,West Coast University NURS 190 Module Exam 3 | Physical
Assessment (2026) Q&A
1. Which structure is the functional unit of the lungs responsible for gas exchange?
A) Bronchi
B) Alveoli
C) Trachea
D) Pleura
Correct Answer: Alveoli
Rationale: The alveoli are the functional units of the lungs where gas exchange occurs.
Oxygen diffuses into the blood and carbon dioxide diffuses out. The bronchi are conducting
airways, the trachea is the main airway, and the pleura is the membrane surrounding the
lungs.
2. A nurse is assessing a client's respiratory rate and documents 28 breaths per minute. How
should this finding be interpreted?
A) Bradypnea
B) Eupnea
C) Tachypnea
D) Apnea
Correct Answer: Tachypnea
Rationale: Tachypnea is a respiratory rate greater than 20 breaths per minute in an adult.
Bradypnea is a rate below 12 breaths per minute. Eupnea is a normal rate of 12 to 20
breaths per minute. Apnea is the absence of breathing.
3. Which breath sound is described as high-pitched, short, popping sounds heard during
inspiration that are not cleared by coughing?
,A) Wheezes
B) Rhonchi
C) Fine crackles
D) Stridor
Correct Answer: Fine crackles
Rationale: Fine crackles are high-pitched, short, popping sounds heard during inspiration
that do not clear with coughing. They indicate fluid in the small airways. Wheezes are
continuous musical sounds. Rhonchi are low-pitched snoring sounds. Stridor is a high-
pitched inspiratory sound indicating upper airway obstruction.
4. The nurse is percussing the lungs of a client with emphysema. Which percussion note
should the nurse expect to hear?
A) Resonance
B) Hyperresonance
C) Dullness
D) Tympany
Correct Answer: Hyperresonance
Rationale: Hyperresonance is a lower-pitched, booming sound heard when too much air is
present, as in emphysema. Normal lung tissue produces resonance. Dullness is heard over
solid tissue or fluid. Tympany is typically heard over the stomach.
5. Where are bronchial breath sounds normally heard during a respiratory assessment?
A) Over the trachea and larynx
B) Over the peripheral lung fields
C) Over the major bronchi
D) Between the scapulae
Correct Answer: Over the trachea and larynx
, Rationale: Bronchial breath sounds are high-pitched and loud, normally heard only over
the trachea and larynx. Vesicular sounds are heard over the peripheral lung fields.
Bronchovesicular sounds are heard over the major bronchi and between the scapulae.
6. A nurse is assessing a client's chest expansion. Where should the nurse place their hands
to evaluate for symmetric expansion?
A) At the level of T1-T2
B) At the level of the xiphoid process
C) Over the clavicles
D) At the level of T9 or T10
Correct Answer: At the level of T9 or T10
Rationale: Chest expansion is assessed by placing hands at the posterolateral chest wall
with thumbs at the level of T9 or T10. This allows the nurse to observe for symmetric
movement during deep inspiration.
7. Which finding is consistent with increased tactile fremitus?
A) Pneumothorax
B) Pleural effusion
C) Pneumonia with consolidation
D) Bronchial obstruction
Correct Answer: Pneumonia with consolidation
Rationale: Increased tactile fremitus occurs when lung tissue is consolidated, as in
pneumonia, because solid tissue transmits sound vibrations more effectively than air-filled
tissue. Pneumothorax, pleural effusion, and bronchial obstruction decrease or obstruct the
transmission of vibrations.
8. What is the primary function of the cardiovascular system?
Assessment (2026) Q&A
1. Which structure is the functional unit of the lungs responsible for gas exchange?
A) Bronchi
B) Alveoli
C) Trachea
D) Pleura
Correct Answer: Alveoli
Rationale: The alveoli are the functional units of the lungs where gas exchange occurs.
Oxygen diffuses into the blood and carbon dioxide diffuses out. The bronchi are conducting
airways, the trachea is the main airway, and the pleura is the membrane surrounding the
lungs.
2. A nurse is assessing a client's respiratory rate and documents 28 breaths per minute. How
should this finding be interpreted?
A) Bradypnea
B) Eupnea
C) Tachypnea
D) Apnea
Correct Answer: Tachypnea
Rationale: Tachypnea is a respiratory rate greater than 20 breaths per minute in an adult.
Bradypnea is a rate below 12 breaths per minute. Eupnea is a normal rate of 12 to 20
breaths per minute. Apnea is the absence of breathing.
3. Which breath sound is described as high-pitched, short, popping sounds heard during
inspiration that are not cleared by coughing?
,A) Wheezes
B) Rhonchi
C) Fine crackles
D) Stridor
Correct Answer: Fine crackles
Rationale: Fine crackles are high-pitched, short, popping sounds heard during inspiration
that do not clear with coughing. They indicate fluid in the small airways. Wheezes are
continuous musical sounds. Rhonchi are low-pitched snoring sounds. Stridor is a high-
pitched inspiratory sound indicating upper airway obstruction.
4. The nurse is percussing the lungs of a client with emphysema. Which percussion note
should the nurse expect to hear?
A) Resonance
B) Hyperresonance
C) Dullness
D) Tympany
Correct Answer: Hyperresonance
Rationale: Hyperresonance is a lower-pitched, booming sound heard when too much air is
present, as in emphysema. Normal lung tissue produces resonance. Dullness is heard over
solid tissue or fluid. Tympany is typically heard over the stomach.
5. Where are bronchial breath sounds normally heard during a respiratory assessment?
A) Over the trachea and larynx
B) Over the peripheral lung fields
C) Over the major bronchi
D) Between the scapulae
Correct Answer: Over the trachea and larynx
, Rationale: Bronchial breath sounds are high-pitched and loud, normally heard only over
the trachea and larynx. Vesicular sounds are heard over the peripheral lung fields.
Bronchovesicular sounds are heard over the major bronchi and between the scapulae.
6. A nurse is assessing a client's chest expansion. Where should the nurse place their hands
to evaluate for symmetric expansion?
A) At the level of T1-T2
B) At the level of the xiphoid process
C) Over the clavicles
D) At the level of T9 or T10
Correct Answer: At the level of T9 or T10
Rationale: Chest expansion is assessed by placing hands at the posterolateral chest wall
with thumbs at the level of T9 or T10. This allows the nurse to observe for symmetric
movement during deep inspiration.
7. Which finding is consistent with increased tactile fremitus?
A) Pneumothorax
B) Pleural effusion
C) Pneumonia with consolidation
D) Bronchial obstruction
Correct Answer: Pneumonia with consolidation
Rationale: Increased tactile fremitus occurs when lung tissue is consolidated, as in
pneumonia, because solid tissue transmits sound vibrations more effectively than air-filled
tissue. Pneumothorax, pleural effusion, and bronchial obstruction decrease or obstruct the
transmission of vibrations.
8. What is the primary function of the cardiovascular system?
