NUR 2180 / NUR2180 Module 9 Quiz
Physical Assessment
Latest 2026/2027 Update | Rasmussen University
7 Content Domains • 75 Questions • Verified Answers • Clinical Reasoning Rationales
Instructions: This Module 9 Quiz review contains 75 multiple-choice questions distributed across seven content
domains aligned with the Rasmussen University NUR 2180 Physical Assessment Module 9 blueprint: (1)
Abdominal Assessment; (2) Gastrointestinal and Hepatic Assessment; (3) Male Genitourinary and Rectal
Assessment; (4) Female Genitourinary and Breast Assessment; (5) Musculoskeletal Assessment; (6) Neurological
Assessment; and (7) Documentation, Normal vs. Abnormal Findings, and Clinical Application. Each question has
four options (A–D) with exactly one correct response marked **[CORRECT]**. Rationales include physical
assessment clinical reasoning, anatomical basis, technique principles, and clinical significance. Recommended
time: 90 minutes.
Section 1: Abdominal Assessment (Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion, Palpation, & Abdominal
Landmarks)
Q1. When performing an abdominal assessment, which sequence should the nurse use?
A. Inspection, palpation, percussion, auscultation
B. Inspection, auscultation, percussion, palpation **[CORRECT]**
C. Auscultation, inspection, palpation, percussion
D. Palpation, percussion, auscultation, inspection
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct sequence is Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion, Palpation (I-A-P-P). Auscultation precedes
percussion and palpation because palpation and percussion can alter bowel motility and bowel sounds, producing false
findings. Choice A, C, and D all perform palpation or percussion before auscultation, which can stimulate or suppress bowel
sounds and yield inaccurate findings.
Q2. Which technique should the nurse use FIRST when beginning an abdominal assessment?
A. Auscultation of bowel sounds
B. Inspection of the abdomen **[CORRECT]**
C. Palpation for tenderness
D. Percussion for organ size
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Inspection is always the first step in abdominal assessment, allowing the nurse to observe contour, symmetry, skin
color, lesions, and pulsations before other techniques alter findings. Choice A, C, and D come after inspection in the I-A-P-P
sequence.
Q3. The abdomen is divided into four quadrants. Which organ is located in the right upper quadrant
(RUQ)?
A. Sigmoid colon
Rasmussen University - NUR 2180 Physical Assessment - Module 9 Quiz
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B. Liver and gallbladder **[CORRECT]**
C. Spleen
D. Stomach
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The RUQ contains the liver, gallbladder, duodenum, head of the pancreas, and right kidney. Choice A (sigmoid
colon) is in the left lower quadrant. Choice C (spleen) is in the left upper quadrant. Choice D (stomach) is primarily in the
left upper quadrant.
Q4. The nurse is assessing the abdomen and notes that the umbilicus is displaced upward. This finding
suggests:
A. Normal anatomical variation
B. Pelvic mass or pregnancy **[CORRECT]**
C. Ascites
D. Hernia
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: An upwardly displaced umbilicus suggests a pelvic mass, pregnancy, or ovarian tumor displacing abdominal
contents upward. Choice A is incorrect; displacement is abnormal. Choice C (ascites) typically causes lateral displacement.
Choice D (hernia) causes a protrusion at the umbilicus, not displacement.
Q5. When inspecting the abdomen, the nurse notes visible pulsations in the epigastric area. This finding is:
A. Always abnormal and requires immediate imaging
B. Normal in thin individuals **[CORRECT]**
C. A sign of bowel obstruction
D. Indicative of appendicitis
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Visible pulsations in the epigastric area are normal in thin individuals due to the aorta being visible through a thin
abdominal wall. Choice A is incorrect; this is a normal variant. Choice C and D are unrelated to epigastric pulsations.
Q6. Which finding during abdominal auscultation is considered NORMAL?
A. High-pitched, hyperactive bowel sounds
B. Bowel sounds occurring every 5-30 seconds **[CORRECT]**
C. Absent bowel sounds after listening for 1 minute
D. Bruit over the aorta
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Normal bowel sounds occur every 5-30 seconds (5-35 gurgles per minute) and are low to moderate pitched.
Choice A (hyperactive) suggests diarrhea or early obstruction. Choice C requires listening for 5 minutes before concluding
sounds are absent. Choice D (bruit) is abnormal and suggests vascular pathology.
Q7. When auscultating for bowel sounds, the nurse should listen in each quadrant for at least:
A. 5 seconds
B. 30 seconds
C. 1 minute
D. 5 minutes **[CORRECT]**
Rasmussen University - NUR 2180 Physical Assessment - Module 9 Quiz
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Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Per assessment standards, the nurse should listen in each quadrant for at least 5 minutes (or until sounds are
heard) before determining that bowel sounds are absent. Choice A, B, and C are too brief to confirm absent bowel sounds.
Q8. A high-pitched, tinkling bowel sound is characteristic of:
A. Normal digestion
B. Early intestinal obstruction **[CORRECT]**
C. Diarrhea
D. Gastroenteritis
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: High-pitched, tinkling bowel sounds suggest early intestinal obstruction due to increased motility and air-fluid
levels proximal to the obstruction. Choice A is incorrect; normal sounds are low to moderate pitched. Choice C and D
typically present with hyperactive sounds, not tinkling.
Q9. The nurse should auscultate the abdomen using the:
A. Diaphragm of the stethoscope only
B. Bell of the stethoscope only
C. Diaphragm for bowel sounds and bell for bruits **[CORRECT]**
D. Either the diaphragm or bell, depending on preference
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The diaphragm is used to auscultate normal bowel sounds (higher pitch), while the bell is used to detect bruits
(lower frequency vascular sounds). Choice A and B limit assessment. Choice D is incorrect; each piece detects different
sound frequencies.
Q10. When percussing the abdomen, normal percussion should produce:
A. Dullness throughout
B. Tympany throughout
C. A mix of tympany and dullness, with tympany predominant **[CORRECT]**
D. Resonance throughout
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Normal abdominal percussion produces a mix of tympany (over air-filled stomach and bowels) and dullness
(over solid organs like the liver), with tympany predominant. Choice A is incorrect; dullness throughout suggests mass or
fluid. Choice B is incorrect; tympany throughout suggests excessive air. Choice D is incorrect; resonance is characteristic of
the lungs.
Q11. Which abdominal landmark is located in the right lower quadrant and is associated with appendicitis
when tender?
A. McBurney's point **[CORRECT]**
B. Umbilicus
C. Costal margin
D. Symphysis pubis
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: McBurney's point is located in the right lower quadrant, approximately one-third of the distance from the right
anterior superior iliac spine to the umbilicus; tenderness at this point is associated with appendicitis. Choice B (umbilicus) is
Rasmussen University - NUR 2180 Physical Assessment - Module 9 Quiz
Physical Assessment
Latest 2026/2027 Update | Rasmussen University
7 Content Domains • 75 Questions • Verified Answers • Clinical Reasoning Rationales
Instructions: This Module 9 Quiz review contains 75 multiple-choice questions distributed across seven content
domains aligned with the Rasmussen University NUR 2180 Physical Assessment Module 9 blueprint: (1)
Abdominal Assessment; (2) Gastrointestinal and Hepatic Assessment; (3) Male Genitourinary and Rectal
Assessment; (4) Female Genitourinary and Breast Assessment; (5) Musculoskeletal Assessment; (6) Neurological
Assessment; and (7) Documentation, Normal vs. Abnormal Findings, and Clinical Application. Each question has
four options (A–D) with exactly one correct response marked **[CORRECT]**. Rationales include physical
assessment clinical reasoning, anatomical basis, technique principles, and clinical significance. Recommended
time: 90 minutes.
Section 1: Abdominal Assessment (Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion, Palpation, & Abdominal
Landmarks)
Q1. When performing an abdominal assessment, which sequence should the nurse use?
A. Inspection, palpation, percussion, auscultation
B. Inspection, auscultation, percussion, palpation **[CORRECT]**
C. Auscultation, inspection, palpation, percussion
D. Palpation, percussion, auscultation, inspection
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct sequence is Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion, Palpation (I-A-P-P). Auscultation precedes
percussion and palpation because palpation and percussion can alter bowel motility and bowel sounds, producing false
findings. Choice A, C, and D all perform palpation or percussion before auscultation, which can stimulate or suppress bowel
sounds and yield inaccurate findings.
Q2. Which technique should the nurse use FIRST when beginning an abdominal assessment?
A. Auscultation of bowel sounds
B. Inspection of the abdomen **[CORRECT]**
C. Palpation for tenderness
D. Percussion for organ size
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Inspection is always the first step in abdominal assessment, allowing the nurse to observe contour, symmetry, skin
color, lesions, and pulsations before other techniques alter findings. Choice A, C, and D come after inspection in the I-A-P-P
sequence.
Q3. The abdomen is divided into four quadrants. Which organ is located in the right upper quadrant
(RUQ)?
A. Sigmoid colon
Rasmussen University - NUR 2180 Physical Assessment - Module 9 Quiz
,NUR 2180 Module 9 Quiz | Physical Assessment | Rasmussen 2026/2027 Page 2
B. Liver and gallbladder **[CORRECT]**
C. Spleen
D. Stomach
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The RUQ contains the liver, gallbladder, duodenum, head of the pancreas, and right kidney. Choice A (sigmoid
colon) is in the left lower quadrant. Choice C (spleen) is in the left upper quadrant. Choice D (stomach) is primarily in the
left upper quadrant.
Q4. The nurse is assessing the abdomen and notes that the umbilicus is displaced upward. This finding
suggests:
A. Normal anatomical variation
B. Pelvic mass or pregnancy **[CORRECT]**
C. Ascites
D. Hernia
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: An upwardly displaced umbilicus suggests a pelvic mass, pregnancy, or ovarian tumor displacing abdominal
contents upward. Choice A is incorrect; displacement is abnormal. Choice C (ascites) typically causes lateral displacement.
Choice D (hernia) causes a protrusion at the umbilicus, not displacement.
Q5. When inspecting the abdomen, the nurse notes visible pulsations in the epigastric area. This finding is:
A. Always abnormal and requires immediate imaging
B. Normal in thin individuals **[CORRECT]**
C. A sign of bowel obstruction
D. Indicative of appendicitis
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Visible pulsations in the epigastric area are normal in thin individuals due to the aorta being visible through a thin
abdominal wall. Choice A is incorrect; this is a normal variant. Choice C and D are unrelated to epigastric pulsations.
Q6. Which finding during abdominal auscultation is considered NORMAL?
A. High-pitched, hyperactive bowel sounds
B. Bowel sounds occurring every 5-30 seconds **[CORRECT]**
C. Absent bowel sounds after listening for 1 minute
D. Bruit over the aorta
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Normal bowel sounds occur every 5-30 seconds (5-35 gurgles per minute) and are low to moderate pitched.
Choice A (hyperactive) suggests diarrhea or early obstruction. Choice C requires listening for 5 minutes before concluding
sounds are absent. Choice D (bruit) is abnormal and suggests vascular pathology.
Q7. When auscultating for bowel sounds, the nurse should listen in each quadrant for at least:
A. 5 seconds
B. 30 seconds
C. 1 minute
D. 5 minutes **[CORRECT]**
Rasmussen University - NUR 2180 Physical Assessment - Module 9 Quiz
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Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Per assessment standards, the nurse should listen in each quadrant for at least 5 minutes (or until sounds are
heard) before determining that bowel sounds are absent. Choice A, B, and C are too brief to confirm absent bowel sounds.
Q8. A high-pitched, tinkling bowel sound is characteristic of:
A. Normal digestion
B. Early intestinal obstruction **[CORRECT]**
C. Diarrhea
D. Gastroenteritis
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: High-pitched, tinkling bowel sounds suggest early intestinal obstruction due to increased motility and air-fluid
levels proximal to the obstruction. Choice A is incorrect; normal sounds are low to moderate pitched. Choice C and D
typically present with hyperactive sounds, not tinkling.
Q9. The nurse should auscultate the abdomen using the:
A. Diaphragm of the stethoscope only
B. Bell of the stethoscope only
C. Diaphragm for bowel sounds and bell for bruits **[CORRECT]**
D. Either the diaphragm or bell, depending on preference
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The diaphragm is used to auscultate normal bowel sounds (higher pitch), while the bell is used to detect bruits
(lower frequency vascular sounds). Choice A and B limit assessment. Choice D is incorrect; each piece detects different
sound frequencies.
Q10. When percussing the abdomen, normal percussion should produce:
A. Dullness throughout
B. Tympany throughout
C. A mix of tympany and dullness, with tympany predominant **[CORRECT]**
D. Resonance throughout
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Normal abdominal percussion produces a mix of tympany (over air-filled stomach and bowels) and dullness
(over solid organs like the liver), with tympany predominant. Choice A is incorrect; dullness throughout suggests mass or
fluid. Choice B is incorrect; tympany throughout suggests excessive air. Choice D is incorrect; resonance is characteristic of
the lungs.
Q11. Which abdominal landmark is located in the right lower quadrant and is associated with appendicitis
when tender?
A. McBurney's point **[CORRECT]**
B. Umbilicus
C. Costal margin
D. Symphysis pubis
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: McBurney's point is located in the right lower quadrant, approximately one-third of the distance from the right
anterior superior iliac spine to the umbilicus; tenderness at this point is associated with appendicitis. Choice B (umbilicus) is
Rasmussen University - NUR 2180 Physical Assessment - Module 9 Quiz
