NUR-631 Advanced Health Assessment Practice Exam 2026 |
D’Youville University Nursing Exam Prep Questions with
Answers & Detailed Rationales
Question 1
During a comprehensive health history, which question is most effective for
encouraging a patient to describe the chief concern in their own words?
A. "Does your chest hurt when you exercise?"
B. "Have you had this problem before?"
C. "Can you tell me what brought you in today?"
D. "Is your pain sharp or dull?"
Correct Answer:
C. "Can you tell me what brought you in today?"
Rationale:
Open-ended questions encourage patients to describe their symptoms without
being influenced by the examiner. Beginning the interview with an open-ended
question promotes rapport, gathers richer information, and reduces interviewer
bias. More focused questions can be used later to clarify details.
Question 2
,While obtaining vital signs, a clinician records the following: temperature 37.0°C
(98.6°F), heart rate 118 beats/min, respiratory rate 18 breaths/min, blood pressure
124/78 mmHg, and oxygen saturation 98% on room air. Which finding requires
additional assessment?
A. Temperature of 37.0°C
B. Heart rate of 118 beats/min
C. Respiratory rate of 18 breaths/min
D. Oxygen saturation of 98%
Correct Answer:
B. Heart rate of 118 beats/min
Rationale:
A resting heart rate above 100 beats/min is considered tachycardia in most adults.
While it may result from anxiety, pain, dehydration, medications, or other
conditions, it warrants further assessment to determine the underlying cause.
Question 3
Which assessment finding is most consistent with dehydration?
A. Moist oral mucosa and brisk skin turgor
B. Delayed skin recoil and dry mucous membranes
C. Warm, flushed skin with increased perspiration
D. Bilateral pitting edema of the lower extremities
Correct Answer:
B. Delayed skin recoil and dry mucous membranes
,Rationale:
Dehydration commonly presents with decreased skin elasticity, dry oral mucosa,
thirst, concentrated urine, and sometimes tachycardia. These findings suggest
reduced body fluid volume.
Question 4
During auscultation of the lungs, a clinician hears fine crackles at both lung bases
during inspiration. Which condition is most commonly associated with this
finding?
A. Pleural effusion
B. Pulmonary edema
C. Pneumothorax
D. Acute bronchospasm
Correct Answer:
B. Pulmonary edema
Rationale:
Fine inspiratory crackles are produced when fluid-filled alveoli or collapsed small
airways reopen during inspiration. Pulmonary edema, heart failure, and some
interstitial lung diseases commonly produce fine crackles.
Question 5
When assessing the carotid arteries, which action should be avoided?
, A. Inspecting for visible pulsations
B. Auscultating for bruits before palpation
C. Palpating both carotid arteries simultaneously
D. Assessing one carotid artery at a time
Correct Answer:
C. Palpating both carotid arteries simultaneously
Rationale:
Palpating both carotid arteries at the same time can reduce cerebral blood flow and
increase the risk of syncope. Each carotid artery should be assessed individually.
Question 6
A clinician is assessing cranial nerve II (optic nerve). Which examination best
evaluates its function?
A. Facial symmetry assessment
B. Visual acuity testing using a Snellen chart
C. Assessment of hearing with whispered voice testing
D. Evaluation of tongue movement
Correct Answer:
B. Visual acuity testing using a Snellen chart
Rationale:
The optic nerve is responsible for vision. Visual acuity, visual fields, and
funduscopic examination are key components of optic nerve assessment.
D’Youville University Nursing Exam Prep Questions with
Answers & Detailed Rationales
Question 1
During a comprehensive health history, which question is most effective for
encouraging a patient to describe the chief concern in their own words?
A. "Does your chest hurt when you exercise?"
B. "Have you had this problem before?"
C. "Can you tell me what brought you in today?"
D. "Is your pain sharp or dull?"
Correct Answer:
C. "Can you tell me what brought you in today?"
Rationale:
Open-ended questions encourage patients to describe their symptoms without
being influenced by the examiner. Beginning the interview with an open-ended
question promotes rapport, gathers richer information, and reduces interviewer
bias. More focused questions can be used later to clarify details.
Question 2
,While obtaining vital signs, a clinician records the following: temperature 37.0°C
(98.6°F), heart rate 118 beats/min, respiratory rate 18 breaths/min, blood pressure
124/78 mmHg, and oxygen saturation 98% on room air. Which finding requires
additional assessment?
A. Temperature of 37.0°C
B. Heart rate of 118 beats/min
C. Respiratory rate of 18 breaths/min
D. Oxygen saturation of 98%
Correct Answer:
B. Heart rate of 118 beats/min
Rationale:
A resting heart rate above 100 beats/min is considered tachycardia in most adults.
While it may result from anxiety, pain, dehydration, medications, or other
conditions, it warrants further assessment to determine the underlying cause.
Question 3
Which assessment finding is most consistent with dehydration?
A. Moist oral mucosa and brisk skin turgor
B. Delayed skin recoil and dry mucous membranes
C. Warm, flushed skin with increased perspiration
D. Bilateral pitting edema of the lower extremities
Correct Answer:
B. Delayed skin recoil and dry mucous membranes
,Rationale:
Dehydration commonly presents with decreased skin elasticity, dry oral mucosa,
thirst, concentrated urine, and sometimes tachycardia. These findings suggest
reduced body fluid volume.
Question 4
During auscultation of the lungs, a clinician hears fine crackles at both lung bases
during inspiration. Which condition is most commonly associated with this
finding?
A. Pleural effusion
B. Pulmonary edema
C. Pneumothorax
D. Acute bronchospasm
Correct Answer:
B. Pulmonary edema
Rationale:
Fine inspiratory crackles are produced when fluid-filled alveoli or collapsed small
airways reopen during inspiration. Pulmonary edema, heart failure, and some
interstitial lung diseases commonly produce fine crackles.
Question 5
When assessing the carotid arteries, which action should be avoided?
, A. Inspecting for visible pulsations
B. Auscultating for bruits before palpation
C. Palpating both carotid arteries simultaneously
D. Assessing one carotid artery at a time
Correct Answer:
C. Palpating both carotid arteries simultaneously
Rationale:
Palpating both carotid arteries at the same time can reduce cerebral blood flow and
increase the risk of syncope. Each carotid artery should be assessed individually.
Question 6
A clinician is assessing cranial nerve II (optic nerve). Which examination best
evaluates its function?
A. Facial symmetry assessment
B. Visual acuity testing using a Snellen chart
C. Assessment of hearing with whispered voice testing
D. Evaluation of tongue movement
Correct Answer:
B. Visual acuity testing using a Snellen chart
Rationale:
The optic nerve is responsible for vision. Visual acuity, visual fields, and
funduscopic examination are key components of optic nerve assessment.
