Page 1 of 105
HEALTH ASSESSMENT MIDTERM EXAM 2026 QUESTIONS WITH
VERIFIED QUESTIONS DETAILED RATIONALES GRADED A+
Health Assessment Midterm Exam — Questions with Rationales
Summarized 10-Point Exam Coverage
Foundations of Health Assessment — assessment techniques (inspection, palpation,
percussion, auscultation), equipment, documentation, and the nursing process.
General Survey & Vital Signs — appearance, behavior, vital sign measurement, and pain
assessment.
Skin, Hair & Nails — integumentary assessment, lesions, turgor, and nail abnormalities.
Head, Face, Neck & Lymphatics — head shape, facial symmetry, thyroid, and lymph node
assessment.
Eyes & Ears — visual acuity, eye structures, hearing, and ear assessment.
Nose, Mouth & Throat — nasal patency, oral mucosa, dentition, and pharynx.
Respiratory & Cardiovascular Systems — breath sounds, heart sounds, and vascular
assessment.
Abdomen & Gastrointestinal System — abdominal assessment sequence, organ palpation, and
bowel sounds.
Musculoskeletal & Neurologic Systems — joint function, muscle strength, cranial nerves, and
reflexes.
Special Populations & Cultural Considerations — older adults, pediatric, pregnant, and
culturally competent assessment.
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SECTION 1: FOUNDATIONS OF HEALTH ASSESSMENT (Questions 1–35)
Q1. A nurse is preparing to perform a physical assessment. Which technique should the nurse
use first?
A. Palpation
B. Percussion
C. Inspection
D. Auscultation
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Inspection is always the first technique used in physical assessment. It involves visual
examination of the client and begins the moment the nurse meets the client.
Q2. Which assessment technique uses the sense of touch to assess texture, temperature, and
moisture?
A. Inspection
B. Palpation
C. Percussion
D. Auscultation
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Palpation uses the sense of touch to assess texture, temperature, moisture, organ
location and size, and any swelling or masses.
Q3. Which part of the hand is most sensitive to vibration?
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A. Fingertips
B. Ulnar surface
C. Palmar surface
D. Dorsal surface
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The ulnar surface of the hand is most sensitive to vibration.
Q4. Which part of the hand is used to assess temperature?
A. Fingertips
B. Ulnar surface
C. Dorsal surface
D. Palmar surface
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The dorsal surface of the hand is most sensitive to temperature.
Q5. A nurse is performing percussion during a physical examination. Which sound is expected
over normal lung tissue?
A. Tympany
B. Dullness
C. Resonance
D. Flatness
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Resonance is the low-pitched, clear, hollow sound heard over normal lung tissue
during percussion.
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Q6. Which percussion sound is heard over a distended abdomen?
A. Tympany
B. Dullness
C. Resonance
D. Flatness
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Tympany is a loud, high-pitched, drum-like sound heard over a distended abdomen.
Q7. Which percussion sound is heard over the liver?
A. Tympany
B. Dullness
C. Resonance
D. Hyperresonance
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Dullness is a soft, high-pitched sound heard over dense organs such as the liver.
Q8. Which part of the stethoscope is used to hear low-pitched sounds such as heart
murmurs?
A. Diaphragm
B. Bell
C. Earpieces
D. Tubing
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The bell of the stethoscope is used to detect low-pitched sounds such as heart
murmurs.
HEALTH ASSESSMENT MIDTERM EXAM 2026 QUESTIONS WITH
VERIFIED QUESTIONS DETAILED RATIONALES GRADED A+
Health Assessment Midterm Exam — Questions with Rationales
Summarized 10-Point Exam Coverage
Foundations of Health Assessment — assessment techniques (inspection, palpation,
percussion, auscultation), equipment, documentation, and the nursing process.
General Survey & Vital Signs — appearance, behavior, vital sign measurement, and pain
assessment.
Skin, Hair & Nails — integumentary assessment, lesions, turgor, and nail abnormalities.
Head, Face, Neck & Lymphatics — head shape, facial symmetry, thyroid, and lymph node
assessment.
Eyes & Ears — visual acuity, eye structures, hearing, and ear assessment.
Nose, Mouth & Throat — nasal patency, oral mucosa, dentition, and pharynx.
Respiratory & Cardiovascular Systems — breath sounds, heart sounds, and vascular
assessment.
Abdomen & Gastrointestinal System — abdominal assessment sequence, organ palpation, and
bowel sounds.
Musculoskeletal & Neurologic Systems — joint function, muscle strength, cranial nerves, and
reflexes.
Special Populations & Cultural Considerations — older adults, pediatric, pregnant, and
culturally competent assessment.
,Page 2 of 105
SECTION 1: FOUNDATIONS OF HEALTH ASSESSMENT (Questions 1–35)
Q1. A nurse is preparing to perform a physical assessment. Which technique should the nurse
use first?
A. Palpation
B. Percussion
C. Inspection
D. Auscultation
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Inspection is always the first technique used in physical assessment. It involves visual
examination of the client and begins the moment the nurse meets the client.
Q2. Which assessment technique uses the sense of touch to assess texture, temperature, and
moisture?
A. Inspection
B. Palpation
C. Percussion
D. Auscultation
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Palpation uses the sense of touch to assess texture, temperature, moisture, organ
location and size, and any swelling or masses.
Q3. Which part of the hand is most sensitive to vibration?
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A. Fingertips
B. Ulnar surface
C. Palmar surface
D. Dorsal surface
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The ulnar surface of the hand is most sensitive to vibration.
Q4. Which part of the hand is used to assess temperature?
A. Fingertips
B. Ulnar surface
C. Dorsal surface
D. Palmar surface
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The dorsal surface of the hand is most sensitive to temperature.
Q5. A nurse is performing percussion during a physical examination. Which sound is expected
over normal lung tissue?
A. Tympany
B. Dullness
C. Resonance
D. Flatness
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Resonance is the low-pitched, clear, hollow sound heard over normal lung tissue
during percussion.
, Page 4 of 105
Q6. Which percussion sound is heard over a distended abdomen?
A. Tympany
B. Dullness
C. Resonance
D. Flatness
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Tympany is a loud, high-pitched, drum-like sound heard over a distended abdomen.
Q7. Which percussion sound is heard over the liver?
A. Tympany
B. Dullness
C. Resonance
D. Hyperresonance
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Dullness is a soft, high-pitched sound heard over dense organs such as the liver.
Q8. Which part of the stethoscope is used to hear low-pitched sounds such as heart
murmurs?
A. Diaphragm
B. Bell
C. Earpieces
D. Tubing
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The bell of the stethoscope is used to detect low-pitched sounds such as heart
murmurs.
