NURS 681 Exam 2026 Expert Questions & Correct
Answers with Detailed Rationales by Alex R.
Kasyan | NURS 681 Complete Latest Fall 2025/26 -
West Coast University.
MULTIPLE CHOICES
1. The reliability of health-related findings and observations is the responsibility of the:
A) Professional only
B) Patient only
C) Professional and the patient
D) Nursing assistant
Answer: C
Both the healthcare professional and the patient share responsibility for ensuring findings are accurate and reliable.
The professional must perform proper techniques, while the patient must provide accurate history and cooperate
during examination.
2. Which statement is true regarding the examination of peripheral arteries?
A) The pulses are most readily felt over bony prominences
B) The pulses are best felt in muscle bellies
C) The pulses are best felt over venous structures
D) The pulses are not palpable in healthy adults
Answer: A
Peripheral pulses are most readily palpated where arteries pass over bony prominences (e.g., radial pulse at wrist,
dorsalis pedis on foot), as the bone provides a firm backing against which to feel the pulsation.
Page | 1 SUCCESS!!!
,3. A patient has a wide-based gait, staggers from side to side, and sways his trunk. This pattern is documented as:
A) Parkinsonian gait
B) Steppage gait
C) Cerebellar ataxia
D) Scissors gait
Answer: C
Cerebellar ataxia is characterized by a wide-based, unsteady, staggering gait with trunk swaying. It results from
dysfunction of the cerebellum affecting coordination and balance.
4. A 30-year-old patient has symmetrical breasts with bilateral, multiple tender masses that are freely moveable with
well-defined borders. These findings are consistent with:
A) Breast malignancy
B) Fibrocystic changes
C) Fibroadenoma
D) Mastitis
Answer: B
Fibrocystic changes present with bilateral, multiple, tender, mobile masses with well-defined borders. They fluctuate
with the menstrual cycle and are benign.
5. What is the proper technique for use of a speculum during a vaginal examination?
A) Press introitus upward; insert closed speculum vertically
B) Press introitus downward; insert closed speculum obliquely
C) Insert speculum open to avoid discomfort
D) Insert speculum without lubrication
Page | 2 SUCCESS!!!
,Answer: B
The correct technique involves pressing the introitus downward, inserting the closed speculum obliquely to follow
the vaginal canal's natural angle, then opening once past the introitus.
6. Which cranial nerves are usually evaluated during the examination of the eyes?
A) CN II and III only
B) CN III, IV, and VI
C) CN I and II
D) CN V and VII
Answer: B
CN III (oculomotor), CN IV (trochlear), and CN VI (abducens) control extraocular eye movements and are tested
together as part of eye examination.
7. Assessing orientation to person, place, and time helps determine:
A) Memory function
B) State of consciousness
C) Intelligence quotient
D) Executive function
Answer: B
Orientation to person, place, and time is a basic assessment of level of consciousness and awareness of self and
environment. Disorientation suggests altered mental status.
8. To spread breast tissue evenly over the chest wall during examination, the patient should lie supine with:
A) Both arms at sides
Page | 3 SUCCESS!!!
, B) One arm overhead and a pillow under the shoulder
C) Arms crossed over chest
D) Hands on hips
Answer: B
Positioning with one arm overhead and a pillow under the shoulder on the examining side flattens and spreads breast
tissue evenly across the chest wall, improving palpation.
9. Cranial nerve XII may be assessed in an infant by:
A) Checking the gag reflex
B) Observing the infant suck and swallow
C) Testing the corneal reflex
D) Assessing head turning
Answer: B
CN XII (hypoglossal nerve) controls tongue movement. In infants, observing sucking and swallowing assesses this
nerve, as the tongue is essential for these functions.
10. Diabetic peripheral neuropathy will likely produce:
A) Increased pain sensation
B) Diminished pain sensation
C) Hyperreflexia
D) Muscle hypertrophy
Answer: B
Diabetic peripheral neuropathy causes damage to small nerve fibers, resulting in diminished pain and temperature
sensation, often beginning in a "stocking-glove" distribution.
Page | 4 SUCCESS!!!
Answers with Detailed Rationales by Alex R.
Kasyan | NURS 681 Complete Latest Fall 2025/26 -
West Coast University.
MULTIPLE CHOICES
1. The reliability of health-related findings and observations is the responsibility of the:
A) Professional only
B) Patient only
C) Professional and the patient
D) Nursing assistant
Answer: C
Both the healthcare professional and the patient share responsibility for ensuring findings are accurate and reliable.
The professional must perform proper techniques, while the patient must provide accurate history and cooperate
during examination.
2. Which statement is true regarding the examination of peripheral arteries?
A) The pulses are most readily felt over bony prominences
B) The pulses are best felt in muscle bellies
C) The pulses are best felt over venous structures
D) The pulses are not palpable in healthy adults
Answer: A
Peripheral pulses are most readily palpated where arteries pass over bony prominences (e.g., radial pulse at wrist,
dorsalis pedis on foot), as the bone provides a firm backing against which to feel the pulsation.
Page | 1 SUCCESS!!!
,3. A patient has a wide-based gait, staggers from side to side, and sways his trunk. This pattern is documented as:
A) Parkinsonian gait
B) Steppage gait
C) Cerebellar ataxia
D) Scissors gait
Answer: C
Cerebellar ataxia is characterized by a wide-based, unsteady, staggering gait with trunk swaying. It results from
dysfunction of the cerebellum affecting coordination and balance.
4. A 30-year-old patient has symmetrical breasts with bilateral, multiple tender masses that are freely moveable with
well-defined borders. These findings are consistent with:
A) Breast malignancy
B) Fibrocystic changes
C) Fibroadenoma
D) Mastitis
Answer: B
Fibrocystic changes present with bilateral, multiple, tender, mobile masses with well-defined borders. They fluctuate
with the menstrual cycle and are benign.
5. What is the proper technique for use of a speculum during a vaginal examination?
A) Press introitus upward; insert closed speculum vertically
B) Press introitus downward; insert closed speculum obliquely
C) Insert speculum open to avoid discomfort
D) Insert speculum without lubrication
Page | 2 SUCCESS!!!
,Answer: B
The correct technique involves pressing the introitus downward, inserting the closed speculum obliquely to follow
the vaginal canal's natural angle, then opening once past the introitus.
6. Which cranial nerves are usually evaluated during the examination of the eyes?
A) CN II and III only
B) CN III, IV, and VI
C) CN I and II
D) CN V and VII
Answer: B
CN III (oculomotor), CN IV (trochlear), and CN VI (abducens) control extraocular eye movements and are tested
together as part of eye examination.
7. Assessing orientation to person, place, and time helps determine:
A) Memory function
B) State of consciousness
C) Intelligence quotient
D) Executive function
Answer: B
Orientation to person, place, and time is a basic assessment of level of consciousness and awareness of self and
environment. Disorientation suggests altered mental status.
8. To spread breast tissue evenly over the chest wall during examination, the patient should lie supine with:
A) Both arms at sides
Page | 3 SUCCESS!!!
, B) One arm overhead and a pillow under the shoulder
C) Arms crossed over chest
D) Hands on hips
Answer: B
Positioning with one arm overhead and a pillow under the shoulder on the examining side flattens and spreads breast
tissue evenly across the chest wall, improving palpation.
9. Cranial nerve XII may be assessed in an infant by:
A) Checking the gag reflex
B) Observing the infant suck and swallow
C) Testing the corneal reflex
D) Assessing head turning
Answer: B
CN XII (hypoglossal nerve) controls tongue movement. In infants, observing sucking and swallowing assesses this
nerve, as the tongue is essential for these functions.
10. Diabetic peripheral neuropathy will likely produce:
A) Increased pain sensation
B) Diminished pain sensation
C) Hyperreflexia
D) Muscle hypertrophy
Answer: B
Diabetic peripheral neuropathy causes damage to small nerve fibers, resulting in diminished pain and temperature
sensation, often beginning in a "stocking-glove" distribution.
Page | 4 SUCCESS!!!
