NURS 210 - PHYSICAL ASSESSMENT EXAM QUESTION AND
ANSWERS (VERIFIED AND WELL DETAILED ANSWERS)
LATEST UPDATE 2025/2026
The nurse is conducting a class on a priority setting for a group of new
graduate nurses. Which is an example of a first-level priority problems?
a. Patient with postoperative pain
b. newly diagnosed patient with diabetes who needs diabetic teaching
c. individual with a small laceration on the sole of the foot
d. individual with shortness of breath and respiratory distress - CORRECT
ANSWER D
The nurse is performing a general survey. Which action is a component
of the general survey?
a. Observing the patient's body stature and nutritional status
b. Interpreting the subjective information the patient has reported
c. Measuring the patient's temperature, pulse, respirations, and blood
pressure
d. Observing specific body systems while performing the physical
assessment - CORRECT ANSWER A
Which technique will the nurse use to begin a physical examination?
,a. inspection
b. palpitation
c. percusion
d. auscultation - CORRECT ANSWER a. insection
The nurse is nearing the end of an interview. Which statement is
appropriate at this time?
a. Did we forget something?
b. Is there anything else you would like to mention?
c. I need to go on to the next patient. Ill be back.
d. While I'm here, lets talk about your upcoming surgery. - CORRECT
ANSWER b. Is there anything else you would like to mention?
In recording the childhood illnesses of a patient who denies having had
any, which note by the nurse would be most accurate?
a. Patient denies usual childhood illnesses
B. Patient states he was a "very healthy" child
C. Patient states sister had measles, but he didn't
D. Patient denies measles, mumps, rubella, chickenpox, pertussis, and
strep throat - CORRECT ANSWER D. Patient denies measles, mumps,
rubella, chickenpox, pertussis, and strep throat
,Which statement best reflects evidence-based practice (EBP)?
a. EBP relies on tradition for support of best practices
B. EBP is simply the use of best practice techniques for treatment of
patients
C. EBP emphasizes the use of best evidence with the clinician's
experience
D. The patient's own preferences are not important with EBP - CORRECT
ANSWER C. EBP emphasizes the use of best evidence with the clinician's
experience
A 59-year-old patient tells the nurse that he has ulcerative colitis. He has
been having "black stools" for the last 24 hours. How would the nurse
best document his reasons for seeking care?
a. J.M. is a 59-year-old males here for "ulcerative colitis"
b. J.M. came into the clinic complaining of black stools for the past 24
hours
c. J.M., a 59-year-old male, states he has ulcerative colitis and wants it
checked.
d. J.M. is a 59-year-old male here for having "black stools" for the past
24 hours - CORRECT ANSWER d. J.M. is a 59-year-old male here for
having "black stools" for the past 24 hours
When should the nurse perform a general survey?
, a. As soon as the nurse comes in contact with the client
b. After the patient has completed answering all of the health history
questions
c. At the conclusion of the physical assessment
d. After the vital signs have been obtained. - CORRECT ANSWER a. As
soon as the nurse comes in contact with the client
The nurse is preparing to use a stethoscope for auscultation. Which
statement is true regarding the diaphragm of the stethoscope? The
diaphragm:
a. is used to listen for high-pitched sounds
b. is used to listen for low-pitched sounds
c. should be held lightly against the person's skin to block out low-
pitched sounds
d. should be held lightly against the person's skin to listen for extra heart
sounds and murmers - CORRECT ANSWER a. is used to listen for high-
pitched sounds
Which internal factor are needed in order to facilitate effective
communication with clients?
a. ensuring privacy, refusing interruptions, equal status seating and note
taking
b. open ended questions, facilitation, providing reassurance, and giving
advice
ANSWERS (VERIFIED AND WELL DETAILED ANSWERS)
LATEST UPDATE 2025/2026
The nurse is conducting a class on a priority setting for a group of new
graduate nurses. Which is an example of a first-level priority problems?
a. Patient with postoperative pain
b. newly diagnosed patient with diabetes who needs diabetic teaching
c. individual with a small laceration on the sole of the foot
d. individual with shortness of breath and respiratory distress - CORRECT
ANSWER D
The nurse is performing a general survey. Which action is a component
of the general survey?
a. Observing the patient's body stature and nutritional status
b. Interpreting the subjective information the patient has reported
c. Measuring the patient's temperature, pulse, respirations, and blood
pressure
d. Observing specific body systems while performing the physical
assessment - CORRECT ANSWER A
Which technique will the nurse use to begin a physical examination?
,a. inspection
b. palpitation
c. percusion
d. auscultation - CORRECT ANSWER a. insection
The nurse is nearing the end of an interview. Which statement is
appropriate at this time?
a. Did we forget something?
b. Is there anything else you would like to mention?
c. I need to go on to the next patient. Ill be back.
d. While I'm here, lets talk about your upcoming surgery. - CORRECT
ANSWER b. Is there anything else you would like to mention?
In recording the childhood illnesses of a patient who denies having had
any, which note by the nurse would be most accurate?
a. Patient denies usual childhood illnesses
B. Patient states he was a "very healthy" child
C. Patient states sister had measles, but he didn't
D. Patient denies measles, mumps, rubella, chickenpox, pertussis, and
strep throat - CORRECT ANSWER D. Patient denies measles, mumps,
rubella, chickenpox, pertussis, and strep throat
,Which statement best reflects evidence-based practice (EBP)?
a. EBP relies on tradition for support of best practices
B. EBP is simply the use of best practice techniques for treatment of
patients
C. EBP emphasizes the use of best evidence with the clinician's
experience
D. The patient's own preferences are not important with EBP - CORRECT
ANSWER C. EBP emphasizes the use of best evidence with the clinician's
experience
A 59-year-old patient tells the nurse that he has ulcerative colitis. He has
been having "black stools" for the last 24 hours. How would the nurse
best document his reasons for seeking care?
a. J.M. is a 59-year-old males here for "ulcerative colitis"
b. J.M. came into the clinic complaining of black stools for the past 24
hours
c. J.M., a 59-year-old male, states he has ulcerative colitis and wants it
checked.
d. J.M. is a 59-year-old male here for having "black stools" for the past
24 hours - CORRECT ANSWER d. J.M. is a 59-year-old male here for
having "black stools" for the past 24 hours
When should the nurse perform a general survey?
, a. As soon as the nurse comes in contact with the client
b. After the patient has completed answering all of the health history
questions
c. At the conclusion of the physical assessment
d. After the vital signs have been obtained. - CORRECT ANSWER a. As
soon as the nurse comes in contact with the client
The nurse is preparing to use a stethoscope for auscultation. Which
statement is true regarding the diaphragm of the stethoscope? The
diaphragm:
a. is used to listen for high-pitched sounds
b. is used to listen for low-pitched sounds
c. should be held lightly against the person's skin to block out low-
pitched sounds
d. should be held lightly against the person's skin to listen for extra heart
sounds and murmers - CORRECT ANSWER a. is used to listen for high-
pitched sounds
Which internal factor are needed in order to facilitate effective
communication with clients?
a. ensuring privacy, refusing interruptions, equal status seating and note
taking
b. open ended questions, facilitation, providing reassurance, and giving
advice
