FINAL REVIEW STUDY GUIDE
NR509
Advanced Physical
Assessment
System-by-System Final Review Guide
Compact final review of key findings, examination maneuvers, normal versus abnormal patterns,
age-related differences, red flags, and high-yield comparisons.
SYSTEM TESTS FAST
Body Systems Special Maneuvers Rapid Review
Original study and revision material • Clean print-ready format
PassPoint Pro
Page 1 of 7
, PASSPOINT PRO | NR509 ADVANCED PHYSICAL ASSESSMENT
NR509 Final Review Roadmap
Core principle
Do not memorize findings in isolation. For every abnormal finding, ask: What system does it localize to? What maneuver best
tests it? What associated findings strengthen or weaken the interpretation? Is the pattern time-sensitive?
General Survey & History
First look
Level of distress, posture, hygiene, color, respiratory effort, mobility, speech, affect, apparent nutrition.
History structure
Chief concern, symptom analysis with OPQRST/OLD CARTS, medications, allergies, past history, family history, social
determinants, prevention, review of systems.
Red flags
Chest pain, severe dyspnea, syncope, altered mental status, major bleeding, focal neurologic deficit, toxic appearance,
unstable vital signs.
Skin, Hair & Nails
Inspect
Color, lesions, distribution, symmetry, moisture, wounds, bruising, pressure areas, hair pattern, nail changes.
Palpate
Temperature, texture, edema, tenderness, lesion characteristics; use turgor cautiously in older adults.
High-yield
ABCDE melanoma features; nonblanchable erythema; cyanosis/pallor; clubbing; petechiae/purpura; infection signs.
HEENT & Neck
Eyes
Visual acuity, fields, pupils, extraocular movements, external structures, fundus when indicated.
Ears
Inspect canal/TM, hearing screen, Weber/Rinne when indicated; adult auricle up/back, young child down/back.
Mouth/Throat
Oral mucosa, dentition, tongue, palate, tonsils, voice, swallowing clues.
Neck
Nodes, trachea, thyroid inspection/palpation, ROM, carotid auscultation when indicated.
Thorax & Lungs
Sequence
Inspect -> palpate expansion/fremitus -> percuss -> auscultate side-to-side.
Page 2
NR509
Advanced Physical
Assessment
System-by-System Final Review Guide
Compact final review of key findings, examination maneuvers, normal versus abnormal patterns,
age-related differences, red flags, and high-yield comparisons.
SYSTEM TESTS FAST
Body Systems Special Maneuvers Rapid Review
Original study and revision material • Clean print-ready format
PassPoint Pro
Page 1 of 7
, PASSPOINT PRO | NR509 ADVANCED PHYSICAL ASSESSMENT
NR509 Final Review Roadmap
Core principle
Do not memorize findings in isolation. For every abnormal finding, ask: What system does it localize to? What maneuver best
tests it? What associated findings strengthen or weaken the interpretation? Is the pattern time-sensitive?
General Survey & History
First look
Level of distress, posture, hygiene, color, respiratory effort, mobility, speech, affect, apparent nutrition.
History structure
Chief concern, symptom analysis with OPQRST/OLD CARTS, medications, allergies, past history, family history, social
determinants, prevention, review of systems.
Red flags
Chest pain, severe dyspnea, syncope, altered mental status, major bleeding, focal neurologic deficit, toxic appearance,
unstable vital signs.
Skin, Hair & Nails
Inspect
Color, lesions, distribution, symmetry, moisture, wounds, bruising, pressure areas, hair pattern, nail changes.
Palpate
Temperature, texture, edema, tenderness, lesion characteristics; use turgor cautiously in older adults.
High-yield
ABCDE melanoma features; nonblanchable erythema; cyanosis/pallor; clubbing; petechiae/purpura; infection signs.
HEENT & Neck
Eyes
Visual acuity, fields, pupils, extraocular movements, external structures, fundus when indicated.
Ears
Inspect canal/TM, hearing screen, Weber/Rinne when indicated; adult auricle up/back, young child down/back.
Mouth/Throat
Oral mucosa, dentition, tongue, palate, tonsils, voice, swallowing clues.
Neck
Nodes, trachea, thyroid inspection/palpation, ROM, carotid auscultation when indicated.
Thorax & Lungs
Sequence
Inspect -> palpate expansion/fremitus -> percuss -> auscultate side-to-side.
Page 2
