ADVANCED HEALTH ASSESSMENT ACTUAL
EXAMINATION TEST PAPER 2026
QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS
◉ Mrs. T. comes for her regular visit to the clinic. She is on your
schedule because her regular provider is on vacation and she
wanted to be seen. You have heard about her many times from your
colleague and are aware that she is a very talkative person. Which of
the following is a helpful technique to improve the quality of the
interview for both the provider and the patient?
A) Allow the patient to speak uninterrupted for the duration of the
appointment.
B) Briefly summarize what you heard from the patient in the first 5
minutes and then try to have her focus on one aspect of what she
told you.
C) Set the time limit at the beginning of the interview and stick with
it, no matter what occurs in the course of the interview.
D) Allow your impatience to show so that the patient picks up on
your nonverbal cue that the appointment needs to end.
Answer: B) Briefly summarize what you heard from the patient in
the first 5 minutes and then try to have her focus on one aspect of
what she told you.
,Give the patient free rein for the first 5-10 minutes, listening closely
to the conversation. Focus on what seems most important to the
patient. Learn to set limits when needed. A brief summary may help
you change the subject yet validate any concerns. Do no show your
impatience.
◉ Which of the following will help to optimize success from a
pediatric examination?
A) Doing the examination out of order if necessary to take advantage
of quiet periods for auscultation, etc.
B) Being very orderly, so as not to miss a portion of the examination.
C) Using firmness throughout your examination, letting the child
know you are in charge.
D) Making sure to place the infant on the table during the
examination while Mom watches close by.
Answer: A) Doing the examination out of order if necessary to take
advantage of quiet periods for auscultation, etc.
With certain exceptions, physical examination does not require use
of the examining table, or with the child in a parent's lap. Plan the
examination to start with the least distressing procedures and end
with the most distressing, usually involving the throat and ears.
Patience, distraction, play flexibility in the order of the examination,
and caring but firm approach are all key to successfully examining
the young child.
,◉ A patient has come in for an examination and states, "I have this
spot in front of my ear lobe here on my cheek that seems to be
getting bigger and is tender. What do you think it is?" The NP notes
swelling above the angle of the jaw and suspects it could be an
inflammation of his:
A) occipital node
B) thyroid gland
C) parotid gland
D) none of the above
Answer: C) parotid gland
The swelling of the parotid gland is seen anterior to the ear lobes
and above the angles of the jaw.
◉ All of the following are a common or concerning symptom in a
health history for a respiratory assessment EXCEPT?
A) palpitations
B) blood-streaked sputum
C) chest pain
D) snoring
Answer: A) palpitations
Chest pain, blood-streaked sputum, and snoring are all common or
concerning symptoms in a health history for respiratory assessment.
, ◉ A 29-year-old physical therapist presents for evaluation of an
eyelid problem. On observation, the right eyeball appears to be
protruding forward. Based on this description, what is the most
likely diagnosis?
A) Epicanthus
B) Ptosis
C) Exophthalmos
D) Ectropion
Answer: C) Exophthalmos
Eye protrusion (proptosis or exophthalmos)
◉ The nurse practitioner is performing an eye examination using
the ophthalmoscope. Which component is NOT part of the
ophthalmoscope?
A) lens disc
B) aperature
C) indicator of diopters
D) speculum
Answer: D) speculum
See picture of ophthalmoscope (Bates p 238)
EXAMINATION TEST PAPER 2026
QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS
◉ Mrs. T. comes for her regular visit to the clinic. She is on your
schedule because her regular provider is on vacation and she
wanted to be seen. You have heard about her many times from your
colleague and are aware that she is a very talkative person. Which of
the following is a helpful technique to improve the quality of the
interview for both the provider and the patient?
A) Allow the patient to speak uninterrupted for the duration of the
appointment.
B) Briefly summarize what you heard from the patient in the first 5
minutes and then try to have her focus on one aspect of what she
told you.
C) Set the time limit at the beginning of the interview and stick with
it, no matter what occurs in the course of the interview.
D) Allow your impatience to show so that the patient picks up on
your nonverbal cue that the appointment needs to end.
Answer: B) Briefly summarize what you heard from the patient in
the first 5 minutes and then try to have her focus on one aspect of
what she told you.
,Give the patient free rein for the first 5-10 minutes, listening closely
to the conversation. Focus on what seems most important to the
patient. Learn to set limits when needed. A brief summary may help
you change the subject yet validate any concerns. Do no show your
impatience.
◉ Which of the following will help to optimize success from a
pediatric examination?
A) Doing the examination out of order if necessary to take advantage
of quiet periods for auscultation, etc.
B) Being very orderly, so as not to miss a portion of the examination.
C) Using firmness throughout your examination, letting the child
know you are in charge.
D) Making sure to place the infant on the table during the
examination while Mom watches close by.
Answer: A) Doing the examination out of order if necessary to take
advantage of quiet periods for auscultation, etc.
With certain exceptions, physical examination does not require use
of the examining table, or with the child in a parent's lap. Plan the
examination to start with the least distressing procedures and end
with the most distressing, usually involving the throat and ears.
Patience, distraction, play flexibility in the order of the examination,
and caring but firm approach are all key to successfully examining
the young child.
,◉ A patient has come in for an examination and states, "I have this
spot in front of my ear lobe here on my cheek that seems to be
getting bigger and is tender. What do you think it is?" The NP notes
swelling above the angle of the jaw and suspects it could be an
inflammation of his:
A) occipital node
B) thyroid gland
C) parotid gland
D) none of the above
Answer: C) parotid gland
The swelling of the parotid gland is seen anterior to the ear lobes
and above the angles of the jaw.
◉ All of the following are a common or concerning symptom in a
health history for a respiratory assessment EXCEPT?
A) palpitations
B) blood-streaked sputum
C) chest pain
D) snoring
Answer: A) palpitations
Chest pain, blood-streaked sputum, and snoring are all common or
concerning symptoms in a health history for respiratory assessment.
, ◉ A 29-year-old physical therapist presents for evaluation of an
eyelid problem. On observation, the right eyeball appears to be
protruding forward. Based on this description, what is the most
likely diagnosis?
A) Epicanthus
B) Ptosis
C) Exophthalmos
D) Ectropion
Answer: C) Exophthalmos
Eye protrusion (proptosis or exophthalmos)
◉ The nurse practitioner is performing an eye examination using
the ophthalmoscope. Which component is NOT part of the
ophthalmoscope?
A) lens disc
B) aperature
C) indicator of diopters
D) speculum
Answer: D) speculum
See picture of ophthalmoscope (Bates p 238)
