NUR 216 EXAM 3 EXAM QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED
ANSWERS 2026
A nurse is assessing a client's cranial nerves. Which of the following client actions is an
indication that cranial nerve 1 is intact?
A. The client can stick their tongue out
B. The client can smile symmetrically
C. The client can hear whispered words
D. The client can identify a minty scent - Answers - D. The client can identify a minty
scent
Rationale- Cranial nerve 1, the olfactory nerve, controls the sense of smell. To test this
nerve's function, the nurse should ask the client to identify a nonirritating aroma, such
as mint or coffee
A nurse is performing a respiratory assessment on a client. The nurse auscultates a
wet, popping sound upon inspiration of the clients breathing. The nurse should identify
this observation as which of the following findings?
A. Crackles
B. Stridor
C. Wheezes
D. Friction Rub - Answers - A. Crackles
Rationale- crackles, sometimes called rales, are wet, popping sounds created by air
moving through liquid or by collapsed alveoli snapping open on inspiration. They are
most common at the end of inspiration of breathing.
A nurse is performing a cardiovascular assessment on a client which of the following
findings should the nurse expect?
A. A continuous sensation of vibration felt over the second and third left intercostal
spaces
B. A high-pitched, scraping sound heard in the third intercostal space to the left of the
sternum
C. A brief thump felt near the fourth or fifth intercostal space near the left mid clavicular
line
D. A whooshing or swishing sound over the second intercostal space along the left
arsenal border - Answers - C. A brief thump felt near the fourth or fifth intercostal space
near the left mid clavicular line
Rationale- This is where you would inspect and palpate for the point of maximal
impulse. Also called an apical pulse station, it occurs as the Apex of the heart bumps
against the chest wall with each heartbeat. The apical impulse is not always visible but
can be felt as a brief thump. This is an expected finding and should be performed when
you are preparing to auscultate the apical pulse.
,The nurse is preparing to perform a comprehensive physical assessment on a client.
Which of the following actions should the nurse plan to take first?
A. Document accurate data
B. Develop a plan of care
C. Validate previous data
D. Evaluate outcomes of care - Answers - B. Develop a plan of care
Rationale- The first action the nurse should take using the nursing process is to assess
the client and develop a plan of care. The nursing process follow the steps of
assessment, analysis, planning, implementation, and evaluation.
A nurse is palpating a tender area of a clients abdomen. The nurse slowly applies
pressure over the area with their fingertips, then quickly releases it. The client reports
increased pain on the release of pressure. Which of the findings should the nurse
document?
A. Borborygmi
B. Rebound Tenderness
C. Tympany
D. Abdominal Guarding - Answers - B. Rebound Tenderness
Rationale- The nurse should document that the client is experiencing rebound
tenderness, which is an increase in pain when deep palpation over a tender area is
released. Rebound tenderness is in the right lower quadrant at McBurney's point (one-
third the distance from the anterior iliac crest to the umbilicus) is an indication of acute
appendicitis.
A nurse is performing a physical examination of the spine for an older adult client. The
nurse should identify that which of the following findings is common with aging?
A. Lordosis
B. Kyphosis
C. Ankylosis
D. Scoliosis - Answers - B. Kyphosis
Rationale- kyphosis, a pronounced "hunchback" curvature of the spine, is an abnormal
angulation of the posterior curve of the thoracic spine, usually a result of osteoporosis. It
is most common in older adults and tends to increase with aging. This pronounced
convexity of the thoracic spine is also common in older clients who have had vertebral
fractures.
Disorders in which parts of the ear usually result in earaches?
A. Inner and middle ear
B. Inner and external ear
C. Middle and external ear
D. Travis and eardrum - Answers - B. Inner and external ear
Eye discharge is usually associated with:
A. Hypertension (HTN)
B. Conjunctivitis
C. Otitis externa
, D. Meibomianitis - Answers - B. Conjunctivitis
Which type of hearing loss results from disorders of the inner ear or of the eighth cranial
nerve?
A. Conductive hearing loss
B. Sensorineural hearing loss
C. Mixed hearing loss
D. Functional hearing loss - Answers - B. Sensorineural hearing loss
Which term is used to test for corneal sensitivity?
A. Cotton-tipped applicator
B. Gauze pad
C. Tissue
D. Wisp of cotton - Answers - D. Wisp of cotton
What should you palpate before inserting the otoscope into the patient's ear?
A. Tragus
B. Lymph nodes
C. Helix
D. Earlobe - Answers - A. Tragus
Which symptom commonly accompanies throat pain?
A. Eye pain
B. Ear pain
C. Headache
D. Nasal congestion - Answers - B. Ear pain
If your patient presents with severe epistaxis, what is important for you to check
quickly?
A. Their history
B. Their height
C. Their weight
D. Their vital signs - Answers - D. Their vital signs
What is scoliosis? - Answers - A deformity caused by a lateral curvature of the thoracic
spine. It is typically detected in adolescence. Mild scoliosis usually has little
consequence, but more severe curvature can restrict lung function.
What is ankylosis? - Answers - Immobility and consolidation of a joint due to disease,
injury, or surgical procedures. The stiff joint is often a result of a congenital condition or
scarring.
What is kyphosis? - Answers - a pronounced "hunchback" curvature of the spine, is an
abnormal angulation of the posterior curve of the thoracic spine, usually a result of
osteoporosis. It is most common in older adults and tends to increase with aging. This
ANSWERS 2026
A nurse is assessing a client's cranial nerves. Which of the following client actions is an
indication that cranial nerve 1 is intact?
A. The client can stick their tongue out
B. The client can smile symmetrically
C. The client can hear whispered words
D. The client can identify a minty scent - Answers - D. The client can identify a minty
scent
Rationale- Cranial nerve 1, the olfactory nerve, controls the sense of smell. To test this
nerve's function, the nurse should ask the client to identify a nonirritating aroma, such
as mint or coffee
A nurse is performing a respiratory assessment on a client. The nurse auscultates a
wet, popping sound upon inspiration of the clients breathing. The nurse should identify
this observation as which of the following findings?
A. Crackles
B. Stridor
C. Wheezes
D. Friction Rub - Answers - A. Crackles
Rationale- crackles, sometimes called rales, are wet, popping sounds created by air
moving through liquid or by collapsed alveoli snapping open on inspiration. They are
most common at the end of inspiration of breathing.
A nurse is performing a cardiovascular assessment on a client which of the following
findings should the nurse expect?
A. A continuous sensation of vibration felt over the second and third left intercostal
spaces
B. A high-pitched, scraping sound heard in the third intercostal space to the left of the
sternum
C. A brief thump felt near the fourth or fifth intercostal space near the left mid clavicular
line
D. A whooshing or swishing sound over the second intercostal space along the left
arsenal border - Answers - C. A brief thump felt near the fourth or fifth intercostal space
near the left mid clavicular line
Rationale- This is where you would inspect and palpate for the point of maximal
impulse. Also called an apical pulse station, it occurs as the Apex of the heart bumps
against the chest wall with each heartbeat. The apical impulse is not always visible but
can be felt as a brief thump. This is an expected finding and should be performed when
you are preparing to auscultate the apical pulse.
,The nurse is preparing to perform a comprehensive physical assessment on a client.
Which of the following actions should the nurse plan to take first?
A. Document accurate data
B. Develop a plan of care
C. Validate previous data
D. Evaluate outcomes of care - Answers - B. Develop a plan of care
Rationale- The first action the nurse should take using the nursing process is to assess
the client and develop a plan of care. The nursing process follow the steps of
assessment, analysis, planning, implementation, and evaluation.
A nurse is palpating a tender area of a clients abdomen. The nurse slowly applies
pressure over the area with their fingertips, then quickly releases it. The client reports
increased pain on the release of pressure. Which of the findings should the nurse
document?
A. Borborygmi
B. Rebound Tenderness
C. Tympany
D. Abdominal Guarding - Answers - B. Rebound Tenderness
Rationale- The nurse should document that the client is experiencing rebound
tenderness, which is an increase in pain when deep palpation over a tender area is
released. Rebound tenderness is in the right lower quadrant at McBurney's point (one-
third the distance from the anterior iliac crest to the umbilicus) is an indication of acute
appendicitis.
A nurse is performing a physical examination of the spine for an older adult client. The
nurse should identify that which of the following findings is common with aging?
A. Lordosis
B. Kyphosis
C. Ankylosis
D. Scoliosis - Answers - B. Kyphosis
Rationale- kyphosis, a pronounced "hunchback" curvature of the spine, is an abnormal
angulation of the posterior curve of the thoracic spine, usually a result of osteoporosis. It
is most common in older adults and tends to increase with aging. This pronounced
convexity of the thoracic spine is also common in older clients who have had vertebral
fractures.
Disorders in which parts of the ear usually result in earaches?
A. Inner and middle ear
B. Inner and external ear
C. Middle and external ear
D. Travis and eardrum - Answers - B. Inner and external ear
Eye discharge is usually associated with:
A. Hypertension (HTN)
B. Conjunctivitis
C. Otitis externa
, D. Meibomianitis - Answers - B. Conjunctivitis
Which type of hearing loss results from disorders of the inner ear or of the eighth cranial
nerve?
A. Conductive hearing loss
B. Sensorineural hearing loss
C. Mixed hearing loss
D. Functional hearing loss - Answers - B. Sensorineural hearing loss
Which term is used to test for corneal sensitivity?
A. Cotton-tipped applicator
B. Gauze pad
C. Tissue
D. Wisp of cotton - Answers - D. Wisp of cotton
What should you palpate before inserting the otoscope into the patient's ear?
A. Tragus
B. Lymph nodes
C. Helix
D. Earlobe - Answers - A. Tragus
Which symptom commonly accompanies throat pain?
A. Eye pain
B. Ear pain
C. Headache
D. Nasal congestion - Answers - B. Ear pain
If your patient presents with severe epistaxis, what is important for you to check
quickly?
A. Their history
B. Their height
C. Their weight
D. Their vital signs - Answers - D. Their vital signs
What is scoliosis? - Answers - A deformity caused by a lateral curvature of the thoracic
spine. It is typically detected in adolescence. Mild scoliosis usually has little
consequence, but more severe curvature can restrict lung function.
What is ankylosis? - Answers - Immobility and consolidation of a joint due to disease,
injury, or surgical procedures. The stiff joint is often a result of a congenital condition or
scarring.
What is kyphosis? - Answers - a pronounced "hunchback" curvature of the spine, is an
abnormal angulation of the posterior curve of the thoracic spine, usually a result of
osteoporosis. It is most common in older adults and tends to increase with aging. This
