NURS 190 Quiz 1 (2026/2027) | Complete
Study Guide, Practice Questions & Answers
4 basic physical assessment techniques - correct answer-inspection
palpation
percussion
auscultation
How to do a physical assessment on the abdomen? And why? - correct answer-
inspection
auscultation
percussion
palpation
- so that we DO NOT allow for hyperactive bowel sounds before auscultating
What are the sensitive areas of the hand? - correct answer-• The finger pads are
used for discrimination of underlying structures and functions such as pulses,
superficial lymph nodes, or crepitus.
• Vibrations (vibrations) are best perceived by the examiner when using the base
of the fingers (metacarpophalangeal joints).
,• The ulnar surface of the hand, including the finger, is most sensitive to
vibrations such as fremitus.
• The palmar aspect of the fingers is used to determine position, consistency,
texture, size of structures, pain, and tenderness.
• The dorsal surface of the fingers is most sensitive to temperature.
• The dominant hand is always more sensitive than the non-dominant hand.
What is light palpation used for? - correct answer-Light palpation is used with the
pads of the fingers to help assess the skin surface, pulses, textures, tenderness
(1cm)
What is deep palpation? - correct answer-Used to palpate abdomen and internal
organs
(2-4cm)
What is contraindicated for deep palpation? - correct answer-Dissecting
aneurysms, peritonitis, ectopic pregnancy
What is percussion? - correct answer-tapping the person's skin with short, sharp
strokes to assess underlying structures
What is direct percussion? - correct answer-Technique of tapping the body with
the fingertips of the dominant hand.
, What is direct percussion used to assess for? - correct answer-Adult sinuses
What is blunt percussion? - correct answer-Non dominant hand is flat and
dominant hand hits over non dominant with a fist
What is blunt percussion used for? - correct answer-Assess for pain and
tenderness in gallbladder, liver, and kidneys
What is indirect percussion? - correct answer-It's the technique most commonly
used (sounds are clearer & more easily interpreted). A hammer or tapping finger
is used
What is a tympany sound? - correct answer-loud, high pitched
Where would you hear a tympanic sound? - correct answer-stomach or intestines
What is a resonance sound? - correct answer-loud, low pitched, hollow
Where would you hear a resonance sound? - correct answer-lungs
What is a hyperresonance sound? - correct answer-loud, low pitched
Where would you hear a hyper resonance sound? - correct answer-air is trapped
in lungs, common among the elderly
Study Guide, Practice Questions & Answers
4 basic physical assessment techniques - correct answer-inspection
palpation
percussion
auscultation
How to do a physical assessment on the abdomen? And why? - correct answer-
inspection
auscultation
percussion
palpation
- so that we DO NOT allow for hyperactive bowel sounds before auscultating
What are the sensitive areas of the hand? - correct answer-• The finger pads are
used for discrimination of underlying structures and functions such as pulses,
superficial lymph nodes, or crepitus.
• Vibrations (vibrations) are best perceived by the examiner when using the base
of the fingers (metacarpophalangeal joints).
,• The ulnar surface of the hand, including the finger, is most sensitive to
vibrations such as fremitus.
• The palmar aspect of the fingers is used to determine position, consistency,
texture, size of structures, pain, and tenderness.
• The dorsal surface of the fingers is most sensitive to temperature.
• The dominant hand is always more sensitive than the non-dominant hand.
What is light palpation used for? - correct answer-Light palpation is used with the
pads of the fingers to help assess the skin surface, pulses, textures, tenderness
(1cm)
What is deep palpation? - correct answer-Used to palpate abdomen and internal
organs
(2-4cm)
What is contraindicated for deep palpation? - correct answer-Dissecting
aneurysms, peritonitis, ectopic pregnancy
What is percussion? - correct answer-tapping the person's skin with short, sharp
strokes to assess underlying structures
What is direct percussion? - correct answer-Technique of tapping the body with
the fingertips of the dominant hand.
, What is direct percussion used to assess for? - correct answer-Adult sinuses
What is blunt percussion? - correct answer-Non dominant hand is flat and
dominant hand hits over non dominant with a fist
What is blunt percussion used for? - correct answer-Assess for pain and
tenderness in gallbladder, liver, and kidneys
What is indirect percussion? - correct answer-It's the technique most commonly
used (sounds are clearer & more easily interpreted). A hammer or tapping finger
is used
What is a tympany sound? - correct answer-loud, high pitched
Where would you hear a tympanic sound? - correct answer-stomach or intestines
What is a resonance sound? - correct answer-loud, low pitched, hollow
Where would you hear a resonance sound? - correct answer-lungs
What is a hyperresonance sound? - correct answer-loud, low pitched
Where would you hear a hyper resonance sound? - correct answer-air is trapped
in lungs, common among the elderly
