NSG 3160 HEALTH ASSESSMENT EXAM
2 - COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. During a thoracic assessment, the nurse notes increased tactile fremitus over the right
lower lobe. Which condition is most likely associated with this finding?
A. Pneumothorax
B. Pleural effusion
C. Lobar pneumonia
D. Asthma
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Increased tactile fremitus occurs with compression or
consolidation of lung tissue, such as in lobar pneumonia, which makes the lung more solid
and better at conducting vibrations.
2. When auscultating the heart, the nurse understands that the S1 heart sound is primarily
caused by which physiological event?
A. Closure of the semilunar valves
B. Filling of the ventricles during diastole
,C. Opening of the aortic valve
D. Closure of the atrioventricular (AV) valves
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: The first heart sound (S1) occurs with the closure of the AV
valves (mitral and tricuspid) and signals the beginning of systole.
3. What is the correct sequence for performing an abdominal assessment?
A. Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion, Palpation
B. Inspection, Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation
C. Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation, Inspection
D. Auscultation, Inspection, Palpation, Percussion
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Auscultation is performed before percussion and palpation to
prevent the stimulation of bowel sounds, which could lead to false findings.
4. The nurse is testing a patient’s Cranial Nerve III (Oculomotor). Which assessment finding
would indicate a dysfunction of this nerve?
A. Inability to smell aromatic substances
B. Inability to clench the jaw
C. Loss of hearing in the left ear
, D. Ptosis (drooping of the upper eyelid)
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: CN III (Oculomotor) is responsible for most eye movements,
pupil constriction, and keeping the eyelid open. Ptosis indicates a problem with the levator
palpebrae muscle controlled by CN III.
5. A patient presents with chronic venous insufficiency. Which physical finding is the nurse
most likely to observe?
A. Brownish discoloration of the lower legs (hemosiderin staining)
B. Pale, cool skin with diminished pulses
C. Thin, shiny skin with loss of hair
D. Punched-out ulcers on the toes
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Chronic venous insufficiency causes blood to pool in the lower
legs, leading to high pressure and RBC leakage into the tissue, resulting in characteristic
brown pigmentation.
6. Which clinical finding differentiates Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) from Osteoarthritis (OA)?
A. Symmetrical joint swelling and morning stiffness lasting > 1 hour
B. Unilateral joint involvement
C. Joint pain that is worse at the end of the day
2 - COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. During a thoracic assessment, the nurse notes increased tactile fremitus over the right
lower lobe. Which condition is most likely associated with this finding?
A. Pneumothorax
B. Pleural effusion
C. Lobar pneumonia
D. Asthma
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Increased tactile fremitus occurs with compression or
consolidation of lung tissue, such as in lobar pneumonia, which makes the lung more solid
and better at conducting vibrations.
2. When auscultating the heart, the nurse understands that the S1 heart sound is primarily
caused by which physiological event?
A. Closure of the semilunar valves
B. Filling of the ventricles during diastole
,C. Opening of the aortic valve
D. Closure of the atrioventricular (AV) valves
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: The first heart sound (S1) occurs with the closure of the AV
valves (mitral and tricuspid) and signals the beginning of systole.
3. What is the correct sequence for performing an abdominal assessment?
A. Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion, Palpation
B. Inspection, Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation
C. Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation, Inspection
D. Auscultation, Inspection, Palpation, Percussion
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Auscultation is performed before percussion and palpation to
prevent the stimulation of bowel sounds, which could lead to false findings.
4. The nurse is testing a patient’s Cranial Nerve III (Oculomotor). Which assessment finding
would indicate a dysfunction of this nerve?
A. Inability to smell aromatic substances
B. Inability to clench the jaw
C. Loss of hearing in the left ear
, D. Ptosis (drooping of the upper eyelid)
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: CN III (Oculomotor) is responsible for most eye movements,
pupil constriction, and keeping the eyelid open. Ptosis indicates a problem with the levator
palpebrae muscle controlled by CN III.
5. A patient presents with chronic venous insufficiency. Which physical finding is the nurse
most likely to observe?
A. Brownish discoloration of the lower legs (hemosiderin staining)
B. Pale, cool skin with diminished pulses
C. Thin, shiny skin with loss of hair
D. Punched-out ulcers on the toes
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Chronic venous insufficiency causes blood to pool in the lower
legs, leading to high pressure and RBC leakage into the tissue, resulting in characteristic
brown pigmentation.
6. Which clinical finding differentiates Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) from Osteoarthritis (OA)?
A. Symmetrical joint swelling and morning stiffness lasting > 1 hour
B. Unilateral joint involvement
C. Joint pain that is worse at the end of the day
