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Week 8 Health Assessment Practice Exam (Original)
EXAM | Latest Update | Original Questions & Answers
with Detailed Rationales | Graded A+
Exam Focus: Neurological system, musculoskeletal system, and
comprehensive review of previously covered systems.
Section 1: Neurological System – Cranial Nerves & Reflexes
1. When assessing the Deep Tendon Reflexes (DTRs) of a
patient, the nurse notes a very brisk response with clonus.
How should this be documented?
A) 1+
B) 2+
C) 4+
D) 3+
Answer: C
Rationale: A 4+ reflex is very brisk, hyperactive with clonus, and
indicative of disease. A 2+ reflex is normal, 1+ is diminished, and
3+ is brisker than average.
2. A nurse asks a patient to shrug their shoulders against
resistance. Which cranial nerve is being evaluated?
A) CN IX (Glossopharyngeal)
B) CN XI (Spinal Accessory)
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C) CN X (Vagus)
D) CN XII (Hypoglossal)
Answer: B
Rationale: Cranial Nerve XI (Spinal Accessory) supplies the
trapezius and sternomastoid muscles; shrugging tests its
strength.
3. A patient is unable to differentiate between sharp and dull
stimuli on the face. This indicates a problem with which
cranial nerve?
A) CN III
B) CN IV
C) CN VII
D) CN V
Answer: D
Rationale: CN V (Trigeminal) has three branches that provide
sensory information from the face.
4. Which cranial nerve is responsible for pupil constriction?
A) CN II
B) CN III
C) CN IV
D) CN VI
Answer: B
Rationale: CN III (oculomotor) contains parasympathetic fibers
that cause pupil constriction.
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5. A patient has a fixed, dilated pupil. This indicates
compression of which cranial nerve?
A) CN II
B) CN III
C) CN IV
D) CN VI
Answer: B
Rationale: A fixed, dilated pupil indicates CN III (oculomotor)
compression, often from uncal herniation.
6. Which cranial nerve is responsible for hearing and balance?
A) CN VII
B) CN VIII
C) CN IX
D) CN X
Answer: B
Rationale: CN VIII (vestibulocochlear) is responsible for hearing
and balance.
7. The nurse is assessing a patient's gag reflex. Which cranial
nerves are involved?
A) CN V and VII
B) CN IX and X
C) CN XI and XII
D) CN II and III
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Answer: B
Rationale: The gag reflex is mediated by CN IX (sensory) and CN
X (motor).
8. A patient is unable to stick out their tongue midline. Which
cranial nerve is affected?
A) CN X
B) CN XI
C) CN XII
D) CN VII
Answer: C
Rationale: CN XII (hypoglossal) controls tongue movement.
Deviation to one side indicates CN XII dysfunction.
9. Which cranial nerve is tested by asking the patient to follow
a finger with their eyes?
A) CN II, III, IV, VI
B) CN V, VII
C) CN VIII
D) CN IX, X
Answer: A
Rationale: Eye movement involves CN III (oculomotor), CN IV
(trochlear), and CN VI (abducens). CN II (optic) provides visual
input.
10. A patient has an absent corneal reflex. This may indicate
dysfunction of which cranial nerves?
Week 8 Health Assessment Practice Exam (Original)
EXAM | Latest Update | Original Questions & Answers
with Detailed Rationales | Graded A+
Exam Focus: Neurological system, musculoskeletal system, and
comprehensive review of previously covered systems.
Section 1: Neurological System – Cranial Nerves & Reflexes
1. When assessing the Deep Tendon Reflexes (DTRs) of a
patient, the nurse notes a very brisk response with clonus.
How should this be documented?
A) 1+
B) 2+
C) 4+
D) 3+
Answer: C
Rationale: A 4+ reflex is very brisk, hyperactive with clonus, and
indicative of disease. A 2+ reflex is normal, 1+ is diminished, and
3+ is brisker than average.
2. A nurse asks a patient to shrug their shoulders against
resistance. Which cranial nerve is being evaluated?
A) CN IX (Glossopharyngeal)
B) CN XI (Spinal Accessory)
,https://www.stuvia.com/user/performance
C) CN X (Vagus)
D) CN XII (Hypoglossal)
Answer: B
Rationale: Cranial Nerve XI (Spinal Accessory) supplies the
trapezius and sternomastoid muscles; shrugging tests its
strength.
3. A patient is unable to differentiate between sharp and dull
stimuli on the face. This indicates a problem with which
cranial nerve?
A) CN III
B) CN IV
C) CN VII
D) CN V
Answer: D
Rationale: CN V (Trigeminal) has three branches that provide
sensory information from the face.
4. Which cranial nerve is responsible for pupil constriction?
A) CN II
B) CN III
C) CN IV
D) CN VI
Answer: B
Rationale: CN III (oculomotor) contains parasympathetic fibers
that cause pupil constriction.
,https://www.stuvia.com/user/performance
5. A patient has a fixed, dilated pupil. This indicates
compression of which cranial nerve?
A) CN II
B) CN III
C) CN IV
D) CN VI
Answer: B
Rationale: A fixed, dilated pupil indicates CN III (oculomotor)
compression, often from uncal herniation.
6. Which cranial nerve is responsible for hearing and balance?
A) CN VII
B) CN VIII
C) CN IX
D) CN X
Answer: B
Rationale: CN VIII (vestibulocochlear) is responsible for hearing
and balance.
7. The nurse is assessing a patient's gag reflex. Which cranial
nerves are involved?
A) CN V and VII
B) CN IX and X
C) CN XI and XII
D) CN II and III
, https://www.stuvia.com/user/performance
Answer: B
Rationale: The gag reflex is mediated by CN IX (sensory) and CN
X (motor).
8. A patient is unable to stick out their tongue midline. Which
cranial nerve is affected?
A) CN X
B) CN XI
C) CN XII
D) CN VII
Answer: C
Rationale: CN XII (hypoglossal) controls tongue movement.
Deviation to one side indicates CN XII dysfunction.
9. Which cranial nerve is tested by asking the patient to follow
a finger with their eyes?
A) CN II, III, IV, VI
B) CN V, VII
C) CN VIII
D) CN IX, X
Answer: A
Rationale: Eye movement involves CN III (oculomotor), CN IV
(trochlear), and CN VI (abducens). CN II (optic) provides visual
input.
10. A patient has an absent corneal reflex. This may indicate
dysfunction of which cranial nerves?
