NR 305 | Health Assessment: Neurological & Musculoskeletal Practice
Pack 2026 |Chamberlain College
1. A nurse is assessing a patient’s cranial nerves and asks the patient to puff out
their cheeks. Which cranial nerve is being tested?
A. CN VII (Facial)
B. CN V (Trigeminal)
C. CN IX (Glossopharyngeal)
D. CN XII (Hypoglossal)
Answer: A
Rationale: CN VII, the facial nerve, controls muscles of facial expression, including puffing
out the cheeks and smiling.
2. When assessing muscle strength, the nurse notes that the patient can
complete full range of motion against gravity but not against any added
resistance. What grade should the nurse assign?
A. Grade 3
B. Grade 2
C. Grade 4
D. Grade 5
Answer: A
Rationale: Grade 3 indicates full range of motion with gravity, but the muscle is unable to
overcome any additional resistance.
,3. The nurse asks the patient to stand with feet together and eyes closed. The
patient begins to sway significantly and almost falls. This is a positive sign for
which test?
A. Phalen test
B. Romberg test
C. Allen test
D. Babinski test
Answer: B
Rationale: The Romberg test assesses cerebellar function and proprioception; swaying or
loss of balance with eyes closed is a positive result.
4. A patient presents with an exaggerated thoracic curvature of the spine,
commonly seen in elderly women with osteoporosis. The nurse documents this
as:
A. Kyphosis
B. Scoliosis
C. Lordosis
D. Ankylosis
Answer: A
Rationale: Kyphosis is an enhanced thoracic curve, whereas lordosis is a lumbar curve and
scoliosis is a lateral curvature.
5. Which cranial nerve is responsible for the sense of smell?
A. CN IV
B. CN II
C. CN III
D. CN I
Answer: D
, Rationale: CN I (Olfactory) is responsible for the transmission of scent information to the
brain.
6. During a musculoskeletal exam, the nurse asks the patient to move their arm
away from the midline of the body. This movement is called:
A. Adduction
B. Abduction
C. Flexion
D. Extension
Answer: B
Rationale: Abduction is the movement of a limb away from the midline of the body.
7. The nurse is testing a patient’s deep tendon reflexes and observes a normal,
brisk response. How should this be documented?
A. 2+
B. 1+
C. 3+
D. 4+
Answer: A
Rationale: On a scale of 0 to 4+, a 2+ response is considered the standard normal reflex
response.
8. Which test is used to assess for the presence of carpal tunnel syndrome by
having the patient hold their hands back-to-back at a 90-degree angle for 60
seconds?
A. Tinel’s sign
B. McMurray’s test
C. Lasegue’s test
D. Phalen’s test
Answer: D
Pack 2026 |Chamberlain College
1. A nurse is assessing a patient’s cranial nerves and asks the patient to puff out
their cheeks. Which cranial nerve is being tested?
A. CN VII (Facial)
B. CN V (Trigeminal)
C. CN IX (Glossopharyngeal)
D. CN XII (Hypoglossal)
Answer: A
Rationale: CN VII, the facial nerve, controls muscles of facial expression, including puffing
out the cheeks and smiling.
2. When assessing muscle strength, the nurse notes that the patient can
complete full range of motion against gravity but not against any added
resistance. What grade should the nurse assign?
A. Grade 3
B. Grade 2
C. Grade 4
D. Grade 5
Answer: A
Rationale: Grade 3 indicates full range of motion with gravity, but the muscle is unable to
overcome any additional resistance.
,3. The nurse asks the patient to stand with feet together and eyes closed. The
patient begins to sway significantly and almost falls. This is a positive sign for
which test?
A. Phalen test
B. Romberg test
C. Allen test
D. Babinski test
Answer: B
Rationale: The Romberg test assesses cerebellar function and proprioception; swaying or
loss of balance with eyes closed is a positive result.
4. A patient presents with an exaggerated thoracic curvature of the spine,
commonly seen in elderly women with osteoporosis. The nurse documents this
as:
A. Kyphosis
B. Scoliosis
C. Lordosis
D. Ankylosis
Answer: A
Rationale: Kyphosis is an enhanced thoracic curve, whereas lordosis is a lumbar curve and
scoliosis is a lateral curvature.
5. Which cranial nerve is responsible for the sense of smell?
A. CN IV
B. CN II
C. CN III
D. CN I
Answer: D
, Rationale: CN I (Olfactory) is responsible for the transmission of scent information to the
brain.
6. During a musculoskeletal exam, the nurse asks the patient to move their arm
away from the midline of the body. This movement is called:
A. Adduction
B. Abduction
C. Flexion
D. Extension
Answer: B
Rationale: Abduction is the movement of a limb away from the midline of the body.
7. The nurse is testing a patient’s deep tendon reflexes and observes a normal,
brisk response. How should this be documented?
A. 2+
B. 1+
C. 3+
D. 4+
Answer: A
Rationale: On a scale of 0 to 4+, a 2+ response is considered the standard normal reflex
response.
8. Which test is used to assess for the presence of carpal tunnel syndrome by
having the patient hold their hands back-to-back at a 90-degree angle for 60
seconds?
A. Tinel’s sign
B. McMurray’s test
C. Lasegue’s test
D. Phalen’s test
Answer: D
