1
NSG 6020 3P EXAM VERIFIED QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1.
A 58-year-old patient reports a headache that began suddenly while lifting a heavy
object and describes it as the “worst headache of my life.” The patient has no
previous history of similar headaches. Which additional assessment finding would
make the clinician most concerned about a secondary intracranial process
requiring urgent evaluation?
A. Headache relieved by acetaminophen
B. Mild photophobia accompanying the headache
C. Headache occurring after skipping breakfast
D. Sudden onset associated with exertion and neck stiffness
Answer: D
2.
A 22-year-old woman presents with recurrent unilateral headaches associated
with nausea, photophobia, and visual symptoms that occur before the pain
begins. She reports that the episodes have followed the same pattern for several
years. Which finding is most consistent with migraine with aura?
A. Transient visual disturbance preceding the headache
B. Bilateral temporal pain with jaw claudication
C. Sudden maximal pain within seconds
D. Headache accompanied by persistent focal neurologic deficit
Answer: A
3.
A 67-year-old patient reports a new temporal headache accompanied by scalp
tenderness and pain when chewing. The patient also reports recently developing
blurred vision. Which diagnostic concern should receive the highest priority?
A. Tension-type headache
B. Giant cell arteritis
,2
C. Cluster headache
D. Trigeminal neuralgia
Answer: B
4.
During a neurologic examination, a patient is asked to smile, raise the eyebrows,
close both eyes tightly, and puff out the cheeks. Weakness is noted on the right
side of the face. Which cranial nerve is primarily being assessed?
A. Cranial nerve V
B. Cranial nerve VIII
C. Cranial nerve VII
D. Cranial nerve XII
Answer: C
5.
A 72-year-old patient reports gradually worsening difficulty remembering recent
conversations and appointments but remains socially appropriate and
independent with basic activities. Which additional finding would most strongly
suggest a neurocognitive disorder rather than normal aging?
A. Mildly slower recall of names
B. Occasional need for extra time to learn new technology
C. Increased concern about memory lapses
D. Progressive impairment interfering with instrumental activities of daily living
Answer: D
6.
A patient presents with dizziness that occurs when turning the head or rolling over
in bed. The episodes last less than one minute and are not associated with
hearing loss or syncope. Which condition is most consistent with this
presentation?
,3
A. Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo
B. Ménière disease
C. Vestibular neuritis
D. Orthostatic hypotension
Answer: A
7.
A 45-year-old patient reports intermittent palpitations and dizziness. During
examination, the clinician notes an irregularly irregular pulse. Which assessment
finding would most strongly support atrial fibrillation?
A. Regular rhythm with occasional premature beats
B. Irregular rhythm without a repeating pattern
C. Regular rhythm with a prolonged PR interval
D. Rapid regular rhythm with narrow QRS complexes
Answer: B
8.
A 64-year-old patient presents with progressive exertional dyspnea, orthopnea,
and bilateral lower-extremity edema. The clinician notes jugular venous distention
and bibasilar crackles. Which additional finding would most strongly support heart
failure?
A. Bounding peripheral pulses without edema
B. Unilateral calf tenderness
C. S3 heart sound
D. Inspiratory stridor
Answer: C
9.
A 51-year-old patient reports substernal chest pressure occurring when climbing
stairs and resolving after several minutes of rest. The patient denies chest
discomfort at rest. Which interpretation is most appropriate?
, 4
A. Acute pericarditis
B. Gastroesophageal reflux
C. Unstable angina
D. Stable exertional angina
Answer: D
10.
A 60-year-old patient presents with chest pressure, diaphoresis, nausea, and pain
radiating to the jaw. The patient appears pale and anxious. Which action should
receive the highest priority during the initial assessment?
A. Perform an immediate focused cardiovascular assessment and obtain an ECG
B. Obtain a detailed dietary history
C. Complete a musculoskeletal examination
D. Ask about the patient's usual sleep schedule
Answer: A
11.
A 39-year-old patient has a blood pressure of 166/98 mm Hg during an office visit.
The patient reports taking several over-the-counter cold medications. Which
medication history is most important to clarify?
A. Calcium supplementation
B. Decongestant use
C. Topical moisturizer use
D. Multivitamin use
Answer: B
12.
A patient with hypertension reports headaches and occasional dizziness but has
no acute neurologic deficits. The clinician wants to determine whether the blood
pressure elevation is persistent rather than situational. Which approach is most
appropriate?
NSG 6020 3P EXAM VERIFIED QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1.
A 58-year-old patient reports a headache that began suddenly while lifting a heavy
object and describes it as the “worst headache of my life.” The patient has no
previous history of similar headaches. Which additional assessment finding would
make the clinician most concerned about a secondary intracranial process
requiring urgent evaluation?
A. Headache relieved by acetaminophen
B. Mild photophobia accompanying the headache
C. Headache occurring after skipping breakfast
D. Sudden onset associated with exertion and neck stiffness
Answer: D
2.
A 22-year-old woman presents with recurrent unilateral headaches associated
with nausea, photophobia, and visual symptoms that occur before the pain
begins. She reports that the episodes have followed the same pattern for several
years. Which finding is most consistent with migraine with aura?
A. Transient visual disturbance preceding the headache
B. Bilateral temporal pain with jaw claudication
C. Sudden maximal pain within seconds
D. Headache accompanied by persistent focal neurologic deficit
Answer: A
3.
A 67-year-old patient reports a new temporal headache accompanied by scalp
tenderness and pain when chewing. The patient also reports recently developing
blurred vision. Which diagnostic concern should receive the highest priority?
A. Tension-type headache
B. Giant cell arteritis
,2
C. Cluster headache
D. Trigeminal neuralgia
Answer: B
4.
During a neurologic examination, a patient is asked to smile, raise the eyebrows,
close both eyes tightly, and puff out the cheeks. Weakness is noted on the right
side of the face. Which cranial nerve is primarily being assessed?
A. Cranial nerve V
B. Cranial nerve VIII
C. Cranial nerve VII
D. Cranial nerve XII
Answer: C
5.
A 72-year-old patient reports gradually worsening difficulty remembering recent
conversations and appointments but remains socially appropriate and
independent with basic activities. Which additional finding would most strongly
suggest a neurocognitive disorder rather than normal aging?
A. Mildly slower recall of names
B. Occasional need for extra time to learn new technology
C. Increased concern about memory lapses
D. Progressive impairment interfering with instrumental activities of daily living
Answer: D
6.
A patient presents with dizziness that occurs when turning the head or rolling over
in bed. The episodes last less than one minute and are not associated with
hearing loss or syncope. Which condition is most consistent with this
presentation?
,3
A. Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo
B. Ménière disease
C. Vestibular neuritis
D. Orthostatic hypotension
Answer: A
7.
A 45-year-old patient reports intermittent palpitations and dizziness. During
examination, the clinician notes an irregularly irregular pulse. Which assessment
finding would most strongly support atrial fibrillation?
A. Regular rhythm with occasional premature beats
B. Irregular rhythm without a repeating pattern
C. Regular rhythm with a prolonged PR interval
D. Rapid regular rhythm with narrow QRS complexes
Answer: B
8.
A 64-year-old patient presents with progressive exertional dyspnea, orthopnea,
and bilateral lower-extremity edema. The clinician notes jugular venous distention
and bibasilar crackles. Which additional finding would most strongly support heart
failure?
A. Bounding peripheral pulses without edema
B. Unilateral calf tenderness
C. S3 heart sound
D. Inspiratory stridor
Answer: C
9.
A 51-year-old patient reports substernal chest pressure occurring when climbing
stairs and resolving after several minutes of rest. The patient denies chest
discomfort at rest. Which interpretation is most appropriate?
, 4
A. Acute pericarditis
B. Gastroesophageal reflux
C. Unstable angina
D. Stable exertional angina
Answer: D
10.
A 60-year-old patient presents with chest pressure, diaphoresis, nausea, and pain
radiating to the jaw. The patient appears pale and anxious. Which action should
receive the highest priority during the initial assessment?
A. Perform an immediate focused cardiovascular assessment and obtain an ECG
B. Obtain a detailed dietary history
C. Complete a musculoskeletal examination
D. Ask about the patient's usual sleep schedule
Answer: A
11.
A 39-year-old patient has a blood pressure of 166/98 mm Hg during an office visit.
The patient reports taking several over-the-counter cold medications. Which
medication history is most important to clarify?
A. Calcium supplementation
B. Decongestant use
C. Topical moisturizer use
D. Multivitamin use
Answer: B
12.
A patient with hypertension reports headaches and occasional dizziness but has
no acute neurologic deficits. The clinician wants to determine whether the blood
pressure elevation is persistent rather than situational. Which approach is most
appropriate?
