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NSG 3160 / NSG3160 Exam 2 – Health
Assessment (2026 Update) | Verified
Questions & Answers with Rationale
Galen College of Nursing
Exam Structure:
Subject: Health Assessment
Source: Galen College of Nursing, NSG 3160 Exam 2
Format: Q&A Guide with Rationale
1: A nurse is assessing a patient with suspected substance
intoxication. The patient presents with reddened eyes, appears
relaxed, and is displaying suspiciousness. Which substance is most
likely involved?
Options:
A. Cocaine
B. Nicotine
C. Cannabis
D. Opiates
Correct Answer: C. Cannabis
Rationale:
1. Cannabis intoxication commonly presents with conjunctival injection
(red eyes), euphoria or relaxation, and paranoia or suspiciousness.
2. Option A is incorrect: Cocaine is a stimulant causing pupillary dilation
and agitation.
3. Option B is incorrect: Nicotine causes alertness and increased heart
rate.
4. Option D is incorrect: Opiates cause pinpoint pupils and central nervous
system depression.
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2: A nurse is assessing a patient with suspected substance intoxication
who presents with pinpoint pupils, decreased pulse, and decreased
blood pressure. Which substance is most likely involved?
Options:
A. Cocaine
B. Nicotine
C. Cannabis
D. Opiates
Correct Answer: D. Opiates
Rationale:
1. Opiate/opioid intoxication causes miosis (pinpoint pupils),
bradycardia, and hypotension due to central nervous system
depression.
2. Option A is incorrect: Cocaine causes pupillary dilation and increased
heart rate.
3. Option B is incorrect: Nicotine is a stimulant that increases heart rate.
4. Option C is incorrect: Cannabis typically causes reddened eyes, not
pinpoint pupils.
3: A nurse is assessing a patient with pupillary dilation, chills, and
nausea. Which substance is most likely involved?
Options:
A. Cocaine
B. Nicotine
C. Cannabis
D. Opiates
Correct Answer: A. Cocaine
Rationale:
1. Cocaine is a stimulant that causes mydriasis (pupil dilation),
vasoconstriction leading to chills, and gastrointestinal effects like
nausea.
2. Option B is incorrect: Nicotine does not typically cause chills and
nausea as primary intoxication signs.
3. Option C is incorrect: Cannabis causes reddened eyes, not pupillary
dilation.
4. Option D is incorrect: Opiates cause pinpoint pupils, not dilation.
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4: A nurse is palpating for lymph nodes. In which area are lymph
nodes NOT easily palpated under normal conditions?
Options:
A. Head, neck, inguinal
B. Breast and neck
C. Axillae and arm
D. Popliteal and inguinal
Correct Answer: B. Breast and neck
Rationale:
1. Lymph nodes in the breast tissue are not typically palpable under
normal conditions.
2. Cervical nodes in the neck are usually palpable only when enlarged.
3. The question asks where they are not easily palpated; breast nodes are
a key site where palpability indicates pathology.
5: The nurse is performing an ocular alignment test by observing the
reflection of light on the cornea. This test is also called:
Options:
A. Convergence test
B. Accommodation test
C. PEARRLA
D. Hirschberg test
Correct Answer: D. Hirschberg test
Rationale:
1. The Hirschberg test assesses ocular alignment by observing the
reflection of a light on the cornea.
2. Option A is incorrect: The convergence test assesses eye movement
when focusing on a near object.
3. Option B is incorrect: The accommodation test assesses pupillary
constriction with near focus.
4. Option C is incorrect: PEARRLA is a comprehensive acronym for
pupillary assessment.
6: An older adult patient asks the nurse why their skin has begun to
"sag." The nurse explains that skin sagging is NOT directly due to:
Options:
A. Reduced subcutaneous fat
NSG 3160 / NSG3160 Exam 2 – Health
Assessment (2026 Update) | Verified
Questions & Answers with Rationale
Galen College of Nursing
Exam Structure:
Subject: Health Assessment
Source: Galen College of Nursing, NSG 3160 Exam 2
Format: Q&A Guide with Rationale
1: A nurse is assessing a patient with suspected substance
intoxication. The patient presents with reddened eyes, appears
relaxed, and is displaying suspiciousness. Which substance is most
likely involved?
Options:
A. Cocaine
B. Nicotine
C. Cannabis
D. Opiates
Correct Answer: C. Cannabis
Rationale:
1. Cannabis intoxication commonly presents with conjunctival injection
(red eyes), euphoria or relaxation, and paranoia or suspiciousness.
2. Option A is incorrect: Cocaine is a stimulant causing pupillary dilation
and agitation.
3. Option B is incorrect: Nicotine causes alertness and increased heart
rate.
4. Option D is incorrect: Opiates cause pinpoint pupils and central nervous
system depression.
, 2|Page
2: A nurse is assessing a patient with suspected substance intoxication
who presents with pinpoint pupils, decreased pulse, and decreased
blood pressure. Which substance is most likely involved?
Options:
A. Cocaine
B. Nicotine
C. Cannabis
D. Opiates
Correct Answer: D. Opiates
Rationale:
1. Opiate/opioid intoxication causes miosis (pinpoint pupils),
bradycardia, and hypotension due to central nervous system
depression.
2. Option A is incorrect: Cocaine causes pupillary dilation and increased
heart rate.
3. Option B is incorrect: Nicotine is a stimulant that increases heart rate.
4. Option C is incorrect: Cannabis typically causes reddened eyes, not
pinpoint pupils.
3: A nurse is assessing a patient with pupillary dilation, chills, and
nausea. Which substance is most likely involved?
Options:
A. Cocaine
B. Nicotine
C. Cannabis
D. Opiates
Correct Answer: A. Cocaine
Rationale:
1. Cocaine is a stimulant that causes mydriasis (pupil dilation),
vasoconstriction leading to chills, and gastrointestinal effects like
nausea.
2. Option B is incorrect: Nicotine does not typically cause chills and
nausea as primary intoxication signs.
3. Option C is incorrect: Cannabis causes reddened eyes, not pupillary
dilation.
4. Option D is incorrect: Opiates cause pinpoint pupils, not dilation.
, 3|Page
4: A nurse is palpating for lymph nodes. In which area are lymph
nodes NOT easily palpated under normal conditions?
Options:
A. Head, neck, inguinal
B. Breast and neck
C. Axillae and arm
D. Popliteal and inguinal
Correct Answer: B. Breast and neck
Rationale:
1. Lymph nodes in the breast tissue are not typically palpable under
normal conditions.
2. Cervical nodes in the neck are usually palpable only when enlarged.
3. The question asks where they are not easily palpated; breast nodes are
a key site where palpability indicates pathology.
5: The nurse is performing an ocular alignment test by observing the
reflection of light on the cornea. This test is also called:
Options:
A. Convergence test
B. Accommodation test
C. PEARRLA
D. Hirschberg test
Correct Answer: D. Hirschberg test
Rationale:
1. The Hirschberg test assesses ocular alignment by observing the
reflection of a light on the cornea.
2. Option A is incorrect: The convergence test assesses eye movement
when focusing on a near object.
3. Option B is incorrect: The accommodation test assesses pupillary
constriction with near focus.
4. Option C is incorrect: PEARRLA is a comprehensive acronym for
pupillary assessment.
6: An older adult patient asks the nurse why their skin has begun to
"sag." The nurse explains that skin sagging is NOT directly due to:
Options:
A. Reduced subcutaneous fat
