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Week 5 Health Assessment Practice Exam (Original) EXAM | Latest Update | Original
Questions & Answers with Detailed Rationales | Graded A+
Exam Focus: Musculoskeletal system, neurologic system,
mental status, and special populations assessment.
Section 1: Musculoskeletal System Assessment
1. The nurse is assessing a patient's muscle strength. The
patient is able to move the limb through a full range of motion
against gravity but not against resistance. What grade should
the nurse document?
A) 5/5
B) 4/5
C) 3/5
D) 2/5
Answer: C
Rationale: Muscle strength grading: 5/5 = normal, full ROM
against gravity and resistance; 4/5 = full ROM against gravity
with some resistance; 3/5 = full ROM against gravity only; 2/5 =
full ROM with gravity eliminated; 1/5 = trace contraction; 0/5 =
no contraction.
2. A patient with degenerative joint disease reports knee pain
and swelling. Which assessment should the nurse practitioner
use to check for effusion of the patient's knee?
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A) Thomas test
B) Tinel test
C) Bulge test
D) Phalen test
Answer: C
Rationale: The bulge test (or ballottement test) is used to
assess for knee effusion. The Thomas test assesses hip flexion
contracture. Tinel and Phalen tests assess for carpal tunnel
syndrome.
3. The nurse is assessing a patient's range of motion. Which
finding is considered abnormal?
A) Flexion of the knee to 135 degrees
B) Extension of the elbow to 0 degrees
C) Crepitus during joint movement
D) Abduction of the shoulder to 180 degrees
Answer: C
Rationale: Crepitus (a grating or crackling sensation) during
joint movement is an abnormal finding that may indicate
osteoarthritis or cartilage damage.
4. A patient has a positive Phalen test. This finding is most
consistent with:
A) Carpal tunnel syndrome
B) Tennis elbow
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C) Rotator cuff injury
D) Plantar fasciitis
Answer: A
Rationale: A positive Phalen test (reproduction of
numbness/tingling with wrist flexion) is a classic sign of carpal
tunnel syndrome.
5. Which test assesses for hip flexion contracture?
A) Thomas test
B) Trendelenburg test
C) McMurray test
D) Lachman test
Answer: A
Rationale: The Thomas test assesses for hip flexion contracture
by having the patient lie supine and flex one hip; if the opposite
leg rises, a flexion contracture is present.
6. The nurse is assessing a patient's temporomandibular joint
(TMJ). Which finding is abnormal?
A) Smooth movement when opening the mouth
B) Crepitus with jaw movement
C) Symmetrical jaw movement
D) No pain with palpation
Answer: B
Rationale: Crepitus with jaw movement may indicate TMJ
dysfunction or arthritis.
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7. A patient has a positive McMurray test. This finding
suggests:
A) Meniscal tear
B) ACL tear
C) Hip fracture
D) Ankle sprain
Answer: A
Rationale: The McMurray test assesses for meniscal tears in the
knee by rotating the tibia while flexing and extending the knee.
8. Which of the following is a normal age-related change in the
musculoskeletal system?
A) Increased bone density
B) Decreased muscle mass
C) Increased joint flexibility
D) Decreased risk of fractures
Answer: B
Rationale: Normal age-related changes include decreased
muscle mass (sarcopenia), decreased bone density, decreased
joint flexibility, and increased risk of fractures.
9. The nurse is assessing a patient for scoliosis. Which
technique is correct?
A) Ask the patient to bend forward at the waist
B) Ask the patient to lie supine
Week 5 Health Assessment Practice Exam (Original) EXAM | Latest Update | Original
Questions & Answers with Detailed Rationales | Graded A+
Exam Focus: Musculoskeletal system, neurologic system,
mental status, and special populations assessment.
Section 1: Musculoskeletal System Assessment
1. The nurse is assessing a patient's muscle strength. The
patient is able to move the limb through a full range of motion
against gravity but not against resistance. What grade should
the nurse document?
A) 5/5
B) 4/5
C) 3/5
D) 2/5
Answer: C
Rationale: Muscle strength grading: 5/5 = normal, full ROM
against gravity and resistance; 4/5 = full ROM against gravity
with some resistance; 3/5 = full ROM against gravity only; 2/5 =
full ROM with gravity eliminated; 1/5 = trace contraction; 0/5 =
no contraction.
2. A patient with degenerative joint disease reports knee pain
and swelling. Which assessment should the nurse practitioner
use to check for effusion of the patient's knee?
,https://www.stuvia.com/user/performance
A) Thomas test
B) Tinel test
C) Bulge test
D) Phalen test
Answer: C
Rationale: The bulge test (or ballottement test) is used to
assess for knee effusion. The Thomas test assesses hip flexion
contracture. Tinel and Phalen tests assess for carpal tunnel
syndrome.
3. The nurse is assessing a patient's range of motion. Which
finding is considered abnormal?
A) Flexion of the knee to 135 degrees
B) Extension of the elbow to 0 degrees
C) Crepitus during joint movement
D) Abduction of the shoulder to 180 degrees
Answer: C
Rationale: Crepitus (a grating or crackling sensation) during
joint movement is an abnormal finding that may indicate
osteoarthritis or cartilage damage.
4. A patient has a positive Phalen test. This finding is most
consistent with:
A) Carpal tunnel syndrome
B) Tennis elbow
,https://www.stuvia.com/user/performance
C) Rotator cuff injury
D) Plantar fasciitis
Answer: A
Rationale: A positive Phalen test (reproduction of
numbness/tingling with wrist flexion) is a classic sign of carpal
tunnel syndrome.
5. Which test assesses for hip flexion contracture?
A) Thomas test
B) Trendelenburg test
C) McMurray test
D) Lachman test
Answer: A
Rationale: The Thomas test assesses for hip flexion contracture
by having the patient lie supine and flex one hip; if the opposite
leg rises, a flexion contracture is present.
6. The nurse is assessing a patient's temporomandibular joint
(TMJ). Which finding is abnormal?
A) Smooth movement when opening the mouth
B) Crepitus with jaw movement
C) Symmetrical jaw movement
D) No pain with palpation
Answer: B
Rationale: Crepitus with jaw movement may indicate TMJ
dysfunction or arthritis.
, https://www.stuvia.com/user/performance
7. A patient has a positive McMurray test. This finding
suggests:
A) Meniscal tear
B) ACL tear
C) Hip fracture
D) Ankle sprain
Answer: A
Rationale: The McMurray test assesses for meniscal tears in the
knee by rotating the tibia while flexing and extending the knee.
8. Which of the following is a normal age-related change in the
musculoskeletal system?
A) Increased bone density
B) Decreased muscle mass
C) Increased joint flexibility
D) Decreased risk of fractures
Answer: B
Rationale: Normal age-related changes include decreased
muscle mass (sarcopenia), decreased bone density, decreased
joint flexibility, and increased risk of fractures.
9. The nurse is assessing a patient for scoliosis. Which
technique is correct?
A) Ask the patient to bend forward at the waist
B) Ask the patient to lie supine
