NUR 101/ NUR101 Exam 3 –
Health Assessment Review
ACTUAL EXAM 2026/2027 |
Health Assessment Review |
Verified Q&A | Pass Guaranteed -
A+ Graded
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PART A – MULTIPLE CHOICE (Q1–60)
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* *Q1 (Female breast – malignancy finding):** A 58-year-old woman presents for routine breast
examination. During inspection, the nurse observes skin dimpling and peau d'orange
appearance over the upper outer quadrant of the right breast. These findings are most
suggestive of:
A. Fibroadenoma
B. Simple breast cyst
C. Malignancy
D. Mastitis
* *[CORRECT]** C
*Rationale: Peau d'orange (orange peel skin) and dimpling are classic signs of breast
malignancy caused by tumor infiltration of Cooper's ligaments and lymphatic obstruction.
Fibroadenomas present as mobile, rubbery masses without skin changes. Simple cysts are
smooth, mobile, and fluid-filled without surface changes. Mastitis presents with erythema,
warmth, and tenderness but not peau d'orange. Clinical pearl: Always document the quadrant,
clock position, and distance from the nipple when describing breast findings.*
* *Q2 (Female breast – lymph node palpation):** During axillary lymph node assessment, the
nurse palpates the pectoral (anterior) lymph nodes by placing the fingers:
, . Deep in the axilla against the chest wall
A
B. Along the anterior axillary fold, lateral to the pectoralis major
C. Along the posterior axillary fold, against the latissimus dorsi
D. Along the inner aspect of the upper arm
* *[CORRECT]** B
*Rationale: The pectoral (anterior) group of axillary lymph nodes is palpated along the anterior
axillary fold, lateral to the pectoralis major muscle. The central nodes are deep in the axilla,
subscapular nodes are along the posterior fold, and lateral nodes are along the inner upper arm.
Common student error: Confusing the anterior and posterior groups; remember 'pectoral' relates
to the chest (pectoralis major) anteriorly. Clinical pearl: Use the pads of your middle three
fingers in a circular motion, applying gentle pressure while supporting the patient's arm.*
* *Q3 (Breast self-exam timing):** A nurse is teaching a 35-year-old premenopausal woman
about breast self-examination (BSE). The nurse correctly instructs the patient to perform BSE:
A. On the first day of menstruation
B. 3-5 days after menstruation ends
C. Midway through the menstrual cycle
D. At any time during the month, as timing is not important
* *[CORRECT]** B
*Rationale: BSE should be performed 3-5 days after menstruation ends when hormonal
fluctuations are minimal and breast tissue is least engorged, allowing better palpation of
abnormalities. Performing BSE during menstruation or mid-cycle may yield false findings due to
physiologic nodularity. Clinical pearl: For postmenopausal women, recommend performing BSE
on the same day each month for consistency.*
* *Q4 (Breast mass characteristics):** During palpation of the left breast, the nurse notes a 2 cm
mass in the upper outer quadrant. The mass is smooth, well-circumscribed, mobile, and
nontender. These characteristics are most consistent with:
A. Infiltrating ductal carcinoma
B. Fibroadenoma
C. Breast abscess
D. Inflammatory breast cancer
* *[CORRECT]** B
*Rationale: Fibroadenomas are benign tumors characterized by smooth, well-circumscribed,
mobile, rubbery, and nontender masses, most commonly found in the upper outer quadrant.
Malignant masses are typically irregular, fixed, hard, and nontender. Abscesses are tender,
warm, and erythematous. Inflammatory breast cancer presents with diffuse erythema, peau
d'orange, and warmth without a discrete mass. Clinical pearl: The 'rule of threes' for
fibroadenoma: common in women under 30, smooth, mobile, and rubbery.*
,* *Q5 (Male genitalia – testicular exam):** A 22-year-old male presents for sports physical.
During testicular palpation, the nurse should expect the normal testis to feel:
A. Soft, spongy, and compressible
B. Hard, irregular, and fixed
C. Oval, smooth, firm, and equal in size bilaterally
D. Tender with palpable nodularity
* *[CORRECT]** C
*Rationale: Normal testes are oval-shaped, smooth, firm (not hard), equal in size bilaterally, and
nontender. A soft, spongy consistency suggests atrophy; hard, irregular, fixed masses suggest
malignancy; tenderness with nodules suggests epididymitis or torsion. Common student error:
Confusing 'firm' (normal) with 'hard' (abnormal). Clinical pearl: The epididymis is located
posterolaterally and should feel softer and more nodular than the testis itself—do not mistake
this for a tumor.*
* *Q6 (Hernia assessment):** To assess for an indirect inguinal hernia, the nurse should instruct
the patient to:
A. Perform a Valsalva maneuver while the examiner palpates the femoral canal
B. Stand and cough while the examiner inserts a finger into the inguinal canal
C. Lie supine and bear down while the examiner palpates the umbilicus
D. Sit upright and perform deep breathing while the examiner auscultates the groin
* *[CORRECT]** B
*Rationale: Indirect inguinal hernias are assessed by having the patient stand and cough while
the examiner inserts a finger into the inguinal canal; a palpable bulge or impulse indicates
herniation through the internal inguinal ring. Femoral hernias are assessed below the inguinal
ligament. Umbilical hernias are assessed at the umbilicus. Auscultation is not used for hernia
assessment. Clinical pearl: Direct inguinal hernias protrude through Hesselbach's triangle
medially; indirect hernias travel through the inguinal canal and may descend into the scrotum.*
* *Q7 (Digital rectal exam positioning):** The nurse is preparing to perform a digital rectal exam
(DRE) on a 65-year-old male patient. The preferred initial position for this examination is:
A. Lithotomy position
B. Left lateral (Sims') position with knees flexed
C. Knee-chest position
D. Standing position bent over the examination table
* *[CORRECT]** B
*Rationale: The left lateral (Sims') position with knees flexed is the preferred initial position for
DRE as it provides patient comfort, modesty, and adequate exposure for prostate and rectal
assessment. Lithotomy is used for female pelvic exams. Knee-chest is rarely used due to
patient discomfort. Standing bent over is an alternative but less comfortable for elderly patients.
Clinical pearl: In the left lateral position, have the patient lie on their left side with the right knee
drawn up toward the chest; this aligns the rectum for easy palpation.*
, * *Q8 (Prostate exam findings):** During DRE on a 70-year-old male, the nurse palpates a
prostate that is enlarged, smooth, rubbery, and nontender with no nodules. These findings are
most consistent with:
A. Prostate cancer
B. Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)
C. Acute bacterial prostatitis
D. Prostatic abscess
* *[CORRECT]** B
*Rationale: Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) presents as a symmetrically enlarged, smooth,
rubbery, nontender prostate without nodules. Prostate cancer typically presents with hard,
irregular nodules or asymmetry. Acute prostatitis is tender, warm, and boggy. Abscesses are
fluctuant and extremely tender. Clinical pearl: The normal prostate is heart-shaped,
approximately 2-4 cm in diameter, rubbery, nontender, and without nodules; the median sulcus
should be palpable in healthy men.*
* *Q9 (Female genitalia – external inspection):** During external genitalia inspection, the nurse
observes a small, firm, nontender nodule on the posterior labia majora. The most likely
diagnosis is:
A. Bartholin's cyst
B. Syphilitic chancre
C. Epidermoid cyst
D. Genital wart
* *[CORRECT]** C
*Rationale: Epidermoid (sebaceous) cysts are common, small, firm, nontender, yellowish
nodules found on the labia majora and are benign. Bartholin's cysts are located posterolaterally
at the vaginal introitus (4 or 8 o'clock positions) and may be tender if infected. Syphilitic
chancres are typically painless ulcers, not nodules. Genital warts (condylomata acuminata)
have a cauliflower-like appearance. Clinical pearl: Bartholin's glands are located at the posterior
aspect of the vaginal introitus; cysts or abscesses in this location require differentiation from
epidermoid cysts found on the labia majora surface.*
* *Q10 (Speculum exam – Pap smear):** When obtaining a Pap smear during a speculum
examination, the nurse practitioner should collect the endocervical sample:
A. Before the ectocervical sample using a wooden spatula
B. After the ectocervical sample using an endocervical brush
C. Simultaneously with the ectocervical sample using a broom device
D. Only if the patient is over age 30
* *[CORRECT]** B
*Rationale: The traditional Pap smear technique requires collecting the ectocervical sample first
with a spatula, followed by the endocervical sample with a cytobrush to avoid obscuring
Health Assessment Review
ACTUAL EXAM 2026/2027 |
Health Assessment Review |
Verified Q&A | Pass Guaranteed -
A+ Graded
=======================================================================
=
========
PART A – MULTIPLE CHOICE (Q1–60)
========================================================================
========
* *Q1 (Female breast – malignancy finding):** A 58-year-old woman presents for routine breast
examination. During inspection, the nurse observes skin dimpling and peau d'orange
appearance over the upper outer quadrant of the right breast. These findings are most
suggestive of:
A. Fibroadenoma
B. Simple breast cyst
C. Malignancy
D. Mastitis
* *[CORRECT]** C
*Rationale: Peau d'orange (orange peel skin) and dimpling are classic signs of breast
malignancy caused by tumor infiltration of Cooper's ligaments and lymphatic obstruction.
Fibroadenomas present as mobile, rubbery masses without skin changes. Simple cysts are
smooth, mobile, and fluid-filled without surface changes. Mastitis presents with erythema,
warmth, and tenderness but not peau d'orange. Clinical pearl: Always document the quadrant,
clock position, and distance from the nipple when describing breast findings.*
* *Q2 (Female breast – lymph node palpation):** During axillary lymph node assessment, the
nurse palpates the pectoral (anterior) lymph nodes by placing the fingers:
, . Deep in the axilla against the chest wall
A
B. Along the anterior axillary fold, lateral to the pectoralis major
C. Along the posterior axillary fold, against the latissimus dorsi
D. Along the inner aspect of the upper arm
* *[CORRECT]** B
*Rationale: The pectoral (anterior) group of axillary lymph nodes is palpated along the anterior
axillary fold, lateral to the pectoralis major muscle. The central nodes are deep in the axilla,
subscapular nodes are along the posterior fold, and lateral nodes are along the inner upper arm.
Common student error: Confusing the anterior and posterior groups; remember 'pectoral' relates
to the chest (pectoralis major) anteriorly. Clinical pearl: Use the pads of your middle three
fingers in a circular motion, applying gentle pressure while supporting the patient's arm.*
* *Q3 (Breast self-exam timing):** A nurse is teaching a 35-year-old premenopausal woman
about breast self-examination (BSE). The nurse correctly instructs the patient to perform BSE:
A. On the first day of menstruation
B. 3-5 days after menstruation ends
C. Midway through the menstrual cycle
D. At any time during the month, as timing is not important
* *[CORRECT]** B
*Rationale: BSE should be performed 3-5 days after menstruation ends when hormonal
fluctuations are minimal and breast tissue is least engorged, allowing better palpation of
abnormalities. Performing BSE during menstruation or mid-cycle may yield false findings due to
physiologic nodularity. Clinical pearl: For postmenopausal women, recommend performing BSE
on the same day each month for consistency.*
* *Q4 (Breast mass characteristics):** During palpation of the left breast, the nurse notes a 2 cm
mass in the upper outer quadrant. The mass is smooth, well-circumscribed, mobile, and
nontender. These characteristics are most consistent with:
A. Infiltrating ductal carcinoma
B. Fibroadenoma
C. Breast abscess
D. Inflammatory breast cancer
* *[CORRECT]** B
*Rationale: Fibroadenomas are benign tumors characterized by smooth, well-circumscribed,
mobile, rubbery, and nontender masses, most commonly found in the upper outer quadrant.
Malignant masses are typically irregular, fixed, hard, and nontender. Abscesses are tender,
warm, and erythematous. Inflammatory breast cancer presents with diffuse erythema, peau
d'orange, and warmth without a discrete mass. Clinical pearl: The 'rule of threes' for
fibroadenoma: common in women under 30, smooth, mobile, and rubbery.*
,* *Q5 (Male genitalia – testicular exam):** A 22-year-old male presents for sports physical.
During testicular palpation, the nurse should expect the normal testis to feel:
A. Soft, spongy, and compressible
B. Hard, irregular, and fixed
C. Oval, smooth, firm, and equal in size bilaterally
D. Tender with palpable nodularity
* *[CORRECT]** C
*Rationale: Normal testes are oval-shaped, smooth, firm (not hard), equal in size bilaterally, and
nontender. A soft, spongy consistency suggests atrophy; hard, irregular, fixed masses suggest
malignancy; tenderness with nodules suggests epididymitis or torsion. Common student error:
Confusing 'firm' (normal) with 'hard' (abnormal). Clinical pearl: The epididymis is located
posterolaterally and should feel softer and more nodular than the testis itself—do not mistake
this for a tumor.*
* *Q6 (Hernia assessment):** To assess for an indirect inguinal hernia, the nurse should instruct
the patient to:
A. Perform a Valsalva maneuver while the examiner palpates the femoral canal
B. Stand and cough while the examiner inserts a finger into the inguinal canal
C. Lie supine and bear down while the examiner palpates the umbilicus
D. Sit upright and perform deep breathing while the examiner auscultates the groin
* *[CORRECT]** B
*Rationale: Indirect inguinal hernias are assessed by having the patient stand and cough while
the examiner inserts a finger into the inguinal canal; a palpable bulge or impulse indicates
herniation through the internal inguinal ring. Femoral hernias are assessed below the inguinal
ligament. Umbilical hernias are assessed at the umbilicus. Auscultation is not used for hernia
assessment. Clinical pearl: Direct inguinal hernias protrude through Hesselbach's triangle
medially; indirect hernias travel through the inguinal canal and may descend into the scrotum.*
* *Q7 (Digital rectal exam positioning):** The nurse is preparing to perform a digital rectal exam
(DRE) on a 65-year-old male patient. The preferred initial position for this examination is:
A. Lithotomy position
B. Left lateral (Sims') position with knees flexed
C. Knee-chest position
D. Standing position bent over the examination table
* *[CORRECT]** B
*Rationale: The left lateral (Sims') position with knees flexed is the preferred initial position for
DRE as it provides patient comfort, modesty, and adequate exposure for prostate and rectal
assessment. Lithotomy is used for female pelvic exams. Knee-chest is rarely used due to
patient discomfort. Standing bent over is an alternative but less comfortable for elderly patients.
Clinical pearl: In the left lateral position, have the patient lie on their left side with the right knee
drawn up toward the chest; this aligns the rectum for easy palpation.*
, * *Q8 (Prostate exam findings):** During DRE on a 70-year-old male, the nurse palpates a
prostate that is enlarged, smooth, rubbery, and nontender with no nodules. These findings are
most consistent with:
A. Prostate cancer
B. Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)
C. Acute bacterial prostatitis
D. Prostatic abscess
* *[CORRECT]** B
*Rationale: Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) presents as a symmetrically enlarged, smooth,
rubbery, nontender prostate without nodules. Prostate cancer typically presents with hard,
irregular nodules or asymmetry. Acute prostatitis is tender, warm, and boggy. Abscesses are
fluctuant and extremely tender. Clinical pearl: The normal prostate is heart-shaped,
approximately 2-4 cm in diameter, rubbery, nontender, and without nodules; the median sulcus
should be palpable in healthy men.*
* *Q9 (Female genitalia – external inspection):** During external genitalia inspection, the nurse
observes a small, firm, nontender nodule on the posterior labia majora. The most likely
diagnosis is:
A. Bartholin's cyst
B. Syphilitic chancre
C. Epidermoid cyst
D. Genital wart
* *[CORRECT]** C
*Rationale: Epidermoid (sebaceous) cysts are common, small, firm, nontender, yellowish
nodules found on the labia majora and are benign. Bartholin's cysts are located posterolaterally
at the vaginal introitus (4 or 8 o'clock positions) and may be tender if infected. Syphilitic
chancres are typically painless ulcers, not nodules. Genital warts (condylomata acuminata)
have a cauliflower-like appearance. Clinical pearl: Bartholin's glands are located at the posterior
aspect of the vaginal introitus; cysts or abscesses in this location require differentiation from
epidermoid cysts found on the labia majora surface.*
* *Q10 (Speculum exam – Pap smear):** When obtaining a Pap smear during a speculum
examination, the nurse practitioner should collect the endocervical sample:
A. Before the ectocervical sample using a wooden spatula
B. After the ectocervical sample using an endocervical brush
C. Simultaneously with the ectocervical sample using a broom device
D. Only if the patient is over age 30
* *[CORRECT]** B
*Rationale: The traditional Pap smear technique requires collecting the ectocervical sample first
with a spatula, followed by the endocervical sample with a cytobrush to avoid obscuring
