NURS 190 PHYSICAL ASSESSMENT MIDTERM STUDY GUIDE 2026/2027 |
COMPREHENSIVE EXAM PREPARATION | PRACTICE QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
1. Describe the significance of identifying rhonchi during a respiratory
assessment.
Identifying rhonchi indicates the presence of fluid in the alveoli.
Identifying rhonchi suggests normal lung function and clear airways.
Identifying rhonchi can indicate the presence of airway obstruction
or secretions in the larger airways.
Identifying rhonchi is irrelevant to respiratory health.
2. The best time to perform a breast self-exam is:
4-7 days at the end of the month
once a week
4-7 days after the start of menstrual flow
3. Describe how the heel to shin test is performed and what it indicates about a
patient's neurological function.
The heel to shin test measures the patient's ability to hear sounds,
indicating auditory function.
The heel to shin test checks for skin sensitivity and lesions on the legs.
The heel to shin test involves having the patient slide their heel
down the opposite shin, indicating coordination and potential
neurological issues.
The heel to shin test requires the patient to balance on one foot,
assessing their balance and strength.
,4. Describe the characteristics of sonorous wheezes and how they differ from
other lung sounds.
Sonorous wheezes are high-pitched sounds caused by inflammation
in the lungs.
Sonorous wheezes are intermittent sounds that indicate fluid in the
lungs.
Sonorous wheezes are sharp, high-pitched sounds indicating a
blocked airway.
Sonorous wheezes are low-pitched, continuous sounds that
resemble snoring and indicate airway obstruction.
5. If a 60-year-old woman reports changes in her breast appearance, what
assessment findings might you expect based on the aging process?
Increased sensitivity and tenderness.
More pronounced glandular tissue.
Increased density and firmness.
Decreased firmness and increased sagging.
6. An individual with a body mass index of 26 is considered
normal
underweight
obese
overweight
7. What is the function of the Vagus Nerve (X)?
, account for 90% of the preganglionic parasympathetic fibers in the
body
Innervates smooth muscles of the eyes
8. Describe the characteristics of visceral pain and how it differs from somatic
pain.
Visceral pain is a type of chronic pain, while somatic pain is always
acute.
Visceral pain is only felt in the skin, while somatic pain is felt in the
organs.
Visceral pain is often described as deep, squeezing, or cramping
and originates from internal organs, whereas somatic pain is sharp
and localized, arising from skin, muscles, or joints.
Visceral pain is always sharp and localized, while somatic pain is deep
and cramping.
9. Which of the following is the best description of a cutaneous bulla?
Fluid-filled, raised, often translucent lesion, >1 cm in diameter
Firm lesion, 1-5 cm in diameter, raised above the surface of the
surrounding skin
Small solid lesion <1 cm in diameter, raised above the surface of the
surrounding skin
Small, fluid-filled lesion, <1 cm in diameter, raised above the plane of
surrounding skin
Solid raised growth more than 5 cm in diameter
10. Describe the characteristics that differentiate a bulla from other types of skin
lesions.
, A bulla is a solid lesion that is less than 0.5 cm in size.
A bulla is a fluid-filled lesion that is larger than 0.5 cm,
distinguishing it from vesicles which are smaller.
A bulla is a type of rash that appears only on the face.
A bulla is a lesion that contains pus and is always painful.
11. If a woman forgets to perform her breast self-examination one week after her
menstrual period, what alternative timing could she consider that would still
be effective?
Only during a doctor's appointment.
Only during her next menstrual period.
Whenever she feels like it, regardless of timing.
At the same time each month, preferably on a specific date.
12. What is crepitus defined as?
Lack of movement in muscle fibers
A raised lesion measuring 5+ mm
Increase PMN's due to infection
Grating, popping, sound in the joint
13. A patient has been diagnosed with bacterial conjunctivitis. This type of
infection is usually characterized by large amounts of what color drainage?
Yellow-green
Blue-yellow
Pink-red
Serous
COMPREHENSIVE EXAM PREPARATION | PRACTICE QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
1. Describe the significance of identifying rhonchi during a respiratory
assessment.
Identifying rhonchi indicates the presence of fluid in the alveoli.
Identifying rhonchi suggests normal lung function and clear airways.
Identifying rhonchi can indicate the presence of airway obstruction
or secretions in the larger airways.
Identifying rhonchi is irrelevant to respiratory health.
2. The best time to perform a breast self-exam is:
4-7 days at the end of the month
once a week
4-7 days after the start of menstrual flow
3. Describe how the heel to shin test is performed and what it indicates about a
patient's neurological function.
The heel to shin test measures the patient's ability to hear sounds,
indicating auditory function.
The heel to shin test checks for skin sensitivity and lesions on the legs.
The heel to shin test involves having the patient slide their heel
down the opposite shin, indicating coordination and potential
neurological issues.
The heel to shin test requires the patient to balance on one foot,
assessing their balance and strength.
,4. Describe the characteristics of sonorous wheezes and how they differ from
other lung sounds.
Sonorous wheezes are high-pitched sounds caused by inflammation
in the lungs.
Sonorous wheezes are intermittent sounds that indicate fluid in the
lungs.
Sonorous wheezes are sharp, high-pitched sounds indicating a
blocked airway.
Sonorous wheezes are low-pitched, continuous sounds that
resemble snoring and indicate airway obstruction.
5. If a 60-year-old woman reports changes in her breast appearance, what
assessment findings might you expect based on the aging process?
Increased sensitivity and tenderness.
More pronounced glandular tissue.
Increased density and firmness.
Decreased firmness and increased sagging.
6. An individual with a body mass index of 26 is considered
normal
underweight
obese
overweight
7. What is the function of the Vagus Nerve (X)?
, account for 90% of the preganglionic parasympathetic fibers in the
body
Innervates smooth muscles of the eyes
8. Describe the characteristics of visceral pain and how it differs from somatic
pain.
Visceral pain is a type of chronic pain, while somatic pain is always
acute.
Visceral pain is only felt in the skin, while somatic pain is felt in the
organs.
Visceral pain is often described as deep, squeezing, or cramping
and originates from internal organs, whereas somatic pain is sharp
and localized, arising from skin, muscles, or joints.
Visceral pain is always sharp and localized, while somatic pain is deep
and cramping.
9. Which of the following is the best description of a cutaneous bulla?
Fluid-filled, raised, often translucent lesion, >1 cm in diameter
Firm lesion, 1-5 cm in diameter, raised above the surface of the
surrounding skin
Small solid lesion <1 cm in diameter, raised above the surface of the
surrounding skin
Small, fluid-filled lesion, <1 cm in diameter, raised above the plane of
surrounding skin
Solid raised growth more than 5 cm in diameter
10. Describe the characteristics that differentiate a bulla from other types of skin
lesions.
, A bulla is a solid lesion that is less than 0.5 cm in size.
A bulla is a fluid-filled lesion that is larger than 0.5 cm,
distinguishing it from vesicles which are smaller.
A bulla is a type of rash that appears only on the face.
A bulla is a lesion that contains pus and is always painful.
11. If a woman forgets to perform her breast self-examination one week after her
menstrual period, what alternative timing could she consider that would still
be effective?
Only during a doctor's appointment.
Only during her next menstrual period.
Whenever she feels like it, regardless of timing.
At the same time each month, preferably on a specific date.
12. What is crepitus defined as?
Lack of movement in muscle fibers
A raised lesion measuring 5+ mm
Increase PMN's due to infection
Grating, popping, sound in the joint
13. A patient has been diagnosed with bacterial conjunctivitis. This type of
infection is usually characterized by large amounts of what color drainage?
Yellow-green
Blue-yellow
Pink-red
Serous
