NSG 6020 MIDTERM EXAM: ADVANCED
HEALTH ASSESSMENT QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS
1. When assessing a patient for a suspected aortic valve stenosis, where is the practitioner
most likely to hear the systolic murmur most clearly?
A. Second left intercostal space at the sternal border
B. Second right intercostal space at the sternal border
C. Fifth left intercostal space at the midclavicular line
D. Fourth left intercostal space at the lower left sternal border
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Aortic stenosis is best heard at the right second intercostal space
(aortic area) and often radiates to the carotid arteries.
2. Which physical examination maneuver is performed to assess for a possible meniscus tear
in the knee?
A. Lachman test
B. Anterior drawer test
C. McMurray test
,D. Bulge sign
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: The McMurray test involves rotation of the knee with flexion
and extension to identify clicks or pain indicative of a meniscal tear.
3. During a respiratory assessment, the practitioner notes increased tactile fremitus over the
right lower lobe. This finding is most consistent with:
A. Pneumothorax
B. Pleural effusion
C. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
D. Lobar pneumonia
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Tactile fremitus is increased in conditions where lung tissue is
consolidated, such as pneumonia, because sound travels better through solid/liquid media
than air.
4. A 45-year-old patient presents with sudden, severe right upper quadrant pain that radiates
to the right scapula. On examination, the patient stops breathing mid-inspiration during deep
palpation under the right costal margin. This is known as:
A. Rovsing sign
B. Murphy sign
, C. Psoas sign
D. Grey Turner sign
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Murphy sign is indicative of acute cholecystitis; it occurs when
the inflamed gallbladder touches the examiner’s hand during inspiration, causing the
patient to catch their breath.
5. To differentiate between conductive and sensorineural hearing loss, which test involves
placing a vibrating tuning fork on the midline of the patient’s skull?
A. Dix-Hallpike maneuver
B. Rinne test
C. Romberg test
D. Weber test
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: The Weber test checks for lateralization of sound. In conductive
loss, sound lateralizes to the impaired ear; in sensorineural loss, it lateralizes to the good
ear.
6. Which cranial nerve is responsible for the motor function of the tongue?
A. CN IX (Glossopharyngeal)
B. CN X (Vagus)
HEALTH ASSESSMENT QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS
1. When assessing a patient for a suspected aortic valve stenosis, where is the practitioner
most likely to hear the systolic murmur most clearly?
A. Second left intercostal space at the sternal border
B. Second right intercostal space at the sternal border
C. Fifth left intercostal space at the midclavicular line
D. Fourth left intercostal space at the lower left sternal border
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Aortic stenosis is best heard at the right second intercostal space
(aortic area) and often radiates to the carotid arteries.
2. Which physical examination maneuver is performed to assess for a possible meniscus tear
in the knee?
A. Lachman test
B. Anterior drawer test
C. McMurray test
,D. Bulge sign
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: The McMurray test involves rotation of the knee with flexion
and extension to identify clicks or pain indicative of a meniscal tear.
3. During a respiratory assessment, the practitioner notes increased tactile fremitus over the
right lower lobe. This finding is most consistent with:
A. Pneumothorax
B. Pleural effusion
C. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
D. Lobar pneumonia
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Tactile fremitus is increased in conditions where lung tissue is
consolidated, such as pneumonia, because sound travels better through solid/liquid media
than air.
4. A 45-year-old patient presents with sudden, severe right upper quadrant pain that radiates
to the right scapula. On examination, the patient stops breathing mid-inspiration during deep
palpation under the right costal margin. This is known as:
A. Rovsing sign
B. Murphy sign
, C. Psoas sign
D. Grey Turner sign
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Murphy sign is indicative of acute cholecystitis; it occurs when
the inflamed gallbladder touches the examiner’s hand during inspiration, causing the
patient to catch their breath.
5. To differentiate between conductive and sensorineural hearing loss, which test involves
placing a vibrating tuning fork on the midline of the patient’s skull?
A. Dix-Hallpike maneuver
B. Rinne test
C. Romberg test
D. Weber test
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: The Weber test checks for lateralization of sound. In conductive
loss, sound lateralizes to the impaired ear; in sensorineural loss, it lateralizes to the good
ear.
6. Which cranial nerve is responsible for the motor function of the tongue?
A. CN IX (Glossopharyngeal)
B. CN X (Vagus)
