NUR 2092 HEALTH ASSESSMENT EXAM
2 COMPREHENSIVE QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
1. A nurse is assessing a patient with suspected pleuritis. Which finding during auscultation is
most indicative of this condition?
A. Fine crackles at the lung bases
B. A low-pitched, grating sound heard during both inspiration and expiration
C. High-pitched wheezing throughout all lung fields
D. Decreased breath sounds at the right lower lobe
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: A pleural friction rub is a low-pitched, dry, grating sound caused
by inflammation of the pleural surfaces rubbing together; it is heard during both phases of
respiration.
,2. When auscultating the heart, the nurse knows that the S2 sound is loudest at which
location?
A. The base of the heart
B. The fifth intercostal space, left midclavicular line
C. The apex of the heart
D. The left lower sternal border
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: S2, which represents the closure of the semilunar valves (aortic
and pulmonic), is loudest at the base of the heart (the upper portion).
3. During a musculoskeletal exam, the nurse asks the patient to move their arm away from
the midline of the body. This movement is called:
A. Adduction
B. Abduction
C. Flexion
D. Extension
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Abduction is the movement of a limb away from the midline of
the body. Adduction is moving toward the midline.
, 4. Which cranial nerve is primarily responsible for the ‘gag reflex’ and the ability to swallow?
A. CN VII (Facial)
B. CN XII (Hypoglossal)
C. CN V (Trigeminal)
D. CN IX (Glossopharyngeal)
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Cranial nerves IX (Glossopharyngeal) and X (Vagus) are
responsible for the gag reflex and motor functions related to swallowing.
5. In what order should the nurse perform an abdominal assessment?
A. Inspection, Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation
B. Auscultation, Inspection, Palpation, Percussion
C. Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion, Palpation
D. Percussion, Palpation, Inspection, Auscultation
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Auscultation is done before percussion and palpation to avoid
stimulating bowel sounds or altering the findings of the physical exam.
6. A patient presents with a ‘straphylococcal’ infection of the skin. The nurse notes enlarged
lymph nodes in the groin. Which node group is this?
A. Axillary nodes
2 COMPREHENSIVE QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
1. A nurse is assessing a patient with suspected pleuritis. Which finding during auscultation is
most indicative of this condition?
A. Fine crackles at the lung bases
B. A low-pitched, grating sound heard during both inspiration and expiration
C. High-pitched wheezing throughout all lung fields
D. Decreased breath sounds at the right lower lobe
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: A pleural friction rub is a low-pitched, dry, grating sound caused
by inflammation of the pleural surfaces rubbing together; it is heard during both phases of
respiration.
,2. When auscultating the heart, the nurse knows that the S2 sound is loudest at which
location?
A. The base of the heart
B. The fifth intercostal space, left midclavicular line
C. The apex of the heart
D. The left lower sternal border
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: S2, which represents the closure of the semilunar valves (aortic
and pulmonic), is loudest at the base of the heart (the upper portion).
3. During a musculoskeletal exam, the nurse asks the patient to move their arm away from
the midline of the body. This movement is called:
A. Adduction
B. Abduction
C. Flexion
D. Extension
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Abduction is the movement of a limb away from the midline of
the body. Adduction is moving toward the midline.
, 4. Which cranial nerve is primarily responsible for the ‘gag reflex’ and the ability to swallow?
A. CN VII (Facial)
B. CN XII (Hypoglossal)
C. CN V (Trigeminal)
D. CN IX (Glossopharyngeal)
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Cranial nerves IX (Glossopharyngeal) and X (Vagus) are
responsible for the gag reflex and motor functions related to swallowing.
5. In what order should the nurse perform an abdominal assessment?
A. Inspection, Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation
B. Auscultation, Inspection, Palpation, Percussion
C. Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion, Palpation
D. Percussion, Palpation, Inspection, Auscultation
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Auscultation is done before percussion and palpation to avoid
stimulating bowel sounds or altering the findings of the physical exam.
6. A patient presents with a ‘straphylococcal’ infection of the skin. The nurse notes enlarged
lymph nodes in the groin. Which node group is this?
A. Axillary nodes
