,NURS 190 Final exam Physical Assessment Questions And Answers
2026/2027 West Coast University
Q1. Which sequence should the nurse generally use when
performing a physical assessment?
A. Palpation, inspection, percussion, auscultation
B. Inspection, palpation, percussion, auscultation
C. Auscultation, inspection, percussion, palpation
D. Percussion, auscultation, palpation, inspection
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: For most body systems, the assessment sequence is inspection,
palpation, percussion, and auscultation. The abdomen is assessed differently.
Q2. Which technique should the nurse perform first for most body
systems?
A. Inspection
B. Palpation
C. Percussion
D. Auscultation
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Inspection should generally occur first because touching or
manipulating an area can alter findings that would otherwise be observed.
**Q3. Which technique is used to assess tenderness, temperature, texture,
and masses?
A. Percussion
B. Auscultation
C. Palpation
D. Inspection
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Palpation uses touch to assess characteristics such as
tenderness, temperature, texture, consistency, and masses.
**Q4. Which technique uses tapping to assess underlying structures?
A. Inspection
B. Palpation
, C. Auscultation
D. Percussion
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Percussion produces sounds and vibrations that provide
information about the density and location of underlying structures.
**Q5. Which technique is used to hear heart, lung, and bowel sounds?
A. Auscultation
B. Palpation
C. Percussion
D. Inspection
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Auscultation involves listening to internal body sounds, usually
with a stethoscope.
**Q6. Which sequence is correct for an abdominal assessment?
A. Inspection, palpation, percussion, auscultation
B. Palpation, inspection, auscultation, percussion
C. Inspection, auscultation, percussion, palpation
D. Auscultation, palpation, percussion, inspection
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The abdomen is assessed by inspection, auscultation,
percussion, and palpation because palpation and percussion can alter bowel
sounds.
**Q7. Which finding is subjective data?
A. Blood pressure 128/76 mm Hg
B. Oxygen saturation 95%
C. Respiratory rate 18/min
D. Patient states, "My abdomen hurts."
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Subjective data are symptoms and experiences reported by the
patient.
**Q8. Which finding is objective data?
2026/2027 West Coast University
Q1. Which sequence should the nurse generally use when
performing a physical assessment?
A. Palpation, inspection, percussion, auscultation
B. Inspection, palpation, percussion, auscultation
C. Auscultation, inspection, percussion, palpation
D. Percussion, auscultation, palpation, inspection
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: For most body systems, the assessment sequence is inspection,
palpation, percussion, and auscultation. The abdomen is assessed differently.
Q2. Which technique should the nurse perform first for most body
systems?
A. Inspection
B. Palpation
C. Percussion
D. Auscultation
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Inspection should generally occur first because touching or
manipulating an area can alter findings that would otherwise be observed.
**Q3. Which technique is used to assess tenderness, temperature, texture,
and masses?
A. Percussion
B. Auscultation
C. Palpation
D. Inspection
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Palpation uses touch to assess characteristics such as
tenderness, temperature, texture, consistency, and masses.
**Q4. Which technique uses tapping to assess underlying structures?
A. Inspection
B. Palpation
, C. Auscultation
D. Percussion
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Percussion produces sounds and vibrations that provide
information about the density and location of underlying structures.
**Q5. Which technique is used to hear heart, lung, and bowel sounds?
A. Auscultation
B. Palpation
C. Percussion
D. Inspection
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Auscultation involves listening to internal body sounds, usually
with a stethoscope.
**Q6. Which sequence is correct for an abdominal assessment?
A. Inspection, palpation, percussion, auscultation
B. Palpation, inspection, auscultation, percussion
C. Inspection, auscultation, percussion, palpation
D. Auscultation, palpation, percussion, inspection
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The abdomen is assessed by inspection, auscultation,
percussion, and palpation because palpation and percussion can alter bowel
sounds.
**Q7. Which finding is subjective data?
A. Blood pressure 128/76 mm Hg
B. Oxygen saturation 95%
C. Respiratory rate 18/min
D. Patient states, "My abdomen hurts."
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Subjective data are symptoms and experiences reported by the
patient.
**Q8. Which finding is objective data?
