MSN 588 Exam 1: Advanced Patient Assessment
Updated & Verified Questions and Correct Answers
- Nightingale College (Version 4)
1. Which of the following is considered subjective data?
A. The patient’s blood pressure is 140/90 mmHg
B. The patient’s heart rate is 88 beats per minute
C. The nurse observes a rash on the patient’s arm
D. The patient reports a throbbing headache
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: Subjective data consists of information provided by the patient that cannot
be directly measured or observed by the examiner, such as symptoms and feelings.
2. When performing a physical assessment, which part of the hand is best for
sensing temperature?
A. Fingertips
B. Palmar surface
C. Ulnar surface
D. Dorsal surface (back of the hand)
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: The dorsal surface of the hand has thinner skin that is more sensitive to
temperature variations than the palms or fingertips.
,3. The bell of the stethoscope is used to detect which type of sounds?
A. High-pitched sounds like heart sounds
B. Normal breath sounds
C. Loud sounds like bowel sounds
D. Low-pitched sounds like bruits or murmurs
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: The bell is designed to pick up low-frequency sounds, whereas the
diaphragm is used for high-frequency sounds.
4. What sound would you expect to hear when percussing over a healthy adult
lung?
A. Flatness
B. Tympany
C. Dullness
D. Resonance
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: Resonance is the clear, hollow sound heard over normal, air-filled lung
tissue.
5. In the OLDCARTS acronym for history taking, what does the ‘R’ stand for?
A. Region
B. Radiation
C. Relieving factors
D. Recall
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: OLDCARTS stands for Onset, Location, Duration, Character,
Aggravating/Alleviating (Relieving) factors, Radiation, Timing, and Severity.
, 6. Which assessment technique involves the use of light or deep pressure to
evaluate organ size and tenderness?
A. Inspection
B. Palpation
C. Percussion
D. Auscultation
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Palpation uses the sense of touch to assess texture, temperature, moisture,
organ location, size, and presence of tenderness.
7. A patient’s blood pressure drops significantly when moving from a lying to a
standing position. This is known as:
A. Hypertensive crisis
B. Postural hypertension
C. Bradycardia
D. Orthostatic hypotension
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: Orthostatic hypotension is a drop in systolic BP of at least 20 mmHg or
diastolic BP of at least 10 mmHg within 3 minutes of standing.
8. When assessing the skin of an elderly patient, which finding is considered a
normal age-related change?
A. Increased skin elasticity
B. Decreased skin turgor
C. Increased subcutaneous fat
D. Increased moisture and oiliness
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: As people age, they lose collagen and subcutaneous fat, leading to thinner
skin and decreased turgor (elasticity).
Updated & Verified Questions and Correct Answers
- Nightingale College (Version 4)
1. Which of the following is considered subjective data?
A. The patient’s blood pressure is 140/90 mmHg
B. The patient’s heart rate is 88 beats per minute
C. The nurse observes a rash on the patient’s arm
D. The patient reports a throbbing headache
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: Subjective data consists of information provided by the patient that cannot
be directly measured or observed by the examiner, such as symptoms and feelings.
2. When performing a physical assessment, which part of the hand is best for
sensing temperature?
A. Fingertips
B. Palmar surface
C. Ulnar surface
D. Dorsal surface (back of the hand)
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: The dorsal surface of the hand has thinner skin that is more sensitive to
temperature variations than the palms or fingertips.
,3. The bell of the stethoscope is used to detect which type of sounds?
A. High-pitched sounds like heart sounds
B. Normal breath sounds
C. Loud sounds like bowel sounds
D. Low-pitched sounds like bruits or murmurs
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: The bell is designed to pick up low-frequency sounds, whereas the
diaphragm is used for high-frequency sounds.
4. What sound would you expect to hear when percussing over a healthy adult
lung?
A. Flatness
B. Tympany
C. Dullness
D. Resonance
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: Resonance is the clear, hollow sound heard over normal, air-filled lung
tissue.
5. In the OLDCARTS acronym for history taking, what does the ‘R’ stand for?
A. Region
B. Radiation
C. Relieving factors
D. Recall
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: OLDCARTS stands for Onset, Location, Duration, Character,
Aggravating/Alleviating (Relieving) factors, Radiation, Timing, and Severity.
, 6. Which assessment technique involves the use of light or deep pressure to
evaluate organ size and tenderness?
A. Inspection
B. Palpation
C. Percussion
D. Auscultation
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Palpation uses the sense of touch to assess texture, temperature, moisture,
organ location, size, and presence of tenderness.
7. A patient’s blood pressure drops significantly when moving from a lying to a
standing position. This is known as:
A. Hypertensive crisis
B. Postural hypertension
C. Bradycardia
D. Orthostatic hypotension
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: Orthostatic hypotension is a drop in systolic BP of at least 20 mmHg or
diastolic BP of at least 10 mmHg within 3 minutes of standing.
8. When assessing the skin of an elderly patient, which finding is considered a
normal age-related change?
A. Increased skin elasticity
B. Decreased skin turgor
C. Increased subcutaneous fat
D. Increased moisture and oiliness
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: As people age, they lose collagen and subcutaneous fat, leading to thinner
skin and decreased turgor (elasticity).
