NR509 Advanced Physical Assessment
ORIGINAL PRACTICE EXAMINATION — 30 MULTIPLE-CHOICE QUESTIONS
Study edition. A–D choices with answer key and rationales. This is original practice
material, not an official or recalled Chamberlain examination.
Instructions
Select the single best answer for each question. Record your answers before reviewing the
answer key and rationales.
1. 1. A patient reports chest pain that began while climbing stairs and improves after
resting. Which additional history question is most important initially?
A. “Have you ever had a headache?”
B. “Does the pain occur with exertion and how long does it last?”
C. “What is your favorite food?”
D. “Do you usually sleep eight hours?”
2. 2. Which technique is most appropriate when beginning a comprehensive health
history?
A. Ask only yes/no questions
B. Begin with the most sensitive questions
C. Start with an open-ended invitation for the patient’s main concern
D. Interrupt frequently to save time
3. 3. Which finding is most consistent with orthostatic hypotension?
A. Blood pressure rises after standing
B. A significant blood-pressure drop after standing associated with symptoms
C. Pulse disappears during inspiration
D. Temperature increases after standing
4. 4. When inspecting the skin, the examiner should first assess which feature?
A. Color and overall condition
, B. Deep tendon reflexes
C. Visual acuity
D. Bowel sounds
5. 5. Which pulse characteristic should be assessed in addition to rate?
A. Hair texture
B. Rhythm and amplitude
C. Visual fields
D. Bowel frequency
6. 6. Which technique is appropriate for assessing the posterior thorax?
A. Use percussion and auscultation systematically from side to side
B. Auscultate only over the sternum
C. Percuss only the abdomen
D. Inspect the ears first
7. 7. A patient has increased tactile fremitus over an area of the lung. This may indicate:
A. Air trapping only
B. Consolidated lung tissue
C. Normal gastric activity
D. Peripheral edema
8. 8. Which finding is most concerning during cardiovascular assessment?
A. Regular radial pulse
B. New unilateral absence of a peripheral pulse
C. Warm hands
D. Normal capillary refill
9. 9. Which abdominal examination sequence is generally recommended?
A. Palpation, percussion, auscultation, inspection
B. Inspection, auscultation, percussion, palpation
ORIGINAL PRACTICE EXAMINATION — 30 MULTIPLE-CHOICE QUESTIONS
Study edition. A–D choices with answer key and rationales. This is original practice
material, not an official or recalled Chamberlain examination.
Instructions
Select the single best answer for each question. Record your answers before reviewing the
answer key and rationales.
1. 1. A patient reports chest pain that began while climbing stairs and improves after
resting. Which additional history question is most important initially?
A. “Have you ever had a headache?”
B. “Does the pain occur with exertion and how long does it last?”
C. “What is your favorite food?”
D. “Do you usually sleep eight hours?”
2. 2. Which technique is most appropriate when beginning a comprehensive health
history?
A. Ask only yes/no questions
B. Begin with the most sensitive questions
C. Start with an open-ended invitation for the patient’s main concern
D. Interrupt frequently to save time
3. 3. Which finding is most consistent with orthostatic hypotension?
A. Blood pressure rises after standing
B. A significant blood-pressure drop after standing associated with symptoms
C. Pulse disappears during inspiration
D. Temperature increases after standing
4. 4. When inspecting the skin, the examiner should first assess which feature?
A. Color and overall condition
, B. Deep tendon reflexes
C. Visual acuity
D. Bowel sounds
5. 5. Which pulse characteristic should be assessed in addition to rate?
A. Hair texture
B. Rhythm and amplitude
C. Visual fields
D. Bowel frequency
6. 6. Which technique is appropriate for assessing the posterior thorax?
A. Use percussion and auscultation systematically from side to side
B. Auscultate only over the sternum
C. Percuss only the abdomen
D. Inspect the ears first
7. 7. A patient has increased tactile fremitus over an area of the lung. This may indicate:
A. Air trapping only
B. Consolidated lung tissue
C. Normal gastric activity
D. Peripheral edema
8. 8. Which finding is most concerning during cardiovascular assessment?
A. Regular radial pulse
B. New unilateral absence of a peripheral pulse
C. Warm hands
D. Normal capillary refill
9. 9. Which abdominal examination sequence is generally recommended?
A. Palpation, percussion, auscultation, inspection
B. Inspection, auscultation, percussion, palpation
