GCU NSG 316 EXAM 2 - ADVANCED
HEALTH ASSESSMENT QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS
1. When performing a respiratory assessment on a patient with suspected lobar pneumonia,
which finding would the nurse expect during tactile fremitus?
A. Increased fremitus over the affected area
B. Absent fremitus over the affected area
C. Normal fremitus throughout
D. Decreased fremitus over the affected area
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Tactile fremitus is increased over areas of consolidation, such as
pneumonia, because lung tissue becomes denser and transmits vibrations more effectively
than air-filled tissue.
2. A nurse hears a high-pitched, scratchy sound at the left lower sternal border that increases
when the patient leans forward. This is most likely:
A. A Grade II systolic murmur
,B. An S3 gallop
C. A pericardial friction rub
D. A pleural friction rub
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: A pericardial friction rub is high-pitched and scratchy, typically
heard best at the left lower sternal border with the patient leaning forward; it is associated
with pericarditis.
3. In which order should the physical examination of the abdomen be performed to avoid
altering bowel sounds?
A. Inspection, Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation
B. Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion, Palpation
C. Auscultation, Inspection, Palpation, Percussion
D. Inspection, Percussion, Palpation, Auscultation
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Auscultation is performed immediately after inspection because
percussion and palpation can stimulate peristalsis and falsely increase bowel sounds.
4. During a neurological exam, the nurse asks the patient to puff out their cheeks and smile.
Which cranial nerve is being assessed?
A. Cranial Nerve VII (Facial)
, B. Cranial Nerve VI (Abducens)
C. Cranial Nerve V (Trigeminal)
D. Cranial Nerve IX (Glossopharyngeal)
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Cranial Nerve VII, the facial nerve, controls the muscles of facial
expression, including smiling and puffing out the cheeks.
5. A patient presents with a brownish discoloration of the skin on the lower legs and ankles,
along with edema. These are classic signs of:
A. Raynaud’s phenomenon
B. Peripheral arterial disease
C. Deep vein thrombosis
D. Chronic venous insufficiency
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Chronic venous insufficiency leads to hemosiderin staining
(brownish discoloration) due to breakdown of red blood cells in the tissue, often
accompanied by edema.
6. When percussing the lungs, a nurse identifies a ‘dull’ note. This finding is most likely
associated with:
A. Healthy lung tissue
HEALTH ASSESSMENT QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS
1. When performing a respiratory assessment on a patient with suspected lobar pneumonia,
which finding would the nurse expect during tactile fremitus?
A. Increased fremitus over the affected area
B. Absent fremitus over the affected area
C. Normal fremitus throughout
D. Decreased fremitus over the affected area
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Tactile fremitus is increased over areas of consolidation, such as
pneumonia, because lung tissue becomes denser and transmits vibrations more effectively
than air-filled tissue.
2. A nurse hears a high-pitched, scratchy sound at the left lower sternal border that increases
when the patient leans forward. This is most likely:
A. A Grade II systolic murmur
,B. An S3 gallop
C. A pericardial friction rub
D. A pleural friction rub
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: A pericardial friction rub is high-pitched and scratchy, typically
heard best at the left lower sternal border with the patient leaning forward; it is associated
with pericarditis.
3. In which order should the physical examination of the abdomen be performed to avoid
altering bowel sounds?
A. Inspection, Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation
B. Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion, Palpation
C. Auscultation, Inspection, Palpation, Percussion
D. Inspection, Percussion, Palpation, Auscultation
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Auscultation is performed immediately after inspection because
percussion and palpation can stimulate peristalsis and falsely increase bowel sounds.
4. During a neurological exam, the nurse asks the patient to puff out their cheeks and smile.
Which cranial nerve is being assessed?
A. Cranial Nerve VII (Facial)
, B. Cranial Nerve VI (Abducens)
C. Cranial Nerve V (Trigeminal)
D. Cranial Nerve IX (Glossopharyngeal)
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Cranial Nerve VII, the facial nerve, controls the muscles of facial
expression, including smiling and puffing out the cheeks.
5. A patient presents with a brownish discoloration of the skin on the lower legs and ankles,
along with edema. These are classic signs of:
A. Raynaud’s phenomenon
B. Peripheral arterial disease
C. Deep vein thrombosis
D. Chronic venous insufficiency
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Chronic venous insufficiency leads to hemosiderin staining
(brownish discoloration) due to breakdown of red blood cells in the tissue, often
accompanied by edema.
6. When percussing the lungs, a nurse identifies a ‘dull’ note. This finding is most likely
associated with:
A. Healthy lung tissue
