Health Assessment Review – Quiz Questions &
Exams 1–4 | Latest 2025/2026 Exam Prep &
Study Guide
The nurse is assessing the ear of an adult client. How should the nurse perform the
examination?
A. Pull the pinna down and insert scope
B. Insert the scope straight into the ear
C. Pull the pinna up and back and insert the scope
D. Tilt the scope to the angle of the ear - correct answerC. Pull the pinna up and back
and insert the scope
Which of the following would be considered subjective data?
A. The patient states that he has clear discharge coming out of his ears.
B. You note that the patient's ears are equal size and shape.
C. The patient is unable to hear the words on the Whispered Voice Test.
D. The patient's ear drum is a pearl gray color. - correct answerA. The patient states
that he has clear discharge coming out of his ears.
The nurse is assessing a client who has a hearing impairment. How should the nurse
communicate with this client?
A) Use a low tone and speak slowly.
B) Use a normal tone of voice and speak slowly.
C) Speak loudly with a normal rate.
D) Face the client and speak slowly. - correct answerD) Face the client and speak
slowly.
When examining the ear with an otoscope, the nurse notes that the tympanic
membrane should appear:
A) light pink with a slight bulge.
B) pearly gray and slightly concave.
C) pulled in at the base of the cone of light.
D)whitish with a small fleck of light in the superior portion. - correct answerB) pearly
gray and slightly concave.
The nurse needs to pull the portion of the ear that consists of movable cartilage and
skin down and back when administering eardrops. This portion of the ear is called the:
,A) auricle.
B) concha.
C) outer meatus.
D)mastoid process. - correct answerA) auricle
A client with a middle ear infection asks the nurse, "What does the middle ear do?" The
nurse responds by telling the client that the middle ear functions to:
A) maintain balance.
B) interpret sounds as they enter the ear.
C) conduct vibrations of sounds to the inner ear.
D) increase amplitude of sound for the inner ear to function. - correct answerC) conduct
vibrations of sounds to the inner ear.
The nurse is assessing a client who may have hearing loss. Which of these statements
is true concerning air conduction?
A) It is the normal pathway for hearing.
B) It is caused by the vibrations of bones in the skull.
C) The amplitude of sound determines the pitch that is heard.
D) A loss of air conduction is called a conductive hearing loss. - correct answerA) It is
the normal pathway for hearing.
In performing a whispered words test to assess hearing, which of these actions would
the nurse do?
A) Shield the lips so that the sound is muffled.
B) Whisper a set of random numbers and letters and ask the patient to repeat them.
C) Ask the patient to place his finger in his ear to occlude outside noise.
D)Stand about 4 feet away to ensure that the patient can really hear at this distance. -
correct answerB) Whisper a set of random numbers and letters and ask the patient to
repeat them.
The nurse is performing an ear examination of an 80-year-old client. Which of these
would be considered a normal finding for the aging adult?
A) A high-tone frequency loss
B) Increased elasticity of the pinna
C) A thin, translucent membrane
D) A shiny, pink tympanic membrane - correct answerA) A high-tone frequency loss
The nurse is examining a client's ears and notices cerumen in the external canal. Which
of these statements about cerumen is correct?
A) Sticky honey-colored cerumen is a sign of infection.
,B) The presence of cerumen is indicative of poor hygiene.
C) The purpose of cerumen is to protect and lubricate the ear.
D) Cerumen is necessary for transmitting sound through the auditory canal. - correct
answerC) The purpose of cerumen is to protect and lubricate the ear.
A client has been shown to have sensorineural hearing loss. During the assessment, it
would be important for the nurse to:
A) speak loudly so he can hear the questions.
B) assess for middle ear infection as a possible cause.
C) ask the patient what medications he is currently taking.
D) look for the source of the obstruction in the external ear. - correct answerC) ask the
patient what medications he is currently taking.
The nurse is taking the history of a client who may have a perforated eardrum. What
would be an important question in this situation?
A) "Do you ever notice ringing or crackling in your ears?"
B) "When was the last time you had your hearing checked?"
C) "Have you ever been told you have any type of hearing loss?"
D) "Was there any relationship between the ear pain and the discharge you
mentioned?" - correct answerD) "Was there any relationship between the ear pain and
the discharge you mentioned?"
An 18-year-old is at the clinic for "a sore throat lasting 6 days." The nurse is aware that
which of these findings would be consistent with an acute infection?
A) Tonsils 1+/1-4+ and pink, same color as oral mucosa
B) Tonsils 2+/1-4+ with small plugs of white debris
C) Tonsils 3+/1-4+ with large white spots
D) Tonsils 3+/1-4+ with pale coloring - correct answerC) Tonsils 3+/1-4+ with large
white spots
The salivary gland that is the largest and located in the cheek in front of the ear is the
_____ gland.
A) parotid
B) Stensen's
C) sublingual
D) submandibular - correct answerA) parotid
The nurse is assessing an 80-year-old client. Which of these findings would be
expected for this client?
A) Hypertrophy of the gums
B) An increased production of saliva
, C) A decreased ability to identify odors
D) Finer and less prominent nasal hair - correct answerC) A decreased ability to identify
odors
A 92-year-old client has had a stroke. The right side of his face is drooping. The nurse
might also suspect which of these assessment findings?
A) Epistaxis
B) Rhinorrhea
C) Dysphagia
D) Xerostomia - correct answerC) Dysphagia
The nurse is doing an assessment on a 21-year-old client and notices that his nasal
mucosa appears pale, gray, and swollen. What would be the most appropriate question
to ask the patient?
A)"Are you aware of having any allergies?"
B) "Do you have an elevated temperature?"
C) "Have you had any symptoms of a cold?"
D)"Have you been having frequent nosebleeds?" - correct answerA)"Are you aware of
having any allergies?"
Which of these techniques best describes the test the nurse should use to assess the
function of cranial nerve X (Vagus)?
A)Observe the patient's ability to articulate specific words.
B)Observe the patient's ability to move the shoulders against resistance.
C)Have the patient stick out the tongue and observe for tremors or pulling to one side.
D)Ask the patient to say "ahhh" and watch for movement of the soft palate and uvula. -
correct answerD)Ask the patient to say "ahhh" and watch for movement of the soft
palate and uvula.
The nurse is assessing a client in the hospital who has received numerous antibiotics
and notices that his tongue appears to be black and hairy. In response to his concern,
what would the nurse say?
A)"We will need to get a biopsy and see what the cause is."
B)"This is an overgrowth of hair and will go away in a few days."
C)"This is a fungal infection caused by all the antibiotics you've received."
D)"This is probably caused by the same bacteria you had in your lungs." - correct
answerC)"This is a fungal infection caused by all the antibiotics you've received."
The primary purpose of the ciliated mucous membrane in the nose is to:
A) warm the inhaled air.
B) filter out dust and bacteria.
Exams 1–4 | Latest 2025/2026 Exam Prep &
Study Guide
The nurse is assessing the ear of an adult client. How should the nurse perform the
examination?
A. Pull the pinna down and insert scope
B. Insert the scope straight into the ear
C. Pull the pinna up and back and insert the scope
D. Tilt the scope to the angle of the ear - correct answerC. Pull the pinna up and back
and insert the scope
Which of the following would be considered subjective data?
A. The patient states that he has clear discharge coming out of his ears.
B. You note that the patient's ears are equal size and shape.
C. The patient is unable to hear the words on the Whispered Voice Test.
D. The patient's ear drum is a pearl gray color. - correct answerA. The patient states
that he has clear discharge coming out of his ears.
The nurse is assessing a client who has a hearing impairment. How should the nurse
communicate with this client?
A) Use a low tone and speak slowly.
B) Use a normal tone of voice and speak slowly.
C) Speak loudly with a normal rate.
D) Face the client and speak slowly. - correct answerD) Face the client and speak
slowly.
When examining the ear with an otoscope, the nurse notes that the tympanic
membrane should appear:
A) light pink with a slight bulge.
B) pearly gray and slightly concave.
C) pulled in at the base of the cone of light.
D)whitish with a small fleck of light in the superior portion. - correct answerB) pearly
gray and slightly concave.
The nurse needs to pull the portion of the ear that consists of movable cartilage and
skin down and back when administering eardrops. This portion of the ear is called the:
,A) auricle.
B) concha.
C) outer meatus.
D)mastoid process. - correct answerA) auricle
A client with a middle ear infection asks the nurse, "What does the middle ear do?" The
nurse responds by telling the client that the middle ear functions to:
A) maintain balance.
B) interpret sounds as they enter the ear.
C) conduct vibrations of sounds to the inner ear.
D) increase amplitude of sound for the inner ear to function. - correct answerC) conduct
vibrations of sounds to the inner ear.
The nurse is assessing a client who may have hearing loss. Which of these statements
is true concerning air conduction?
A) It is the normal pathway for hearing.
B) It is caused by the vibrations of bones in the skull.
C) The amplitude of sound determines the pitch that is heard.
D) A loss of air conduction is called a conductive hearing loss. - correct answerA) It is
the normal pathway for hearing.
In performing a whispered words test to assess hearing, which of these actions would
the nurse do?
A) Shield the lips so that the sound is muffled.
B) Whisper a set of random numbers and letters and ask the patient to repeat them.
C) Ask the patient to place his finger in his ear to occlude outside noise.
D)Stand about 4 feet away to ensure that the patient can really hear at this distance. -
correct answerB) Whisper a set of random numbers and letters and ask the patient to
repeat them.
The nurse is performing an ear examination of an 80-year-old client. Which of these
would be considered a normal finding for the aging adult?
A) A high-tone frequency loss
B) Increased elasticity of the pinna
C) A thin, translucent membrane
D) A shiny, pink tympanic membrane - correct answerA) A high-tone frequency loss
The nurse is examining a client's ears and notices cerumen in the external canal. Which
of these statements about cerumen is correct?
A) Sticky honey-colored cerumen is a sign of infection.
,B) The presence of cerumen is indicative of poor hygiene.
C) The purpose of cerumen is to protect and lubricate the ear.
D) Cerumen is necessary for transmitting sound through the auditory canal. - correct
answerC) The purpose of cerumen is to protect and lubricate the ear.
A client has been shown to have sensorineural hearing loss. During the assessment, it
would be important for the nurse to:
A) speak loudly so he can hear the questions.
B) assess for middle ear infection as a possible cause.
C) ask the patient what medications he is currently taking.
D) look for the source of the obstruction in the external ear. - correct answerC) ask the
patient what medications he is currently taking.
The nurse is taking the history of a client who may have a perforated eardrum. What
would be an important question in this situation?
A) "Do you ever notice ringing or crackling in your ears?"
B) "When was the last time you had your hearing checked?"
C) "Have you ever been told you have any type of hearing loss?"
D) "Was there any relationship between the ear pain and the discharge you
mentioned?" - correct answerD) "Was there any relationship between the ear pain and
the discharge you mentioned?"
An 18-year-old is at the clinic for "a sore throat lasting 6 days." The nurse is aware that
which of these findings would be consistent with an acute infection?
A) Tonsils 1+/1-4+ and pink, same color as oral mucosa
B) Tonsils 2+/1-4+ with small plugs of white debris
C) Tonsils 3+/1-4+ with large white spots
D) Tonsils 3+/1-4+ with pale coloring - correct answerC) Tonsils 3+/1-4+ with large
white spots
The salivary gland that is the largest and located in the cheek in front of the ear is the
_____ gland.
A) parotid
B) Stensen's
C) sublingual
D) submandibular - correct answerA) parotid
The nurse is assessing an 80-year-old client. Which of these findings would be
expected for this client?
A) Hypertrophy of the gums
B) An increased production of saliva
, C) A decreased ability to identify odors
D) Finer and less prominent nasal hair - correct answerC) A decreased ability to identify
odors
A 92-year-old client has had a stroke. The right side of his face is drooping. The nurse
might also suspect which of these assessment findings?
A) Epistaxis
B) Rhinorrhea
C) Dysphagia
D) Xerostomia - correct answerC) Dysphagia
The nurse is doing an assessment on a 21-year-old client and notices that his nasal
mucosa appears pale, gray, and swollen. What would be the most appropriate question
to ask the patient?
A)"Are you aware of having any allergies?"
B) "Do you have an elevated temperature?"
C) "Have you had any symptoms of a cold?"
D)"Have you been having frequent nosebleeds?" - correct answerA)"Are you aware of
having any allergies?"
Which of these techniques best describes the test the nurse should use to assess the
function of cranial nerve X (Vagus)?
A)Observe the patient's ability to articulate specific words.
B)Observe the patient's ability to move the shoulders against resistance.
C)Have the patient stick out the tongue and observe for tremors or pulling to one side.
D)Ask the patient to say "ahhh" and watch for movement of the soft palate and uvula. -
correct answerD)Ask the patient to say "ahhh" and watch for movement of the soft
palate and uvula.
The nurse is assessing a client in the hospital who has received numerous antibiotics
and notices that his tongue appears to be black and hairy. In response to his concern,
what would the nurse say?
A)"We will need to get a biopsy and see what the cause is."
B)"This is an overgrowth of hair and will go away in a few days."
C)"This is a fungal infection caused by all the antibiotics you've received."
D)"This is probably caused by the same bacteria you had in your lungs." - correct
answerC)"This is a fungal infection caused by all the antibiotics you've received."
The primary purpose of the ciliated mucous membrane in the nose is to:
A) warm the inhaled air.
B) filter out dust and bacteria.
