NUR 2092 HEALTH ASSESSMENT
COMPREHENSIVE EXAM REVIEW
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. Which sequence of physical assessment techniques is correctly performed for a standard
physical exam, excluding the abdomen?
A. Inspection, Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation
B. Palpation, Inspection, Percussion, Auscultation
C. Inspection, Percussion, Palpation, Auscultation
D. Auscultation, Inspection, Palpation, Percussion
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: The standard order of assessment is Inspection first, followed by
Palpation, Percussion, and finally Auscultation.
2. When performing an abdominal assessment, why is auscultation performed before
palpation and percussion?
A. To ensure the patient is relaxed before deep touch
B. To prevent the distortion of bowel sounds
,C. To identify areas of tenderness first
D. It is the most comfortable order for the nurse
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Palpation and percussion can stimulate peristalsis and alter the
frequency and character of bowel sounds, leading to an inaccurate assessment.
3. A patient describes their pain as a ‘dull, deep ache’ in the lower abdomen. Which type of
pain is the patient most likely experiencing?
A. Somatic pain
B. Neuropathic pain
C. Visceral pain
D. Cutaneous pain
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Visceral pain originates from larger internal organs and is often
described as dull, deep, squeezing, or cramping.
4. During a skin assessment, the nurse notes a lesion that is flat, non-palpable, and less than 1
cm in diameter. This is documented as a:
A. Papule
B. Macule
C. Pustule
, D. Nodule
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: A macule is a flat, circumscribed area that is a change in the
color of the skin; less than 1 cm in diameter.
5. Which Cranial Nerve is being assessed when the nurse asks the patient to shrug their
shoulders against resistance?
A. CN X (Vagus)
B. CN XI (Spinal Accessory)
C. CN VII (Facial)
D. CN XII (Hypoglossal)
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Cranial Nerve XI (Spinal Accessory) innervates the trapezius and
sternocleidomastoid muscles used for shoulder shrugging and head turning.
6. The nurse is assessing a patient’s Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score. The patient opens their
eyes to speech, is confused in conversation, and obeys commands. What is the score?
A. 12
B. 13
C. 14
D. 15
COMPREHENSIVE EXAM REVIEW
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. Which sequence of physical assessment techniques is correctly performed for a standard
physical exam, excluding the abdomen?
A. Inspection, Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation
B. Palpation, Inspection, Percussion, Auscultation
C. Inspection, Percussion, Palpation, Auscultation
D. Auscultation, Inspection, Palpation, Percussion
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: The standard order of assessment is Inspection first, followed by
Palpation, Percussion, and finally Auscultation.
2. When performing an abdominal assessment, why is auscultation performed before
palpation and percussion?
A. To ensure the patient is relaxed before deep touch
B. To prevent the distortion of bowel sounds
,C. To identify areas of tenderness first
D. It is the most comfortable order for the nurse
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Palpation and percussion can stimulate peristalsis and alter the
frequency and character of bowel sounds, leading to an inaccurate assessment.
3. A patient describes their pain as a ‘dull, deep ache’ in the lower abdomen. Which type of
pain is the patient most likely experiencing?
A. Somatic pain
B. Neuropathic pain
C. Visceral pain
D. Cutaneous pain
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Visceral pain originates from larger internal organs and is often
described as dull, deep, squeezing, or cramping.
4. During a skin assessment, the nurse notes a lesion that is flat, non-palpable, and less than 1
cm in diameter. This is documented as a:
A. Papule
B. Macule
C. Pustule
, D. Nodule
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: A macule is a flat, circumscribed area that is a change in the
color of the skin; less than 1 cm in diameter.
5. Which Cranial Nerve is being assessed when the nurse asks the patient to shrug their
shoulders against resistance?
A. CN X (Vagus)
B. CN XI (Spinal Accessory)
C. CN VII (Facial)
D. CN XII (Hypoglossal)
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Cranial Nerve XI (Spinal Accessory) innervates the trapezius and
sternocleidomastoid muscles used for shoulder shrugging and head turning.
6. The nurse is assessing a patient’s Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score. The patient opens their
eyes to speech, is confused in conversation, and obeys commands. What is the score?
A. 12
B. 13
C. 14
D. 15
