,NR 509 Midterm Exam – Advanced Physical
Assessment – Q&A (2026) PDF | Chamberlain
1. The nurse is reviewing the blood supply to the arm. The major artery supplying the arm is
the:
A) Radial artery
B) Ulnar artery
C) Brachial artery
D) Axillary artery
Correct Answer: C) Brachial artery
Rationale: The brachial artery is the main artery of the upper arm, originating from the
axillary artery and bifurcating into the radial and ulnar arteries just below the elbow. It is the
primary vessel for blood pressure measurement and pulse palpation.
2. Where is the correct location for palpation of the dorsalis pedis artery?
A) Behind the knee
B) Medial to the extensor tendon of the great toe
C) Lateral to the extensor tendon of the great toe
D) In the groove between the malleolus and the Achilles tendon
Correct Answer: C) Lateral to the extensor tendon of the great toe
Rationale: The dorsalis pedis pulse is found on the dorsum of the foot, just lateral to the
extensor hallucis longus tendon. Palpation here assesses arterial supply to the foot. The
posterior tibial pulse is behind the medial malleolus.
3. Which veins are responsible for most of the venous return in the arm?
,A) Deep veins
B) Superficial veins
C) Perforating veins
D) Communicating veins
Correct Answer: B) Superficial veins
Rationale: The superficial veins of the arm, including the cephalic and basilic veins, lie in
subcutaneous tissue and are the primary channels for venous return from the hand and
forearm. Deep veins accompany arteries and play a secondary role.
4. Which situation describes a person at highest risk for development of venous disease?
A) Person who stands for 2 hours per day
B) Person who has been on bed rest for 4 days
C) Person in the early months of pregnancy
D) Person who exercises regularly
Correct Answer: B) Person who has been on bed rest for 4 days
Rationale: Prolonged immobility, such as bed rest, leads to venous stasis, a major risk factor
for venous thromboembolism. Hypercoagulable states, vein wall trauma, obesity, and
pregnancy also increase risk, but prolonged bed rest is a classic, high-risk situation.
5. When performing an assessment, the nurse notices the presence of an enlarged right
epitrochlear lymph node. What should the nurse do next?
A) Document the finding as normal
B) Examine the patient's lower arm and hand
C) Examine the patient's neck
D) Refer the patient for a biopsy
, Correct Answer: B) Examine the patient's lower arm and hand
Rationale: Epitrochlear nodes drain the hand and lower arm. Enlargement usually indicates a
local infection or inflammation distal to the node. Examining the corresponding extremity is
the logical next step.
6. A 35-year-old man is seen in the clinic for an infection in his left foot. Which finding should
the nurse expect to see during an assessment of this patient?
A) Enlarged and tender epitrochlear nodes
B) Enlarged and tender inguinal nodes
C) Enlarged and tender axillary nodes
D) Enlarged and tender cervical nodes
Correct Answer: B) Enlarged and tender inguinal nodes
Rationale: Inguinal nodes drain most of the lymph of the lower extremities. With local
inflammation, the nodes in that area become swollen and tender. Epitrochlear nodes drain
the arm, and cervical nodes drain the head and neck.
7. During an assessment of an older adult, the nurse should expect to notice which finding as
a normal physiologic change associated with the aging process?
A) Atrophy of intramuscular calf veins
B) Peripheral blood vessels growing more rigid with age
C) Decreased systolic blood pressure
D) Decreased peripheral vascular resistance
Correct Answer: B) Peripheral blood vessels growing more rigid with age
Assessment – Q&A (2026) PDF | Chamberlain
1. The nurse is reviewing the blood supply to the arm. The major artery supplying the arm is
the:
A) Radial artery
B) Ulnar artery
C) Brachial artery
D) Axillary artery
Correct Answer: C) Brachial artery
Rationale: The brachial artery is the main artery of the upper arm, originating from the
axillary artery and bifurcating into the radial and ulnar arteries just below the elbow. It is the
primary vessel for blood pressure measurement and pulse palpation.
2. Where is the correct location for palpation of the dorsalis pedis artery?
A) Behind the knee
B) Medial to the extensor tendon of the great toe
C) Lateral to the extensor tendon of the great toe
D) In the groove between the malleolus and the Achilles tendon
Correct Answer: C) Lateral to the extensor tendon of the great toe
Rationale: The dorsalis pedis pulse is found on the dorsum of the foot, just lateral to the
extensor hallucis longus tendon. Palpation here assesses arterial supply to the foot. The
posterior tibial pulse is behind the medial malleolus.
3. Which veins are responsible for most of the venous return in the arm?
,A) Deep veins
B) Superficial veins
C) Perforating veins
D) Communicating veins
Correct Answer: B) Superficial veins
Rationale: The superficial veins of the arm, including the cephalic and basilic veins, lie in
subcutaneous tissue and are the primary channels for venous return from the hand and
forearm. Deep veins accompany arteries and play a secondary role.
4. Which situation describes a person at highest risk for development of venous disease?
A) Person who stands for 2 hours per day
B) Person who has been on bed rest for 4 days
C) Person in the early months of pregnancy
D) Person who exercises regularly
Correct Answer: B) Person who has been on bed rest for 4 days
Rationale: Prolonged immobility, such as bed rest, leads to venous stasis, a major risk factor
for venous thromboembolism. Hypercoagulable states, vein wall trauma, obesity, and
pregnancy also increase risk, but prolonged bed rest is a classic, high-risk situation.
5. When performing an assessment, the nurse notices the presence of an enlarged right
epitrochlear lymph node. What should the nurse do next?
A) Document the finding as normal
B) Examine the patient's lower arm and hand
C) Examine the patient's neck
D) Refer the patient for a biopsy
, Correct Answer: B) Examine the patient's lower arm and hand
Rationale: Epitrochlear nodes drain the hand and lower arm. Enlargement usually indicates a
local infection or inflammation distal to the node. Examining the corresponding extremity is
the logical next step.
6. A 35-year-old man is seen in the clinic for an infection in his left foot. Which finding should
the nurse expect to see during an assessment of this patient?
A) Enlarged and tender epitrochlear nodes
B) Enlarged and tender inguinal nodes
C) Enlarged and tender axillary nodes
D) Enlarged and tender cervical nodes
Correct Answer: B) Enlarged and tender inguinal nodes
Rationale: Inguinal nodes drain most of the lymph of the lower extremities. With local
inflammation, the nodes in that area become swollen and tender. Epitrochlear nodes drain
the arm, and cervical nodes drain the head and neck.
7. During an assessment of an older adult, the nurse should expect to notice which finding as
a normal physiologic change associated with the aging process?
A) Atrophy of intramuscular calf veins
B) Peripheral blood vessels growing more rigid with age
C) Decreased systolic blood pressure
D) Decreased peripheral vascular resistance
Correct Answer: B) Peripheral blood vessels growing more rigid with age
