NURS 206 (Health Assessment) – Exam 2
San Diego State University (SDSU)
Latest 2026/2027 | Newly Released
Guaranteed Pass | Graded A +
50 Questions with Verified Answers and Detailed Rationales
Q1. A nurse is preparing to palpate a patient's lymph nodes and begins with the
preauricular nodes. The nurse understands that these nodes drain which anatomical
area?
A. The posterior scalp and neck
B. The superficial temporal area and eyelids
C. The oral cavity and pharynx
D. The axilla and upper arm
Correct Answer: B
The preauricular lymph nodes are located anterior to the ear and drain the superficial
temporal region, the lateral eyelids, and the anterior scalp. The posterior auricular
nodes drain the posterior scalp, the tonsillar and submandibular nodes drain the or al
cavity and pharynx, and the axillary nodes drain the upper extremity and breast.
Q2. During a skin assessment, the nurse notes a 4 mm pearly papule with a central
depression and rolled, telangiectatic borders on the patient's nasal bridge. This lesion is
most consistent with:
A. Nodular basal cell carcinoma
B. Squamous cell carcinoma
C. Sebaceous hyperplasia
D. Keratoacanthoma
Correct Answer: A
Nodular basal cell carcinoma classically presents as a pearly, translucent papule with
telangiectasia, a rolled border, and often a central depression or ulceration, most
commonly on sun-exposed facial areas. Squamous cell carcinoma is scaly or crusted,
,sebaceous hyperplasia presents as yellowish papules with central umbilication, and
keratoacanthoma has a central keratin-filled crater.
Q3. A nurse is auscultating the heart and hears a harsh, crescendo-decrescendo systolic
ejection murmur best heard at the right second intercostal space that radiates to the
carotid arteries. The nurse recognizes this as:
A. Mitral regurgitation
B. Aortic stenosis
C. Pulmonic stenosis
D. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
Correct Answer: B
Aortic stenosis produces a harsh, crescendo-decrescendo systolic ejection murmur at
the right second intercostal space (aortic area) with radiation to the carotid arteries due
to turbulent flow across the narrowed valve. Mitral regurgitation is holosystoli c at the
apex, pulmonic stenosis is heard at the left second intercostal space without carotid
radiation, and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy causes a harsh systolic murmur that
increases with Valsalva maneuver.
Q4. During a neurological assessment, the nurse performs the Romberg test and notes
that the patient sways significantly with eyes closed but remains stable with eyes open.
The nurse interprets this as:
A. Cerebellar ataxia
B. Sensory (proprioceptive) ataxia
C. Vestibular dysfunction
D. Normal finding
Correct Answer: B
A positive Romberg sign—increased swaying with eyes closed but not with eyes open—
indicates sensory ataxia from impaired proprioception in the dorsal column pathway, as
vision normally compensates for the deficit. Cerebellar ataxia causes swaying regardless
of eye position, vestibular dysfunction causes vertigo and nystagmus, and a normal
Romberg test shows minimal swaying in either condition.
Q5. A nurse is assessing a patient's abdomen and notes a positive Grey Turner sign—
flank ecchymosis. This finding is most associated with:
, A. Ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm
B. Hemorrhagic pancreatitis
C. Acute appendicitis
D. Small bowel obstruction
Correct Answer: B
Grey Turner sign (flank ecchymosis) indicates retroperitoneal hemorrhage tracking
through the retroperitoneal tissues to the flanks, classically associated with severe
hemorrhagic pancreatitis. Ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm causes hypotension and
abdominal pain but not typically flank ecchymosis, appendicitis causes right lower
quadrant pain, and small bowel obstruction causes distension and vomiting without
ecchymosis.
Q6. During a musculoskeletal assessment, the nurse performs the apprehension test on
a patient's shoulder by passively abducting and externally rotating the arm. A look of
apprehension or resistance indicates:
A. Rotator cuff tear
B. Anterior shoulder instability
C. Adhesive capsulitis
D. Acromioclavicular joint sprain
Correct Answer: B
The apprehension test (Jobe test) assesses anterior glenohumeral instability;
apprehension with abduction and external rotation suggests the humeral head may
dislocate anteriorly, as seen in recurrent shoulder dislocation. Rotator cuff tears cause
weakness with resisted abduction or external rotation, adhesive capsulitis causes global
restriction of passive and active motion, and acromioclavicular sprain causes pain with
cross-body adduction.
Q7. A nurse is inspecting a patient's conjunctiva and notes pale pink coloration rather
than the normal red. This finding is most suggestive of:
A. Polycythemia
B. Anemia
C. Jaundice
D. Conjunctivitis
Correct Answer: B
San Diego State University (SDSU)
Latest 2026/2027 | Newly Released
Guaranteed Pass | Graded A +
50 Questions with Verified Answers and Detailed Rationales
Q1. A nurse is preparing to palpate a patient's lymph nodes and begins with the
preauricular nodes. The nurse understands that these nodes drain which anatomical
area?
A. The posterior scalp and neck
B. The superficial temporal area and eyelids
C. The oral cavity and pharynx
D. The axilla and upper arm
Correct Answer: B
The preauricular lymph nodes are located anterior to the ear and drain the superficial
temporal region, the lateral eyelids, and the anterior scalp. The posterior auricular
nodes drain the posterior scalp, the tonsillar and submandibular nodes drain the or al
cavity and pharynx, and the axillary nodes drain the upper extremity and breast.
Q2. During a skin assessment, the nurse notes a 4 mm pearly papule with a central
depression and rolled, telangiectatic borders on the patient's nasal bridge. This lesion is
most consistent with:
A. Nodular basal cell carcinoma
B. Squamous cell carcinoma
C. Sebaceous hyperplasia
D. Keratoacanthoma
Correct Answer: A
Nodular basal cell carcinoma classically presents as a pearly, translucent papule with
telangiectasia, a rolled border, and often a central depression or ulceration, most
commonly on sun-exposed facial areas. Squamous cell carcinoma is scaly or crusted,
,sebaceous hyperplasia presents as yellowish papules with central umbilication, and
keratoacanthoma has a central keratin-filled crater.
Q3. A nurse is auscultating the heart and hears a harsh, crescendo-decrescendo systolic
ejection murmur best heard at the right second intercostal space that radiates to the
carotid arteries. The nurse recognizes this as:
A. Mitral regurgitation
B. Aortic stenosis
C. Pulmonic stenosis
D. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
Correct Answer: B
Aortic stenosis produces a harsh, crescendo-decrescendo systolic ejection murmur at
the right second intercostal space (aortic area) with radiation to the carotid arteries due
to turbulent flow across the narrowed valve. Mitral regurgitation is holosystoli c at the
apex, pulmonic stenosis is heard at the left second intercostal space without carotid
radiation, and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy causes a harsh systolic murmur that
increases with Valsalva maneuver.
Q4. During a neurological assessment, the nurse performs the Romberg test and notes
that the patient sways significantly with eyes closed but remains stable with eyes open.
The nurse interprets this as:
A. Cerebellar ataxia
B. Sensory (proprioceptive) ataxia
C. Vestibular dysfunction
D. Normal finding
Correct Answer: B
A positive Romberg sign—increased swaying with eyes closed but not with eyes open—
indicates sensory ataxia from impaired proprioception in the dorsal column pathway, as
vision normally compensates for the deficit. Cerebellar ataxia causes swaying regardless
of eye position, vestibular dysfunction causes vertigo and nystagmus, and a normal
Romberg test shows minimal swaying in either condition.
Q5. A nurse is assessing a patient's abdomen and notes a positive Grey Turner sign—
flank ecchymosis. This finding is most associated with:
, A. Ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm
B. Hemorrhagic pancreatitis
C. Acute appendicitis
D. Small bowel obstruction
Correct Answer: B
Grey Turner sign (flank ecchymosis) indicates retroperitoneal hemorrhage tracking
through the retroperitoneal tissues to the flanks, classically associated with severe
hemorrhagic pancreatitis. Ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm causes hypotension and
abdominal pain but not typically flank ecchymosis, appendicitis causes right lower
quadrant pain, and small bowel obstruction causes distension and vomiting without
ecchymosis.
Q6. During a musculoskeletal assessment, the nurse performs the apprehension test on
a patient's shoulder by passively abducting and externally rotating the arm. A look of
apprehension or resistance indicates:
A. Rotator cuff tear
B. Anterior shoulder instability
C. Adhesive capsulitis
D. Acromioclavicular joint sprain
Correct Answer: B
The apprehension test (Jobe test) assesses anterior glenohumeral instability;
apprehension with abduction and external rotation suggests the humeral head may
dislocate anteriorly, as seen in recurrent shoulder dislocation. Rotator cuff tears cause
weakness with resisted abduction or external rotation, adhesive capsulitis causes global
restriction of passive and active motion, and acromioclavicular sprain causes pain with
cross-body adduction.
Q7. A nurse is inspecting a patient's conjunctiva and notes pale pink coloration rather
than the normal red. This finding is most suggestive of:
A. Polycythemia
B. Anemia
C. Jaundice
D. Conjunctivitis
Correct Answer: B
