NURS 190 PHYSICAL ASSESSMENT -
WEEK 1 ADVANCED QUIZ 2026
1. Which phase of the nursing process involves the collection of subjective and objective data
to form a database?
A. Planning
B. Implementation
C. Diagnosis
D. Assessment
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Assessment is the first step of the nursing process, where the
nurse collects, organizes, and validates data about the patient’s health status.
2. When performing a physical assessment, in which order should the nurse perform the four
basic techniques for most body systems?
A. Auscultation, Percussion, Palpation, Inspection
B. Palpation, Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion
C. Inspection, Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation
D. Inspection, Auscultation, Palpation, Percussion
,Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: The standard sequence is IPPA: Inspection, Palpation,
Percussion, and Auscultation, except for the abdomen where auscultation comes second.
3. A patient complains of a ‘stabbing pain’ in their chest. This is an example of which type of
data?
A. Objective data
B. Diagnostic data
C. Subjective data
D. Secondary data
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Subjective data consists of information provided by the patient
that cannot be directly observed or measured by the nurse.
4. During an assessment of the abdomen, why is auscultation performed before palpation?
A. To assess for bruits before touching
B. To ensure the patient is relaxed
C. To identify areas of tenderness first
D. To prevent bowel sound distortion
Answer: D
, Conceptual Explanation: Palpation and percussion can stimulate bowel activity and alter
the natural frequency of bowel sounds, leading to an inaccurate assessment.
5. Which part of the hand is most sensitive to vibrations during palpation?
A. Fingertips
B. Dorsum of the hand
C. Ulnar surface or base of fingers
D. Palmar surface
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: The ulnar surface (the side of the hand) and the
metacarpophalangeal joints are best for feeling vibrations like fremitus.
6. A nurse is assessing a patient’s skin temperature. Which part of the hand should be used?
A. Dorsal surface
B. Palmar surface
C. Fingertips
D. Finger pads
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: The dorsal surface (back) of the hand is the thinnest part and is
most sensitive to temperature changes.
WEEK 1 ADVANCED QUIZ 2026
1. Which phase of the nursing process involves the collection of subjective and objective data
to form a database?
A. Planning
B. Implementation
C. Diagnosis
D. Assessment
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Assessment is the first step of the nursing process, where the
nurse collects, organizes, and validates data about the patient’s health status.
2. When performing a physical assessment, in which order should the nurse perform the four
basic techniques for most body systems?
A. Auscultation, Percussion, Palpation, Inspection
B. Palpation, Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion
C. Inspection, Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation
D. Inspection, Auscultation, Palpation, Percussion
,Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: The standard sequence is IPPA: Inspection, Palpation,
Percussion, and Auscultation, except for the abdomen where auscultation comes second.
3. A patient complains of a ‘stabbing pain’ in their chest. This is an example of which type of
data?
A. Objective data
B. Diagnostic data
C. Subjective data
D. Secondary data
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Subjective data consists of information provided by the patient
that cannot be directly observed or measured by the nurse.
4. During an assessment of the abdomen, why is auscultation performed before palpation?
A. To assess for bruits before touching
B. To ensure the patient is relaxed
C. To identify areas of tenderness first
D. To prevent bowel sound distortion
Answer: D
, Conceptual Explanation: Palpation and percussion can stimulate bowel activity and alter
the natural frequency of bowel sounds, leading to an inaccurate assessment.
5. Which part of the hand is most sensitive to vibrations during palpation?
A. Fingertips
B. Dorsum of the hand
C. Ulnar surface or base of fingers
D. Palmar surface
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: The ulnar surface (the side of the hand) and the
metacarpophalangeal joints are best for feeling vibrations like fremitus.
6. A nurse is assessing a patient’s skin temperature. Which part of the hand should be used?
A. Dorsal surface
B. Palmar surface
C. Fingertips
D. Finger pads
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: The dorsal surface (back) of the hand is the thinnest part and is
most sensitive to temperature changes.
