Chamberlain College | Latest 2026/2027 Update (PDF)
1. A nurse is assessing a client's peripheral vascular system and notes that the client's left foot is cool
to the touch, pale when elevated, and dusky red when dependent. Which condition do these findings
most strongly suggest?
A) Venous insufficiency
B) Arterial insufficiency
C) Deep vein thrombosis
D) Lymphedema
Correct Answer: Arterial insufficiency
Rationale: Arterial insufficiency reduces blood flow, causing cool skin, pallor on elevation, and
dependent rubor due to reactive hyperemia. Venous insufficiency typically presents with warm skin,
edema, and brown discoloration. Deep vein thrombosis causes unilateral swelling and calf pain, not
dependent rubor. Lymphedema presents with non-pitting edema and normal skin color.
2. During an abdominal assessment, the nurse auscultates a bruit over the aorta. What is the most
appropriate interpretation of this finding?
A) A normal finding in thin clients
B) An indication of increased bowel motility
C) A sign of turbulent blood flow
D) A result of prior abdominal surgery
Correct Answer: A sign of turbulent blood flow
Rationale: A bruit indicates turbulent blood flow, often due to narrowing or aneurysm of the aorta. It
is not a normal finding. Increased bowel motility produces hyperactive bowel sounds. Prior surgery
may cause adhesions but does not directly produce a bruit.
,3. A nurse is testing a client's shoulder range of motion. Which movement involves raising the arm
laterally away from the body?
A) Flexion
B) Extension
C) Abduction
D) Adduction
Correct Answer: Abduction
Rationale: Abduction is movement away from the midline of the body, such as raising the arm
laterally. Flexion decreases the angle between bones. Extension increases the angle. Adduction moves
toward the midline.
4. When assessing cranial nerve VII, which action should the nurse ask the client to perform?
A) Clench the teeth
B) Smile and puff out the cheeks
C) Stick out the tongue
D) Shrug the shoulders
Correct Answer: Smile and puff out the cheeks
Rationale: Cranial nerve VII (facial) controls facial expressions, so smiling and puffing the cheeks tests
its function. Clenching teeth tests cranial nerve V (trigeminal). Sticking out the tongue tests cranial
nerve XII (hypoglossal). Shrugging shoulders tests cranial nerve XI (spinal accessory).
5. A nurse is preparing to assess the genitourinary system of a male client. Which instruction should
the nurse provide to ensure proper examination of the scrotum?
A) Bear down as if having a bowel movement
B) Hold the penis upward against the pubis
C) Lie on the right side with knees drawn up
D) Empty the bladder before the examination
, Correct Answer: Hold the penis upward against the pubis
Rationale: Holding the penis upward against the pubis allows the scrotum to be examined without
obstruction. Bearing down is used for hernia assessment. Lying on the side is for rectal examination.
Emptying the bladder is for abdominal examination.
6. A nurse is obtaining a health history from a client. Which statement by the client represents
subjective data?
A) The client's blood pressure is 150/90 mm Hg
B) The client's abdomen is soft and non-tender
C) The client reports a burning sensation when urinating
D) The client's skin is warm and dry
Correct Answer: The client reports a burning sensation when urinating
Rationale: Subjective data includes the client's perceptions and symptoms, such as a burning
sensation. Blood pressure, abdominal findings, and skin assessment are objective data obtained
through measurement and observation.
7. A nurse is assessing the peripheral pulses of a client. Which pulse is located behind the knee?
A) Femoral
B) Popliteal
C) Dorsalis pedis
D) Posterior tibial
Correct Answer: Popliteal
Rationale: The popliteal pulse is located behind the knee in the popliteal fossa. The femoral pulse is in
the groin. The dorsalis pedis is on the top of the foot. The posterior tibial is behind the medial
malleolus.