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PHYSICAL ASSESSMENT PRACTICE FINAL 2 2025

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS PLUS

RATIONALES| GUARANTEED PASS | LATEST

UPDATE | CHAMBERLAIN UNIVERSITY

• During an otoscopic exam of an adult, how should the nurse position the

patient's ear for best visualization?

• Pull the auricle down and back
• Pull the auricle up and back
• Ask the patient to tilt their head forward
• Press on the tragus before inserting the otoscope

✅ Rationale: In adults, the auditory canal is angled upward, so pulling the

auricle up and back straightens the canal for better visualization.

• Which of the following findings is most concerning during a respiratory

assessment?

• Symmetrical chest expansion 1 / 3

• Vesicular breath sounds
• Occasional crackles at the lung bases
• Use of accessory muscles with respiration

✅ Rationale: Use of accessory muscles suggests increased work of breathing

and possible respiratory distress.

3. When performing a cardiac assessment, a split S2 is best heard:

• At the apex during expiration
• At the base during inspiration
• At the left lower sternal border continuously
• At the right lower sternal border during expiration

✅ Rationale: A split S2 occurs when the aortic and pulmonic valves close at

slightly different times, best heard at the base during inspiration.

• A patient has rebound tenderness in the right lower quadrant. What is the

likely cause?

• Pancreatitis
• Gastritis
• Appendicitis
• Cholecystitis

✅ Rationale: Rebound tenderness in the RLQ is a classic sign of appendicitis.

• / 3

• Which cranial nerve is tested when asking a patient to shrug their shoulders

against resistance?

A. CN V

B. CN IX

C. CN X

D. CN XI

✅ Rationale: Cranial Nerve XI (Spinal Accessory) controls the

sternocleidomastoid and trapezius muscles used in shoulder shrugging.

• The most appropriate tool for assessing vibration sense in a diabetic foot

exam is a:

• Reflex hammer
• 128 Hz tuning fork
• Cotton ball
• Monofilament

✅ Rationale: A 128 Hz tuning fork assesses vibration sense, which can be

diminished in peripheral neuropathy.

• Which finding indicates a positive Murphy's sign?
• Rebound tenderness in the LLQ
• Pain on inspiration during palpation of the RUQ
• Pain with dorsiflexion of the foot
• Hyperresonance to percussion over the lung field
• / 3