Page 1 of 47
D120 - COMPREHENSIVE ADULT HEALTH
STUDY GUIDE ( 100 ) PRACTICE QUESTIONS
WITH RADICLE RATIONALES
Nursing
Exam coverage:
• Section 1 (Q1–25): Physical examination techniques –
inspection, auscultation, percussion, palpation sequence;
skin, nail, and neurologic assessment; respiratory and
basic head-to-toe evaluation.
• Section 2 (Q26–40): Cardiovascular assessment – heart
sounds, murmurs, JVP, peripheral vascular assessment,
orthostatic hypotension, and arterial/venous insufficiency.
• Section 3 (Q41–55): Respiratory assessment – normal and
adventitious breath sounds, percussion findings, vocal
fremitus, pneumothorax, pleural effusion, COPD, asthma,
and diaphragmatic excursion.
• Section 4 (Q56–70): Abdominal assessment – correct
sequence, organ locations, bowel sounds, Murphy's sign,
appendicitis, cholecystitis, ascites, liver span, and
abdominal aortic aneurysm.
• Section 5 (Q71–85): Neurologic assessment – cranial
nerves, deep tendon reflexes, cerebellar coordination,
meningeal signs (Brudzinski's and Kernig's), and stroke
recognition.
, Page 2 of 47
• Section 6 (Q86–95): Musculoskeletal assessment – joint-
specific tests (Phalen's, McMurray's, Lachman's, Hawkins-
Kennedy), osteoarthritis vs. rheumatoid arthritis, and range
of motion.
• Section 7 (Q96–100): HEENT assessment – cranial nerve II
evaluation, hypertensive retinopathy, otitis media, hearing
tests (Rinne/Weber), and oral thrush
1. Which sequence represents the correct order of
techniques for a comprehensive adult physical
examination?
• A. Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation, Inspection
• B. Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion, Palpation
• C. Inspection, Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation
• D. Auscultation, Inspection, Palpation, Percussion
• CORRECT: B. RATIONALE: The correct sequence for
physical assessment is Inspection → Auscultation →
Percussion → Palpation . Auscultation is performed before
percussion and palpation to avoid altering bowel or breath
sounds through manipulation .
, Page 3 of 47
2. What is the normal angle of the fingernail base when
assessing for clubbing?
• A. 90 degrees
• B. 120 degrees
• C. 160 degrees
• D. 180 degrees
• CORRECT: C. RATIONALE: The normal angle between the
fingernail and the point where the nail enters the skin is
approximately 160 degrees. Clubbing occurs when this
angle increases to 180 degrees or more, indicating chronic
tissue hypoxia .
3. Which finding indicates a positive Babinski response
during a neurologic examination?
• A. Flexion of the toes
• B. Extension of the big toe with fanning of other toes
• C. No movement of the toes
• D. Plantar flexion of the foot
• CORRECT: B. RATIONALE: A positive Babinski response is
characterized by extension of the big toe, often
accompanied by fanning of the other toes . This is an
abnormal finding in adults indicating upper motor neuron
dysfunction .
4. What does the Romberg test assess during a neurologic
examination?
, Page 4 of 47
• A. Muscle strength of the lower extremities
• B. Cerebellar function and posterior column integrity
• C. Cranial nerve function
• D. Deep tendon reflexes
• CORRECT: B. RATIONALE: The Romberg test screens for
cerebellar function and posterior column integrity. A
positive Romberg sign occurs when the patient can stand
with eyes open but loses balance with eyes closed .
5. When auscultating the lungs, which finding is most
consistent with lung consolidation?
• A. Vesicular breath sounds
• B. Bronchial breath sounds with increased tactile fremitus
• C. Diminished breath sounds
• D. Absent breath sounds
• CORRECT: B. RATIONALE: Lung consolidation produces
bronchial breath sounds, increased tactile fremitus, and
dullness to percussion. These findings indicate
solidification of lung tissue, as seen in pneumonia .
6. Which of the following best describes the appropriate
technique for using the bell of the stethoscope?
• A. Hold firmly against the skin to create a seal
• B. Hold lightly against the skin to detect low-pitched
sounds
• C. Press firmly to detect high-pitched sounds
• D. Use only for respiratory assessment
D120 - COMPREHENSIVE ADULT HEALTH
STUDY GUIDE ( 100 ) PRACTICE QUESTIONS
WITH RADICLE RATIONALES
Nursing
Exam coverage:
• Section 1 (Q1–25): Physical examination techniques –
inspection, auscultation, percussion, palpation sequence;
skin, nail, and neurologic assessment; respiratory and
basic head-to-toe evaluation.
• Section 2 (Q26–40): Cardiovascular assessment – heart
sounds, murmurs, JVP, peripheral vascular assessment,
orthostatic hypotension, and arterial/venous insufficiency.
• Section 3 (Q41–55): Respiratory assessment – normal and
adventitious breath sounds, percussion findings, vocal
fremitus, pneumothorax, pleural effusion, COPD, asthma,
and diaphragmatic excursion.
• Section 4 (Q56–70): Abdominal assessment – correct
sequence, organ locations, bowel sounds, Murphy's sign,
appendicitis, cholecystitis, ascites, liver span, and
abdominal aortic aneurysm.
• Section 5 (Q71–85): Neurologic assessment – cranial
nerves, deep tendon reflexes, cerebellar coordination,
meningeal signs (Brudzinski's and Kernig's), and stroke
recognition.
, Page 2 of 47
• Section 6 (Q86–95): Musculoskeletal assessment – joint-
specific tests (Phalen's, McMurray's, Lachman's, Hawkins-
Kennedy), osteoarthritis vs. rheumatoid arthritis, and range
of motion.
• Section 7 (Q96–100): HEENT assessment – cranial nerve II
evaluation, hypertensive retinopathy, otitis media, hearing
tests (Rinne/Weber), and oral thrush
1. Which sequence represents the correct order of
techniques for a comprehensive adult physical
examination?
• A. Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation, Inspection
• B. Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion, Palpation
• C. Inspection, Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation
• D. Auscultation, Inspection, Palpation, Percussion
• CORRECT: B. RATIONALE: The correct sequence for
physical assessment is Inspection → Auscultation →
Percussion → Palpation . Auscultation is performed before
percussion and palpation to avoid altering bowel or breath
sounds through manipulation .
, Page 3 of 47
2. What is the normal angle of the fingernail base when
assessing for clubbing?
• A. 90 degrees
• B. 120 degrees
• C. 160 degrees
• D. 180 degrees
• CORRECT: C. RATIONALE: The normal angle between the
fingernail and the point where the nail enters the skin is
approximately 160 degrees. Clubbing occurs when this
angle increases to 180 degrees or more, indicating chronic
tissue hypoxia .
3. Which finding indicates a positive Babinski response
during a neurologic examination?
• A. Flexion of the toes
• B. Extension of the big toe with fanning of other toes
• C. No movement of the toes
• D. Plantar flexion of the foot
• CORRECT: B. RATIONALE: A positive Babinski response is
characterized by extension of the big toe, often
accompanied by fanning of the other toes . This is an
abnormal finding in adults indicating upper motor neuron
dysfunction .
4. What does the Romberg test assess during a neurologic
examination?
, Page 4 of 47
• A. Muscle strength of the lower extremities
• B. Cerebellar function and posterior column integrity
• C. Cranial nerve function
• D. Deep tendon reflexes
• CORRECT: B. RATIONALE: The Romberg test screens for
cerebellar function and posterior column integrity. A
positive Romberg sign occurs when the patient can stand
with eyes open but loses balance with eyes closed .
5. When auscultating the lungs, which finding is most
consistent with lung consolidation?
• A. Vesicular breath sounds
• B. Bronchial breath sounds with increased tactile fremitus
• C. Diminished breath sounds
• D. Absent breath sounds
• CORRECT: B. RATIONALE: Lung consolidation produces
bronchial breath sounds, increased tactile fremitus, and
dullness to percussion. These findings indicate
solidification of lung tissue, as seen in pneumonia .
6. Which of the following best describes the appropriate
technique for using the bell of the stethoscope?
• A. Hold firmly against the skin to create a seal
• B. Hold lightly against the skin to detect low-pitched
sounds
• C. Press firmly to detect high-pitched sounds
• D. Use only for respiratory assessment
