NURS 607 / N607 HEALTH ASSESSMENT
EXAM 1 STUDY GUIDE COMPLETE | 2026
UPDATED - MCNEESE STATE UNIVERSITY.
149 Questions with Answers and Detailed Rationales
100 PERCENT GUARANTEED PASS
INSTANT DOWNLOAD ANSWERS INCLUDED
IMPORTANCE OF THIS DOCUMENT
This comprehensive examination preparation guide has been meticulously developed to help you succeed in the
NURS 607 / N607 HEALTH ASSESSMENT EXAM 1 STUDY GUIDE COMPLETE | 2026 UPDATED - MCNEESE
STATE UNIVERSITY.. It contains 149 carefully selected questions that reflect the most current exam content and
testing strategies. Each question is accompanied by a correct answer and a detailed rationale that explains the
underlying pathophysiology, pharmacology, or clinical reasoning.
Self-Assessment – Test your knowledge and Exam Preparation – Familiarize yourself with the
identify areas requiring further question format and content
study areas
Concept Reinforcement – Deepen your Confidence Building – Develop test-taking
understanding through strategies and reduce
evidence-based exam anxiety
rationales
Time Management – Practice answering
questions under simulated
exam conditions
Review Summary 149 Questions
Foundations - Application - NURS 607 / N607 Health Assessment 1 Study Guide Complete 2026 Updated -
Mcneese State University Nursing Advanced Health Assessment NURS 607 / N607 Graduate Msn/dnp-level
Advanced Health Assessment
All answers with rationales
,Table of Contents
Content Area Questions Key Topics
Health History AND 1-25 Patient S, Finding, Assessing, Health, Reports
Interviewing
General Survey AND Vital 26-50 Finding, Assessing, Patient S, Cranial, Status
Signs
Physical Examination 51-75 Patient S, Health, Assessing, Status, Finding
Techniques Inspection
Palpation Percussion
Auscultation
SKIN HAIR AND Nails 76-100 Patient S, Assessing, Finding, Status, History
Assessment
HEAD FACE NECK AND 101-125 Assessing, Client S, Health, Patient S, Status
Regional Lymphatics
EYES EARS NOSE Mouth 126-149 Patient S, Assessing, Finding, Client S, Health
AND Throat
TOTAL 149 All questions include answers and detailed rationales
,Section A - Health History AND Interviewing
Q1.
A patient reports a sudden onset of sharp, unilateral chest pain that worsens with deep
inspiration and is relieved by leaning forward. Which assessment finding would most
strongly support a diagnosis of acute pericarditis?
A. Pleural friction rub heard on auscultation B. Pericardial friction rub heard at the left
lower sternal border
C. Crackles at the lung bases bilaterally D. S3 gallop auscultated at the apex
Correct: B - Pericardial friction rub heard at the left lower sternal border
Rationale:A pericardial friction rub is the hallmark auscultatory finding of acute pericarditis,
best heard at the left lower sternal border with the patient leaning forward. Pleural friction rub
suggests pleurisy, crackles indicate fluid overload or pneumonia, and an S3 gallop suggests
heart failure.
Why the other answers are wrong:
A. Pleural friction rub is associated with pleural inflammation, not pericarditis.
C. Crackles indicate alveolar fluid or consolidation, not pericardial inflammation.
D. An S3 gallop is a sign of ventricular volume overload or heart failure, not pericarditis.
Reference: Bickley, L.S. (2021). Bates' Guide to Physical Examination and History Taking, 13th Ed., Ch.
9.
Q2.
During a mental status examination, a patient is asked to recall three words after five
minutes. The patient correctly repeats them but cannot explain their meaning. Which
cognitive domain is most likely impaired?
A. Registration B. Attention
C. Recall D. Language
Correct: D - Language
Rationale:The ability to explain word meaning reflects language and semantic processing,
not memory recall. Registration and recall are intact because the patient repeated the words,
and attention is required for initial registration. Language impairment suggests a cortical issue
such as aphasia.
Why the other answers are wrong:
A. Registration is the immediate repetition of information, which the patient performed correctly.
B. Attention is needed to focus on the task, but the patient was able to repeat the words.
C. Recall is the ability to retrieve stored information, which the patient demonstrated by
Page 3
, Section A - Health History AND Interviewing
repeating the words.
Reference: Jarvis, C. (2020). Physical Examination and Health Assessment, 8th Ed., Ch. 5.
Q3.
A patient presents with a blood pressure of 150/92 mm Hg in the right arm and 130/80 mm
Hg in the left arm. Which condition should be prioritized in the differential diagnosis?
A. Coarctation of the aorta B. Essential hypertension
C. Subclavian steal syndrome D. Aortic regurgitation
Correct: C - Subclavian steal syndrome
Rationale:A significant interarm blood pressure difference (>10 mm Hg) suggests subclavian
steal syndrome or peripheral arterial disease. Coarctation of the aorta typically presents with
hypertension in both arms but lower blood pressure in the legs. Essential hypertension and
aortic regurgitation do not typically cause interarm differences.
Why the other answers are wrong:
A. Coarctation of the aorta causes hypertension in the upper extremities and lower blood
pressure in the lower extremities, not an interarm difference.
B. Essential hypertension is a generalized elevation in blood pressure, not a unilateral
difference.
D. Aortic regurgitation is associated with a wide pulse pressure, not an interarm blood pressure
difference.
Reference: Bickley, L.S. (2021). Bates' Guide to Physical Examination and History Taking, 13th Ed., Ch.
8.
Q4.
Which technique is most appropriate for assessing the size and consistency of the thyroid
gland during a physical examination?
A. Inspect the neck while the patient B. Auscultate over the thyroid gland for
swallows, then palpate from behind using bruits while the patient holds their breath.
the fingers of both hands.
C. Percuss the thyroid gland to determine its D. Palpate the thyroid gland using the thumb
borders. and index finger of one hand while the
patient flexes the neck.
Correct: A - Inspect the neck while the patient swallows, then palpate from behind using
the fingers of both hands.
Rationale:The standard technique for thyroid assessment involves inspection during
swallowing followed by posterior palpation with both hands to evaluate size, symmetry, and
consistency. Auscultation is used for detecting bruits in hyperthyroidism but does not assess
size. Percussion and unilateral palpation are not standard for thyroid evaluation.
Page 4
EXAM 1 STUDY GUIDE COMPLETE | 2026
UPDATED - MCNEESE STATE UNIVERSITY.
149 Questions with Answers and Detailed Rationales
100 PERCENT GUARANTEED PASS
INSTANT DOWNLOAD ANSWERS INCLUDED
IMPORTANCE OF THIS DOCUMENT
This comprehensive examination preparation guide has been meticulously developed to help you succeed in the
NURS 607 / N607 HEALTH ASSESSMENT EXAM 1 STUDY GUIDE COMPLETE | 2026 UPDATED - MCNEESE
STATE UNIVERSITY.. It contains 149 carefully selected questions that reflect the most current exam content and
testing strategies. Each question is accompanied by a correct answer and a detailed rationale that explains the
underlying pathophysiology, pharmacology, or clinical reasoning.
Self-Assessment – Test your knowledge and Exam Preparation – Familiarize yourself with the
identify areas requiring further question format and content
study areas
Concept Reinforcement – Deepen your Confidence Building – Develop test-taking
understanding through strategies and reduce
evidence-based exam anxiety
rationales
Time Management – Practice answering
questions under simulated
exam conditions
Review Summary 149 Questions
Foundations - Application - NURS 607 / N607 Health Assessment 1 Study Guide Complete 2026 Updated -
Mcneese State University Nursing Advanced Health Assessment NURS 607 / N607 Graduate Msn/dnp-level
Advanced Health Assessment
All answers with rationales
,Table of Contents
Content Area Questions Key Topics
Health History AND 1-25 Patient S, Finding, Assessing, Health, Reports
Interviewing
General Survey AND Vital 26-50 Finding, Assessing, Patient S, Cranial, Status
Signs
Physical Examination 51-75 Patient S, Health, Assessing, Status, Finding
Techniques Inspection
Palpation Percussion
Auscultation
SKIN HAIR AND Nails 76-100 Patient S, Assessing, Finding, Status, History
Assessment
HEAD FACE NECK AND 101-125 Assessing, Client S, Health, Patient S, Status
Regional Lymphatics
EYES EARS NOSE Mouth 126-149 Patient S, Assessing, Finding, Client S, Health
AND Throat
TOTAL 149 All questions include answers and detailed rationales
,Section A - Health History AND Interviewing
Q1.
A patient reports a sudden onset of sharp, unilateral chest pain that worsens with deep
inspiration and is relieved by leaning forward. Which assessment finding would most
strongly support a diagnosis of acute pericarditis?
A. Pleural friction rub heard on auscultation B. Pericardial friction rub heard at the left
lower sternal border
C. Crackles at the lung bases bilaterally D. S3 gallop auscultated at the apex
Correct: B - Pericardial friction rub heard at the left lower sternal border
Rationale:A pericardial friction rub is the hallmark auscultatory finding of acute pericarditis,
best heard at the left lower sternal border with the patient leaning forward. Pleural friction rub
suggests pleurisy, crackles indicate fluid overload or pneumonia, and an S3 gallop suggests
heart failure.
Why the other answers are wrong:
A. Pleural friction rub is associated with pleural inflammation, not pericarditis.
C. Crackles indicate alveolar fluid or consolidation, not pericardial inflammation.
D. An S3 gallop is a sign of ventricular volume overload or heart failure, not pericarditis.
Reference: Bickley, L.S. (2021). Bates' Guide to Physical Examination and History Taking, 13th Ed., Ch.
9.
Q2.
During a mental status examination, a patient is asked to recall three words after five
minutes. The patient correctly repeats them but cannot explain their meaning. Which
cognitive domain is most likely impaired?
A. Registration B. Attention
C. Recall D. Language
Correct: D - Language
Rationale:The ability to explain word meaning reflects language and semantic processing,
not memory recall. Registration and recall are intact because the patient repeated the words,
and attention is required for initial registration. Language impairment suggests a cortical issue
such as aphasia.
Why the other answers are wrong:
A. Registration is the immediate repetition of information, which the patient performed correctly.
B. Attention is needed to focus on the task, but the patient was able to repeat the words.
C. Recall is the ability to retrieve stored information, which the patient demonstrated by
Page 3
, Section A - Health History AND Interviewing
repeating the words.
Reference: Jarvis, C. (2020). Physical Examination and Health Assessment, 8th Ed., Ch. 5.
Q3.
A patient presents with a blood pressure of 150/92 mm Hg in the right arm and 130/80 mm
Hg in the left arm. Which condition should be prioritized in the differential diagnosis?
A. Coarctation of the aorta B. Essential hypertension
C. Subclavian steal syndrome D. Aortic regurgitation
Correct: C - Subclavian steal syndrome
Rationale:A significant interarm blood pressure difference (>10 mm Hg) suggests subclavian
steal syndrome or peripheral arterial disease. Coarctation of the aorta typically presents with
hypertension in both arms but lower blood pressure in the legs. Essential hypertension and
aortic regurgitation do not typically cause interarm differences.
Why the other answers are wrong:
A. Coarctation of the aorta causes hypertension in the upper extremities and lower blood
pressure in the lower extremities, not an interarm difference.
B. Essential hypertension is a generalized elevation in blood pressure, not a unilateral
difference.
D. Aortic regurgitation is associated with a wide pulse pressure, not an interarm blood pressure
difference.
Reference: Bickley, L.S. (2021). Bates' Guide to Physical Examination and History Taking, 13th Ed., Ch.
8.
Q4.
Which technique is most appropriate for assessing the size and consistency of the thyroid
gland during a physical examination?
A. Inspect the neck while the patient B. Auscultate over the thyroid gland for
swallows, then palpate from behind using bruits while the patient holds their breath.
the fingers of both hands.
C. Percuss the thyroid gland to determine its D. Palpate the thyroid gland using the thumb
borders. and index finger of one hand while the
patient flexes the neck.
Correct: A - Inspect the neck while the patient swallows, then palpate from behind using
the fingers of both hands.
Rationale:The standard technique for thyroid assessment involves inspection during
swallowing followed by posterior palpation with both hands to evaluate size, symmetry, and
consistency. Auscultation is used for detecting bruits in hyperthyroidism but does not assess
size. Percussion and unilateral palpation are not standard for thyroid evaluation.
Page 4
