NURS 190 WEEK 1 PHYSICAL ASSESSMENT QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS 2026/2027 | COMPREHENSIVE NURSING TEST BANK |
EXAM PREP
1. During a physical assessment, if a patient presents with dullness upon
percussion over the lung area, what condition might this suggest?
Pneumonia
Asthma
Chronic bronchitis
Emphysema
2. Describe how rashes and lesions differ in terms of skin assessment.
Rashes are always infectious, whereas lesions are not.
Rashes are only found in children, while lesions occur in adults.
Rashes are temporary, while lesions are permanent.
Rashes are widespread changes in skin color or texture, while
lesions are specific areas of abnormal tissue.
3. If a patient presents with a head injury, which specific bones of the skull
would be most critical to assess for potential fractures?
Frontal, parietal, temporal, and occipital bones
Sphenoid and ethmoid bones
Cervical vertebrae
Humerus and femur
4. If a patient has a severe sunburn, which primary function of the skin is most
likely compromised?
, Synthesis of vitamin D
Temperature regulation
Protection
Sensation
5. Describe how hyperthyroidism affects the body's metabolism.
Hyperthyroidism has no effect on metabolism.
Hyperthyroidism increases the body's metabolism, leading to
symptoms such as weight loss and increased heart rate.
Hyperthyroidism only affects the heart rate without impacting
metabolism.
Hyperthyroidism decreases the body's metabolism, causing weight
gain and lethargy.
6. What is the significance of a 'woosh' sound when auscultating an artery?
Possible obstruction or clot in the artery.
Increased blood pressure.
Normal blood flow.
Aneurysm presence.
7. In a clinical scenario, if a patient presents with hair loss and scalp tenderness,
which assessment skills should be prioritized and why?
Palpation alone is sufficient to assess scalp tenderness.
Auscultation and percussion should be prioritized to check for
underlying issues.
Only inspection should be used to determine the cause of hair loss.
, Inspection and palpation should be prioritized to identify visible
abnormalities and assess tenderness.
8. Describe the significance of the single bones of the skull in relation to overall
cranial structure.
The single bones of the skull provide essential support and
protection for the brain and form the base of the cranial cavity.
They serve as attachment points for the muscles of mastication.
They are primarily responsible for facial expression and movement.
They are involved in the production of blood cells.
9. What is the primary purpose of percussion in a physical assessment?
To check for skin abnormalities.
To evaluate muscle strength.
To assess the underlying structures based on the sound produced.
To measure blood pressure.
10. Describe the significance of the bones that make up the human skull in
relation to protecting the brain.
The bones of the skull are primarily for aesthetic purposes and do
not protect the brain.
The bones of the skull protect the brain by forming a rigid structure
that encases it, preventing injury.
The bones of the skull allow for flexibility and movement of the brain.
The bones of the skull are involved in the production of blood cells.
, 11. If a patient presents with nails that are pale and have a prolonged capillary
refill time, what might this indicate about their health status?
Healthy nail growth and hygiene.
Infection or fungal growth on the nails.
Potential circulatory issues or anemia.
Normal aging process of the nails.
12. What is the purpose of using calipers in measuring skin fold thickness?
To determine BMI
To estimate body fat percentage
To calculate Basal Metabolic Rate
To assess nutritional status
13. Describe the differences between light, moderate, and deep palpation in
terms of their application in physical assessment.
Deep palpation is only used in pediatric assessments, while light and
moderate are used for adults.
Moderate palpation is used exclusively for lymphatic assessment,
while light and deep are not used for this purpose.
Light palpation is the most invasive technique, while deep palpation is
non-invasive.
Light palpation is used for surface characteristics, moderate
palpation for deeper structures, and deep palpation for assessing
organs and masses.
14. What is inspection?
ANSWERS 2026/2027 | COMPREHENSIVE NURSING TEST BANK |
EXAM PREP
1. During a physical assessment, if a patient presents with dullness upon
percussion over the lung area, what condition might this suggest?
Pneumonia
Asthma
Chronic bronchitis
Emphysema
2. Describe how rashes and lesions differ in terms of skin assessment.
Rashes are always infectious, whereas lesions are not.
Rashes are only found in children, while lesions occur in adults.
Rashes are temporary, while lesions are permanent.
Rashes are widespread changes in skin color or texture, while
lesions are specific areas of abnormal tissue.
3. If a patient presents with a head injury, which specific bones of the skull
would be most critical to assess for potential fractures?
Frontal, parietal, temporal, and occipital bones
Sphenoid and ethmoid bones
Cervical vertebrae
Humerus and femur
4. If a patient has a severe sunburn, which primary function of the skin is most
likely compromised?
, Synthesis of vitamin D
Temperature regulation
Protection
Sensation
5. Describe how hyperthyroidism affects the body's metabolism.
Hyperthyroidism has no effect on metabolism.
Hyperthyroidism increases the body's metabolism, leading to
symptoms such as weight loss and increased heart rate.
Hyperthyroidism only affects the heart rate without impacting
metabolism.
Hyperthyroidism decreases the body's metabolism, causing weight
gain and lethargy.
6. What is the significance of a 'woosh' sound when auscultating an artery?
Possible obstruction or clot in the artery.
Increased blood pressure.
Normal blood flow.
Aneurysm presence.
7. In a clinical scenario, if a patient presents with hair loss and scalp tenderness,
which assessment skills should be prioritized and why?
Palpation alone is sufficient to assess scalp tenderness.
Auscultation and percussion should be prioritized to check for
underlying issues.
Only inspection should be used to determine the cause of hair loss.
, Inspection and palpation should be prioritized to identify visible
abnormalities and assess tenderness.
8. Describe the significance of the single bones of the skull in relation to overall
cranial structure.
The single bones of the skull provide essential support and
protection for the brain and form the base of the cranial cavity.
They serve as attachment points for the muscles of mastication.
They are primarily responsible for facial expression and movement.
They are involved in the production of blood cells.
9. What is the primary purpose of percussion in a physical assessment?
To check for skin abnormalities.
To evaluate muscle strength.
To assess the underlying structures based on the sound produced.
To measure blood pressure.
10. Describe the significance of the bones that make up the human skull in
relation to protecting the brain.
The bones of the skull are primarily for aesthetic purposes and do
not protect the brain.
The bones of the skull protect the brain by forming a rigid structure
that encases it, preventing injury.
The bones of the skull allow for flexibility and movement of the brain.
The bones of the skull are involved in the production of blood cells.
, 11. If a patient presents with nails that are pale and have a prolonged capillary
refill time, what might this indicate about their health status?
Healthy nail growth and hygiene.
Infection or fungal growth on the nails.
Potential circulatory issues or anemia.
Normal aging process of the nails.
12. What is the purpose of using calipers in measuring skin fold thickness?
To determine BMI
To estimate body fat percentage
To calculate Basal Metabolic Rate
To assess nutritional status
13. Describe the differences between light, moderate, and deep palpation in
terms of their application in physical assessment.
Deep palpation is only used in pediatric assessments, while light and
moderate are used for adults.
Moderate palpation is used exclusively for lymphatic assessment,
while light and deep are not used for this purpose.
Light palpation is the most invasive technique, while deep palpation is
non-invasive.
Light palpation is used for surface characteristics, moderate
palpation for deeper structures, and deep palpation for assessing
organs and masses.
14. What is inspection?
