NURS 5220 ADVANCED HEALTH ASSESSMENT TEST
2 (UTA) QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
(VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A
| INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
CORE DOMAINS
• Neurologic Assessment and Cranial Nerves
• Musculoskeletal Assessment
• Cardiovascular Assessment
• Peripheral Vascular Assessment
• Gastrointestinal and Genitourinary Assessment
• Cultural Competence and Health History
• Clinical Reasoning and Diagnostic Decision-Making
• Ethics and Professional Standards in Assessment
Introduction
The NURS 5220 Advanced Health Assessment Test 2 evaluates a graduate nursing student's competency
in performing comprehensive physical assessments across multiple body systems. The exam assesses
knowledge of neurologic, musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, and gastrointestinal assessment techniques,
as well as cultural competence and clinical reasoning. Candidates must demonstrate proficiency in
identifying normal and abnormal findings, interpreting diagnostic signs, and applying evidence-based
assessment principles. The multiple-choice format includes knowledge-based and scenario-driven
questions emphasizing critical thinking and advanced practice nursing application.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
1. What is the cerebellum responsible for?
A. Learning and memory
B. Balance and coordination
C. Hearing and balance
D. Vision and hearing
Correct answer: B. Balance and coordination
RATIONALE: The cerebellum is primarily responsible for balance, coordination, and fine motor
control. Learning and memory are functions of the hippocampus and cerebrum .
,2. Severe left shoulder pain in a patient with splenic rupture, ectopic pregnancy, or renal stone is known
as:
A. Kehr's sign
B. Cullen's sign
C. Brudzinski's sign
D. Blumberg's sign
Correct answer: A. Kehr's sign
RATIONALE: Kehr's sign is referred pain to the left shoulder caused by diaphragmatic irritation from
splenic rupture, ectopic pregnancy, or renal stones .
3. Which Tanner stage in females is characterized by a secondary mound occurring at the areola and
pubic hair that is adult-like?
A. Tanner stage 1
B. Tanner stage 2
C. Tanner stage 3
D. Tanner stage 4
Correct answer: D. Tanner stage 4
RATIONALE: Tanner stage 4 in females is characterized by a secondary mound of the areola above
the breast contour and adult-like pubic hair .
4. Which of the following is a concern, rather than an expected finding in older adults?
A. Mild hearing loss in the high frequencies
B. Bilateral pill rolling of the fingers
C. Decreased skin turgor
D. Increased prevalence of varicose veins
Correct answer: B. Bilateral pill rolling of the fingers
RATIONALE: Bilateral pill rolling of the fingers is a tremor associated with Parkinson's disease and is
not a normal age-related change .
5. Coordinated sucking and swallowing in an infant is a function of the:
A. Hippocampus
B. Hypothalamus
C. Cerebellum
D. Thalamus
Correct answer: C. Cerebellum
RATIONALE: The cerebellum coordinates motor activities including sucking and swallowing .
6. A deep tendon reflex (DTR) graded as 1+ indicates:
A. Sluggish or diminished
B. Slightly hyperactive
, C. Normal
D. Brisk
Correct answer: A. Sluggish or diminished
RATIONALE: DTR grading: 0 = absent; 1+ = sluggish or diminished; 2+ = normal; 3+ = brisk/slightly
hyperactive; 4+ = very brisk with clonus .
7. An abnormal congenital opening of the male urethra on the undersurface of the penis is called:
A. Megacolon
B. Hypospadias
C. Graphesthesia
D. Lordosis
Correct answer: B. Hypospadias
RATIONALE: Hypospadias is a congenital condition where the urethral meatus is located on the
ventral (undersurface) of the penis .
8. An infant reflex that occurs when something is placed in the infant's palm causing the infant to grasp
the object is called:
A. Palmar grasp
B. Spherical grasp
C. Plantar grasp
D. Radial digital grasp
Correct answer: A. Palmar grasp
RATIONALE: The palmar grasp reflex is elicited by placing a finger or object in the infant's palm,
causing the fingers to flex and grasp .
9. Which cranial nerve is responsible for smell?
A. Optic nerve (II)
B. Olfactory nerve (I)
C. Trigeminal nerve (V)
D. Facial nerve (VII)
Correct answer: B. Olfactory nerve (I)
RATIONALE: The olfactory nerve (cranial nerve I) is responsible for smell (olfaction). To test, ask the
patient to identify odors presented to each nostril while occluding the other .
10. A patient reports taking "water pills" for blood pressure but cannot name the medication. What is
the best documentation?
A. "Patient is non-compliant with medication regimen."
B. "Patient takes a diuretic for hypertension, name unknown."
C. "Patient probably takes hydrochlorothiazide."
D. "Patient refuses to provide medication names."
2 (UTA) QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
(VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A
| INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
CORE DOMAINS
• Neurologic Assessment and Cranial Nerves
• Musculoskeletal Assessment
• Cardiovascular Assessment
• Peripheral Vascular Assessment
• Gastrointestinal and Genitourinary Assessment
• Cultural Competence and Health History
• Clinical Reasoning and Diagnostic Decision-Making
• Ethics and Professional Standards in Assessment
Introduction
The NURS 5220 Advanced Health Assessment Test 2 evaluates a graduate nursing student's competency
in performing comprehensive physical assessments across multiple body systems. The exam assesses
knowledge of neurologic, musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, and gastrointestinal assessment techniques,
as well as cultural competence and clinical reasoning. Candidates must demonstrate proficiency in
identifying normal and abnormal findings, interpreting diagnostic signs, and applying evidence-based
assessment principles. The multiple-choice format includes knowledge-based and scenario-driven
questions emphasizing critical thinking and advanced practice nursing application.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
1. What is the cerebellum responsible for?
A. Learning and memory
B. Balance and coordination
C. Hearing and balance
D. Vision and hearing
Correct answer: B. Balance and coordination
RATIONALE: The cerebellum is primarily responsible for balance, coordination, and fine motor
control. Learning and memory are functions of the hippocampus and cerebrum .
,2. Severe left shoulder pain in a patient with splenic rupture, ectopic pregnancy, or renal stone is known
as:
A. Kehr's sign
B. Cullen's sign
C. Brudzinski's sign
D. Blumberg's sign
Correct answer: A. Kehr's sign
RATIONALE: Kehr's sign is referred pain to the left shoulder caused by diaphragmatic irritation from
splenic rupture, ectopic pregnancy, or renal stones .
3. Which Tanner stage in females is characterized by a secondary mound occurring at the areola and
pubic hair that is adult-like?
A. Tanner stage 1
B. Tanner stage 2
C. Tanner stage 3
D. Tanner stage 4
Correct answer: D. Tanner stage 4
RATIONALE: Tanner stage 4 in females is characterized by a secondary mound of the areola above
the breast contour and adult-like pubic hair .
4. Which of the following is a concern, rather than an expected finding in older adults?
A. Mild hearing loss in the high frequencies
B. Bilateral pill rolling of the fingers
C. Decreased skin turgor
D. Increased prevalence of varicose veins
Correct answer: B. Bilateral pill rolling of the fingers
RATIONALE: Bilateral pill rolling of the fingers is a tremor associated with Parkinson's disease and is
not a normal age-related change .
5. Coordinated sucking and swallowing in an infant is a function of the:
A. Hippocampus
B. Hypothalamus
C. Cerebellum
D. Thalamus
Correct answer: C. Cerebellum
RATIONALE: The cerebellum coordinates motor activities including sucking and swallowing .
6. A deep tendon reflex (DTR) graded as 1+ indicates:
A. Sluggish or diminished
B. Slightly hyperactive
, C. Normal
D. Brisk
Correct answer: A. Sluggish or diminished
RATIONALE: DTR grading: 0 = absent; 1+ = sluggish or diminished; 2+ = normal; 3+ = brisk/slightly
hyperactive; 4+ = very brisk with clonus .
7. An abnormal congenital opening of the male urethra on the undersurface of the penis is called:
A. Megacolon
B. Hypospadias
C. Graphesthesia
D. Lordosis
Correct answer: B. Hypospadias
RATIONALE: Hypospadias is a congenital condition where the urethral meatus is located on the
ventral (undersurface) of the penis .
8. An infant reflex that occurs when something is placed in the infant's palm causing the infant to grasp
the object is called:
A. Palmar grasp
B. Spherical grasp
C. Plantar grasp
D. Radial digital grasp
Correct answer: A. Palmar grasp
RATIONALE: The palmar grasp reflex is elicited by placing a finger or object in the infant's palm,
causing the fingers to flex and grasp .
9. Which cranial nerve is responsible for smell?
A. Optic nerve (II)
B. Olfactory nerve (I)
C. Trigeminal nerve (V)
D. Facial nerve (VII)
Correct answer: B. Olfactory nerve (I)
RATIONALE: The olfactory nerve (cranial nerve I) is responsible for smell (olfaction). To test, ask the
patient to identify odors presented to each nostril while occluding the other .
10. A patient reports taking "water pills" for blood pressure but cannot name the medication. What is
the best documentation?
A. "Patient is non-compliant with medication regimen."
B. "Patient takes a diuretic for hypertension, name unknown."
C. "Patient probably takes hydrochlorothiazide."
D. "Patient refuses to provide medication names."
