NSG 500 Advanced Health Assessment Exam 3 Review 2026 UPDATE
1. When assessing for the S3 heart sound, which positioning and part of the stethoscope is
most effective?
A. Diaphragm of the stethoscope with the patient sitting upright
B. Bell of the stethoscope with the patient leaning forward
C. Bell of the stethoscope with the patient in the left lateral decubitus position
D. Diaphragm of the stethoscope with the patient supine
Answer: C
Rationale: The S3 heart sound is a low-pitched sound best heard with the bell of the
stethoscope at the apex while the patient is in the left lateral decubitus position.
2. Which physical examination finding is most characteristic of lobar pneumonia?
A. Hyperresonance on percussion
B. Decreased tactile fremitus
C. Vesicular breath sounds throughout
D. Increased tactile fremitus and dullness to percussion
Answer: D
,Rationale: Consolidation from pneumonia increases the transmission of vibrations (tactile
fremitus) and produces a dull sound upon percussion.
3. During an abdominal assessment, a positive Murphy’s sign is suggestive of which
condition?
A. Acute cholecystitis
B. Acute appendicitis
C. Splenomegaly
D. Peritonitis
Answer: A
Rationale: Murphy’s sign is assessed by palpating the gallbladder area while the patient
inspires; sharp pain and an abrupt halt in inspiration indicate cholecystitis.
4. Testing for stereognosis involves asking the patient to identify what?
A. A number traced on their palm
B. The vibration of a tuning fork on a joint
C. A familiar object placed in their hand with eyes closed
D. The position of their big toe when moved by the examiner
Answer: C
Rationale: Stereognosis is the ability to recognize an object by touch, which tests the
sensory function of the parietal lobe.
, 5. A 65-year-old patient presents with a ‘claudication’ type of pain in the calves when
walking. This is most likely indicative of:
A. Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD)
B. Venous insufficiency
C. Deep vein thrombosis
D. Muscle strain
Answer: A
Rationale: Intermittent claudication, characterized by pain during activity that is relieved
by rest, is a classic symptom of Peripheral Artery Disease.
6. In the Rinne test, if bone conduction is heard longer than air conduction (BC > AC), it
indicates:
A. Normal hearing
B. Sensorineural hearing loss
C. Presbycusis
D. Conductive hearing loss
Answer: D
Rationale: In conductive hearing loss, bone conduction exceeds air conduction because the
sound bypasses the external/middle ear obstruction.
1. When assessing for the S3 heart sound, which positioning and part of the stethoscope is
most effective?
A. Diaphragm of the stethoscope with the patient sitting upright
B. Bell of the stethoscope with the patient leaning forward
C. Bell of the stethoscope with the patient in the left lateral decubitus position
D. Diaphragm of the stethoscope with the patient supine
Answer: C
Rationale: The S3 heart sound is a low-pitched sound best heard with the bell of the
stethoscope at the apex while the patient is in the left lateral decubitus position.
2. Which physical examination finding is most characteristic of lobar pneumonia?
A. Hyperresonance on percussion
B. Decreased tactile fremitus
C. Vesicular breath sounds throughout
D. Increased tactile fremitus and dullness to percussion
Answer: D
,Rationale: Consolidation from pneumonia increases the transmission of vibrations (tactile
fremitus) and produces a dull sound upon percussion.
3. During an abdominal assessment, a positive Murphy’s sign is suggestive of which
condition?
A. Acute cholecystitis
B. Acute appendicitis
C. Splenomegaly
D. Peritonitis
Answer: A
Rationale: Murphy’s sign is assessed by palpating the gallbladder area while the patient
inspires; sharp pain and an abrupt halt in inspiration indicate cholecystitis.
4. Testing for stereognosis involves asking the patient to identify what?
A. A number traced on their palm
B. The vibration of a tuning fork on a joint
C. A familiar object placed in their hand with eyes closed
D. The position of their big toe when moved by the examiner
Answer: C
Rationale: Stereognosis is the ability to recognize an object by touch, which tests the
sensory function of the parietal lobe.
, 5. A 65-year-old patient presents with a ‘claudication’ type of pain in the calves when
walking. This is most likely indicative of:
A. Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD)
B. Venous insufficiency
C. Deep vein thrombosis
D. Muscle strain
Answer: A
Rationale: Intermittent claudication, characterized by pain during activity that is relieved
by rest, is a classic symptom of Peripheral Artery Disease.
6. In the Rinne test, if bone conduction is heard longer than air conduction (BC > AC), it
indicates:
A. Normal hearing
B. Sensorineural hearing loss
C. Presbycusis
D. Conductive hearing loss
Answer: D
Rationale: In conductive hearing loss, bone conduction exceeds air conduction because the
sound bypasses the external/middle ear obstruction.
