Latest NSG 6020 3P Exam 2026/2027 with verified answers plus
rationales A+ Graded
1. During a physical examination, a patient reports abdominal distention. Which finding
would most strongly support the presence of ascites?
A. Hyperactive bowel sounds
B. Positive fluid-wave test
C. Positive Murphy sign
D. Rebound tenderness
Answer: B. Positive fluid-wave test
Rationale: A fluid wave can indicate free fluid within the peritoneal cavity and supports the
presence of ascites.
2. A patient is prescribed an oral glucocorticoid. Which instruction is most appropriate?
A. Take it on an empty stomach
B. Take it with food
C. Stop it abruptly when symptoms improve
D. Take it only when pain occurs
Answer: B. Take it with food
Rationale: Taking oral glucocorticoids with food can reduce gastrointestinal irritation. Long-
term therapy should not be stopped abruptly because adrenal suppression may occur.
3. A patient presents with sudden, severe unilateral testicular pain accompanied by nausea.
Which condition should the clinician suspect first?
A. Epididymitis
B. Testicular torsion
C. Hydrocele
D. Varicocele
Answer: B. Testicular torsion
Rationale: Testicular torsion typically presents with sudden severe unilateral scrotal pain and
requires urgent evaluation because testicular blood flow can be compromised.
,4. Which headache characteristic should raise concern for a secondary intracranial
process?
A. Mild headache relieved by rest
B. Headache that occurs occasionally after stress
C. New-onset headache after age 50
D. Headache relieved by usual analgesics
Answer: C. New-onset headache after age 50
Rationale: New headache in an older adult is a red flag requiring evaluation for secondary
causes.
5. Which headache characteristic can suggest increased intracranial pressure?
A. Precipitation by Valsalva maneuver
B. Improvement with exercise
C. Occurrence only after eating
D. Relief with hydration
Answer: A. Precipitation by Valsalva maneuver
Rationale: Headaches worsened by coughing, straining, or Valsalva can be associated with
increased intracranial pressure or other secondary causes.
6. During a migraine, which vascular change is traditionally associated with the headache
phase?
A. Cerebral vasodilation
B. Complete cerebral vasoconstriction
C. Permanent arterial obstruction
D. Venous thrombosis in every case
Answer: A. Cerebral vasodilation
Rationale: Migraine pathophysiology involves activation of the trigeminovascular system and
release of vasoactive neuropeptides, with vasodilation contributing to pain.
,7. Which finding is most suggestive of bipolar disorder in an adolescent?
A. Occasional sadness after an examination
B. Persistent episodes of elevated or irritable mood with decreased need for sleep
C. Mild anxiety before school
D. Occasional difficulty concentrating
Answer: B. Persistent episodes of elevated or irritable mood with decreased need for sleep
Rationale: Mania or hypomania involves abnormal mood elevation or irritability accompanied
by symptoms such as decreased need for sleep, increased activity, impulsivity, and impaired
judgment.
8. Which is an important risk factor for breast cancer?
A. Regular physical activity
B. Personal or strong family history of breast cancer
C. Adequate calcium intake
D. Early routine screening
Answer: B. Personal or strong family history of breast cancer
Rationale: Personal and family history are important breast cancer risk factors.
9. A patient reports episodes of binge eating followed by self-induced vomiting. Which
disorder should be suspected?
A. Anorexia nervosa
B. Bulimia nervosa
C. Pica
D. Rumination disorder
Answer: B. Bulimia nervosa
Rationale: Bulimia nervosa is characterized by recurrent binge eating followed by inappropriate
compensatory behaviors such as self-induced vomiting.
10. Which medication class is commonly used for rapid relief of acute bronchospasm in
asthma?
, A. Short-acting beta₂ agonist
B. Leukotriene antagonist only
C. Long-acting corticosteroid only
D. Anticholinergic eye drops
Answer: A. Short-acting beta₂ agonist
Rationale: A short-acting beta₂ agonist such as albuterol produces rapid bronchodilation and is
used for acute symptom relief.
11. Which finding is most consistent with hyperandrogenism in an adolescent female with
irregular menstrual cycles?
A. Hirsutism
B. Hypothermia
C. Bradycardia
D. Decreased body hair
Answer: A. Hirsutism
Rationale: Excess androgen activity can cause hirsutism, acne, and menstrual irregularities and
may occur with conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome.
12. Which joint is classified as a synovial joint?
A. Skull suture
B. Shoulder
C. Pubic symphysis
D. Epiphyseal plate
Answer: B. Shoulder
Rationale: The shoulder is a synovial ball-and-socket joint that permits extensive movement.
13. A patient taking digoxin develops worsening renal function. Why is this clinically
important?
A. Digoxin clearance may decrease, increasing toxicity risk
B. Digoxin becomes completely ineffective
rationales A+ Graded
1. During a physical examination, a patient reports abdominal distention. Which finding
would most strongly support the presence of ascites?
A. Hyperactive bowel sounds
B. Positive fluid-wave test
C. Positive Murphy sign
D. Rebound tenderness
Answer: B. Positive fluid-wave test
Rationale: A fluid wave can indicate free fluid within the peritoneal cavity and supports the
presence of ascites.
2. A patient is prescribed an oral glucocorticoid. Which instruction is most appropriate?
A. Take it on an empty stomach
B. Take it with food
C. Stop it abruptly when symptoms improve
D. Take it only when pain occurs
Answer: B. Take it with food
Rationale: Taking oral glucocorticoids with food can reduce gastrointestinal irritation. Long-
term therapy should not be stopped abruptly because adrenal suppression may occur.
3. A patient presents with sudden, severe unilateral testicular pain accompanied by nausea.
Which condition should the clinician suspect first?
A. Epididymitis
B. Testicular torsion
C. Hydrocele
D. Varicocele
Answer: B. Testicular torsion
Rationale: Testicular torsion typically presents with sudden severe unilateral scrotal pain and
requires urgent evaluation because testicular blood flow can be compromised.
,4. Which headache characteristic should raise concern for a secondary intracranial
process?
A. Mild headache relieved by rest
B. Headache that occurs occasionally after stress
C. New-onset headache after age 50
D. Headache relieved by usual analgesics
Answer: C. New-onset headache after age 50
Rationale: New headache in an older adult is a red flag requiring evaluation for secondary
causes.
5. Which headache characteristic can suggest increased intracranial pressure?
A. Precipitation by Valsalva maneuver
B. Improvement with exercise
C. Occurrence only after eating
D. Relief with hydration
Answer: A. Precipitation by Valsalva maneuver
Rationale: Headaches worsened by coughing, straining, or Valsalva can be associated with
increased intracranial pressure or other secondary causes.
6. During a migraine, which vascular change is traditionally associated with the headache
phase?
A. Cerebral vasodilation
B. Complete cerebral vasoconstriction
C. Permanent arterial obstruction
D. Venous thrombosis in every case
Answer: A. Cerebral vasodilation
Rationale: Migraine pathophysiology involves activation of the trigeminovascular system and
release of vasoactive neuropeptides, with vasodilation contributing to pain.
,7. Which finding is most suggestive of bipolar disorder in an adolescent?
A. Occasional sadness after an examination
B. Persistent episodes of elevated or irritable mood with decreased need for sleep
C. Mild anxiety before school
D. Occasional difficulty concentrating
Answer: B. Persistent episodes of elevated or irritable mood with decreased need for sleep
Rationale: Mania or hypomania involves abnormal mood elevation or irritability accompanied
by symptoms such as decreased need for sleep, increased activity, impulsivity, and impaired
judgment.
8. Which is an important risk factor for breast cancer?
A. Regular physical activity
B. Personal or strong family history of breast cancer
C. Adequate calcium intake
D. Early routine screening
Answer: B. Personal or strong family history of breast cancer
Rationale: Personal and family history are important breast cancer risk factors.
9. A patient reports episodes of binge eating followed by self-induced vomiting. Which
disorder should be suspected?
A. Anorexia nervosa
B. Bulimia nervosa
C. Pica
D. Rumination disorder
Answer: B. Bulimia nervosa
Rationale: Bulimia nervosa is characterized by recurrent binge eating followed by inappropriate
compensatory behaviors such as self-induced vomiting.
10. Which medication class is commonly used for rapid relief of acute bronchospasm in
asthma?
, A. Short-acting beta₂ agonist
B. Leukotriene antagonist only
C. Long-acting corticosteroid only
D. Anticholinergic eye drops
Answer: A. Short-acting beta₂ agonist
Rationale: A short-acting beta₂ agonist such as albuterol produces rapid bronchodilation and is
used for acute symptom relief.
11. Which finding is most consistent with hyperandrogenism in an adolescent female with
irregular menstrual cycles?
A. Hirsutism
B. Hypothermia
C. Bradycardia
D. Decreased body hair
Answer: A. Hirsutism
Rationale: Excess androgen activity can cause hirsutism, acne, and menstrual irregularities and
may occur with conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome.
12. Which joint is classified as a synovial joint?
A. Skull suture
B. Shoulder
C. Pubic symphysis
D. Epiphyseal plate
Answer: B. Shoulder
Rationale: The shoulder is a synovial ball-and-socket joint that permits extensive movement.
13. A patient taking digoxin develops worsening renal function. Why is this clinically
important?
A. Digoxin clearance may decrease, increasing toxicity risk
B. Digoxin becomes completely ineffective
