Nursing Physical exam updated with over
200+ Revised questions and certgified
answers with multiple choices and approved
rationales
What is the primary purpose of a physical exam?
A. To prescribe medications
B. To collect objective data and detect early changes from normal
C. To replace laboratory tests
D. To document only subjective complaints
Answer: B
Rationale: The physical exam helps the nurse gather observable and measurable data,
confirm or refute subjective complaints, detect early deviations from normal, support
nursing diagnoses, and ensure patient safety. It is not a substitute for lab tests or solely
documentation of subjective complaints.
Which of the following best describes objective data?
A. Data reported by the patient
B. Data observed, heard, felt, or measured by the nurse
C. Patient’s feelings and emotions
D. Information obtained from family members
Answer: B
Rationale: Objective data are observable and measurable findings obtained during a
physical exam, such as vital signs, skin color, or abnormal sounds. Subjective data include
the patient’s feelings or complaints.
During the general survey, which of the following is assessed?
A. Nutritional supplements
B. Level of consciousness, hygiene, mobility, and weight changes
C. Lab values
D. Prescribed medications
,Answer: B
Rationale: The general survey is the nurse’s first impression of the patient’s overall health,
safety, and well-being, including consciousness, respiratory distress, mobility, hygiene, and
weight trends.
Which of the following is a fall risk indicator?
A. Regular exercise
B. Cognitive impairment and mobility issues
C. Healthy diet
D. Adequate sleep
Answer: B
Rationale: Patients with cognitive impairment, mobility issues, altered level of
consciousness, poor hygiene, or use of assistive devices are at higher risk for falls.
Why is privacy important during a physical exam?
A. To save time
B. To reduce anxiety, promote comfort, improve accuracy, and maintain dignity
C. To avoid using equipment
D. To prevent paperwork
Answer: B
Rationale: Privacy supports patient comfort and trust, reduces anxiety, enhances the
accuracy of findings, and maintains patient dignity.
What is the standard order for a physical exam (excluding the abdomen)?
A. Inspection, Auscultation, Palpation, Percussion
B. Inspection, Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation
C. Auscultation, Palpation, Inspection, Percussion
D. Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation, Inspection
Answer: B
Rationale: The correct sequence for most body systems is inspection, palpation,
percussion, then auscultation. The abdomen is an exception.
What is the correct order for an abdominal assessment?
,A. Inspection, Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation
B. Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion, Palpation
C. Palpation, Auscultation, Inspection, Percussion
D. Percussion, Inspection, Auscultation, Palpation
Answer: B
Rationale: Abdominal assessment differs from other systems; auscultation comes before
palpation and percussion to avoid altering bowel sounds.
Which assessment technique is considered the first and most important?
A. Palpation
B. Percussion
C. Inspection
D. Auscultation
Answer: C
Rationale: Inspection is the first and most important technique, allowing the nurse to
visually assess color, symmetry, movement, and abnormalities.
Which palpation technique is used to assess tenderness and surface characteristics?
A. Deep palpation
B. Light palpation
C. Percussion
D. Auscultation
Answer: B
Rationale: Light palpation (about 1 cm) is used to detect tenderness and superficial
features, while deep palpation (2–4 cm) assesses deeper structures.
Which percussion sound is normal for the lungs?
A. Tympany
B. Dullness
C. Resonance
D. Flatness
Answer: C
Rationale: Resonance is the normal percussion sound over the lungs, while tympany is
typical over the abdomen. Dullness or flatness indicates denser structures.
, Which breath sound indicates fluid in the lungs?
A. Wheezes
B. Crackles
C. Rhonchi
D. Vesicular
Answer: B
Rationale: Crackles suggest fluid accumulation in the lungs. Wheezes indicate narrowed
airways, rhonchi indicate mucus, and vesicular sounds are normal lung sounds.
What does the S3 heart sound indicate?
A. Closure of AV valves
B. Closure of semilunar valves
C. Fluid overload or heart failure
D. Stiff ventricle
Answer: C
Rationale: The S3 heart sound is associated with fluid overload or heart failure. S1 and S2
correspond to valve closures, and S4 indicates a stiff ventricle.
How many bowel sounds per minute are considered normal?
A. 1–5
B. 5–35
C. 35–50
D. 50–70
Answer: B
Rationale: Normal bowel sounds range from 5–35 per minute. Absent sounds may indicate
a medical emergency like ileus.
Which technique is used to evaluate cerebellar function?
A. Finger-to-nose test
B. PERRLA
C. Conjugate gaze
D. Auscultation
200+ Revised questions and certgified
answers with multiple choices and approved
rationales
What is the primary purpose of a physical exam?
A. To prescribe medications
B. To collect objective data and detect early changes from normal
C. To replace laboratory tests
D. To document only subjective complaints
Answer: B
Rationale: The physical exam helps the nurse gather observable and measurable data,
confirm or refute subjective complaints, detect early deviations from normal, support
nursing diagnoses, and ensure patient safety. It is not a substitute for lab tests or solely
documentation of subjective complaints.
Which of the following best describes objective data?
A. Data reported by the patient
B. Data observed, heard, felt, or measured by the nurse
C. Patient’s feelings and emotions
D. Information obtained from family members
Answer: B
Rationale: Objective data are observable and measurable findings obtained during a
physical exam, such as vital signs, skin color, or abnormal sounds. Subjective data include
the patient’s feelings or complaints.
During the general survey, which of the following is assessed?
A. Nutritional supplements
B. Level of consciousness, hygiene, mobility, and weight changes
C. Lab values
D. Prescribed medications
,Answer: B
Rationale: The general survey is the nurse’s first impression of the patient’s overall health,
safety, and well-being, including consciousness, respiratory distress, mobility, hygiene, and
weight trends.
Which of the following is a fall risk indicator?
A. Regular exercise
B. Cognitive impairment and mobility issues
C. Healthy diet
D. Adequate sleep
Answer: B
Rationale: Patients with cognitive impairment, mobility issues, altered level of
consciousness, poor hygiene, or use of assistive devices are at higher risk for falls.
Why is privacy important during a physical exam?
A. To save time
B. To reduce anxiety, promote comfort, improve accuracy, and maintain dignity
C. To avoid using equipment
D. To prevent paperwork
Answer: B
Rationale: Privacy supports patient comfort and trust, reduces anxiety, enhances the
accuracy of findings, and maintains patient dignity.
What is the standard order for a physical exam (excluding the abdomen)?
A. Inspection, Auscultation, Palpation, Percussion
B. Inspection, Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation
C. Auscultation, Palpation, Inspection, Percussion
D. Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation, Inspection
Answer: B
Rationale: The correct sequence for most body systems is inspection, palpation,
percussion, then auscultation. The abdomen is an exception.
What is the correct order for an abdominal assessment?
,A. Inspection, Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation
B. Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion, Palpation
C. Palpation, Auscultation, Inspection, Percussion
D. Percussion, Inspection, Auscultation, Palpation
Answer: B
Rationale: Abdominal assessment differs from other systems; auscultation comes before
palpation and percussion to avoid altering bowel sounds.
Which assessment technique is considered the first and most important?
A. Palpation
B. Percussion
C. Inspection
D. Auscultation
Answer: C
Rationale: Inspection is the first and most important technique, allowing the nurse to
visually assess color, symmetry, movement, and abnormalities.
Which palpation technique is used to assess tenderness and surface characteristics?
A. Deep palpation
B. Light palpation
C. Percussion
D. Auscultation
Answer: B
Rationale: Light palpation (about 1 cm) is used to detect tenderness and superficial
features, while deep palpation (2–4 cm) assesses deeper structures.
Which percussion sound is normal for the lungs?
A. Tympany
B. Dullness
C. Resonance
D. Flatness
Answer: C
Rationale: Resonance is the normal percussion sound over the lungs, while tympany is
typical over the abdomen. Dullness or flatness indicates denser structures.
, Which breath sound indicates fluid in the lungs?
A. Wheezes
B. Crackles
C. Rhonchi
D. Vesicular
Answer: B
Rationale: Crackles suggest fluid accumulation in the lungs. Wheezes indicate narrowed
airways, rhonchi indicate mucus, and vesicular sounds are normal lung sounds.
What does the S3 heart sound indicate?
A. Closure of AV valves
B. Closure of semilunar valves
C. Fluid overload or heart failure
D. Stiff ventricle
Answer: C
Rationale: The S3 heart sound is associated with fluid overload or heart failure. S1 and S2
correspond to valve closures, and S4 indicates a stiff ventricle.
How many bowel sounds per minute are considered normal?
A. 1–5
B. 5–35
C. 35–50
D. 50–70
Answer: B
Rationale: Normal bowel sounds range from 5–35 per minute. Absent sounds may indicate
a medical emergency like ileus.
Which technique is used to evaluate cerebellar function?
A. Finger-to-nose test
B. PERRLA
C. Conjugate gaze
D. Auscultation
