NSG 500: ADVANCED HEALTH
ASSESSMENT COMPREHENSIVE
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. Which physical examination technique should be performed first during an abdominal
assessment?
A. Palpation
B. Percussion
C. Auscultation
D. Inspection
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: In abdominal assessment, the sequence is Inspection,
Auscultation, Percussion, and Palpation to avoid altering bowel sounds.
2. A patient presents with a ‘strawberry tongue.’ This clinical finding is most commonly
associated with which condition?
A. Vitamin B12 deficiency
B. Gingivitis
C. Oral candidiasis
,D. Scarlet fever
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: A ‘strawberry tongue’ is a classic sign of Scarlet fever or
Kawasaki disease.
3. When assessing the thyroid gland using the posterior approach, the nurse practitioner
should ask the patient to:
A. Tilt the head back and cough
B. Hold their breath
C. Tilt the head slightly forward and to the side being examined
D. Extend the neck fully and turn away from the provider
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Tilting the head forward and toward the side relaxes the
sternocleidomastoid muscle, making the thyroid easier to palpate.
4. Which cranial nerve is being tested when the provider asks the patient to shrug their
shoulders against resistance?
A. CN X (Vagus)
B. CN XI (Spinal Accessory)
C. CN XII (Hypoglossal)
D. CN IX (Glossopharyngeal)
, Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: CN XI innervates the trapezius and sternocleidomastoid
muscles; shrugging tests its motor function.
5. The ‘ABCDE’ rule for evaluating skin lesions for melanoma stands for:
A. Area, Boundary, Color, Depth, Edema
B. Asymmetry, Border, Color, Diameter, Evolving
C. Asymmetry, Blood, Color, Density, Enlargement
D. Atrophy, Border, Crust, Diameter, Elevation
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: ABCDE is the standard mnemonic for screening suspicious
melanocytic lesions.
6. A 20/40 vision result on a Snellen chart means:
A. The patient can see at 40 feet what a normal eye sees at 20 feet
B. The patient can read 20 lines out of 40
C. The patient’s vision is twice as good as normal
D. The patient can see at 20 feet what a normal eye sees at 40 feet
Answer: D
ASSESSMENT COMPREHENSIVE
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. Which physical examination technique should be performed first during an abdominal
assessment?
A. Palpation
B. Percussion
C. Auscultation
D. Inspection
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: In abdominal assessment, the sequence is Inspection,
Auscultation, Percussion, and Palpation to avoid altering bowel sounds.
2. A patient presents with a ‘strawberry tongue.’ This clinical finding is most commonly
associated with which condition?
A. Vitamin B12 deficiency
B. Gingivitis
C. Oral candidiasis
,D. Scarlet fever
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: A ‘strawberry tongue’ is a classic sign of Scarlet fever or
Kawasaki disease.
3. When assessing the thyroid gland using the posterior approach, the nurse practitioner
should ask the patient to:
A. Tilt the head back and cough
B. Hold their breath
C. Tilt the head slightly forward and to the side being examined
D. Extend the neck fully and turn away from the provider
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Tilting the head forward and toward the side relaxes the
sternocleidomastoid muscle, making the thyroid easier to palpate.
4. Which cranial nerve is being tested when the provider asks the patient to shrug their
shoulders against resistance?
A. CN X (Vagus)
B. CN XI (Spinal Accessory)
C. CN XII (Hypoglossal)
D. CN IX (Glossopharyngeal)
, Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: CN XI innervates the trapezius and sternocleidomastoid
muscles; shrugging tests its motor function.
5. The ‘ABCDE’ rule for evaluating skin lesions for melanoma stands for:
A. Area, Boundary, Color, Depth, Edema
B. Asymmetry, Border, Color, Diameter, Evolving
C. Asymmetry, Blood, Color, Density, Enlargement
D. Atrophy, Border, Crust, Diameter, Elevation
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: ABCDE is the standard mnemonic for screening suspicious
melanocytic lesions.
6. A 20/40 vision result on a Snellen chart means:
A. The patient can see at 40 feet what a normal eye sees at 20 feet
B. The patient can read 20 lines out of 40
C. The patient’s vision is twice as good as normal
D. The patient can see at 20 feet what a normal eye sees at 40 feet
Answer: D
