NUR 2092 HEALTH ASSESSMENT FINAL
EXAM MASTERY QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
1. When assessing the carotid arteries, which action should the nurse take to ensure patient
safety and accuracy?
A. Palpate each carotid artery individually to avoid compromising cerebral blood flow.
B. Palpate both carotid arteries simultaneously to compare pulse volume.
C. Use the bell of the stethoscope to auscultate while the patient takes deep breaths.
D. Position the patient in a prone position to stabilize the neck muscles.
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Palpating both carotid arteries at the same time can cause a
syncopal episode by significantly reducing blood flow to the brain. They must be assessed
one at a time.
2. A nurse is performing a physical assessment on an older adult. Which finding is considered
a normal age-related change of the skin?
A. Increased skin elasticity and turgor.
,B. Increase in subcutaneous fat deposits.
C. Presence of senile lentigines (liver spots).
D. Increased activity of sweat and sebaceous glands.
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Senile lentigines are common, benign, flat, brown macules that
appear on sun-exposed areas of older adults. Skin elasticity, subcutaneous fat, and gland
activity typically decrease with age.
3. During an abdominal assessment, in which order should the nurse perform the
examination techniques?
A. Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion, Palpation
B. Inspection, Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation
C. Auscultation, Inspection, Palpation, Percussion
D. Percussion, Palpation, Auscultation, Inspection
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: For the abdomen, auscultation follows inspection and precedes
percussion/palpation to prevent the stimulation of bowel sounds, which could lead to
inaccurate assessment findings.
, 4. Which cranial nerve is primarily responsible for the motor function of the tongue during
speech and swallowing?
A. Cranial Nerve IX (Glossopharyngeal)
B. Cranial Nerve XII (Hypoglossal)
C. Cranial Nerve XI (Spinal Accessory)
D. Cranial Nerve X (Vagus)
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: CN XII, the Hypoglossal nerve, provides motor control for the
tongue muscles.
5. A patient presents with a ‘stabbing’ pain in the chest that worsens with deep inspiration.
This is most characteristic of which condition?
A. Myocardial Infarction
B. Stable Angina
C. Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
D. Pleuritic Chest Pain
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Pleuritic pain is typically sharp or stabbing and is aggravated by
breathing, coughing, or sneezing due to inflammation of the pleura.
EXAM MASTERY QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
1. When assessing the carotid arteries, which action should the nurse take to ensure patient
safety and accuracy?
A. Palpate each carotid artery individually to avoid compromising cerebral blood flow.
B. Palpate both carotid arteries simultaneously to compare pulse volume.
C. Use the bell of the stethoscope to auscultate while the patient takes deep breaths.
D. Position the patient in a prone position to stabilize the neck muscles.
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Palpating both carotid arteries at the same time can cause a
syncopal episode by significantly reducing blood flow to the brain. They must be assessed
one at a time.
2. A nurse is performing a physical assessment on an older adult. Which finding is considered
a normal age-related change of the skin?
A. Increased skin elasticity and turgor.
,B. Increase in subcutaneous fat deposits.
C. Presence of senile lentigines (liver spots).
D. Increased activity of sweat and sebaceous glands.
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Senile lentigines are common, benign, flat, brown macules that
appear on sun-exposed areas of older adults. Skin elasticity, subcutaneous fat, and gland
activity typically decrease with age.
3. During an abdominal assessment, in which order should the nurse perform the
examination techniques?
A. Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion, Palpation
B. Inspection, Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation
C. Auscultation, Inspection, Palpation, Percussion
D. Percussion, Palpation, Auscultation, Inspection
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: For the abdomen, auscultation follows inspection and precedes
percussion/palpation to prevent the stimulation of bowel sounds, which could lead to
inaccurate assessment findings.
, 4. Which cranial nerve is primarily responsible for the motor function of the tongue during
speech and swallowing?
A. Cranial Nerve IX (Glossopharyngeal)
B. Cranial Nerve XII (Hypoglossal)
C. Cranial Nerve XI (Spinal Accessory)
D. Cranial Nerve X (Vagus)
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: CN XII, the Hypoglossal nerve, provides motor control for the
tongue muscles.
5. A patient presents with a ‘stabbing’ pain in the chest that worsens with deep inspiration.
This is most characteristic of which condition?
A. Myocardial Infarction
B. Stable Angina
C. Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
D. Pleuritic Chest Pain
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Pleuritic pain is typically sharp or stabbing and is aggravated by
breathing, coughing, or sneezing due to inflammation of the pleura.
