NURS 5220 / NURS5220 EXAM 2 — Advanced Health Assessment & Diagnostic Reasoning
EXAM OVERVIEW
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Title | NURS 5220 / NURS5220 Exam 2 — Advanced Health Assessment & Diagnostic
Reasoning |
| Course Focus | Advanced Health Assessment and Diagnostic Reasoning for Graduate Nursing |
| Total Questions | 300 Multiple-Choice Questions |
| Question Types | Multiple Choice (A, B, C, D) |
| Answer Format | Correct answer immediately following each question with detailed rationale
|
| Primary Focus | Neurological assessment, cranial nerves, cardiovascular assessment,
respiratory assessment, gastrointestinal assessment, genitourinary assessment, musculoskeletal
assessment, and clinical reasoning |
| Target Audience | Graduate nursing students (MSN, NP programs) — University of Texas at
Arlington (UTA) |
| Academic Year | 2026 |
| Verified | Yes — all answers verified with expert rationales |
---
TABLE OF CONTENTS
| Section | Topic | Questions |
,|---|---|---|
| 1 | Neurological Assessment — Mental Status & Cognitive Function | Q1–Q35 |
| 2 | Cranial Nerve Examination | Q36–Q70 |
| 3 | Motor, Sensory & Reflex Testing | Q71–Q100 |
| 4 | Cerebellar Function & Coordination | Q101–Q115 |
| 5 | Cardiovascular Assessment — Heart & Peripheral Vascular | Q116–Q150 |
| 6 | Respiratory Assessment | Q151–Q175 |
| 7 | Gastrointestinal & Abdominal Assessment | Q176–Q205 |
| 8 | Genitourinary & Male/Female Reproductive Assessment | Q206–Q230 |
| 9 | Musculoskeletal Assessment | Q231–Q255 |
| 10 | Clinical Reasoning & Differential Diagnosis | Q256–Q285 |
| 11 | HEENT Assessment | Q286–Q300 |
---
SECTION 1: NEUROLOGICAL ASSESSMENT — MENTAL STATUS & COGNITIVE FUNCTION
---
Q1. What part of the brain is primarily responsible for a patient's mental status?
A) Limbic System
B) Cerebrum
C) Reticular Activating System
D) Brainstem
,Answer: B
Rationale: The cerebrum is primarily responsible for mental status. It is divided into four lobes
(frontal, parietal, temporal, occipital), each playing a significant role in cognition, behavior, and
executive function. The limbic system controls emotions and motivation; the reticular activating
system regulates arousal and wakefulness.
---
Q2. Which structure controls behavioral patterns essential for survival, such as emotions and
motivation?
A) Limbic System
B) Cerebrum
C) Reticular Activating System
D) Hypothalamus
Answer: A
Rationale: The limbic system controls behavioral patterns essential for survival, including
emotions, motivation, and memory formation. It includes structures such as the amygdala,
hippocampus, and hypothalamus.
---
Q3. Which structure regulates the levels of wakefulness or arousal?
A) Limbic System
B) Cerebrum
C) Reticular Activating System
, D) Thalamus
Answer: C
Rationale: The reticular activating system (RAS) regulates wakefulness and arousal. It is a
network of neurons in the brainstem that filters sensory input and maintains consciousness.
---
Q4. What is Visual Agnosia?
A) Inability to hear sounds
B) Lack of ability to recognize common objects and demonstrate their use
C) Inability to speak
D) Loss of motor function
Answer: B
Rationale: Visual agnosia is the lack of ability to recognize common objects and demonstrate
their use in an activity. It is typically caused by damage to the occipital or temporal lobes.
---
Q5. A man is unable to recognize everyday objects and faces. What part of his brain is most
likely affected?
A) Frontal Lobe
B) Temporal Lobe
C) Occipital Lobe
EXAM OVERVIEW
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Title | NURS 5220 / NURS5220 Exam 2 — Advanced Health Assessment & Diagnostic
Reasoning |
| Course Focus | Advanced Health Assessment and Diagnostic Reasoning for Graduate Nursing |
| Total Questions | 300 Multiple-Choice Questions |
| Question Types | Multiple Choice (A, B, C, D) |
| Answer Format | Correct answer immediately following each question with detailed rationale
|
| Primary Focus | Neurological assessment, cranial nerves, cardiovascular assessment,
respiratory assessment, gastrointestinal assessment, genitourinary assessment, musculoskeletal
assessment, and clinical reasoning |
| Target Audience | Graduate nursing students (MSN, NP programs) — University of Texas at
Arlington (UTA) |
| Academic Year | 2026 |
| Verified | Yes — all answers verified with expert rationales |
---
TABLE OF CONTENTS
| Section | Topic | Questions |
,|---|---|---|
| 1 | Neurological Assessment — Mental Status & Cognitive Function | Q1–Q35 |
| 2 | Cranial Nerve Examination | Q36–Q70 |
| 3 | Motor, Sensory & Reflex Testing | Q71–Q100 |
| 4 | Cerebellar Function & Coordination | Q101–Q115 |
| 5 | Cardiovascular Assessment — Heart & Peripheral Vascular | Q116–Q150 |
| 6 | Respiratory Assessment | Q151–Q175 |
| 7 | Gastrointestinal & Abdominal Assessment | Q176–Q205 |
| 8 | Genitourinary & Male/Female Reproductive Assessment | Q206–Q230 |
| 9 | Musculoskeletal Assessment | Q231–Q255 |
| 10 | Clinical Reasoning & Differential Diagnosis | Q256–Q285 |
| 11 | HEENT Assessment | Q286–Q300 |
---
SECTION 1: NEUROLOGICAL ASSESSMENT — MENTAL STATUS & COGNITIVE FUNCTION
---
Q1. What part of the brain is primarily responsible for a patient's mental status?
A) Limbic System
B) Cerebrum
C) Reticular Activating System
D) Brainstem
,Answer: B
Rationale: The cerebrum is primarily responsible for mental status. It is divided into four lobes
(frontal, parietal, temporal, occipital), each playing a significant role in cognition, behavior, and
executive function. The limbic system controls emotions and motivation; the reticular activating
system regulates arousal and wakefulness.
---
Q2. Which structure controls behavioral patterns essential for survival, such as emotions and
motivation?
A) Limbic System
B) Cerebrum
C) Reticular Activating System
D) Hypothalamus
Answer: A
Rationale: The limbic system controls behavioral patterns essential for survival, including
emotions, motivation, and memory formation. It includes structures such as the amygdala,
hippocampus, and hypothalamus.
---
Q3. Which structure regulates the levels of wakefulness or arousal?
A) Limbic System
B) Cerebrum
C) Reticular Activating System
, D) Thalamus
Answer: C
Rationale: The reticular activating system (RAS) regulates wakefulness and arousal. It is a
network of neurons in the brainstem that filters sensory input and maintains consciousness.
---
Q4. What is Visual Agnosia?
A) Inability to hear sounds
B) Lack of ability to recognize common objects and demonstrate their use
C) Inability to speak
D) Loss of motor function
Answer: B
Rationale: Visual agnosia is the lack of ability to recognize common objects and demonstrate
their use in an activity. It is typically caused by damage to the occipital or temporal lobes.
---
Q5. A man is unable to recognize everyday objects and faces. What part of his brain is most
likely affected?
A) Frontal Lobe
B) Temporal Lobe
C) Occipital Lobe
