Rasmussen University NUR 2180 Module 4 (pdf) | 2026/2027 |
Physical Assessment Q&A | Physical Assessment
**1. A nurse is assessing a skin lesion and documents that it is flat,
non-palpable, and less than 1 cm in diameter. Which term correctly describes
this lesion?**
A) Papule
B) Macule
C) Nodule
D) Plaque
Correct Answer: B) Macule
Rationale: A macule is a flat, circumscribed, non-palpable lesion that is less
than 1 cm in diameter, such as a freckle or petechia. A papule (A) is raised
and palpable, a nodule (C) is larger and deeper, and a plaque (D) is a raised,
flat-topped lesion.
**2. During a skin assessment, the nurse notes a raised, solid lesion that is
0.8 cm in diameter. The nurse should document this finding as a:**
A) Macule
B) Nodule
C) Papule
D) Vesicle
Correct Answer: C) Papule
Rationale: A papule is a raised, solid, palpable lesion that is less than 1 cm in
diameter. A macule (A) is flat, a nodule (B) is larger and deeper (>1 cm), and
a vesicle (D) is a fluid-filled lesion.
,**3. Which of the following characteristics should the nurse include when
documenting a skin lesion?**
A) Color, elevation, and pattern or shape
B) Size and location on the body
C) Presence of exudate, including color and odor
D) All of the above
Correct Answer: D) All of the above
Rationale: When assessing lesions, the nurse should document color,
elevation, pattern or shape, size, location and distribution on the body, and
any exudate (noting color and odor). A Wood's lamp may be used to detect
fluorescing lesions.
**4. A nurse is using a Wood's lamp to examine a skin lesion. What is the
primary purpose of this tool?**
A) To measure the diameter of the lesion
B) To detect fluorescing lesions
C) To assess the depth of the lesion
D) To evaluate skin turgor
Correct Answer: B) To detect fluorescing lesions
Rationale: A Wood's lamp emits ultraviolet light and is used to detect
fluorescing lesions, which can help identify certain fungal infections and
other skin conditions. It is not used to measure size, assess depth, or
evaluate turgor.
**5. A patient presents with a chronic skin condition characterized by dry,
cracked, and intensely itchy skin. The nurse suspects:**
,A) Psoriasis
B) Eczema
C) Contact dermatitis
D) Tinea corporis
Correct Answer: B) Eczema
Rationale: Eczema (atopic dermatitis) is a chronic inflammatory skin
condition characterized by dry, cracked, and itchy skin. It is often associated
with an overstimulated immune system and environmental triggers.
**6. Which of the following is a characteristic finding in a patient with
eczema?**
A) Silvery scales on erythematous plaques
B) Erythematous papules and vesicles with weeping and crusting
C) Well-circumscribed annular lesions with central clearing
D) Thickened, hyperpigmented plaques on flexor surfaces
Correct Answer: B) Erythematous papules and vesicles with weeping and
crusting
Rationale: Eczema typically presents with erythematous papules and vesicles
that may weep, ooze, and form crusts, along with severe pruritus. Silvery
scales (A) are seen in psoriasis, annular lesions (C) are seen in tinea corporis,
and thickened plaques on flexor surfaces (D) are seen in chronic eczema
(lichenification).
**7. A patient with eczema reports severe itching that interferes with sleep.
Which symptom is most commonly associated with this condition?**
A) Pain
, B) Pruritus
C) Paresthesia
D) Burning sensation
Correct Answer: B) Pruritus
Rationale: Pruritus (itching) is the hallmark symptom of eczema and is often
severe enough to disrupt sleep and daily activities. Pain, paresthesia, and
burning are not the primary symptoms of eczema, although burning may
occur with excoriation.
**8. A nurse is assessing a patient's lower extremities and notes pitting
edema. The nurse presses a thumb firmly against the tibia for 3-4 seconds
and observes a 2 mm indentation that subsides quickly. How should this
edema be graded?**
A) 1+
B) 2+
C) 3+
D) 4+
Correct Answer: A) 1+
Rationale: 1+ edema is characterized by a slight indentation (about 2 mm)
that subsides quickly, with no visible swelling of the leg. 2+ (B) has a deeper
indentation with visible swelling, 3+ (C) has a deep indentation that remains
for a short time with obvious swelling, and 4+ (D) has a very deep
indentation that lasts a long time with severe swelling and distortion.
**9. A patient has pitting edema that leaves a deep indentation (about
6 mm) that remains for a short time, and the leg is visibly swollen. Which
grade of edema is this?**
Physical Assessment Q&A | Physical Assessment
**1. A nurse is assessing a skin lesion and documents that it is flat,
non-palpable, and less than 1 cm in diameter. Which term correctly describes
this lesion?**
A) Papule
B) Macule
C) Nodule
D) Plaque
Correct Answer: B) Macule
Rationale: A macule is a flat, circumscribed, non-palpable lesion that is less
than 1 cm in diameter, such as a freckle or petechia. A papule (A) is raised
and palpable, a nodule (C) is larger and deeper, and a plaque (D) is a raised,
flat-topped lesion.
**2. During a skin assessment, the nurse notes a raised, solid lesion that is
0.8 cm in diameter. The nurse should document this finding as a:**
A) Macule
B) Nodule
C) Papule
D) Vesicle
Correct Answer: C) Papule
Rationale: A papule is a raised, solid, palpable lesion that is less than 1 cm in
diameter. A macule (A) is flat, a nodule (B) is larger and deeper (>1 cm), and
a vesicle (D) is a fluid-filled lesion.
,**3. Which of the following characteristics should the nurse include when
documenting a skin lesion?**
A) Color, elevation, and pattern or shape
B) Size and location on the body
C) Presence of exudate, including color and odor
D) All of the above
Correct Answer: D) All of the above
Rationale: When assessing lesions, the nurse should document color,
elevation, pattern or shape, size, location and distribution on the body, and
any exudate (noting color and odor). A Wood's lamp may be used to detect
fluorescing lesions.
**4. A nurse is using a Wood's lamp to examine a skin lesion. What is the
primary purpose of this tool?**
A) To measure the diameter of the lesion
B) To detect fluorescing lesions
C) To assess the depth of the lesion
D) To evaluate skin turgor
Correct Answer: B) To detect fluorescing lesions
Rationale: A Wood's lamp emits ultraviolet light and is used to detect
fluorescing lesions, which can help identify certain fungal infections and
other skin conditions. It is not used to measure size, assess depth, or
evaluate turgor.
**5. A patient presents with a chronic skin condition characterized by dry,
cracked, and intensely itchy skin. The nurse suspects:**
,A) Psoriasis
B) Eczema
C) Contact dermatitis
D) Tinea corporis
Correct Answer: B) Eczema
Rationale: Eczema (atopic dermatitis) is a chronic inflammatory skin
condition characterized by dry, cracked, and itchy skin. It is often associated
with an overstimulated immune system and environmental triggers.
**6. Which of the following is a characteristic finding in a patient with
eczema?**
A) Silvery scales on erythematous plaques
B) Erythematous papules and vesicles with weeping and crusting
C) Well-circumscribed annular lesions with central clearing
D) Thickened, hyperpigmented plaques on flexor surfaces
Correct Answer: B) Erythematous papules and vesicles with weeping and
crusting
Rationale: Eczema typically presents with erythematous papules and vesicles
that may weep, ooze, and form crusts, along with severe pruritus. Silvery
scales (A) are seen in psoriasis, annular lesions (C) are seen in tinea corporis,
and thickened plaques on flexor surfaces (D) are seen in chronic eczema
(lichenification).
**7. A patient with eczema reports severe itching that interferes with sleep.
Which symptom is most commonly associated with this condition?**
A) Pain
, B) Pruritus
C) Paresthesia
D) Burning sensation
Correct Answer: B) Pruritus
Rationale: Pruritus (itching) is the hallmark symptom of eczema and is often
severe enough to disrupt sleep and daily activities. Pain, paresthesia, and
burning are not the primary symptoms of eczema, although burning may
occur with excoriation.
**8. A nurse is assessing a patient's lower extremities and notes pitting
edema. The nurse presses a thumb firmly against the tibia for 3-4 seconds
and observes a 2 mm indentation that subsides quickly. How should this
edema be graded?**
A) 1+
B) 2+
C) 3+
D) 4+
Correct Answer: A) 1+
Rationale: 1+ edema is characterized by a slight indentation (about 2 mm)
that subsides quickly, with no visible swelling of the leg. 2+ (B) has a deeper
indentation with visible swelling, 3+ (C) has a deep indentation that remains
for a short time with obvious swelling, and 4+ (D) has a very deep
indentation that lasts a long time with severe swelling and distortion.
**9. A patient has pitting edema that leaves a deep indentation (about
6 mm) that remains for a short time, and the leg is visibly swollen. Which
grade of edema is this?**
