Rasmussen Univ NUR 2180 Module 9 (pdf) | 2026/2027 | Phys Assess
Q&A | Physical Assessment
**1. A nurse is preparing to assess a patient's respiratory system. In which
sequence should the nurse perform the physical assessment techniques for
the chest?**
A) Auscultation, inspection, palpation, percussion
B) Inspection, palpation, percussion, auscultation
C) Palpation, inspection, auscultation, percussion
D) Percussion, auscultation, inspection, palpation
Correct Answer: B) Inspection, palpation, percussion, auscultation
Rationale: The correct order for a comprehensive respiratory assessment is
inspection, palpation, percussion, and auscultation. Auscultation is
performed last because palpation and percussion can alter breath sounds.
Inspection of the thorax should always be the first step to observe for
symmetry, shape, and effort.
**2. The nurse is assessing a patient's anterior thorax. How many locations
should the nurse auscultate to adequately assess the breath sounds on the
anterior chest?**
A) Four
B) Six
C) Eight
D) Ten
Correct Answer: C) Eight
Rationale: A complete respiratory assessment requires auscultating breath
sounds in eight specific locations on the anterior thorax, ensuring a
,systematic evaluation of all lung fields. The nurse should place the
stethoscope directly on the skin and listen for a full respiratory cycle at each
location.
**3. When auscultating the posterior thorax, how many locations should the
nurse assess to ensure a thorough respiratory examination?**
A) Four
B) Six
C) Eight
D) Ten
Correct Answer: C) Eight
Rationale: The nurse should auscultate breath sounds in eight locations on
the posterior thorax to ensure all lung fields are evaluated. It is important to
compare findings bilaterally and to note any adventitious sounds, such as
crackles or wheezes.
**4. How many locations on each side of the axillary area should the nurse
auscultate to assess breath sounds?**
A) One
B) Two
C) Three
D) Four
Correct Answer: B) Two
Rationale: To conduct a thorough respiratory assessment, the nurse should
auscultate breath sounds in two locations in each axillary area bilaterally.
,The stethoscope must be placed directly on the skin to accurately assess the
breath sounds in these lateral lung fields.
**5. The nurse is preparing to assess the carotid arteries. Which is the
correct technique for palpating the carotid pulse?**
A) Palpate both arteries simultaneously
B) Palpate one artery at a time
C) Palpate the artery after auscultating for a bruit
D) Palpate the artery with the patient in a supine position
Correct Answer: B) Palpate one artery at a time
Rationale: To prevent compromising cerebral blood flow, the carotid arteries
should always be palpated one at a time. This is a critical safety measure.
The nurse should palpate gently to assess the strength and regularity of the
pulse.
**6. When auscultating the carotid artery for a bruit, which action should the
nurse take?**
A) Ask the patient to take a deep breath and hold it
B) Ask the patient to exhale and hold their breath
C) Ask the patient to cough and then breathe normally
D) Ask the patient to speak the words "ninety-nine"
Correct Answer: B) Ask the patient to exhale and hold their breath
Rationale: To accurately auscultate for a carotid bruit, the nurse should ask
the patient to exhale and hold their breath. This reduces tracheal breath
sounds that could interfere with auscultation. A bruit, or "whooshing" sound,
may indicate turbulent blood flow due to carotid artery stenosis.
, **7. The nurse is performing a cardiac assessment. In which order should the
nurse auscultate the heart valves?**
A) Mitral, Tricuspid, Aortic, Pulmonic
B) Aortic, Pulmonic, Erb's point, Tricuspid, Mitral
C) Pulmonic, Aortic, Mitral, Tricuspid
D) Tricuspid, Mitral, Pulmonic, Aortic
Correct Answer: B) Aortic, Pulmonic, Erb's point, Tricuspid, Mitral
Rationale: The correct sequence for auscultating heart sounds is Aortic,
Pulmonic, Erb's point, Tricuspid, and Mitral (APETM). This systematic
approach ensures no valve area is missed and allows for the comparison of
S1 and S2 sounds.
**8. What is the correct anatomical sequence for assessing heart valves?**
A) Aortic, Pulmonic, Erb's point, Tricuspid, Mitral
B) Mitral, Tricuspid, Pulmonic, Aortic
C) Tricuspid, Mitral, Aortic, Pulmonic
D) Pulmonic, Aortic, Mitral, Tricuspid
Correct Answer: A) Aortic, Pulmonic, Erb's point, Tricuspid, Mitral
Rationale: The anatomical sequence for a comprehensive cardiac
auscultation is Aortic, Pulmonic, Erb's point, Tricuspid, and Mitral (APETM).
This order follows the flow of blood through the heart and ensures each valve
area is assessed systematically.
Q&A | Physical Assessment
**1. A nurse is preparing to assess a patient's respiratory system. In which
sequence should the nurse perform the physical assessment techniques for
the chest?**
A) Auscultation, inspection, palpation, percussion
B) Inspection, palpation, percussion, auscultation
C) Palpation, inspection, auscultation, percussion
D) Percussion, auscultation, inspection, palpation
Correct Answer: B) Inspection, palpation, percussion, auscultation
Rationale: The correct order for a comprehensive respiratory assessment is
inspection, palpation, percussion, and auscultation. Auscultation is
performed last because palpation and percussion can alter breath sounds.
Inspection of the thorax should always be the first step to observe for
symmetry, shape, and effort.
**2. The nurse is assessing a patient's anterior thorax. How many locations
should the nurse auscultate to adequately assess the breath sounds on the
anterior chest?**
A) Four
B) Six
C) Eight
D) Ten
Correct Answer: C) Eight
Rationale: A complete respiratory assessment requires auscultating breath
sounds in eight specific locations on the anterior thorax, ensuring a
,systematic evaluation of all lung fields. The nurse should place the
stethoscope directly on the skin and listen for a full respiratory cycle at each
location.
**3. When auscultating the posterior thorax, how many locations should the
nurse assess to ensure a thorough respiratory examination?**
A) Four
B) Six
C) Eight
D) Ten
Correct Answer: C) Eight
Rationale: The nurse should auscultate breath sounds in eight locations on
the posterior thorax to ensure all lung fields are evaluated. It is important to
compare findings bilaterally and to note any adventitious sounds, such as
crackles or wheezes.
**4. How many locations on each side of the axillary area should the nurse
auscultate to assess breath sounds?**
A) One
B) Two
C) Three
D) Four
Correct Answer: B) Two
Rationale: To conduct a thorough respiratory assessment, the nurse should
auscultate breath sounds in two locations in each axillary area bilaterally.
,The stethoscope must be placed directly on the skin to accurately assess the
breath sounds in these lateral lung fields.
**5. The nurse is preparing to assess the carotid arteries. Which is the
correct technique for palpating the carotid pulse?**
A) Palpate both arteries simultaneously
B) Palpate one artery at a time
C) Palpate the artery after auscultating for a bruit
D) Palpate the artery with the patient in a supine position
Correct Answer: B) Palpate one artery at a time
Rationale: To prevent compromising cerebral blood flow, the carotid arteries
should always be palpated one at a time. This is a critical safety measure.
The nurse should palpate gently to assess the strength and regularity of the
pulse.
**6. When auscultating the carotid artery for a bruit, which action should the
nurse take?**
A) Ask the patient to take a deep breath and hold it
B) Ask the patient to exhale and hold their breath
C) Ask the patient to cough and then breathe normally
D) Ask the patient to speak the words "ninety-nine"
Correct Answer: B) Ask the patient to exhale and hold their breath
Rationale: To accurately auscultate for a carotid bruit, the nurse should ask
the patient to exhale and hold their breath. This reduces tracheal breath
sounds that could interfere with auscultation. A bruit, or "whooshing" sound,
may indicate turbulent blood flow due to carotid artery stenosis.
, **7. The nurse is performing a cardiac assessment. In which order should the
nurse auscultate the heart valves?**
A) Mitral, Tricuspid, Aortic, Pulmonic
B) Aortic, Pulmonic, Erb's point, Tricuspid, Mitral
C) Pulmonic, Aortic, Mitral, Tricuspid
D) Tricuspid, Mitral, Pulmonic, Aortic
Correct Answer: B) Aortic, Pulmonic, Erb's point, Tricuspid, Mitral
Rationale: The correct sequence for auscultating heart sounds is Aortic,
Pulmonic, Erb's point, Tricuspid, and Mitral (APETM). This systematic
approach ensures no valve area is missed and allows for the comparison of
S1 and S2 sounds.
**8. What is the correct anatomical sequence for assessing heart valves?**
A) Aortic, Pulmonic, Erb's point, Tricuspid, Mitral
B) Mitral, Tricuspid, Pulmonic, Aortic
C) Tricuspid, Mitral, Aortic, Pulmonic
D) Pulmonic, Aortic, Mitral, Tricuspid
Correct Answer: A) Aortic, Pulmonic, Erb's point, Tricuspid, Mitral
Rationale: The anatomical sequence for a comprehensive cardiac
auscultation is Aortic, Pulmonic, Erb's point, Tricuspid, and Mitral (APETM).
This order follows the flow of blood through the heart and ensures each valve
area is assessed systematically.
