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NUR 2356 MULTIDIMENSIONAL CARE 1 — MDC 1 FINAL EXAM — COMPLETE STUDY -
EXAM QUESTIONS LATEST EDITION 2026 – 2027 VERSION SOLVED QUESTIONS &
ANSWERS
Question 1
A nurse is preparing to perform a complete physical examination on an adult client.
In which sequence should the nurse perform the four fundamental examination
techniques for the abdomen?
A) Palpation, percussion, auscultation, inspection
B) Inspection, auscultation, percussion, palpation
C) Inspection, palpation, percussion, auscultation
D) Auscultation, inspection, palpation, percussion
Answer: B) Inspection, auscultation, percussion, palpation
Rationale: For the abdomen, the correct sequence is inspection, auscultation,
percussion, and palpation. Auscultation is performed before palpation and percussion
because manipulating the abdomen can alter bowel sounds and produce false findings.
For all other body systems, the typical order is inspection, palpation, percussion, and
auscultation.
Question 2
A nurse is preparing to perform a head-to-toe assessment on a newly admitted
patient. Which action should the nurse perform first?
A) Inspect the skin for color and lesions
B) Obtain the patient's vital signs
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C) Palpate the abdomen for tenderness
D) Auscultate lung sounds bilaterally
Answer: B) Obtain the patient's vital signs
Rationale: Obtaining vital signs establishes a baseline and identifies immediate
physiological instability before proceeding with the full assessment. This is a priority
nursing action at the start of any assessment.
Question 3
During percussion of the chest, the nurse hears a loud, low-pitched, hollow sound
over the left sternal border. This finding indicates:
A) Consolidation
B) Normal lung tissue
C) Hyperinflation
D) Pleural effusion
Answer: B) Normal lung tissue
Rationale: A resonant percussion note is expected over normal lung tissue. Dullness
suggests consolidation or effusion, while hyperresonance indicates air trapping.
Question 4
Which technique is most appropriate when a nurse palpates a patient's thyroid
gland?
A) Stand behind the patient and palpate with both hands
B) Palpate from the front using the thumb and index finger
C) Use the ulnar surface of the hand for vibration
D) Press firmly with the fingertips in a circular motion
Answer: A) Stand behind the patient and palpate with both hands
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Rationale: The posterior approach, standing behind the patient and palpating with both
hands, is the standard technique for thyroid assessment.
Question 5
A patient reports chest pain rated 8/10 that radiates to the left arm. The nurse
should document this as:
A) Referred pain
B) Phantom pain
C) Radiating pain
D) Neuropathic pain
Answer: C) Radiating pain
Rationale: Radiating pain moves from its origin to another area, commonly seen in
myocardial ischemia where chest pain radiates to the arm, jaw, or back.
Question 6
When assessing a patient's pupils, the nurse notes they are equal, round, and
reactive to light and accommodation. The abbreviation for this finding is:
A) PERLA
B) PERRLA
C) PERRL
D) PEARL
Answer: B) PERRLA
Rationale: PERRLA stands for Pupils Equal, Round, Reactive to Light and
Accommodation. This is the standard ophthalmic assessment abbreviation.
Question 7
A 68-year-old client is admitted with dehydration. During the general survey, the
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nurse notes the client appears older than the stated age, skin turgor returns slowly,
and mucous membranes are dry. Which action should the nurse take next?
A) Document the findings as normal age-related changes
B) Notify the provider and request an order for IV fluids
C) Complete the head-to-toe assessment before intervening
D) Encourage the client to drink 8 ounces of water immediately
Answer: C) Complete the head-to-toe assessment before intervening
Rationale: The nurse must complete the head-to-toe assessment to gather all pertinent
data before intervening. While the findings are concerning for dehydration, intervening
prematurely interrupts the systematic data collection required for an accurate,
comprehensive assessment. After assessment is complete, the nurse can prioritize
notification of the provider.
Question 8
Which of the following findings represents subjective data during a health
assessment?
A) Blood pressure of 150/90 mm Hg
B) Client reports a headache rated 6/10
C) Auscultation of crackles in lung bases
D) Observation of a 3 cm laceration on the forearm
Answer: B) Client reports a headache rated 6/10
Rationale: Subjective data are the client's personal feelings, perceptions, and
statements that cannot be directly observed by the nurse. A client's report of a
headache is subjective. Objective data (A, C, D) are observable and measurable.
Question 9
A nurse is performing a neurological assessment and asks the client to stick out
NUR 2356 MULTIDIMENSIONAL CARE 1 — MDC 1 FINAL EXAM — COMPLETE STUDY -
EXAM QUESTIONS LATEST EDITION 2026 – 2027 VERSION SOLVED QUESTIONS &
ANSWERS
Question 1
A nurse is preparing to perform a complete physical examination on an adult client.
In which sequence should the nurse perform the four fundamental examination
techniques for the abdomen?
A) Palpation, percussion, auscultation, inspection
B) Inspection, auscultation, percussion, palpation
C) Inspection, palpation, percussion, auscultation
D) Auscultation, inspection, palpation, percussion
Answer: B) Inspection, auscultation, percussion, palpation
Rationale: For the abdomen, the correct sequence is inspection, auscultation,
percussion, and palpation. Auscultation is performed before palpation and percussion
because manipulating the abdomen can alter bowel sounds and produce false findings.
For all other body systems, the typical order is inspection, palpation, percussion, and
auscultation.
Question 2
A nurse is preparing to perform a head-to-toe assessment on a newly admitted
patient. Which action should the nurse perform first?
A) Inspect the skin for color and lesions
B) Obtain the patient's vital signs
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C) Palpate the abdomen for tenderness
D) Auscultate lung sounds bilaterally
Answer: B) Obtain the patient's vital signs
Rationale: Obtaining vital signs establishes a baseline and identifies immediate
physiological instability before proceeding with the full assessment. This is a priority
nursing action at the start of any assessment.
Question 3
During percussion of the chest, the nurse hears a loud, low-pitched, hollow sound
over the left sternal border. This finding indicates:
A) Consolidation
B) Normal lung tissue
C) Hyperinflation
D) Pleural effusion
Answer: B) Normal lung tissue
Rationale: A resonant percussion note is expected over normal lung tissue. Dullness
suggests consolidation or effusion, while hyperresonance indicates air trapping.
Question 4
Which technique is most appropriate when a nurse palpates a patient's thyroid
gland?
A) Stand behind the patient and palpate with both hands
B) Palpate from the front using the thumb and index finger
C) Use the ulnar surface of the hand for vibration
D) Press firmly with the fingertips in a circular motion
Answer: A) Stand behind the patient and palpate with both hands
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Rationale: The posterior approach, standing behind the patient and palpating with both
hands, is the standard technique for thyroid assessment.
Question 5
A patient reports chest pain rated 8/10 that radiates to the left arm. The nurse
should document this as:
A) Referred pain
B) Phantom pain
C) Radiating pain
D) Neuropathic pain
Answer: C) Radiating pain
Rationale: Radiating pain moves from its origin to another area, commonly seen in
myocardial ischemia where chest pain radiates to the arm, jaw, or back.
Question 6
When assessing a patient's pupils, the nurse notes they are equal, round, and
reactive to light and accommodation. The abbreviation for this finding is:
A) PERLA
B) PERRLA
C) PERRL
D) PEARL
Answer: B) PERRLA
Rationale: PERRLA stands for Pupils Equal, Round, Reactive to Light and
Accommodation. This is the standard ophthalmic assessment abbreviation.
Question 7
A 68-year-old client is admitted with dehydration. During the general survey, the
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nurse notes the client appears older than the stated age, skin turgor returns slowly,
and mucous membranes are dry. Which action should the nurse take next?
A) Document the findings as normal age-related changes
B) Notify the provider and request an order for IV fluids
C) Complete the head-to-toe assessment before intervening
D) Encourage the client to drink 8 ounces of water immediately
Answer: C) Complete the head-to-toe assessment before intervening
Rationale: The nurse must complete the head-to-toe assessment to gather all pertinent
data before intervening. While the findings are concerning for dehydration, intervening
prematurely interrupts the systematic data collection required for an accurate,
comprehensive assessment. After assessment is complete, the nurse can prioritize
notification of the provider.
Question 8
Which of the following findings represents subjective data during a health
assessment?
A) Blood pressure of 150/90 mm Hg
B) Client reports a headache rated 6/10
C) Auscultation of crackles in lung bases
D) Observation of a 3 cm laceration on the forearm
Answer: B) Client reports a headache rated 6/10
Rationale: Subjective data are the client's personal feelings, perceptions, and
statements that cannot be directly observed by the nurse. A client's report of a
headache is subjective. Objective data (A, C, D) are observable and measurable.
Question 9
A nurse is performing a neurological assessment and asks the client to stick out
