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NU 518 Advanced Health Assessment
Exams 1–3 & Final Exam Study Guide |
2026/2027 Practice Questions with
Rationales
Master NU 518 Advanced Health Assessment with this
comprehensive exam bundle covering Exams 1, 2, 3, and
the Final Exam. Includes practice questions with verified
answers and clinical rationales on health history, cardiac,
respiratory, GU assessment, and diagnostic reasoning.
Aligned with University of South Alabama's graduate
nursing curriculum for 2026/2027. Ideal for MSN, FNP,
and AGACNP students preparing for exam success.
Practice Question 1
During a comprehensive health assessment, which component should the advanced
practice nurse perform FIRST?
A. Palpation
B. Percussion
C. Auscultation
D. Inspection
D. Inspection
Inspection is the foundational first step of the physical examination. It provides
baseline data about the patient's overall appearance, skin color, symmetry, and
body habitus before any hands-on techniques are performed.
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Practice Question 2
A 45-year-old male presents with chest pain that started 2 days ago and is located in
the center of his chest. When the nurse practitioner asks about the location of the
pain, which component of OLD CARTS is being addressed?
A. Onset
B. Location
C. Duration
D. Associated symptoms
B. Location
OLD CARTS stands for Onset, Location, Duration, Characteristics, Aggravating
factors, Relieving factors, Timing/Treatment, and Severity. The "Location"
component identifies the anatomical source or region of the symptom.
Practice Question 3
Which component of a SOAP note includes the patient's chief complaint and history
of present illness (HPI)?
A. Subjective
B. Objective
C. Assessment
D. Plan
A. Subjective
The Subjective section captures all information reported by the patient,
including the chief complaint, HPI, symptoms, feelings, and personal history.
Objective data are measurable findings obtained through physical examination,
laboratory tests, and diagnostic imaging.
Practice Question 4
The "CAGE" questionnaire is used to screen for which condition?
A. Depression
B. Anxiety
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C. Alcohol use disorder
D. Cognitive impairment
C. Alcohol use disorder
CAGE (Cut down, Annoyed, Guilty, Eye-opener) is a brief screening tool for
alcohol use disorder. A positive response to two or more items warrants further
assessment.
Practice Question 5
Which cranial nerve is responsible for visual acuity?
A. Cranial Nerve III (Oculomotor)
B. Cranial Nerve II (Optic)
C. Cranial Nerve V (Trigeminal)
D. Cranial Nerve VIII (Vestibulocochlear)
B. Cranial Nerve II (Optic)
Cranial Nerve II (Optic) is responsible for vision. Visual acuity is tested using a
Snellen chart. CN III controls eye movement and pupil constriction. CN V
controls facial sensation and mastication. CN VIII controls hearing and balance.
Practice Question 6
Which component of the health history is considered the "chief complaint"?
A. A comprehensive list of all past surgeries
B. The reason for the visit in the patient's own words
C. The review of systems for each body system
D. The family history of chronic diseases
B. The reason for the visit in the patient's own words
The chief complaint is a brief statement, preferably in the patient's own words,
that describes the primary reason for seeking care. It should be documented in
quotation marks when possible.
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Practice Question 7
An advanced practice nurse is performing a cardiovascular assessment. In which
order should the following techniques be performed?
A. Inspection, palpation, auscultation
B. Palpation, inspection, auscultation
C. Auscultation, palpation, inspection
D. Inspection, auscultation, palpation
A. Inspection, palpation, auscultation
The general order of physical examination is inspection, palpation, percussion,
and auscultation. For the cardiovascular system, inspection, palpation, and
auscultation is the standard sequence.
Practice Question 8
A patient reports a history of hypertension, diabetes, and asthma. Under which
section of the health history should this information be documented?
A. Chief complaint
B. Past medical history
C. Review of systems
D. Family history
B. Past medical history
The Past Medical History section includes significant illnesses, hospitalizations,
surgeries, and chronic conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, and asthma.
Practice Question 9
During an initial interview, you ask the patient, "Can you describe that for me?"
Which statement best describes the question?
A. It is the most risky type of question because the patient can say anything.
B. The question is asking for specific information.
C. The patient has discretion about the extent of the answer.
D. The answer can lead the interviewer away from the purpose of the interview.
C. The patient has discretion about the extent of the answer.
NU 518 Advanced Health Assessment
Exams 1–3 & Final Exam Study Guide |
2026/2027 Practice Questions with
Rationales
Master NU 518 Advanced Health Assessment with this
comprehensive exam bundle covering Exams 1, 2, 3, and
the Final Exam. Includes practice questions with verified
answers and clinical rationales on health history, cardiac,
respiratory, GU assessment, and diagnostic reasoning.
Aligned with University of South Alabama's graduate
nursing curriculum for 2026/2027. Ideal for MSN, FNP,
and AGACNP students preparing for exam success.
Practice Question 1
During a comprehensive health assessment, which component should the advanced
practice nurse perform FIRST?
A. Palpation
B. Percussion
C. Auscultation
D. Inspection
D. Inspection
Inspection is the foundational first step of the physical examination. It provides
baseline data about the patient's overall appearance, skin color, symmetry, and
body habitus before any hands-on techniques are performed.
,2|Page
Practice Question 2
A 45-year-old male presents with chest pain that started 2 days ago and is located in
the center of his chest. When the nurse practitioner asks about the location of the
pain, which component of OLD CARTS is being addressed?
A. Onset
B. Location
C. Duration
D. Associated symptoms
B. Location
OLD CARTS stands for Onset, Location, Duration, Characteristics, Aggravating
factors, Relieving factors, Timing/Treatment, and Severity. The "Location"
component identifies the anatomical source or region of the symptom.
Practice Question 3
Which component of a SOAP note includes the patient's chief complaint and history
of present illness (HPI)?
A. Subjective
B. Objective
C. Assessment
D. Plan
A. Subjective
The Subjective section captures all information reported by the patient,
including the chief complaint, HPI, symptoms, feelings, and personal history.
Objective data are measurable findings obtained through physical examination,
laboratory tests, and diagnostic imaging.
Practice Question 4
The "CAGE" questionnaire is used to screen for which condition?
A. Depression
B. Anxiety
,3|Page
C. Alcohol use disorder
D. Cognitive impairment
C. Alcohol use disorder
CAGE (Cut down, Annoyed, Guilty, Eye-opener) is a brief screening tool for
alcohol use disorder. A positive response to two or more items warrants further
assessment.
Practice Question 5
Which cranial nerve is responsible for visual acuity?
A. Cranial Nerve III (Oculomotor)
B. Cranial Nerve II (Optic)
C. Cranial Nerve V (Trigeminal)
D. Cranial Nerve VIII (Vestibulocochlear)
B. Cranial Nerve II (Optic)
Cranial Nerve II (Optic) is responsible for vision. Visual acuity is tested using a
Snellen chart. CN III controls eye movement and pupil constriction. CN V
controls facial sensation and mastication. CN VIII controls hearing and balance.
Practice Question 6
Which component of the health history is considered the "chief complaint"?
A. A comprehensive list of all past surgeries
B. The reason for the visit in the patient's own words
C. The review of systems for each body system
D. The family history of chronic diseases
B. The reason for the visit in the patient's own words
The chief complaint is a brief statement, preferably in the patient's own words,
that describes the primary reason for seeking care. It should be documented in
quotation marks when possible.
, 4|Page
Practice Question 7
An advanced practice nurse is performing a cardiovascular assessment. In which
order should the following techniques be performed?
A. Inspection, palpation, auscultation
B. Palpation, inspection, auscultation
C. Auscultation, palpation, inspection
D. Inspection, auscultation, palpation
A. Inspection, palpation, auscultation
The general order of physical examination is inspection, palpation, percussion,
and auscultation. For the cardiovascular system, inspection, palpation, and
auscultation is the standard sequence.
Practice Question 8
A patient reports a history of hypertension, diabetes, and asthma. Under which
section of the health history should this information be documented?
A. Chief complaint
B. Past medical history
C. Review of systems
D. Family history
B. Past medical history
The Past Medical History section includes significant illnesses, hospitalizations,
surgeries, and chronic conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, and asthma.
Practice Question 9
During an initial interview, you ask the patient, "Can you describe that for me?"
Which statement best describes the question?
A. It is the most risky type of question because the patient can say anything.
B. The question is asking for specific information.
C. The patient has discretion about the extent of the answer.
D. The answer can lead the interviewer away from the purpose of the interview.
C. The patient has discretion about the extent of the answer.
