NR 305 Health Assessment - Advanced Head-to-Toe Practice Pack
2026 |Chamberlain College
1. When assessing the abdomen, which of the following is the correct order of
assessment techniques?
A. Inspection, Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation
B. Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion, Palpation
C. Auscultation, Inspection, Palpation, Percussion
D. Percussion, Auscultation, Inspection, Palpation
Answer: B
Rationale: For the abdomen, auscultation is performed before percussion and palpation to
prevent altering bowel sounds or causing unnecessary discomfort before listening.
2. Which heart sound is caused by the closure of the atrioventricular valves
(mitral and tricuspid)?
A. S3
B. S2
C. S1
D. S4
Answer: C
Rationale: The S1 heart sound, or ‘lub’, is produced by the closure of the mitral and
tricuspid valves at the start of systole.
,3. To assess for accommodation, the nurse should ask the patient to:
A. Read the smallest line possible on a Snellen chart
B. Follow a penlight through the six cardinal positions of gaze
C. Cover one eye and describe what they see in the periphery
D. Focus on a distant object, then on a near object
Answer: D
Rationale: Accommodation is tested by asking the patient to shift their focus from a
distant object to a near one, looking for pupillary constriction and convergence.
4. The nurse is assessing Cranial Nerve II. Which of the following tests should be
used?
A. The whisper test
B. The Snellen chart
C. The gag reflex
D. Testing facial symmetry
Answer: B
Rationale: Cranial Nerve II is the Optic nerve, which is responsible for vision and is tested
using a Snellen chart or visual fields test.
5. What is the significance of a ‘positive’ Romberg test?
A. The patient has full range of motion in the neck
B. The patient loses balance when standing with eyes closed
C. The patient is unable to identify an object placed in the hand
D. The patient has normal deep tendon reflexes
Answer: B
Rationale: A positive Romberg test occurs when a patient loses balance after closing their
eyes while standing, indicating an issue with vestibular or proprioceptive function.
, 6. Which part of the hand is most sensitive for assessing skin temperature?
A. Palmar surface
B. Fingertips
C. Ulnar surface
D. Dorsal surface
Answer: D
Rationale: The dorsal surface (back) of the hand has thinner skin and is more sensitive to
temperature variations.
7. A nurse observes a patient’s breathing and notes an increased
anteroposterior-to-transverse diameter (1:1 ratio). This is known as:
A. Barrel chest
B. Kyphosis
C. Pectus excavatum
D. Scoliosis
Answer: A
Rationale: A barrel chest is characterized by an equal AP-to-transverse diameter, often
seen in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
8. To assess the carotid arteries safely, the nurse should:
A. Palpate both sides simultaneously to compare strength
B. Use the diaphragm of the stethoscope to check for bruits first
C. Palpate one side at a time
D. Have the patient perform the Valsalva maneuver
Answer: C
Rationale: Carotid arteries must be palpated one at a time to avoid obstructing blood flow
to the brain or triggering a syncopal episode.
2026 |Chamberlain College
1. When assessing the abdomen, which of the following is the correct order of
assessment techniques?
A. Inspection, Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation
B. Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion, Palpation
C. Auscultation, Inspection, Palpation, Percussion
D. Percussion, Auscultation, Inspection, Palpation
Answer: B
Rationale: For the abdomen, auscultation is performed before percussion and palpation to
prevent altering bowel sounds or causing unnecessary discomfort before listening.
2. Which heart sound is caused by the closure of the atrioventricular valves
(mitral and tricuspid)?
A. S3
B. S2
C. S1
D. S4
Answer: C
Rationale: The S1 heart sound, or ‘lub’, is produced by the closure of the mitral and
tricuspid valves at the start of systole.
,3. To assess for accommodation, the nurse should ask the patient to:
A. Read the smallest line possible on a Snellen chart
B. Follow a penlight through the six cardinal positions of gaze
C. Cover one eye and describe what they see in the periphery
D. Focus on a distant object, then on a near object
Answer: D
Rationale: Accommodation is tested by asking the patient to shift their focus from a
distant object to a near one, looking for pupillary constriction and convergence.
4. The nurse is assessing Cranial Nerve II. Which of the following tests should be
used?
A. The whisper test
B. The Snellen chart
C. The gag reflex
D. Testing facial symmetry
Answer: B
Rationale: Cranial Nerve II is the Optic nerve, which is responsible for vision and is tested
using a Snellen chart or visual fields test.
5. What is the significance of a ‘positive’ Romberg test?
A. The patient has full range of motion in the neck
B. The patient loses balance when standing with eyes closed
C. The patient is unable to identify an object placed in the hand
D. The patient has normal deep tendon reflexes
Answer: B
Rationale: A positive Romberg test occurs when a patient loses balance after closing their
eyes while standing, indicating an issue with vestibular or proprioceptive function.
, 6. Which part of the hand is most sensitive for assessing skin temperature?
A. Palmar surface
B. Fingertips
C. Ulnar surface
D. Dorsal surface
Answer: D
Rationale: The dorsal surface (back) of the hand has thinner skin and is more sensitive to
temperature variations.
7. A nurse observes a patient’s breathing and notes an increased
anteroposterior-to-transverse diameter (1:1 ratio). This is known as:
A. Barrel chest
B. Kyphosis
C. Pectus excavatum
D. Scoliosis
Answer: A
Rationale: A barrel chest is characterized by an equal AP-to-transverse diameter, often
seen in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
8. To assess the carotid arteries safely, the nurse should:
A. Palpate both sides simultaneously to compare strength
B. Use the diaphragm of the stethoscope to check for bruits first
C. Palpate one side at a time
D. Have the patient perform the Valsalva maneuver
Answer: C
Rationale: Carotid arteries must be palpated one at a time to avoid obstructing blood flow
to the brain or triggering a syncopal episode.
