NR601 Midterm exam Practice Exam
2026| 250 Most Tested Questions
Collection & Verified Detailed Answers
| Tutor Verified Success Exam) Graded
A+
1. Which component of a comprehensive health history is most
useful for establishing the patient's primary reason for seeking care?
A. Review of systems
B. Family history
C. Chief complaint and history of present illness
D. Social history
The chief complaint identifies why the patient is seeking care, while
the HPI characterizes the problem in detail.
2. Which question is most appropriate when assessing the onset of a
patient's symptom?
A. "How severe is the symptom?"
B. "When did you first notice it?"
C. "What makes it better?"
D. "Does it radiate?"
Onset establishes when and how a symptom began.
3. Which finding is considered a normal physiologic change
associated with aging?
A. New focal neurologic deficit
B. Sudden hearing loss
C. Decreased skin elasticity
D. New unilateral edema
,Loss of skin elasticity is a common age-related change.
4. Which principle is most important when obtaining a patient's
medication history?
A. Document prescription drugs only
B. Ask only about recently prescribed medications
C. Include prescription, OTC, herbal, and supplemental products
D. Ask the patient to bring medications only if symptoms persist
Medication reconciliation should include all substances that could
affect health or interact with medications.
5. A patient reports chest discomfort. Which characteristic is most
concerning for myocardial ischemia?
A. Pain reproducible with palpation
B. Pain lasting one second
C. Pressure associated with exertion and relieved by rest
D. Pain occurring only when changing position
Exertional pressure relieved by rest is a classic pattern of stable
myocardial ischemia.
6. Which vital sign finding requires immediate further assessment in
an adult?
A. Pulse 72/min
B. Respirations 16/min
C. Blood pressure 118/72 mm Hg
D. Respirations 8/min
Marked bradypnea can indicate respiratory depression and impaired
ventilation.
7. Which finding is most consistent with orthostatic hypotension?
A. Increased blood pressure after standing
B. Significant blood-pressure reduction after standing
C. Increased heart rate while supine
D. Equal blood pressures in both arms
,Orthostatic hypotension occurs when blood pressure falls with
positional change.
8. Which technique improves accuracy when measuring blood
pressure?
A. Use a cuff that is too small
B. Measure immediately after exercise
C. Use an appropriately sized cuff with the arm supported at heart
level
D. Have the patient talk during the measurement
Proper cuff size, positioning, and rest improve measurement
accuracy.
9. Which symptom is most characteristic of hypoglycemia?
A. Polyuria
B. Polydipsia
C. Diaphoresis and tremulousness
D. Warm, dry skin
Adrenergic symptoms such as sweating, tremor, and palpitations
commonly occur during hypoglycemia.
10. A patient with diabetes reports polyuria and polydipsia. Which
laboratory finding would most likely accompany these symptoms?
A. Low serum glucose
B. Elevated serum glucose
C. Low serum sodium only
D. Elevated hemoglobin
Hyperglycemia produces osmotic diuresis, resulting in polyuria and
compensatory thirst.
11. Which physical examination technique is generally performed
first when examining the abdomen?
A. Palpation
B. Percussion
, C. Inspection
D. Auscultation
The standard abdominal sequence is inspection, auscultation,
percussion, and palpation.
12. Why is auscultation performed before palpation of the
abdomen?
A. Palpation improves bowel sounds
B. Palpation may alter bowel activity
C. Auscultation causes abdominal tenderness
D. Percussion eliminates bowel sounds
Manipulation of the abdomen can change bowel sounds, potentially
affecting assessment.
13. Which finding is most concerning for acute appendicitis?
A. Mild diffuse abdominal discomfort
B. Chronic constipation
C. Right lower-quadrant pain with anorexia and nausea
D. Pain relieved by eating
Right lower-quadrant pain with associated gastrointestinal
symptoms is characteristic of appendicitis.
14. Which finding suggests peritonitis?
A. Soft, nontender abdomen
B. Increased bowel sounds
C. Rebound tenderness and guarding
D. Mild epigastric discomfort
Guarding and rebound tenderness suggest inflammation of the
peritoneum.
15. Which cranial nerve is responsible for the sense of smell?
A. II
B. I
2026| 250 Most Tested Questions
Collection & Verified Detailed Answers
| Tutor Verified Success Exam) Graded
A+
1. Which component of a comprehensive health history is most
useful for establishing the patient's primary reason for seeking care?
A. Review of systems
B. Family history
C. Chief complaint and history of present illness
D. Social history
The chief complaint identifies why the patient is seeking care, while
the HPI characterizes the problem in detail.
2. Which question is most appropriate when assessing the onset of a
patient's symptom?
A. "How severe is the symptom?"
B. "When did you first notice it?"
C. "What makes it better?"
D. "Does it radiate?"
Onset establishes when and how a symptom began.
3. Which finding is considered a normal physiologic change
associated with aging?
A. New focal neurologic deficit
B. Sudden hearing loss
C. Decreased skin elasticity
D. New unilateral edema
,Loss of skin elasticity is a common age-related change.
4. Which principle is most important when obtaining a patient's
medication history?
A. Document prescription drugs only
B. Ask only about recently prescribed medications
C. Include prescription, OTC, herbal, and supplemental products
D. Ask the patient to bring medications only if symptoms persist
Medication reconciliation should include all substances that could
affect health or interact with medications.
5. A patient reports chest discomfort. Which characteristic is most
concerning for myocardial ischemia?
A. Pain reproducible with palpation
B. Pain lasting one second
C. Pressure associated with exertion and relieved by rest
D. Pain occurring only when changing position
Exertional pressure relieved by rest is a classic pattern of stable
myocardial ischemia.
6. Which vital sign finding requires immediate further assessment in
an adult?
A. Pulse 72/min
B. Respirations 16/min
C. Blood pressure 118/72 mm Hg
D. Respirations 8/min
Marked bradypnea can indicate respiratory depression and impaired
ventilation.
7. Which finding is most consistent with orthostatic hypotension?
A. Increased blood pressure after standing
B. Significant blood-pressure reduction after standing
C. Increased heart rate while supine
D. Equal blood pressures in both arms
,Orthostatic hypotension occurs when blood pressure falls with
positional change.
8. Which technique improves accuracy when measuring blood
pressure?
A. Use a cuff that is too small
B. Measure immediately after exercise
C. Use an appropriately sized cuff with the arm supported at heart
level
D. Have the patient talk during the measurement
Proper cuff size, positioning, and rest improve measurement
accuracy.
9. Which symptom is most characteristic of hypoglycemia?
A. Polyuria
B. Polydipsia
C. Diaphoresis and tremulousness
D. Warm, dry skin
Adrenergic symptoms such as sweating, tremor, and palpitations
commonly occur during hypoglycemia.
10. A patient with diabetes reports polyuria and polydipsia. Which
laboratory finding would most likely accompany these symptoms?
A. Low serum glucose
B. Elevated serum glucose
C. Low serum sodium only
D. Elevated hemoglobin
Hyperglycemia produces osmotic diuresis, resulting in polyuria and
compensatory thirst.
11. Which physical examination technique is generally performed
first when examining the abdomen?
A. Palpation
B. Percussion
, C. Inspection
D. Auscultation
The standard abdominal sequence is inspection, auscultation,
percussion, and palpation.
12. Why is auscultation performed before palpation of the
abdomen?
A. Palpation improves bowel sounds
B. Palpation may alter bowel activity
C. Auscultation causes abdominal tenderness
D. Percussion eliminates bowel sounds
Manipulation of the abdomen can change bowel sounds, potentially
affecting assessment.
13. Which finding is most concerning for acute appendicitis?
A. Mild diffuse abdominal discomfort
B. Chronic constipation
C. Right lower-quadrant pain with anorexia and nausea
D. Pain relieved by eating
Right lower-quadrant pain with associated gastrointestinal
symptoms is characteristic of appendicitis.
14. Which finding suggests peritonitis?
A. Soft, nontender abdomen
B. Increased bowel sounds
C. Rebound tenderness and guarding
D. Mild epigastric discomfort
Guarding and rebound tenderness suggest inflammation of the
peritoneum.
15. Which cranial nerve is responsible for the sense of smell?
A. II
B. I
