,West Coast University NURS 190 Final Exam | Physical
Assessment (2026) Q&A
1. A nurse is preparing to perform a physical assessment on a client. Which of the
following is the correct order of the four basic physical assessment techniques?
A) Palpation, Inspection, Percussion, Auscultation
B) Inspection, Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation
C) Inspection, Percussion, Palpation, Auscultation
D) Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion, Palpation
Correct Answer: Inspection, Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation
Rationale: The standard order for a general physical assessment is Inspection,
Palpation, Percussion, and Auscultation. This sequence prevents altering findings,
as palpation and percussion can stimulate bowel sounds and make auscultation
less reliable. The abdomina l assessment is an exception where auscultation is
performed after inspection but before palpation and percussion.
2. A nurse is performing an abdominal assessment on a client. In which order
should the nurse perform the assessment techniques?
A) Inspection, Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation
B) Inspection, Auscultation, Palpation, Percussion
C) Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion, Palpation
D) Auscultation, Inspection, Palpation, Percussion
Correct Answer: Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion, Palpation
Rationale: For abdominal assessment, the order is Inspection, Auscultation,
Percussion, and Palpation. Auscultation is performed before palpation and
percussion to avoid altering bowel sounds, which could lead to inaccurate
assessment of gastrointestinal motility.
,3. A patient states, "I have had a headache for three days." This is an example of
which type of data?
A) Objective data
B) Secondary data
C) Subjective data
D) Observable data
Correct Answer: Subjective data
Rationale: Subjective data are symptoms described by the patient that cannot be
directly observed by the examiner. Objective data are measurable and observable
findings such as vital signs.
4. The nurse is performing a physical assessment and notes the patient's blood
pressure is 140/90 mmHg. This is an example of which type of data?
A) Objective data
B) Inference
C) Subjective data
D) A symptom
Correct Answer: Objective data
Rationale: Objective data are signs that are measurable and observable by the
healthcare provider. A blood pressure reading is a measurable finding, unlike
subjective symptoms reported by the patient.
5. Which technique of physical assessment should usually be performed first?
A) Palpation
B) Percussion
C) Auscultation
D) Inspection
Correct Answer: Inspection
, Rationale: Inspection is always the first step in the physical assessment sequence
(except for the abdomen, where inspection is followed by auscultation). It involves
visually observing the patient's overall appearance and specific body systems.
6. What is the primary purpose of the "General Survey" in physical assessment?
A) To perform a head - to- toe examination
B) To obtain a set of vital signs
C) To document the patient's medical history
D) To form an initial overall impression of the patient
Correct Answer: To form an initial overall impression of the patient
Rationale: The general survey is a study of the whole person, covering the general
health state and any obvious physical characteristics. It provides an initial
impression of the patient's overall condition.
7. When assessing the temperature of a patient's skin, which part of the hand
should the nurse use?
A) Palmar surface
B) Fingertips
C) Ulnar surface
D) Dorsal surface
Correct Answer: Dorsal surface
Rationale: The dorsal (back) surface of the hand is best for sensing temperature
because the skin is thinner than on the palms. The palmar surface is better for
assessing texture and masses.
8. A nurse is using a stethoscope to listen to high - pitched heart sounds. Which part
of the stethoscope should be used?
Assessment (2026) Q&A
1. A nurse is preparing to perform a physical assessment on a client. Which of the
following is the correct order of the four basic physical assessment techniques?
A) Palpation, Inspection, Percussion, Auscultation
B) Inspection, Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation
C) Inspection, Percussion, Palpation, Auscultation
D) Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion, Palpation
Correct Answer: Inspection, Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation
Rationale: The standard order for a general physical assessment is Inspection,
Palpation, Percussion, and Auscultation. This sequence prevents altering findings,
as palpation and percussion can stimulate bowel sounds and make auscultation
less reliable. The abdomina l assessment is an exception where auscultation is
performed after inspection but before palpation and percussion.
2. A nurse is performing an abdominal assessment on a client. In which order
should the nurse perform the assessment techniques?
A) Inspection, Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation
B) Inspection, Auscultation, Palpation, Percussion
C) Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion, Palpation
D) Auscultation, Inspection, Palpation, Percussion
Correct Answer: Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion, Palpation
Rationale: For abdominal assessment, the order is Inspection, Auscultation,
Percussion, and Palpation. Auscultation is performed before palpation and
percussion to avoid altering bowel sounds, which could lead to inaccurate
assessment of gastrointestinal motility.
,3. A patient states, "I have had a headache for three days." This is an example of
which type of data?
A) Objective data
B) Secondary data
C) Subjective data
D) Observable data
Correct Answer: Subjective data
Rationale: Subjective data are symptoms described by the patient that cannot be
directly observed by the examiner. Objective data are measurable and observable
findings such as vital signs.
4. The nurse is performing a physical assessment and notes the patient's blood
pressure is 140/90 mmHg. This is an example of which type of data?
A) Objective data
B) Inference
C) Subjective data
D) A symptom
Correct Answer: Objective data
Rationale: Objective data are signs that are measurable and observable by the
healthcare provider. A blood pressure reading is a measurable finding, unlike
subjective symptoms reported by the patient.
5. Which technique of physical assessment should usually be performed first?
A) Palpation
B) Percussion
C) Auscultation
D) Inspection
Correct Answer: Inspection
, Rationale: Inspection is always the first step in the physical assessment sequence
(except for the abdomen, where inspection is followed by auscultation). It involves
visually observing the patient's overall appearance and specific body systems.
6. What is the primary purpose of the "General Survey" in physical assessment?
A) To perform a head - to- toe examination
B) To obtain a set of vital signs
C) To document the patient's medical history
D) To form an initial overall impression of the patient
Correct Answer: To form an initial overall impression of the patient
Rationale: The general survey is a study of the whole person, covering the general
health state and any obvious physical characteristics. It provides an initial
impression of the patient's overall condition.
7. When assessing the temperature of a patient's skin, which part of the hand
should the nurse use?
A) Palmar surface
B) Fingertips
C) Ulnar surface
D) Dorsal surface
Correct Answer: Dorsal surface
Rationale: The dorsal (back) surface of the hand is best for sensing temperature
because the skin is thinner than on the palms. The palmar surface is better for
assessing texture and masses.
8. A nurse is using a stethoscope to listen to high - pitched heart sounds. Which part
of the stethoscope should be used?
