NSG 3160 HEALTH ASSESSMENT FINAL
EXAM V3 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. When assessing a patient with a suspected pneumothorax, which finding during percussion
of the affected side would the nurse expect?
A. Resonance
B. Hyperresonance
C. Dullness
D. Tympany
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Hyperresonance is a lower-pitched, booming sound found when
too much air is present, such as in pneumothorax or emphysema.
2. In which order should the nurse perform an abdominal assessment?
A. Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion, Palpation
B. Inspection, Auscultation, Palpation, Percussion
C. Inspection, Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation
,D. Auscultation, Inspection, Percussion, Palpation
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Auscultation is performed before percussion and palpation to
prevent the stimulation of bowel sounds, which could lead to false assessment findings.
3. The nurse is assessing a patient’s peripheral pulses and notes that they are weak and
thready. How should the nurse document this finding using the standard 4-point scale?
A. 0
B. 2+
C. 3+
D. 1+
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: On a standard 4-point scale, 1+ indicates a weak, thready pulse,
2+ is normal, 3+ is increased/full, and 4+ is bounding.
4. During the assessment of the cranial nerves, the nurse asks the patient to smile, frown, and
puff out their cheeks. Which cranial nerve is being evaluated?
A. CN V (Trigeminal)
B. CN X (Vagus)
C. CN X (Vagus)
D. CN XII (Hypoglossal)
, C. CN VII (Facial)
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: CN VII, the facial nerve, controls the muscles of facial expression
and is tested by asking the patient to perform these movements.
5. A patient presents with ‘rebound tenderness’ in the right lower quadrant. Which clinical
sign is the nurse identifying?
A. Murphy’s sign
B. Blumberg’s sign
C. Rovsing’s sign
D. McBurney’s sign
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Blumberg’s sign refers to rebound tenderness, which is a
reliable sign of peritoneal irritation, often associated with appendicitis.
6. Which heart sound is caused by the closure of the semilunar valves?
A. S1
B. S3
C. S2
D. S4
EXAM V3 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. When assessing a patient with a suspected pneumothorax, which finding during percussion
of the affected side would the nurse expect?
A. Resonance
B. Hyperresonance
C. Dullness
D. Tympany
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Hyperresonance is a lower-pitched, booming sound found when
too much air is present, such as in pneumothorax or emphysema.
2. In which order should the nurse perform an abdominal assessment?
A. Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion, Palpation
B. Inspection, Auscultation, Palpation, Percussion
C. Inspection, Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation
,D. Auscultation, Inspection, Percussion, Palpation
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Auscultation is performed before percussion and palpation to
prevent the stimulation of bowel sounds, which could lead to false assessment findings.
3. The nurse is assessing a patient’s peripheral pulses and notes that they are weak and
thready. How should the nurse document this finding using the standard 4-point scale?
A. 0
B. 2+
C. 3+
D. 1+
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: On a standard 4-point scale, 1+ indicates a weak, thready pulse,
2+ is normal, 3+ is increased/full, and 4+ is bounding.
4. During the assessment of the cranial nerves, the nurse asks the patient to smile, frown, and
puff out their cheeks. Which cranial nerve is being evaluated?
A. CN V (Trigeminal)
B. CN X (Vagus)
C. CN X (Vagus)
D. CN XII (Hypoglossal)
, C. CN VII (Facial)
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: CN VII, the facial nerve, controls the muscles of facial expression
and is tested by asking the patient to perform these movements.
5. A patient presents with ‘rebound tenderness’ in the right lower quadrant. Which clinical
sign is the nurse identifying?
A. Murphy’s sign
B. Blumberg’s sign
C. Rovsing’s sign
D. McBurney’s sign
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Blumberg’s sign refers to rebound tenderness, which is a
reliable sign of peritoneal irritation, often associated with appendicitis.
6. Which heart sound is caused by the closure of the semilunar valves?
A. S1
B. S3
C. S2
D. S4
