Physical Assessment Quiz for New Nurses

What is the correct order of physical assessment techniques (except for the abdomen)?

• A. Inspection, Auscultation, Palpation, Percussion

• B. Inspection, Percussion, Palpation, Auscultation

• C. Inspection, Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation

• D. Palpation, Inspection, Percussion, Auscultation

When assessing the abdomen, which of the following sequences is correct?

• A. Inspection, Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation

• B. Auscultation, Inspection, Palpation, Percussion

• C. Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion, Palpation

• D. Percussion, Auscultation, Palpation, Inspection

Which sound is expected when percussing over normal lung tissue?

• Dullness

• Hyperresonance

• Tympany

• Resonance

A nurse hears a 'bruit' when auscultating a carotid artery. This most likely indicates:

• Normal blood flow

• Blocked lymph nodes

• Narrowed blood vessel

• Fluid in the lungs

What is the best position to assess jugular vein distention (JVD)?

• Sitting upright at 90 degrees

• Supine with the head of the bed flat

• Left lateral recumbent

• Semi-Fowler's at 30–45 degrees

PERRLA stands for which of the following during a neurological assessment?

• Pupils Equal, Round, Reactive to Light and Accommodation

• Pupils Enlarged, Reactive to Light and Accommodation

• Pupils Equal, Reactive to Light and Auditory stimuli

• Pupils Equal, Round, Responsive to Light and Auditory stimuli

When performing a musculoskeletal assessment, crepitus refers to:

• Redness and warmth over a joint

• Decreased range of motion

• A grinding or crackling sound or sensation

• Weak muscle strength

Which of the following findings is abnormal during a respiratory assessment?

• Vesicular breath sounds over lung fields

• Absence of breath sounds in the lower lobes

• Symmetrical chest expansion

• Respiratory rate of 16 breaths per minute

Capillary refill time should normally be:

• Less than 1 second

• Less than 3 seconds

• Less than 5 seconds

• Less than 7 seconds

A patient scores 15 on the Glasgow Coma Scale. This means:

• Severe brain injury

• Moderate brain injury

• Mild confusion

• Fully alert and oriented