1
NSG 500 Exam 3 – Advanced Health Assessment | Wilkes
University (2026) | Advanced/Hard Difficulty | Professional
Level | 100% Pass Guaranteed | Graded A+
1. Which cranial nerve is being assessed when a patient is asked to shrug their shoulders
against resistance?
A. CN IX, glossopharyngeal
B. CN X, vagus
C. CN XI, spinal accessory
D. CN XII, hypoglossal
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Cranial nerve XI (spinal accessory nerve) innervates the sternocleidomastoid
and trapezius muscles. Shrugging the shoulders against resistance tests the trapezius muscle,
which is innervated by CN XI. CN IX is involved in taste and swallowing, CN X in phonation and
gag reflex, and CN XII in tongue movement.
2. The awareness of body position is known as:
,2
A. Graphesthesia
B. Stereognosis
C. Proprioception
D. Two-point discrimination
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Proprioception is the conscious awareness of body position and movement in
space. Graphesthesia is the ability to recognize numbers traced on the skin. Stereognosis is the
ability to identify objects by touch. Two-point discrimination is the ability to distinguish two
separate points on the skin.
3. The area of body surface innervated by a particular spinal nerve is called a:
A. Nerve pathway
B. Dermatome
C. Cutaneous zone
D. Spinal accessory area
,3
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: A dermatome is the area of skin supplied by a single spinal nerve root.
Dermatome mapping is essential for assessing spinal cord and nerve root integrity. A nerve
pathway describes the route of a nerve, and cutaneous zone is not a standard term.
4. A patient is asked to stand with feet together and arms at their sides. The patient loses
their balance. This is a positive:
A. Kernig sign
B. Homan sign
C. Romberg sign
D. McMurray test
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The Romberg test assesses proprioception and vestibular function. The patient
stands with feet together and eyes closed. Losing balance indicates a positive Romberg sign,
suggesting a sensory ataxia or vestibular dysfunction. Kernig sign tests for meningitis, Homan
sign for deep vein thrombosis, and McMurray for meniscal tears.
, 4
5. The finger-to-nose test allows assessment of:
A. Sensory function
B. Point location
C. Coordination and fine motor function
D. Stereognosis
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The finger-to-nose test is a cerebellar function test that assesses coordination
and fine motor control. The patient touches their nose and then the examiner's finger,
alternating sides. Intention tremor or past-pointing indicates cerebellar dysfunction.
6. During a two-point discrimination test, the area with the ability to discern two points in the
shortest distance is the:
A. Back
B. Palms
NSG 500 Exam 3 – Advanced Health Assessment | Wilkes
University (2026) | Advanced/Hard Difficulty | Professional
Level | 100% Pass Guaranteed | Graded A+
1. Which cranial nerve is being assessed when a patient is asked to shrug their shoulders
against resistance?
A. CN IX, glossopharyngeal
B. CN X, vagus
C. CN XI, spinal accessory
D. CN XII, hypoglossal
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Cranial nerve XI (spinal accessory nerve) innervates the sternocleidomastoid
and trapezius muscles. Shrugging the shoulders against resistance tests the trapezius muscle,
which is innervated by CN XI. CN IX is involved in taste and swallowing, CN X in phonation and
gag reflex, and CN XII in tongue movement.
2. The awareness of body position is known as:
,2
A. Graphesthesia
B. Stereognosis
C. Proprioception
D. Two-point discrimination
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Proprioception is the conscious awareness of body position and movement in
space. Graphesthesia is the ability to recognize numbers traced on the skin. Stereognosis is the
ability to identify objects by touch. Two-point discrimination is the ability to distinguish two
separate points on the skin.
3. The area of body surface innervated by a particular spinal nerve is called a:
A. Nerve pathway
B. Dermatome
C. Cutaneous zone
D. Spinal accessory area
,3
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: A dermatome is the area of skin supplied by a single spinal nerve root.
Dermatome mapping is essential for assessing spinal cord and nerve root integrity. A nerve
pathway describes the route of a nerve, and cutaneous zone is not a standard term.
4. A patient is asked to stand with feet together and arms at their sides. The patient loses
their balance. This is a positive:
A. Kernig sign
B. Homan sign
C. Romberg sign
D. McMurray test
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The Romberg test assesses proprioception and vestibular function. The patient
stands with feet together and eyes closed. Losing balance indicates a positive Romberg sign,
suggesting a sensory ataxia or vestibular dysfunction. Kernig sign tests for meningitis, Homan
sign for deep vein thrombosis, and McMurray for meniscal tears.
, 4
5. The finger-to-nose test allows assessment of:
A. Sensory function
B. Point location
C. Coordination and fine motor function
D. Stereognosis
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The finger-to-nose test is a cerebellar function test that assesses coordination
and fine motor control. The patient touches their nose and then the examiner's finger,
alternating sides. Intention tremor or past-pointing indicates cerebellar dysfunction.
6. During a two-point discrimination test, the area with the ability to discern two points in the
shortest distance is the:
A. Back
B. Palms
