NR509 KAIT PHYSICAL ASSESSMENT
QUESTIONS WITH COMPLETE SOLUTIONS
Course
NR 509
✅ 1. Question: General Survey
During the general survey of a 76-year-old patient, the nurse notes that the patient is hunched
forward and shuffling while walking. What is the most appropriate next assessment?
A. Assess mental status using MMSE
B. Assess cranial nerves
C. Evaluate for Parkinsonian features
D. Perform heel-to-toe walking
Correct Answer: C. Evaluate for Parkinsonian features
Rationale:
A shuffling gait and stooped posture are classic signs of Parkinson’s disease. The nurse should
further assess for tremor, rigidity, and bradykinesia.
✅ 2. Question: Skin, Hair, and Nails
The nurse assesses a mole using the ABCDE rule. Which finding is most concerning?
A. Symmetrical shape
B. Defined border
C. Even color
D. Diameter of 8 mm
Correct Answer: D. Diameter of 8 mm
Rationale:
A mole larger than 6 mm in diameter is a potential warning sign for malignant melanoma,
especially if other features are abnormal.
✅ 3. Question: Respiratory Assessment
During lung auscultation, the nurse hears crackles in the lower lobes bilaterally. What condition
is most likely?
A. Asthma
B. Pneumonia
,C. Pulmonary edema
D. Pleural effusion
Correct Answer: C. Pulmonary edema
Rationale:
Fine inspiratory crackles in both lower lobes suggest fluid in the alveoli, commonly seen in
pulmonary edema, often due to heart failure.
✅ 4. Question: Cardiovascular Assessment
A nurse hears a harsh systolic murmur best at the second right intercostal space during
auscultation. What condition is most likely?
A. Mitral stenosis
B. Aortic stenosis
C. Tricuspid regurgitation
D. Mitral valve prolapse
Correct Answer: B. Aortic stenosis
Rationale:
Aortic stenosis produces a systolic ejection murmur best heard at the right 2nd intercostal
space, radiating to the neck.
✅ 5. Question: Abdominal Assessment
While performing abdominal percussion, the nurse notes a dull sound in the left lower quadrant.
What is the most likely cause?
A. Gas
B. Stool in the colon
C. Ascites
D. Hyperperistalsis
Correct Answer: B. Stool in the colon
Rationale:
Dullness in the LLQ usually indicates the presence of fecal matter in the sigmoid colon.
✅ 6. Question: Neurological Assessment
,The nurse strokes the lateral sole of the foot and the great toe dorsiflexes with fanning of the
other toes in an adult. What does this indicate?
A. Normal finding
B. Peripheral neuropathy
C. Positive Babinski sign
D. Deep tendon reflex
Correct Answer: C. Positive Babinski sign
Rationale:
A positive Babinski reflex in an adult is abnormal and may indicate upper motor neuron
disease, such as multiple sclerosis or stroke.
✅ 7. Question: HEENT – Ears
During a Weber test, the patient reports sound lateralizes to the left ear. What does this indicate?
A. Normal result
B. Conductive hearing loss in the left ear
C. Sensorineural hearing loss in the left ear
D. Sensorineural hearing loss in the right ear
Correct Answer: B. Conductive hearing loss in the left ear
Rationale:
With conductive hearing loss, sound lateralizes to the affected ear in the Weber test. This is
due to a lack of background noise interfering.
✅ 8. Question: Musculoskeletal Assessment
The nurse performs the Phalen’s test, and the patient experiences tingling in the fingers within 30
seconds. What condition is suspected?
A. Rheumatoid arthritis
B. Carpal tunnel syndrome
C. Ulnar nerve damage
D. Osteoarthritis
Correct Answer: B. Carpal tunnel syndrome
Rationale:
Phalen’s test involves flexing the wrists together; tingling or numbness suggests median nerve
compression, consistent with carpal tunnel.
, ✅ 9. Question: Reproductive Assessment (Female)
A 26-year-old female presents with thin gray vaginal discharge and a fishy odor. What is the
most likely diagnosis?
A. Trichomoniasis
B. Bacterial vaginosis
C. Candidiasis
D. Chlamydia
Correct Answer: B. Bacterial vaginosis
Rationale:
BV typically presents with thin, gray, fishy-smelling discharge. It is confirmed with a positive
“whiff” test and clue cells on microscopy.
✅ 10. Question: Pediatric Assessment
A nurse is assessing a 2-month-old infant and notes the Moro reflex is present. What is the
correct interpretation?
A. This is a normal finding
B. Reflex should be gone by now
C. Indicates CNS damage
D. Associated with seizures
Correct Answer: A. This is a normal finding
Rationale:
The Moro (startle) reflex is normal in newborns and should disappear by 4–6 months.
Presence at 2 months is expected.
✅ 11. Question: HEENT – Nose and Sinuses
A patient reports nasal congestion and facial pressure over the maxillary sinuses for 10 days. On
examination, the nurse finds purulent nasal drainage and tenderness over the cheeks. What is the
most likely diagnosis?
A. Allergic rhinitis
B. Deviated septum
C. Sinusitis
D. Nasal polyps
QUESTIONS WITH COMPLETE SOLUTIONS
Course
NR 509
✅ 1. Question: General Survey
During the general survey of a 76-year-old patient, the nurse notes that the patient is hunched
forward and shuffling while walking. What is the most appropriate next assessment?
A. Assess mental status using MMSE
B. Assess cranial nerves
C. Evaluate for Parkinsonian features
D. Perform heel-to-toe walking
Correct Answer: C. Evaluate for Parkinsonian features
Rationale:
A shuffling gait and stooped posture are classic signs of Parkinson’s disease. The nurse should
further assess for tremor, rigidity, and bradykinesia.
✅ 2. Question: Skin, Hair, and Nails
The nurse assesses a mole using the ABCDE rule. Which finding is most concerning?
A. Symmetrical shape
B. Defined border
C. Even color
D. Diameter of 8 mm
Correct Answer: D. Diameter of 8 mm
Rationale:
A mole larger than 6 mm in diameter is a potential warning sign for malignant melanoma,
especially if other features are abnormal.
✅ 3. Question: Respiratory Assessment
During lung auscultation, the nurse hears crackles in the lower lobes bilaterally. What condition
is most likely?
A. Asthma
B. Pneumonia
,C. Pulmonary edema
D. Pleural effusion
Correct Answer: C. Pulmonary edema
Rationale:
Fine inspiratory crackles in both lower lobes suggest fluid in the alveoli, commonly seen in
pulmonary edema, often due to heart failure.
✅ 4. Question: Cardiovascular Assessment
A nurse hears a harsh systolic murmur best at the second right intercostal space during
auscultation. What condition is most likely?
A. Mitral stenosis
B. Aortic stenosis
C. Tricuspid regurgitation
D. Mitral valve prolapse
Correct Answer: B. Aortic stenosis
Rationale:
Aortic stenosis produces a systolic ejection murmur best heard at the right 2nd intercostal
space, radiating to the neck.
✅ 5. Question: Abdominal Assessment
While performing abdominal percussion, the nurse notes a dull sound in the left lower quadrant.
What is the most likely cause?
A. Gas
B. Stool in the colon
C. Ascites
D. Hyperperistalsis
Correct Answer: B. Stool in the colon
Rationale:
Dullness in the LLQ usually indicates the presence of fecal matter in the sigmoid colon.
✅ 6. Question: Neurological Assessment
,The nurse strokes the lateral sole of the foot and the great toe dorsiflexes with fanning of the
other toes in an adult. What does this indicate?
A. Normal finding
B. Peripheral neuropathy
C. Positive Babinski sign
D. Deep tendon reflex
Correct Answer: C. Positive Babinski sign
Rationale:
A positive Babinski reflex in an adult is abnormal and may indicate upper motor neuron
disease, such as multiple sclerosis or stroke.
✅ 7. Question: HEENT – Ears
During a Weber test, the patient reports sound lateralizes to the left ear. What does this indicate?
A. Normal result
B. Conductive hearing loss in the left ear
C. Sensorineural hearing loss in the left ear
D. Sensorineural hearing loss in the right ear
Correct Answer: B. Conductive hearing loss in the left ear
Rationale:
With conductive hearing loss, sound lateralizes to the affected ear in the Weber test. This is
due to a lack of background noise interfering.
✅ 8. Question: Musculoskeletal Assessment
The nurse performs the Phalen’s test, and the patient experiences tingling in the fingers within 30
seconds. What condition is suspected?
A. Rheumatoid arthritis
B. Carpal tunnel syndrome
C. Ulnar nerve damage
D. Osteoarthritis
Correct Answer: B. Carpal tunnel syndrome
Rationale:
Phalen’s test involves flexing the wrists together; tingling or numbness suggests median nerve
compression, consistent with carpal tunnel.
, ✅ 9. Question: Reproductive Assessment (Female)
A 26-year-old female presents with thin gray vaginal discharge and a fishy odor. What is the
most likely diagnosis?
A. Trichomoniasis
B. Bacterial vaginosis
C. Candidiasis
D. Chlamydia
Correct Answer: B. Bacterial vaginosis
Rationale:
BV typically presents with thin, gray, fishy-smelling discharge. It is confirmed with a positive
“whiff” test and clue cells on microscopy.
✅ 10. Question: Pediatric Assessment
A nurse is assessing a 2-month-old infant and notes the Moro reflex is present. What is the
correct interpretation?
A. This is a normal finding
B. Reflex should be gone by now
C. Indicates CNS damage
D. Associated with seizures
Correct Answer: A. This is a normal finding
Rationale:
The Moro (startle) reflex is normal in newborns and should disappear by 4–6 months.
Presence at 2 months is expected.
✅ 11. Question: HEENT – Nose and Sinuses
A patient reports nasal congestion and facial pressure over the maxillary sinuses for 10 days. On
examination, the nurse finds purulent nasal drainage and tenderness over the cheeks. What is the
most likely diagnosis?
A. Allergic rhinitis
B. Deviated septum
C. Sinusitis
D. Nasal polyps
