NUR 634 MIDTERM EXAMINATION 2025/2026 –
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS WITH
RATIONALES | GRAND CANYON UNIVERSITY |
LATEST UPDATED PRACTICE Q&A | INSTANT
DOWNLOAD PDF
1. During a SOAP note, which information belongs in the Subjective section?
A. Blood pressure of 148/88 mmHg
B. Bilateral crackles on auscultation
C. “My chest feels tight when I climb stairs.”
D. Oxygen saturation of 94%
Answer: C
Rationale: Subjective data include symptoms and information reported by the patient, including
the patient's own description of the chief complaint.
2. Which technique should generally be performed first when examining the abdomen?
A. Palpation
B. Percussion
C. Auscultation
D. Deep palpation
Answer: C
Rationale: Auscultation is performed before percussion or palpation because manipulating the
abdomen can alter bowel sounds.
3. A patient reports sudden unilateral weakness and difficulty speaking. What is the
priority action?
A. Obtain a detailed family history
B. Perform an immediate neurologic assessment and activate emergency evaluation
C. Schedule a routine follow-up appointment
D. Ask the patient to return after fasting
Answer: B
,Rationale: Sudden focal neurologic deficits are concerning for an acute cerebrovascular event.
Rapid assessment and emergency evaluation are essential because treatment is time-sensitive.
4. Which finding is most consistent with a peripheral arterial disorder?
A. Warm skin with bilateral edema
B. Brown pigmentation around the ankles
C. Cool extremity with diminished peripheral pulses
D. Pain relieved by standing
Answer: C
Rationale: Arterial insufficiency commonly produces cool skin, diminished pulses, pallor, and
exertional pain.
5. A patient has jugular venous distention while sitting upright. This finding may indicate:
A. Increased right-sided cardiac pressure
B. Dehydration
C. Hypoglycemia
D. Hyperthyroidism
Answer: A
Rationale: Jugular venous distention reflects elevated central venous pressure and may occur
with right-sided heart failure or other causes of increased right atrial pressure.
6. Which cranial nerve is primarily assessed when asking a patient to smile, frown, and
puff out the cheeks?
A. CN V
B. CN VII
C. CN VIII
D. CN XII
Answer: B
Rationale: Cranial nerve VII, the facial nerve, controls muscles responsible for facial
expression.
, 7. Which assessment finding is most concerning for increased intracranial pressure?
A. Mild headache after exercise
B. Decreased appetite
C. Altered level of consciousness with abnormal pupillary responses
D. Symmetric deep tendon reflexes
Answer: C
Rationale: Changes in consciousness and pupillary abnormalities can indicate serious neurologic
deterioration and require urgent evaluation.
8. When assessing a patient's respiratory system, which finding is generally considered
abnormal?
A. Vesicular breath sounds over peripheral lung fields
B. Symmetric chest expansion
C. Unilateral absence of expected breath sounds
D. Regular respiratory rhythm
Answer: C
Rationale: Unilateral reduction or absence of breath sounds can occur with conditions such as
pneumothorax, significant pleural effusion, or airway obstruction.
9. A patient reports pain that occurs predictably after walking and resolves with rest. This
pattern is most characteristic of:
A. Intermittent claudication
B. Neuropathic pain
C. Visceral abdominal pain
D. Pleuritic pain
Answer: A
Rationale: Intermittent claudication is exertional muscle pain caused by inadequate arterial
blood flow and typically improves with rest.
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS WITH
RATIONALES | GRAND CANYON UNIVERSITY |
LATEST UPDATED PRACTICE Q&A | INSTANT
DOWNLOAD PDF
1. During a SOAP note, which information belongs in the Subjective section?
A. Blood pressure of 148/88 mmHg
B. Bilateral crackles on auscultation
C. “My chest feels tight when I climb stairs.”
D. Oxygen saturation of 94%
Answer: C
Rationale: Subjective data include symptoms and information reported by the patient, including
the patient's own description of the chief complaint.
2. Which technique should generally be performed first when examining the abdomen?
A. Palpation
B. Percussion
C. Auscultation
D. Deep palpation
Answer: C
Rationale: Auscultation is performed before percussion or palpation because manipulating the
abdomen can alter bowel sounds.
3. A patient reports sudden unilateral weakness and difficulty speaking. What is the
priority action?
A. Obtain a detailed family history
B. Perform an immediate neurologic assessment and activate emergency evaluation
C. Schedule a routine follow-up appointment
D. Ask the patient to return after fasting
Answer: B
,Rationale: Sudden focal neurologic deficits are concerning for an acute cerebrovascular event.
Rapid assessment and emergency evaluation are essential because treatment is time-sensitive.
4. Which finding is most consistent with a peripheral arterial disorder?
A. Warm skin with bilateral edema
B. Brown pigmentation around the ankles
C. Cool extremity with diminished peripheral pulses
D. Pain relieved by standing
Answer: C
Rationale: Arterial insufficiency commonly produces cool skin, diminished pulses, pallor, and
exertional pain.
5. A patient has jugular venous distention while sitting upright. This finding may indicate:
A. Increased right-sided cardiac pressure
B. Dehydration
C. Hypoglycemia
D. Hyperthyroidism
Answer: A
Rationale: Jugular venous distention reflects elevated central venous pressure and may occur
with right-sided heart failure or other causes of increased right atrial pressure.
6. Which cranial nerve is primarily assessed when asking a patient to smile, frown, and
puff out the cheeks?
A. CN V
B. CN VII
C. CN VIII
D. CN XII
Answer: B
Rationale: Cranial nerve VII, the facial nerve, controls muscles responsible for facial
expression.
, 7. Which assessment finding is most concerning for increased intracranial pressure?
A. Mild headache after exercise
B. Decreased appetite
C. Altered level of consciousness with abnormal pupillary responses
D. Symmetric deep tendon reflexes
Answer: C
Rationale: Changes in consciousness and pupillary abnormalities can indicate serious neurologic
deterioration and require urgent evaluation.
8. When assessing a patient's respiratory system, which finding is generally considered
abnormal?
A. Vesicular breath sounds over peripheral lung fields
B. Symmetric chest expansion
C. Unilateral absence of expected breath sounds
D. Regular respiratory rhythm
Answer: C
Rationale: Unilateral reduction or absence of breath sounds can occur with conditions such as
pneumothorax, significant pleural effusion, or airway obstruction.
9. A patient reports pain that occurs predictably after walking and resolves with rest. This
pattern is most characteristic of:
A. Intermittent claudication
B. Neuropathic pain
C. Visceral abdominal pain
D. Pleuritic pain
Answer: A
Rationale: Intermittent claudication is exertional muscle pain caused by inadequate arterial
blood flow and typically improves with rest.
