NSG 6020 Week 2 Quiz: Complete HEENT
Assessment 2026/2027 Edition –
Questions with 100% Verified Correct
Answers
INSTRUCTIONS
This comprehensive quiz covers the complete Head, Eyes, Ears, Nose, and
Throat (HEENT) assessment for the NSG 6020 Advanced Health
Assessment course. Each question includes the correct answer and a
detailed rationale to reinforce clinical reasoning and examination
techniques.
SECTION 1: HEAD ASSESSMENT (Questions 1-5)
1. Normocephalic means a head size that is:
A) Small, flat, and disproportionate to the body
B) Round, symmetric, and appropriately related to the body size and age
C) Large, asymmetric, and bulging at the fontanelles
D) Elongated with visible cranial ridges
Answer: B) Round, symmetric, and appropriately related to the body size
and age
Rationale: Normocephalic is a normal finding meaning the head is of normal
size and shape—round, symmetric, and proportional to the body for the
,person's age. This finding is documented as "normocephalic" in the physical
examination record.
2. During the head examination, the nurse should palpate which of the
following structures? (Select all that apply)
A) Scalp
B) Skull
C) Temporal arteries
D) Temporomandibular joint (TMJ)
Answer: A, B, C, D
Rationale: The head examination includes palpation of the scalp and skull to
note any areas of tenderness or abnormalities, examination of the temporal
arteries for swelling or tenderness, and assessment of the TMJ for swelling,
tenderness, or malfunction.
3. You are examining the temporal artery of a 72-year-old patient who
complains of a new, severe headache, jaw pain when chewing, and visual
changes. You note the artery is prominent, tender, and nodular. What
condition must you immediately suspect?
A) Migraine headache
B) Trigeminal neuralgia
C) Giant cell (temporal) arteritis
D) Cluster headache
Answer: C) Giant cell (temporal) arteritis
Rationale: Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is a medical emergency in older adults.
The triad of new-onset headache, jaw claudication (pain when chewing), and
visual changes (due to ophthalmic artery involvement) is highly suspicious,
, especially with a tender, nodular temporal artery. Immediate steroids are
needed to prevent blindness.
4. A 29-year-old computer programmer comes to the office for evaluation
of a headache. The tightening sensation is located all over the head and is
of moderate intensity. It used to last minutes, but this time it has lasted for
5 days. He denies photophobia and nausea. He spends several hours each
day at a computer monitor/keyboard. He has tried over-the-counter
medication; it has dulled the pain but not taken it away. Based on this
description, what is your most likely diagnosis?
A) Migraine headache
B) Tension headache
C) Cluster headache
D) Sinus headache
Answer: B) Tension headache
Rationale: Tension headaches are characterized by a bilateral,
pressing/tightening quality (like a band around the head) of mild to moderate
intensity. They are not associated with photophobia, nausea, or vomiting.
Prolonged screen time and neck strain are common triggers. This
presentation is classic for tension-type headache.
5. During an examination, the nurse knows that Paget's disease would be
indicated by which of the following findings?
A) Positive MacEwen's sign
B) Frontal bossing
C) Enlarged skull with thickened cranium
D) Asymmetric head shape
Answer: C) Enlarged skull with thickened cranium
Assessment 2026/2027 Edition –
Questions with 100% Verified Correct
Answers
INSTRUCTIONS
This comprehensive quiz covers the complete Head, Eyes, Ears, Nose, and
Throat (HEENT) assessment for the NSG 6020 Advanced Health
Assessment course. Each question includes the correct answer and a
detailed rationale to reinforce clinical reasoning and examination
techniques.
SECTION 1: HEAD ASSESSMENT (Questions 1-5)
1. Normocephalic means a head size that is:
A) Small, flat, and disproportionate to the body
B) Round, symmetric, and appropriately related to the body size and age
C) Large, asymmetric, and bulging at the fontanelles
D) Elongated with visible cranial ridges
Answer: B) Round, symmetric, and appropriately related to the body size
and age
Rationale: Normocephalic is a normal finding meaning the head is of normal
size and shape—round, symmetric, and proportional to the body for the
,person's age. This finding is documented as "normocephalic" in the physical
examination record.
2. During the head examination, the nurse should palpate which of the
following structures? (Select all that apply)
A) Scalp
B) Skull
C) Temporal arteries
D) Temporomandibular joint (TMJ)
Answer: A, B, C, D
Rationale: The head examination includes palpation of the scalp and skull to
note any areas of tenderness or abnormalities, examination of the temporal
arteries for swelling or tenderness, and assessment of the TMJ for swelling,
tenderness, or malfunction.
3. You are examining the temporal artery of a 72-year-old patient who
complains of a new, severe headache, jaw pain when chewing, and visual
changes. You note the artery is prominent, tender, and nodular. What
condition must you immediately suspect?
A) Migraine headache
B) Trigeminal neuralgia
C) Giant cell (temporal) arteritis
D) Cluster headache
Answer: C) Giant cell (temporal) arteritis
Rationale: Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is a medical emergency in older adults.
The triad of new-onset headache, jaw claudication (pain when chewing), and
visual changes (due to ophthalmic artery involvement) is highly suspicious,
, especially with a tender, nodular temporal artery. Immediate steroids are
needed to prevent blindness.
4. A 29-year-old computer programmer comes to the office for evaluation
of a headache. The tightening sensation is located all over the head and is
of moderate intensity. It used to last minutes, but this time it has lasted for
5 days. He denies photophobia and nausea. He spends several hours each
day at a computer monitor/keyboard. He has tried over-the-counter
medication; it has dulled the pain but not taken it away. Based on this
description, what is your most likely diagnosis?
A) Migraine headache
B) Tension headache
C) Cluster headache
D) Sinus headache
Answer: B) Tension headache
Rationale: Tension headaches are characterized by a bilateral,
pressing/tightening quality (like a band around the head) of mild to moderate
intensity. They are not associated with photophobia, nausea, or vomiting.
Prolonged screen time and neck strain are common triggers. This
presentation is classic for tension-type headache.
5. During an examination, the nurse knows that Paget's disease would be
indicated by which of the following findings?
A) Positive MacEwen's sign
B) Frontal bossing
C) Enlarged skull with thickened cranium
D) Asymmetric head shape
Answer: C) Enlarged skull with thickened cranium
