NUR 210 MIDTERM EXAM
COMPREHENSIVE STUDY GUIDE
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2026/2027
1. During a physical examination, which technique should the nurse always perform first,
except when assessing the abdomen?
A. Palpation
B. Inspection
C. Percussion
D. Auscultation
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Inspection is always the first step in a physical assessment as it
involves concentrated watching of the individual as a whole and then of each body system.
2. When assessing the abdomen, why is auscultation performed before palpation and
percussion?
A. To determine the size of the liver
B. To ensure the patient is relaxed
C. To check for vascular bruits first
D. To prevent the distortion of bowel sounds
,Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: In abdominal assessment, auscultation is done second (after
inspection) because percussion and palpation can increase peristalsis, which would falsely
interpret bowel sounds.
3. A nurse is percussing over a patient’s liver. What sound should the nurse expect to hear?
A. Resonance
B. Dullness
C. Hyperresonance
D. Tympany
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Dullness is heard over dense organs such as the liver or spleen.
Resonance is heard over normal lung tissue, and tympany is heard over air-filled viscus like
the stomach.
4. Which part of the hand is best suited for assessing body temperature during palpation?
A. Ulnar surface
B. Palmar surface
C. Fingertips
D. Dorsal surface
Answer: D
, Conceptual Explanation: The dorsal (back) surface of the hands is best for determining
temperature because the skin is thinner than on the palms.
5. What is the primary purpose of the ‘General Survey’ in nursing assessment?
A. To perform a deep palpation of all organs
B. To observe the patient’s overall health state and physical characteristics
C. To gather subjective data about the chief complaint
D. To document the patient’s past medical history
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: The general survey is a study of the whole person, covering
general health state and any obvious physical characteristics.
6. A nurse notes a patient’s radial pulse is irregular. What is the next appropriate action?
A. Count the apical pulse for one full minute
B. Document the finding as normal for the patient
C. Administer a dose of digoxin immediately
D. Recheck the radial pulse in 15 minutes
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: If a peripheral pulse is irregular, the apical pulse should be
counted for a full minute to determine the actual heart rate and assess for a pulse deficit.
COMPREHENSIVE STUDY GUIDE
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2026/2027
1. During a physical examination, which technique should the nurse always perform first,
except when assessing the abdomen?
A. Palpation
B. Inspection
C. Percussion
D. Auscultation
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Inspection is always the first step in a physical assessment as it
involves concentrated watching of the individual as a whole and then of each body system.
2. When assessing the abdomen, why is auscultation performed before palpation and
percussion?
A. To determine the size of the liver
B. To ensure the patient is relaxed
C. To check for vascular bruits first
D. To prevent the distortion of bowel sounds
,Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: In abdominal assessment, auscultation is done second (after
inspection) because percussion and palpation can increase peristalsis, which would falsely
interpret bowel sounds.
3. A nurse is percussing over a patient’s liver. What sound should the nurse expect to hear?
A. Resonance
B. Dullness
C. Hyperresonance
D. Tympany
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Dullness is heard over dense organs such as the liver or spleen.
Resonance is heard over normal lung tissue, and tympany is heard over air-filled viscus like
the stomach.
4. Which part of the hand is best suited for assessing body temperature during palpation?
A. Ulnar surface
B. Palmar surface
C. Fingertips
D. Dorsal surface
Answer: D
, Conceptual Explanation: The dorsal (back) surface of the hands is best for determining
temperature because the skin is thinner than on the palms.
5. What is the primary purpose of the ‘General Survey’ in nursing assessment?
A. To perform a deep palpation of all organs
B. To observe the patient’s overall health state and physical characteristics
C. To gather subjective data about the chief complaint
D. To document the patient’s past medical history
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: The general survey is a study of the whole person, covering
general health state and any obvious physical characteristics.
6. A nurse notes a patient’s radial pulse is irregular. What is the next appropriate action?
A. Count the apical pulse for one full minute
B. Document the finding as normal for the patient
C. Administer a dose of digoxin immediately
D. Recheck the radial pulse in 15 minutes
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: If a peripheral pulse is irregular, the apical pulse should be
counted for a full minute to determine the actual heart rate and assess for a pulse deficit.
