when risk factors are present. A
normal capillary refill and equal peripheral pulses generally
indicate adequate perfusion. Mild bilateral dependent edema
after prolonged standing can have benign causes, although it
should still be interpreted in the context of the patient's overall
condition.
Question 5
When assessing cranial nerve function, which finding would
indicate an abnormal pupillary response?
A. Pupils constricting when exposed to light
B. Pupils constricting during accommodation
