NURS 5220 ADVANCED HEALTH
ASSESSMENT AND DIAGNOSTIC
REASONING — EXAM 4 QUESTIONS
AND CORRECT ANSWERS WITH
EXPLANATIONS JUST RELEASED
1. A patient presents with a sharp, stabbing pain in the face triggered by chewing. Which
cranial nerve is likely involved?
A. Cranial Nerve VII (Facial)
B. Cranial Nerve V (Trigeminal)
C. Cranial Nerve IX (Glossopharyngeal)
D. Cranial Nerve XII (Hypoglossal)
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Trigeminal neuralgia involves the trigeminal nerve (CN V) and
causes paroxysmal, severe facial pain often triggered by sensory stimuli like chewing or
touching the face.
2. During a musculoskeletal exam, the clinician performs the Lachman test. A positive result
indicates an injury to which structure?
A. Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL)
,B. Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL)
C. Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL)
D. Lateral Meniscus
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: The Lachman test is considered the most sensitive clinical test
for detecting an ACL tear, indicated by increased laxity and a soft endpoint when pulling
the tibia forward.
3. A 65-year-old male describes a ‘bag of worms’ sensation in his scrotum. This is most
characteristic of:
A. Hydrocele
B. Spermatocele
C. Varicocele
D. Epididymitis
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: A varicocele is a dilation of the veins within the pampiniform
plexus, commonly described by patients as feeling like a ‘bag of worms.’
4. When assessing for meningeal irritation, the clinician flexes the patient’s neck, which
results in involuntary flexion of the hips and knees. This is known as:
A. Kernig’s sign
, B. Brudzinski’s sign
C. Babinski’s sign
D. Hoffman’s sign
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Brudzinski’s sign is positive when passive neck flexion causes
involuntary hip and knee flexion, indicating meningeal inflammation.
5. A patient exhibits dysdiadochokinesia. This indicates a problem in which part of the
nervous system?
A. Cerebrum
B. Medulla Oblongata
C. Basal Ganglia
D. Cerebellum
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Dysdiadochokinesia is the inability to perform rapid, alternating
movements and is a clinical sign of cerebellar dysfunction.
6. In the ‘ABCDE’ criteria for assessing pigmented skin lesions, the ‘D’ stands for:
A. Density
B. Diameter
ASSESSMENT AND DIAGNOSTIC
REASONING — EXAM 4 QUESTIONS
AND CORRECT ANSWERS WITH
EXPLANATIONS JUST RELEASED
1. A patient presents with a sharp, stabbing pain in the face triggered by chewing. Which
cranial nerve is likely involved?
A. Cranial Nerve VII (Facial)
B. Cranial Nerve V (Trigeminal)
C. Cranial Nerve IX (Glossopharyngeal)
D. Cranial Nerve XII (Hypoglossal)
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Trigeminal neuralgia involves the trigeminal nerve (CN V) and
causes paroxysmal, severe facial pain often triggered by sensory stimuli like chewing or
touching the face.
2. During a musculoskeletal exam, the clinician performs the Lachman test. A positive result
indicates an injury to which structure?
A. Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL)
,B. Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL)
C. Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL)
D. Lateral Meniscus
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: The Lachman test is considered the most sensitive clinical test
for detecting an ACL tear, indicated by increased laxity and a soft endpoint when pulling
the tibia forward.
3. A 65-year-old male describes a ‘bag of worms’ sensation in his scrotum. This is most
characteristic of:
A. Hydrocele
B. Spermatocele
C. Varicocele
D. Epididymitis
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: A varicocele is a dilation of the veins within the pampiniform
plexus, commonly described by patients as feeling like a ‘bag of worms.’
4. When assessing for meningeal irritation, the clinician flexes the patient’s neck, which
results in involuntary flexion of the hips and knees. This is known as:
A. Kernig’s sign
, B. Brudzinski’s sign
C. Babinski’s sign
D. Hoffman’s sign
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Brudzinski’s sign is positive when passive neck flexion causes
involuntary hip and knee flexion, indicating meningeal inflammation.
5. A patient exhibits dysdiadochokinesia. This indicates a problem in which part of the
nervous system?
A. Cerebrum
B. Medulla Oblongata
C. Basal Ganglia
D. Cerebellum
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Dysdiadochokinesia is the inability to perform rapid, alternating
movements and is a clinical sign of cerebellar dysfunction.
6. In the ‘ABCDE’ criteria for assessing pigmented skin lesions, the ‘D’ stands for:
A. Density
B. Diameter
