NU 578 ADVANCED PHYSICAL
ASSESSMENT PRACTICE EXAM
2026/2027 QUESTIONS & ANSWERS 100%
GUARANTEE PASS | UNIVERSITY OF
SOUTH ALABAMA
1. Which physical examination finding is most diagnostic of a tension pneumothorax during
an emergency assessment?
A. Tracheal deviation toward the affected side
B. Hyper-resonance on the unaffected side
C. Tracheal deviation toward the contralateral side
D. Increased breath sounds on the affected side
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: In tension pneumothorax, the accumulation of air in the pleural
space causes a mediastinal shift, resulting in tracheal deviation away from (contralateral
to) the affected side.
2. When assessing a patient for a suspected meniscus tear, which orthopedic maneuver
involves internal and external rotation of the knee while the patient is prone and the knee is
flexed at 90 degrees?
A. Apley Compression Test
,B. McMurray Test
C. Lachman Test
D. Anterior Drawer Test
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: The Apley Compression Test is performed with the patient
prone and the knee flexed; pain during compression and rotation suggests a meniscal
injury.
3. A 55-year-old male presents with a mid-systolic click followed by a late systolic murmur
heard best at the apex. This is most indicative of:
A. Aortic Stenosis
B. Mitral Valve Prolapse
C. Mitral Regurgitation
D. Tricuspid Stenosis
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Mitral Valve Prolapse (MVP) is classically characterized by a
mid-systolic click and a late systolic murmur resulting from the billowing of the valve into
the atrium.
, 4. Which cranial nerve is primarily responsible for the downward and inward movement of
the eye?
A. CN III (Oculomotor)
B. CN VI (Abducens)
C. CN IV (Trochlear)
D. CN II (Optic)
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: CN IV (Trochlear) innervates the superior oblique muscle, which
moves the eye down and inward.
5. During a musculoskeletal exam, the provider notes Bouchard’s nodes. These are specifically
located on which joints?
A. Distal Interphalangeal (DIP) joints
B. Metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joints
C. Proximal Interphalangeal (PIP) joints
D. Metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joints
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Bouchard’s nodes occur at the PIP joints, whereas Heberden’s
nodes occur at the DIP joints, both associated with Osteoarthritis.
ASSESSMENT PRACTICE EXAM
2026/2027 QUESTIONS & ANSWERS 100%
GUARANTEE PASS | UNIVERSITY OF
SOUTH ALABAMA
1. Which physical examination finding is most diagnostic of a tension pneumothorax during
an emergency assessment?
A. Tracheal deviation toward the affected side
B. Hyper-resonance on the unaffected side
C. Tracheal deviation toward the contralateral side
D. Increased breath sounds on the affected side
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: In tension pneumothorax, the accumulation of air in the pleural
space causes a mediastinal shift, resulting in tracheal deviation away from (contralateral
to) the affected side.
2. When assessing a patient for a suspected meniscus tear, which orthopedic maneuver
involves internal and external rotation of the knee while the patient is prone and the knee is
flexed at 90 degrees?
A. Apley Compression Test
,B. McMurray Test
C. Lachman Test
D. Anterior Drawer Test
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: The Apley Compression Test is performed with the patient
prone and the knee flexed; pain during compression and rotation suggests a meniscal
injury.
3. A 55-year-old male presents with a mid-systolic click followed by a late systolic murmur
heard best at the apex. This is most indicative of:
A. Aortic Stenosis
B. Mitral Valve Prolapse
C. Mitral Regurgitation
D. Tricuspid Stenosis
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Mitral Valve Prolapse (MVP) is classically characterized by a
mid-systolic click and a late systolic murmur resulting from the billowing of the valve into
the atrium.
, 4. Which cranial nerve is primarily responsible for the downward and inward movement of
the eye?
A. CN III (Oculomotor)
B. CN VI (Abducens)
C. CN IV (Trochlear)
D. CN II (Optic)
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: CN IV (Trochlear) innervates the superior oblique muscle, which
moves the eye down and inward.
5. During a musculoskeletal exam, the provider notes Bouchard’s nodes. These are specifically
located on which joints?
A. Distal Interphalangeal (DIP) joints
B. Metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joints
C. Proximal Interphalangeal (PIP) joints
D. Metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joints
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Bouchard’s nodes occur at the PIP joints, whereas Heberden’s
nodes occur at the DIP joints, both associated with Osteoarthritis.
