NSG 500 Exam 3 V2 | NSG 500 Advanced
Health Assessment | Wilkes University |
2026 Q&A with Rationale (Wilkes NSG500
Exam 3 2026)
1. While assessing the abdomen, the nurse practitioner performs the Murphy sign. A positive
Murphy sign is indicative of which condition?
A. Acute Cholecystitis
B. Acute Appendicitis
C. Peritonitis
D. Splenomegaly
Answer: A
Rationale: A positive Murphy sign is indicated when a patient abruptly stops inspiration
due to pain when the gallbladder is palpated. This finding is highly suggestive of acute
inflammation of the gallbladder, or cholecystitis. The examiner must hook their fingers
under the right costal margin while the patient takes a deep breath to elicit this response.
2. A patient presents with numbness and tingling in the thumb, index, and middle fingers.
Which clinical test would the examiner perform to assess for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
A. Phalen Test
B. Lachman Test
,C. McMurray Test
D. Thomas Test
Answer: A
Rationale: The Phalen test involves holding the wrists in acute flexion for 60 seconds to
compress the median nerve. If the patient experiences numbness or burning, it is a positive
indicator for carpal tunnel syndrome. This condition often results from repetitive motion
or trauma that narrows the carpal tunnel passage.
3. When assessing the deep tendon reflexes of a patient, the nurse practitioner notes a brisk,
hyperactive reflex with intermittent clonus. How should this be documented using the
standard scale?
A. 1+
B. 4+
C. 3+
D. 2+
Answer: B
Rationale: On the standard reflex scale, a grade of 4+ signifies a very brisk or hyperactive
response that is often associated with disease states. This grade typically includes clonus,
which is a series of involuntary, rhythmic, muscular contractions and relaxations. A 2+
grade is considered the normal expected response for an average adult.
, 4. During a musculoskeletal exam, the examiner asks the patient to move their arm away
from the midline of the body. This movement is defined as:
A. Adduction
B. Extension
C. Flexion
D. Abduction
Answer: D
Rationale: Abduction is the movement of a limb or other part away from the midline of the
body or from another part. Adduction is the opposite movement, bringing the limb closer to
the midline. Understanding these directional terms is crucial for documenting range of
motion accurately in a clinical setting.
5. An older adult patient presents with a stooped posture and a significant outward curvature
of the thoracic spine. What is the correct clinical term for this finding?
A. Lordosis
B. Kyphosis
C. Scoliosis
D. Spondylosis
Answer: B
Health Assessment | Wilkes University |
2026 Q&A with Rationale (Wilkes NSG500
Exam 3 2026)
1. While assessing the abdomen, the nurse practitioner performs the Murphy sign. A positive
Murphy sign is indicative of which condition?
A. Acute Cholecystitis
B. Acute Appendicitis
C. Peritonitis
D. Splenomegaly
Answer: A
Rationale: A positive Murphy sign is indicated when a patient abruptly stops inspiration
due to pain when the gallbladder is palpated. This finding is highly suggestive of acute
inflammation of the gallbladder, or cholecystitis. The examiner must hook their fingers
under the right costal margin while the patient takes a deep breath to elicit this response.
2. A patient presents with numbness and tingling in the thumb, index, and middle fingers.
Which clinical test would the examiner perform to assess for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
A. Phalen Test
B. Lachman Test
,C. McMurray Test
D. Thomas Test
Answer: A
Rationale: The Phalen test involves holding the wrists in acute flexion for 60 seconds to
compress the median nerve. If the patient experiences numbness or burning, it is a positive
indicator for carpal tunnel syndrome. This condition often results from repetitive motion
or trauma that narrows the carpal tunnel passage.
3. When assessing the deep tendon reflexes of a patient, the nurse practitioner notes a brisk,
hyperactive reflex with intermittent clonus. How should this be documented using the
standard scale?
A. 1+
B. 4+
C. 3+
D. 2+
Answer: B
Rationale: On the standard reflex scale, a grade of 4+ signifies a very brisk or hyperactive
response that is often associated with disease states. This grade typically includes clonus,
which is a series of involuntary, rhythmic, muscular contractions and relaxations. A 2+
grade is considered the normal expected response for an average adult.
, 4. During a musculoskeletal exam, the examiner asks the patient to move their arm away
from the midline of the body. This movement is defined as:
A. Adduction
B. Extension
C. Flexion
D. Abduction
Answer: D
Rationale: Abduction is the movement of a limb or other part away from the midline of the
body or from another part. Adduction is the opposite movement, bringing the limb closer to
the midline. Understanding these directional terms is crucial for documenting range of
motion accurately in a clinical setting.
5. An older adult patient presents with a stooped posture and a significant outward curvature
of the thoracic spine. What is the correct clinical term for this finding?
A. Lordosis
B. Kyphosis
C. Scoliosis
D. Spondylosis
Answer: B
