NR-304 HEALTH ASSESSMENT II PRACTICAL
ASSESSMENT QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
(VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A |
LATEST EXAM UPDATE 2026/2027 CHAMBERLAIN
UNIVERSITY EXAM with Questions and Answers/Plus
a Rationale Updated 2026 A+/Instant Download PDF
EXAM COVERAGE
1. Comprehensive Health History and Physical Examination
2. Neurological System Assessment
3. Cardiovascular and Peripheral Vascular Assessment
4. Respiratory System and Thoracic Assessment
5. Abdominal and Gastrointestinal Assessment
6. Musculoskeletal and Joint Assessment
7. Skin, Hair, and Nail Assessment
8. HEENT (Head, Eyes, Ears, Nose, Throat) Assessment
9. Pediatric and Geriatric Developmental Assessment
10. Documentation and Clinical Judgment
1. A 65-year-old patient presents with a sudden onset of right-sided hemiparesis and facial
drooping. Upon assessment, which cranial nerve evaluation is most critical to perform
immediately to assess for potential damage to the corticobulbar tract?
, A. Cranial Nerve I
B. Cranial Nerve VII
C. Cranial Nerve VIII
D. Cranial Nerve IX
Answer: B [Correct Answer]
Rationale: Cranial Nerve VII (Facial) is directly affected by upper motor neuron lesions
resulting in facial drooping. Cranial Nerve I is olfactory, VIII is auditory/vestibular, and IX is
glossopharyngeal; none of these are primary indicators for the described motor deficit.
CORRECT ANSWER : B
2. During an abdominal assessment, you perform light palpation and note a pulsating mass in the
periumbilical region. What is the most appropriate next action?
A. Deep palpation to determine the size of the mass
B. Stop palpation immediately and notify the healthcare provider
C. Auscultate for a bruit using the bell of the stethoscope
D. Percuss the area to determine if the mass is fluid-filled
Answer: B [Correct Answer]
Rationale: A pulsating periumbilical mass is a classic sign of an abdominal aortic aneurysm
(AAA). Palpating such a mass, especially deeply, risks rupture; it must be reported immediately
for emergent imaging.
CORRECT ANSWER : B
3. A patient is assessed for jugular venous distension (JVD) at a 45-degree angle. You note visible
distension extending 4 cm above the sternal angle. What does this indicate?
A. Dehydration
B. Increased central venous pressure
C. Normal finding
D. Left-sided heart failure
, Answer: B [Correct Answer]
Rationale: JVD >3 cm above the sternal angle suggests elevated central venous pressure, often
associated with right-sided heart failure or fluid overload. Left-sided heart failure typically
manifests with respiratory symptoms, while dehydration would lead to flat neck veins.
CORRECT ANSWER : B
4. During a respiratory assessment, you note dullness to percussion over the right lower lobe.
Which clinical condition is most likely responsible for this finding?
A. Pneumothorax
B. Consolidation (e.g., pneumonia)
C. Emphysema
D. Asthma
Answer: B [Correct Answer]
Rationale: Percussion produces dullness over solid or fluid-filled tissue, such as consolidation in
pneumonia. Pneumothorax and emphysema produce hyperresonance due to excess air, and
asthma typically presents with normal resonance or generalized wheezing.
CORRECT ANSWER : B
5. A 72-year-old patient reports pain in the calves when walking, which is relieved by rest. Upon
physical examination, you note cool, pale lower extremities with absent pedal pulses. What is the
priority assessment finding?
A. Deep vein thrombosis
B. Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD)
C. Chronic venous insufficiency
D. Neuropathy
Answer: B [Correct Answer]
Rationale: The presentation of intermittent claudication (pain with walking relieved by rest),
cool skin, and absent pulses is pathognomonic for PAD. DVT typically presents with unilateral
swelling and redness; venous insufficiency presents with edema and hemosiderin staining.
CORRECT ANSWER : B
, 6. While assessing a patient's pupillary response, you note that the pupils do not constrict when
light is directed into the left eye, but they do constrict when the right eye is stimulated. What
does this suggest?
A. Optic nerve damage in the right eye
B. Optic nerve damage in the left eye
C. Oculomotor nerve damage in the right eye
D. Normal pupillary response
Answer: B [Correct Answer]
Rationale: The lack of response in the left eye to direct light indicates a defect in the sensory
afferent pathway (optic nerve) of the left eye. The response when the right eye is stimulated
confirms the efferent motor pathway (oculomotor nerve) is intact bilaterally.
CORRECT ANSWER : B
7. A patient with a history of COPD is being assessed for thoracic configuration. You expect to find
which of the following?
A. Pectus excavatum
B. Barrel chest
C. Scoliosis
D. Pectus carinatum
Answer: B [Correct Answer]
Rationale: Chronic air trapping in COPD leads to a permanent hyperinflation of the lungs,
resulting in an increased anteroposterior diameter known as a barrel chest. Other options
describe structural congenital or developmental deformities not caused by COPD.
CORRECT ANSWER : B
8. When assessing for Brudzinski's sign, you flex the patient's neck forward. A positive result is
indicated by:
A. Resistance to neck flexion
B. Involuntary flexion of the hips and knees
ASSESSMENT QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
(VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A |
LATEST EXAM UPDATE 2026/2027 CHAMBERLAIN
UNIVERSITY EXAM with Questions and Answers/Plus
a Rationale Updated 2026 A+/Instant Download PDF
EXAM COVERAGE
1. Comprehensive Health History and Physical Examination
2. Neurological System Assessment
3. Cardiovascular and Peripheral Vascular Assessment
4. Respiratory System and Thoracic Assessment
5. Abdominal and Gastrointestinal Assessment
6. Musculoskeletal and Joint Assessment
7. Skin, Hair, and Nail Assessment
8. HEENT (Head, Eyes, Ears, Nose, Throat) Assessment
9. Pediatric and Geriatric Developmental Assessment
10. Documentation and Clinical Judgment
1. A 65-year-old patient presents with a sudden onset of right-sided hemiparesis and facial
drooping. Upon assessment, which cranial nerve evaluation is most critical to perform
immediately to assess for potential damage to the corticobulbar tract?
, A. Cranial Nerve I
B. Cranial Nerve VII
C. Cranial Nerve VIII
D. Cranial Nerve IX
Answer: B [Correct Answer]
Rationale: Cranial Nerve VII (Facial) is directly affected by upper motor neuron lesions
resulting in facial drooping. Cranial Nerve I is olfactory, VIII is auditory/vestibular, and IX is
glossopharyngeal; none of these are primary indicators for the described motor deficit.
CORRECT ANSWER : B
2. During an abdominal assessment, you perform light palpation and note a pulsating mass in the
periumbilical region. What is the most appropriate next action?
A. Deep palpation to determine the size of the mass
B. Stop palpation immediately and notify the healthcare provider
C. Auscultate for a bruit using the bell of the stethoscope
D. Percuss the area to determine if the mass is fluid-filled
Answer: B [Correct Answer]
Rationale: A pulsating periumbilical mass is a classic sign of an abdominal aortic aneurysm
(AAA). Palpating such a mass, especially deeply, risks rupture; it must be reported immediately
for emergent imaging.
CORRECT ANSWER : B
3. A patient is assessed for jugular venous distension (JVD) at a 45-degree angle. You note visible
distension extending 4 cm above the sternal angle. What does this indicate?
A. Dehydration
B. Increased central venous pressure
C. Normal finding
D. Left-sided heart failure
, Answer: B [Correct Answer]
Rationale: JVD >3 cm above the sternal angle suggests elevated central venous pressure, often
associated with right-sided heart failure or fluid overload. Left-sided heart failure typically
manifests with respiratory symptoms, while dehydration would lead to flat neck veins.
CORRECT ANSWER : B
4. During a respiratory assessment, you note dullness to percussion over the right lower lobe.
Which clinical condition is most likely responsible for this finding?
A. Pneumothorax
B. Consolidation (e.g., pneumonia)
C. Emphysema
D. Asthma
Answer: B [Correct Answer]
Rationale: Percussion produces dullness over solid or fluid-filled tissue, such as consolidation in
pneumonia. Pneumothorax and emphysema produce hyperresonance due to excess air, and
asthma typically presents with normal resonance or generalized wheezing.
CORRECT ANSWER : B
5. A 72-year-old patient reports pain in the calves when walking, which is relieved by rest. Upon
physical examination, you note cool, pale lower extremities with absent pedal pulses. What is the
priority assessment finding?
A. Deep vein thrombosis
B. Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD)
C. Chronic venous insufficiency
D. Neuropathy
Answer: B [Correct Answer]
Rationale: The presentation of intermittent claudication (pain with walking relieved by rest),
cool skin, and absent pulses is pathognomonic for PAD. DVT typically presents with unilateral
swelling and redness; venous insufficiency presents with edema and hemosiderin staining.
CORRECT ANSWER : B
, 6. While assessing a patient's pupillary response, you note that the pupils do not constrict when
light is directed into the left eye, but they do constrict when the right eye is stimulated. What
does this suggest?
A. Optic nerve damage in the right eye
B. Optic nerve damage in the left eye
C. Oculomotor nerve damage in the right eye
D. Normal pupillary response
Answer: B [Correct Answer]
Rationale: The lack of response in the left eye to direct light indicates a defect in the sensory
afferent pathway (optic nerve) of the left eye. The response when the right eye is stimulated
confirms the efferent motor pathway (oculomotor nerve) is intact bilaterally.
CORRECT ANSWER : B
7. A patient with a history of COPD is being assessed for thoracic configuration. You expect to find
which of the following?
A. Pectus excavatum
B. Barrel chest
C. Scoliosis
D. Pectus carinatum
Answer: B [Correct Answer]
Rationale: Chronic air trapping in COPD leads to a permanent hyperinflation of the lungs,
resulting in an increased anteroposterior diameter known as a barrel chest. Other options
describe structural congenital or developmental deformities not caused by COPD.
CORRECT ANSWER : B
8. When assessing for Brudzinski's sign, you flex the patient's neck forward. A positive result is
indicated by:
A. Resistance to neck flexion
B. Involuntary flexion of the hips and knees
