NU 650 ADVANCED HEALTH
ASSESSMENT (2026) COMPREHENSIVE
EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. When assessing a patient for a suspected tension pneumothorax, which clinical finding
most distinguishes it from a simple pneumothorax?
A. Hyperresonance on percussion of the affected side
B. Tracheal deviation to the contralateral side
C. Decreased or absent breath sounds
D. Sudden onset of pleuritic chest pain
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: While both present with decreased breath sounds and
hyperresonance, tracheal deviation to the opposite (contralateral) side is a late and
hallmark sign of a tension pneumothorax due to increasing intrapleural pressure.
2. During a cardiac examination, a provider notes a late systolic murmur preceded by a mid-
systolic click. This is most characteristic of:
A. Aortic Stenosis
,B. Mitral Stenosis
C. Mitral Valve Prolapse
D. Tricuspid Regurgitation
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Mitral Valve Prolapse (MVP) is typically identified by a mid-
systolic click and a late systolic murmur. Standing or Valsalva maneuver usually makes the
click and murmur occur earlier in systole.
3. When performing the Weber test on a patient with unilateral conductive hearing loss in
the right ear, what is the expected result?
A. Sound lateralizes to the right ear
B. Sound lateralizes to the left ear
C. Sound is heard equally in both ears
D. Air conduction is greater than bone conduction
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: In conductive hearing loss, the sound lateralizes to the impaired
(affected) ear because the ‘room noise’ is not heard, making the vibration seem louder in
the ‘plugged’ ear.
, 4. A 65-year-old patient presents with sudden, severe eye pain, blurred vision, and seeing
‘halos’ around lights. On exam, the pupil is mid-dilated and non-reactive. What is the most
likely diagnosis?
A. Cataracts
B. Retinal Detachment
C. Macular Degeneration
D. Acute Angle-Closure Glaucoma
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Acute angle-closure glaucoma is a medical emergency
characterized by sudden pain, halos, and a fixed, mid-dilated pupil. Retinal detachment is
usually painless.
5. Which physical exam maneuver is most sensitive and specific for assessing an ACL (Anterior
Cruciate Ligament) tear?
A. Lachman Test
B. Anterior Drawer Test
C. McMurray Test
D. Valgus Stress Test
Answer: A
ASSESSMENT (2026) COMPREHENSIVE
EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. When assessing a patient for a suspected tension pneumothorax, which clinical finding
most distinguishes it from a simple pneumothorax?
A. Hyperresonance on percussion of the affected side
B. Tracheal deviation to the contralateral side
C. Decreased or absent breath sounds
D. Sudden onset of pleuritic chest pain
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: While both present with decreased breath sounds and
hyperresonance, tracheal deviation to the opposite (contralateral) side is a late and
hallmark sign of a tension pneumothorax due to increasing intrapleural pressure.
2. During a cardiac examination, a provider notes a late systolic murmur preceded by a mid-
systolic click. This is most characteristic of:
A. Aortic Stenosis
,B. Mitral Stenosis
C. Mitral Valve Prolapse
D. Tricuspid Regurgitation
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Mitral Valve Prolapse (MVP) is typically identified by a mid-
systolic click and a late systolic murmur. Standing or Valsalva maneuver usually makes the
click and murmur occur earlier in systole.
3. When performing the Weber test on a patient with unilateral conductive hearing loss in
the right ear, what is the expected result?
A. Sound lateralizes to the right ear
B. Sound lateralizes to the left ear
C. Sound is heard equally in both ears
D. Air conduction is greater than bone conduction
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: In conductive hearing loss, the sound lateralizes to the impaired
(affected) ear because the ‘room noise’ is not heard, making the vibration seem louder in
the ‘plugged’ ear.
, 4. A 65-year-old patient presents with sudden, severe eye pain, blurred vision, and seeing
‘halos’ around lights. On exam, the pupil is mid-dilated and non-reactive. What is the most
likely diagnosis?
A. Cataracts
B. Retinal Detachment
C. Macular Degeneration
D. Acute Angle-Closure Glaucoma
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Acute angle-closure glaucoma is a medical emergency
characterized by sudden pain, halos, and a fixed, mid-dilated pupil. Retinal detachment is
usually painless.
5. Which physical exam maneuver is most sensitive and specific for assessing an ACL (Anterior
Cruciate Ligament) tear?
A. Lachman Test
B. Anterior Drawer Test
C. McMurray Test
D. Valgus Stress Test
Answer: A
