,Galen NSG 3160 Exam 4 | Health Assessment
(2026) Actual Q&A PDF
1. The correct sequence for abdominal assessment is:
A) Inspection, auscultation, percussion, palpation
B) Palpation, percussion, auscultation, inspection
C) Auscultation, inspection, palpation, percussion
D) Inspection, palpation, percussion, auscultation
Correct Answer: Inspection, auscultation, percussion, palpation
Rationale: Auscultation follows inspection in abdominal assessment because
percussion and palpation can alter bowel sounds. This order ensures accurate
auscultatory findings.
2. During abdominal inspection, the nurse notes visible, wavelike movements
across the abdomen. This finding may indicate:
A) Normal peristalsis
B) Intestinal obstruction
C) Ascites
D) Organomegaly
Correct Answer: Intestinal obstruction
,Rationale: Visible peristaltic waves suggest increased peristalsis trying to
overcome a blockage, often seen in intestinal obstruction. They are not normal
in adults.
3. The nurse is preparing to auscultate bowel sounds. Where should the
stethoscope be placed first?
A) Left lower quadrant
B) Right upper quadrant
C) Right lower quadrant
D) Left upper quadrant
Correct Answer: Right lower quadrant
Rationale: Bowel sounds are normally most active in the right lower quadrant
near the ileocecal valve. The nurse begins here and proceeds to all four
quadrants.
4. If bowel sounds are initially absent, how long should the nurse listen in each
quadrant before documenting absence?
A) 1 minute
B) 2 minutes
C) 3 minutes
D) 5 minutes
Correct Answer: 5 minutes
, Rationale: To confirm absent bowel sounds, the nurse must listen for a full 5
minutes per quadrant. Briefer listening may miss intermittent sounds.
5. Which organ is located in the right upper quadrant?
A) Liver
B) Spleen
C) Sigmoid colon
D) Appendix
Correct Answer: Liver
Rationale: The liver occupies most of the right upper quadrant. The spleen is in
the left upper quadrant; sigmoid colon in left lower; appendix in right lower.
6. Right upper quadrant tenderness most likely indicates pathology of the:
A) Liver, gallbladder, or duodenum
B) Stomach and spleen
C) Sigmoid colon and rectum
D) Appendix and cecum
Correct Answer: Liver, gallbladder, or duodenum
Rationale: The RUQ contains the liver, gallbladder, duodenum, and head of the
pancreas. Tenderness here suggests hepatobiliary or duodenal disease.
7. The nurse percusses the abdomen and hears tympany. This finding indicates:
(2026) Actual Q&A PDF
1. The correct sequence for abdominal assessment is:
A) Inspection, auscultation, percussion, palpation
B) Palpation, percussion, auscultation, inspection
C) Auscultation, inspection, palpation, percussion
D) Inspection, palpation, percussion, auscultation
Correct Answer: Inspection, auscultation, percussion, palpation
Rationale: Auscultation follows inspection in abdominal assessment because
percussion and palpation can alter bowel sounds. This order ensures accurate
auscultatory findings.
2. During abdominal inspection, the nurse notes visible, wavelike movements
across the abdomen. This finding may indicate:
A) Normal peristalsis
B) Intestinal obstruction
C) Ascites
D) Organomegaly
Correct Answer: Intestinal obstruction
,Rationale: Visible peristaltic waves suggest increased peristalsis trying to
overcome a blockage, often seen in intestinal obstruction. They are not normal
in adults.
3. The nurse is preparing to auscultate bowel sounds. Where should the
stethoscope be placed first?
A) Left lower quadrant
B) Right upper quadrant
C) Right lower quadrant
D) Left upper quadrant
Correct Answer: Right lower quadrant
Rationale: Bowel sounds are normally most active in the right lower quadrant
near the ileocecal valve. The nurse begins here and proceeds to all four
quadrants.
4. If bowel sounds are initially absent, how long should the nurse listen in each
quadrant before documenting absence?
A) 1 minute
B) 2 minutes
C) 3 minutes
D) 5 minutes
Correct Answer: 5 minutes
, Rationale: To confirm absent bowel sounds, the nurse must listen for a full 5
minutes per quadrant. Briefer listening may miss intermittent sounds.
5. Which organ is located in the right upper quadrant?
A) Liver
B) Spleen
C) Sigmoid colon
D) Appendix
Correct Answer: Liver
Rationale: The liver occupies most of the right upper quadrant. The spleen is in
the left upper quadrant; sigmoid colon in left lower; appendix in right lower.
6. Right upper quadrant tenderness most likely indicates pathology of the:
A) Liver, gallbladder, or duodenum
B) Stomach and spleen
C) Sigmoid colon and rectum
D) Appendix and cecum
Correct Answer: Liver, gallbladder, or duodenum
Rationale: The RUQ contains the liver, gallbladder, duodenum, and head of the
pancreas. Tenderness here suggests hepatobiliary or duodenal disease.
7. The nurse percusses the abdomen and hears tympany. This finding indicates:
