NURS 5220 ADULT SOAP NOTE
UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT ARLINGTON
PRACTICE EXAMINATION 2026
QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS GRADED A+
◍ SOAP (subjective, objective, assessment, plan) notesMental
StatusObjective.
Answer: Physical appearanceBehaviorFacial ExpressionBody
languageAppropriate Eye contactLevel of consciousnessResponse to
questionsReasoningEmotionSpeechLanguage
◍ Diagnostic positions test (6 cardinal positions of gaze).
Answer: a. The 6 muscles that attach the eyeball toits orbit and serve to
direct the eye topoints of interest are tested.b. Client holds head still and is
asked tomove his or her eyes and follow asmall object.c. The examiner
notes any parallelmovements of the eye or nystagmus, an involuntary,
rhythmic, rapid twitching of the eyeballs.d. This assessment tests cranial
nerves III, IV, and VI, oculomotor, trochlear, and abducens, respectively
◍ Actinic Keratoses.
Answer: Potentially premalignant lesions, but most do not convert to skin
cancer. Appear in sun-exposed areas of skin.
◍ Lupus.
Answer: Chronic connective tissue disorder that manifests with specific
dermatological findings- associated with photosensitivity, butterfly rash.
◍ ABCDE self-examination of the skin.
Answer: Encourage performing self-examination of the skin for lesions
monthly using the ABCDE (asymmetry, border irregularity, color variance,
, diameter greater than 6 mm, evolving size, shape, and color) mnemonic.
◍ Abnormal breath sounds (Adventitious)Coarse crackles.
Answer: Low-pitched, bubbling or gurgling sounds that start early in
inspiration and extend into the first part of expiration. Not cleared by
cough.May be heard in pneumonia, heart failure, asthma, and restrictive
pulmonary diseasesThe condition is worse or may be heard in terminally ill
clients with diminished gag reflex. Also heard in pulmonary edema and
pulmonary fibrosis.
◍ SOAP (subjective, objective, assessment, plan) notesReview of
systemsGeneral or constitutional systems:Subjetive/Objetive.
Answer: Fever, Malaise, Night sweats, Fatigue, Unintentional weight loss or
gain, Overall behavior.
◍ Vestibular AssessmentTest for Past Pointing.
Answer: Test for Past Pointing1. The client sits in front of the examiner.2.
The client closes the eyes and extends the arms in front, pointing both index
finger at the examiner.3. The examiner holds and touches his or her own
extended index fingers under the client's extendedindex fingers to give the
client a point of reference.4. The client is instructed to raise both arms and
then lower them, attempting to return to the examiner's extended index
fingers.5. The normal test response is that the client can easily return to the
point of reference.6. The client with a vestibular function problem lacks a
normal sense of position and cannot return the extended fingers to the point
of reference; instead, the fingers deviate to the right or left of the reference
point.
◍ TMJ.
Answer: Transmadibular joint - feel for clicking in the joint when opening
and closing jaw. Refer to dentist/maxillofacial specialist.
◍ URI.
Answer: Upper respiratory infection, commonly associated with otitis
media.
,◍ Ulnar Pulse.
Answer: Located on the opposite side of the location of the radial pulse at
wrist.
◍ Turgor.
Answer: Skin assessment that indicates hydration and age. Skin should feel
resilient and return to place quickly after a fold is lifted.
◍ Nystatin.
Answer: Medication used to treat thrush.
◍ Scleroderma.
Answer: Chronic, rare autoimmune disease causing the immune system to
produce excess collagen, resulting in thickened, hardened skin,
inflammation, and potential damage to blood vessels and internal organs.
◍ Comprehensive Exam.
Answer: Assessing and asking about everything- annual wellness visits,
establishing care visits, or doing a physical.
◍ Thyroid gland.
Answer: Inspect the neck as the client takes a sip of water and swallows
(thyroid tissue moves up with a swallow); palpate using an
anterior-posterior approach (usually the normal adult thyroid cannot be
palpated); if it is enlarged, auscultate for a bruit.
◍ SOAP (subjective, objective, assessment, plan) notesAssessment.
Answer: -Diagnosis with rationale-Rationale derived from subjective
data-Symptoms can be diagnoses -There may be a list of differential
diagnoses which are suspected diagnoses that are yet to be confirmed.-May
include anticipated problems such as progression of disease or complication
◍ Acanthosis Nigricans.
Answer: May be normal variant or associated with insulin resistance.
Characteristics- progressively growing hyperpigmented area, might be
pruritic, often located in axilla, neck, and groin.
, ◍ Objective Information.
Answer: All the things you observe in exam plus vitals, and
diagnostic/imaging results.
◍ Popliteal Pulse.
Answer: Located behind the knee
◍ Squamous Cell Carcinoma.
Answer: Second in prevalence only to basal cell carcinoma. Nonhealing
lesion that is scaly and usually growing, often tender.
◍ SOAP (subjective, objective, assessment, plan) notesVasculatureObjective.
Answer: PulsesJugular venous distention or pulsationCarotidAbdominal
aorticTemporalRenalIliacFemoral artery bruitTemperatureColorSkin
textureHair distributionEdemaNailbedsTenderness
◍ Posterior Tibial Pulse.
Answer: Located on the inside of the ankle, behind and below the medial
malleolus (ankle bone).
◍ How to respond to Bell's palsy.
Answer: High dose corticosteroids x 10 days, antiviral optional and only
within 72h of onset
◍ Deep tendon reflexes.
Answer: a. Includes testing the following reflexes:biceps, triceps,
brachioradialis, patella,Achillesb. Limb should be relaxed.c. The tendon is
tapped quickly with areflex hammer, which should causecontraction of
muscle.
◍ SOAP (subjective, objective, assessment, plan) notesNoseObjective.
Answer: AppearancePatencyDischargePolypsTurbinatesSeptumSinusTendernessOdo
◍ Plantar reflex.
Answer: a. A cutaneous (superficial) reflex is tested with a pointed but not
sharp object.b. The sole of the client's foot is stroked from the heel, up the
lateral side, and then across the ball of the foot to the medial side.c. The
UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT ARLINGTON
PRACTICE EXAMINATION 2026
QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS GRADED A+
◍ SOAP (subjective, objective, assessment, plan) notesMental
StatusObjective.
Answer: Physical appearanceBehaviorFacial ExpressionBody
languageAppropriate Eye contactLevel of consciousnessResponse to
questionsReasoningEmotionSpeechLanguage
◍ Diagnostic positions test (6 cardinal positions of gaze).
Answer: a. The 6 muscles that attach the eyeball toits orbit and serve to
direct the eye topoints of interest are tested.b. Client holds head still and is
asked tomove his or her eyes and follow asmall object.c. The examiner
notes any parallelmovements of the eye or nystagmus, an involuntary,
rhythmic, rapid twitching of the eyeballs.d. This assessment tests cranial
nerves III, IV, and VI, oculomotor, trochlear, and abducens, respectively
◍ Actinic Keratoses.
Answer: Potentially premalignant lesions, but most do not convert to skin
cancer. Appear in sun-exposed areas of skin.
◍ Lupus.
Answer: Chronic connective tissue disorder that manifests with specific
dermatological findings- associated with photosensitivity, butterfly rash.
◍ ABCDE self-examination of the skin.
Answer: Encourage performing self-examination of the skin for lesions
monthly using the ABCDE (asymmetry, border irregularity, color variance,
, diameter greater than 6 mm, evolving size, shape, and color) mnemonic.
◍ Abnormal breath sounds (Adventitious)Coarse crackles.
Answer: Low-pitched, bubbling or gurgling sounds that start early in
inspiration and extend into the first part of expiration. Not cleared by
cough.May be heard in pneumonia, heart failure, asthma, and restrictive
pulmonary diseasesThe condition is worse or may be heard in terminally ill
clients with diminished gag reflex. Also heard in pulmonary edema and
pulmonary fibrosis.
◍ SOAP (subjective, objective, assessment, plan) notesReview of
systemsGeneral or constitutional systems:Subjetive/Objetive.
Answer: Fever, Malaise, Night sweats, Fatigue, Unintentional weight loss or
gain, Overall behavior.
◍ Vestibular AssessmentTest for Past Pointing.
Answer: Test for Past Pointing1. The client sits in front of the examiner.2.
The client closes the eyes and extends the arms in front, pointing both index
finger at the examiner.3. The examiner holds and touches his or her own
extended index fingers under the client's extendedindex fingers to give the
client a point of reference.4. The client is instructed to raise both arms and
then lower them, attempting to return to the examiner's extended index
fingers.5. The normal test response is that the client can easily return to the
point of reference.6. The client with a vestibular function problem lacks a
normal sense of position and cannot return the extended fingers to the point
of reference; instead, the fingers deviate to the right or left of the reference
point.
◍ TMJ.
Answer: Transmadibular joint - feel for clicking in the joint when opening
and closing jaw. Refer to dentist/maxillofacial specialist.
◍ URI.
Answer: Upper respiratory infection, commonly associated with otitis
media.
,◍ Ulnar Pulse.
Answer: Located on the opposite side of the location of the radial pulse at
wrist.
◍ Turgor.
Answer: Skin assessment that indicates hydration and age. Skin should feel
resilient and return to place quickly after a fold is lifted.
◍ Nystatin.
Answer: Medication used to treat thrush.
◍ Scleroderma.
Answer: Chronic, rare autoimmune disease causing the immune system to
produce excess collagen, resulting in thickened, hardened skin,
inflammation, and potential damage to blood vessels and internal organs.
◍ Comprehensive Exam.
Answer: Assessing and asking about everything- annual wellness visits,
establishing care visits, or doing a physical.
◍ Thyroid gland.
Answer: Inspect the neck as the client takes a sip of water and swallows
(thyroid tissue moves up with a swallow); palpate using an
anterior-posterior approach (usually the normal adult thyroid cannot be
palpated); if it is enlarged, auscultate for a bruit.
◍ SOAP (subjective, objective, assessment, plan) notesAssessment.
Answer: -Diagnosis with rationale-Rationale derived from subjective
data-Symptoms can be diagnoses -There may be a list of differential
diagnoses which are suspected diagnoses that are yet to be confirmed.-May
include anticipated problems such as progression of disease or complication
◍ Acanthosis Nigricans.
Answer: May be normal variant or associated with insulin resistance.
Characteristics- progressively growing hyperpigmented area, might be
pruritic, often located in axilla, neck, and groin.
, ◍ Objective Information.
Answer: All the things you observe in exam plus vitals, and
diagnostic/imaging results.
◍ Popliteal Pulse.
Answer: Located behind the knee
◍ Squamous Cell Carcinoma.
Answer: Second in prevalence only to basal cell carcinoma. Nonhealing
lesion that is scaly and usually growing, often tender.
◍ SOAP (subjective, objective, assessment, plan) notesVasculatureObjective.
Answer: PulsesJugular venous distention or pulsationCarotidAbdominal
aorticTemporalRenalIliacFemoral artery bruitTemperatureColorSkin
textureHair distributionEdemaNailbedsTenderness
◍ Posterior Tibial Pulse.
Answer: Located on the inside of the ankle, behind and below the medial
malleolus (ankle bone).
◍ How to respond to Bell's palsy.
Answer: High dose corticosteroids x 10 days, antiviral optional and only
within 72h of onset
◍ Deep tendon reflexes.
Answer: a. Includes testing the following reflexes:biceps, triceps,
brachioradialis, patella,Achillesb. Limb should be relaxed.c. The tendon is
tapped quickly with areflex hammer, which should causecontraction of
muscle.
◍ SOAP (subjective, objective, assessment, plan) notesNoseObjective.
Answer: AppearancePatencyDischargePolypsTurbinatesSeptumSinusTendernessOdo
◍ Plantar reflex.
Answer: a. A cutaneous (superficial) reflex is tested with a pointed but not
sharp object.b. The sole of the client's foot is stroked from the heel, up the
lateral side, and then across the ball of the foot to the medial side.c. The
