,NUR 2180 Module 6 Quiz | Physical Assessment (2026)
Q&A | Rasmussen College
1. Which structure primarily transports lymph fluid from the right arm and right side of the
head into the venous circulation?
A) Thoracic duct
B) Right lymphatic duct
C) Cisterna chyli
D) Inguinal lymph nodes
Correct Answer: Right lymphatic duct
Rationale: The right lymphatic duct drains lymph from the right upper extremity and the
right side of the head, neck, and thorax into the right subclavian vein. The thoracic duct
drains the rest of the body, the cisterna chyli is a sac-like reservoir in the abdomen, and
inguinal nodes are located in the groin.
2. What is the primary function of the lymphatic system in the body?
A) To pump oxygenated blood to tissues
B) To retrieve excess interstitial fluid and return it to the bloodstream
C) To produce red blood cells in adults
D) To regulate body temperature through sweating
Correct Answer: To retrieve excess interstitial fluid and return it to the bloodstream
Rationale: The lymphatic system retrieves excess fluid and protein from tissue spaces
and returns them to the venous circulation, preventing edema. Pumping oxygenated blood
,is the heart's function, red blood cell production occurs in bone marrow, and temperature
regulation is primarily a function of the skin and sweat glands.
3. A nurse is preparing to assess the breasts of a female patient. Which position is most
appropriate for this examination?
A) Supine with arms at the sides
B) Sitting upright with arms elevated above the head
C) Supine with one arm raised above the head
D) Prone with arms extended forward
Correct Answer: Supine with one arm raised above the head
Rationale: The breast examination is best performed with the patient supine and the arm
on the side being examined raised above the head, which flattens the breast tissue against
the chest wall. Sitting upright may be used for inspection, but supine positioning with arm
elevation optimizes palpation. Prone positioning is not used.
4. Which finding during a breast assessment is most concerning for malignancy?
A) Bilateral symmetrical nodularity
B) A freely movable, rubbery mass
C) A hard, fixed, irregularly shaped mass
D) Cyclical tenderness associated with menses
Correct Answer: A hard, fixed, irregularly shaped mass
Rationale: A hard, fixed, irregularly shaped mass is highly suspicious for breast cancer
because malignant tumors often invade surrounding tissue and become fixed. Bilateral
nodularity and cyclical tenderness are common in fibrocystic changes, and a freely movable
rubbery mass suggests a benign fibroadenoma.
, 5. What is the correct technique for palpating the axillary lymph nodes?
A) Using light palpation with the fingertips in a circular motion
B) Pressing deeply into the apex of the axilla with the patient's arm relaxed
C) Gently pinching the skin of the axilla between the thumb and forefinger
D) Percussing the axilla to detect fluid
Correct Answer: Pressing deeply into the apex of the axilla with the patient's arm
relaxed
Rationale: To palpate the axillary lymph nodes, the nurse should press deeply into the
apex of the axilla with the patient's arm relaxed at the side, using the fingers to feel for
enlarged or tender nodes. Light palpation is insufficient for deep nodes, pinching the skin is
not effective, and percussion is not used for lymph node assessment.
6. Which lymph node group is most commonly assessed during a breast examination?
A) Cervical nodes
B) Supraclavicular nodes
C) Axillary nodes
D) Inguinal nodes
Correct Answer: Axillary nodes
Rationale: The axillary lymph nodes are the primary drainage pathway for the breast and
are routinely assessed during a breast examination. Cervical nodes drain the head and neck,
supraclavicular nodes drain the upper chest and abdomen, and inguinal nodes drain the
lower extremities.
Q&A | Rasmussen College
1. Which structure primarily transports lymph fluid from the right arm and right side of the
head into the venous circulation?
A) Thoracic duct
B) Right lymphatic duct
C) Cisterna chyli
D) Inguinal lymph nodes
Correct Answer: Right lymphatic duct
Rationale: The right lymphatic duct drains lymph from the right upper extremity and the
right side of the head, neck, and thorax into the right subclavian vein. The thoracic duct
drains the rest of the body, the cisterna chyli is a sac-like reservoir in the abdomen, and
inguinal nodes are located in the groin.
2. What is the primary function of the lymphatic system in the body?
A) To pump oxygenated blood to tissues
B) To retrieve excess interstitial fluid and return it to the bloodstream
C) To produce red blood cells in adults
D) To regulate body temperature through sweating
Correct Answer: To retrieve excess interstitial fluid and return it to the bloodstream
Rationale: The lymphatic system retrieves excess fluid and protein from tissue spaces
and returns them to the venous circulation, preventing edema. Pumping oxygenated blood
,is the heart's function, red blood cell production occurs in bone marrow, and temperature
regulation is primarily a function of the skin and sweat glands.
3. A nurse is preparing to assess the breasts of a female patient. Which position is most
appropriate for this examination?
A) Supine with arms at the sides
B) Sitting upright with arms elevated above the head
C) Supine with one arm raised above the head
D) Prone with arms extended forward
Correct Answer: Supine with one arm raised above the head
Rationale: The breast examination is best performed with the patient supine and the arm
on the side being examined raised above the head, which flattens the breast tissue against
the chest wall. Sitting upright may be used for inspection, but supine positioning with arm
elevation optimizes palpation. Prone positioning is not used.
4. Which finding during a breast assessment is most concerning for malignancy?
A) Bilateral symmetrical nodularity
B) A freely movable, rubbery mass
C) A hard, fixed, irregularly shaped mass
D) Cyclical tenderness associated with menses
Correct Answer: A hard, fixed, irregularly shaped mass
Rationale: A hard, fixed, irregularly shaped mass is highly suspicious for breast cancer
because malignant tumors often invade surrounding tissue and become fixed. Bilateral
nodularity and cyclical tenderness are common in fibrocystic changes, and a freely movable
rubbery mass suggests a benign fibroadenoma.
, 5. What is the correct technique for palpating the axillary lymph nodes?
A) Using light palpation with the fingertips in a circular motion
B) Pressing deeply into the apex of the axilla with the patient's arm relaxed
C) Gently pinching the skin of the axilla between the thumb and forefinger
D) Percussing the axilla to detect fluid
Correct Answer: Pressing deeply into the apex of the axilla with the patient's arm
relaxed
Rationale: To palpate the axillary lymph nodes, the nurse should press deeply into the
apex of the axilla with the patient's arm relaxed at the side, using the fingers to feel for
enlarged or tender nodes. Light palpation is insufficient for deep nodes, pinching the skin is
not effective, and percussion is not used for lymph node assessment.
6. Which lymph node group is most commonly assessed during a breast examination?
A) Cervical nodes
B) Supraclavicular nodes
C) Axillary nodes
D) Inguinal nodes
Correct Answer: Axillary nodes
Rationale: The axillary lymph nodes are the primary drainage pathway for the breast and
are routinely assessed during a breast examination. Cervical nodes drain the head and neck,
supraclavicular nodes drain the upper chest and abdomen, and inguinal nodes drain the
lower extremities.
