NU650 | NU650 Health Assessment / Nursing Exam
3 Version 1 | Questions with Correct Answers and
Expert Explanation for Each Question | Regis
1. During an abdominal assessment, in what order should the nurse perform the
physical examination techniques?
A. Inspection, Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation
B. Percussion, Auscultation, Inspection, Palpation
C. Auscultation, Inspection, Palpation, Percussion
D. Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion, Palpation
Correct Answer: D
Expert Explanation: The abdominal assessment sequence is unique because
palpation and percussion can alter bowel sounds. Auscultation must be performed
immediately after inspection to ensure accurate findings of intestinal activity.
Following auscultation, the nurse can proceed to percussion and then light and deep
palpation.
2. When assessing for rebound tenderness in a patient with suspected appendicitis,
the nurse should palpate at which specific location?
A. Murphy’s point
B. Left lower quadrant
,C. Umbilical region
D. McBurney’s point
Correct Answer: D
Expert Explanation: McBurney’s point is located one-third of the distance from the
anterior superior iliac spine to the umbilicus. Tenderness or rebound pain at this
site is a classic indicator of inflammation of the appendix. The examiner should
press deeply and then release quickly to assess for a pain response.
3. A 50-year-old male patient presents with a protrusion in the inguinal area that
disappears when he lies down. Which type of hernia is most likely?
A. Femoral hernia
B. Direct inguinal hernia
C. Incarcerated hernia
D. Umbilical hernia
Correct Answer: B
Expert Explanation: A direct inguinal hernia occurs through a weakness in the
abdominal wall and often reduces when the patient is supine. It is less common than
indirect hernias and typically occurs in older men. The reduction of the bulge upon
lying down is a characteristic sign of a reducible direct hernia.
,4. The nurse is testing Cranial Nerve V (Trigeminal). Which of the following actions
should the nurse ask the patient to perform?
A. Shrug the shoulders against resistance
B. Stick out the tongue and move it side to side
C. Smile, frown, and puff out the cheeks
D. Clench the teeth while palpating the temporal and masseter muscles
Correct Answer: D
Expert Explanation: The Trigeminal nerve (CN V) has both motor and sensory
components, and testing muscle strength involves clenching the teeth. The nurse
evaluates the strength and symmetry of the contraction in the temporal and
masseter muscles. Sensory function is tested separately by assessing light touch on
the face.
5. During a musculoskeletal assessment, the nurse notes that the patient has a lateral
curvature of the spine. How should this finding be documented?
A. Kyphosis
B. Lordosis
C. Ankylosis
D. Scoliosis
, Correct Answer: D
Expert Explanation: Scoliosis is a lateral S-shaped curvature of the thoracic and
lumbar spine, often appearing during adolescence. Kyphosis refers to an
exaggerated outward curvature of the thoracic spine (hunchback). Lordosis is an
exaggerated inward curvature of the lumbar spine, often seen in pregnancy or
obesity.
6. To assess for a possible meniscus tear, which orthopedic maneuver should the
nurse perform?
A. McMurray test
B. Phalen’s test
C. Lachman test
D. Bulge sign
Correct Answer: A
Expert Explanation: The McMurray test is used specifically to evaluate for meniscal
injuries in the knee joint. The nurse rotates the lower leg while extending the knee
from a flexed position. A positive result is indicated by a click or pain during the
maneuver.
7. A patient exhibits a positive Romberg sign. What does this finding indicate?
A. Hyperactive deep tendon reflexes
3 Version 1 | Questions with Correct Answers and
Expert Explanation for Each Question | Regis
1. During an abdominal assessment, in what order should the nurse perform the
physical examination techniques?
A. Inspection, Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation
B. Percussion, Auscultation, Inspection, Palpation
C. Auscultation, Inspection, Palpation, Percussion
D. Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion, Palpation
Correct Answer: D
Expert Explanation: The abdominal assessment sequence is unique because
palpation and percussion can alter bowel sounds. Auscultation must be performed
immediately after inspection to ensure accurate findings of intestinal activity.
Following auscultation, the nurse can proceed to percussion and then light and deep
palpation.
2. When assessing for rebound tenderness in a patient with suspected appendicitis,
the nurse should palpate at which specific location?
A. Murphy’s point
B. Left lower quadrant
,C. Umbilical region
D. McBurney’s point
Correct Answer: D
Expert Explanation: McBurney’s point is located one-third of the distance from the
anterior superior iliac spine to the umbilicus. Tenderness or rebound pain at this
site is a classic indicator of inflammation of the appendix. The examiner should
press deeply and then release quickly to assess for a pain response.
3. A 50-year-old male patient presents with a protrusion in the inguinal area that
disappears when he lies down. Which type of hernia is most likely?
A. Femoral hernia
B. Direct inguinal hernia
C. Incarcerated hernia
D. Umbilical hernia
Correct Answer: B
Expert Explanation: A direct inguinal hernia occurs through a weakness in the
abdominal wall and often reduces when the patient is supine. It is less common than
indirect hernias and typically occurs in older men. The reduction of the bulge upon
lying down is a characteristic sign of a reducible direct hernia.
,4. The nurse is testing Cranial Nerve V (Trigeminal). Which of the following actions
should the nurse ask the patient to perform?
A. Shrug the shoulders against resistance
B. Stick out the tongue and move it side to side
C. Smile, frown, and puff out the cheeks
D. Clench the teeth while palpating the temporal and masseter muscles
Correct Answer: D
Expert Explanation: The Trigeminal nerve (CN V) has both motor and sensory
components, and testing muscle strength involves clenching the teeth. The nurse
evaluates the strength and symmetry of the contraction in the temporal and
masseter muscles. Sensory function is tested separately by assessing light touch on
the face.
5. During a musculoskeletal assessment, the nurse notes that the patient has a lateral
curvature of the spine. How should this finding be documented?
A. Kyphosis
B. Lordosis
C. Ankylosis
D. Scoliosis
, Correct Answer: D
Expert Explanation: Scoliosis is a lateral S-shaped curvature of the thoracic and
lumbar spine, often appearing during adolescence. Kyphosis refers to an
exaggerated outward curvature of the thoracic spine (hunchback). Lordosis is an
exaggerated inward curvature of the lumbar spine, often seen in pregnancy or
obesity.
6. To assess for a possible meniscus tear, which orthopedic maneuver should the
nurse perform?
A. McMurray test
B. Phalen’s test
C. Lachman test
D. Bulge sign
Correct Answer: A
Expert Explanation: The McMurray test is used specifically to evaluate for meniscal
injuries in the knee joint. The nurse rotates the lower leg while extending the knee
from a flexed position. A positive result is indicated by a click or pain during the
maneuver.
7. A patient exhibits a positive Romberg sign. What does this finding indicate?
A. Hyperactive deep tendon reflexes
