NURS 5220 Exam 1 Advanced Health Assessment Test Bank With
Expert Verified Questions and Answers Detailed Rationales
INTRODUCTION
Welcome to the ultimate preparation resource for NURS 5220 Advanced
Health Assessment & Diagnostic Reasoning: Exam 1. This comprehensive,
master-level study guide transforms complex clinical assessment
concepts into highly readable multiple-choice questions. Tailored
specifically for MSN and DNP students aiming for top marks, each entry
breaks down real-world clinical scenarios, physical examination
techniques, and SOAP note documentation mechanics with immediate,
verified explanations to ensure complete mastery of the material.
Question 1
An advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) is conducting a
comprehensive health history on a new adult patient. The patient provides
a detailed narrative regarding their episodic chest tightness. Which of the
following components documented in the chart represents objective data?
A. Patient reports that the chest tightness feels like "an elephant sitting
on my chest."
B. The patient's spouse states that the patient becomes pale and sweaty
during episodes.
C. A localized, high-pitched expiratory wheeze is auscultated over the left
lower lung field during the exam.
,D. Patient states that sublingual nitroglycerin relieves the pain within 3
minutes.
Answer: C. A localized, high-pitched expiratory wheeze is auscultated
over the left lower lung field during the exam.
Explanation: Objective data consists of measurable, observable, or
reproducible findings obtained directly by the clinician through
physical examination techniques (inspection, palpation, percussion,
auscultation) or diagnostic tests. Options A, B, and D are all
elements of the subjective history provided by the patient or their
spouse (hearsay/history), which belong in the Subjective (S)
section of a SOAP note.
Question 2
During a focused evaluation for acute abdominal pain, a patient mentions,
"The sharp pain started suddenly 4 hours ago in the mid-epigastrium and
now it seems to be moving straight through to my back." Which two
components of the OLDCARTS mnemonic are explicitly addressed in this
statement?
A. Onset and Radiation
B. Duration and Characteristics
C. Aggravating factors and Timing
D. Location and Severity
Answer: A. Onset and Radiation
,Explanation: The patient defines the onset ("started suddenly 4 hours
ago") and radiation ("moving straight through to my back"). While
"sharp" addresses the character and "mid-epigastrium" addresses
location, option A is the only pair where both elements are
completely true and explicitly detailed within the given quote.
Question 3
When structuring a comprehensive SOAP note for an established patient
presenting with a chronic disease flare-up, where should the nurse
practitioner document the patient's current prescription list and reported
compliance?
A. Subjective (S)
B. Objective (O)
C. Assessment (A)
D. Plan (P)
Answer: A. Subjective (S)
Explanation: Current medications, dosages, frequencies, and the
patient's reported adherence or side effects are entirely subjective
history obtained via patient interview. While a verified pharmacy
printout or serum drug level is objective, the historical list provided
by the patient during history-taking belongs strictly under the
Subjective section.
, Question 4
A 62-year-old female presents with a new skin lesion on her left forearm.
While performing a dermatological inspection, the APRN notes a flat, non-
palpable, irregularly shaped area of skin discoloration measuring 1.5 cm
in diameter. How should this lesion be precisely documented?
A. Macule
B. Patch
C. Papule
D. Plaque
Answer: B. Patch
Explanation: A patch is defined as a flat, non-palpable, irregular-
shaped macule that is greater than 1.0 cm in diameter. A macule is
also flat but is strictly less than 1.0 cm. Papules and plaques are
elevated, palpable lesions, which contradicts the "flat, non-palpable"
description.
Question 5
During a routine wellness examination, the provider notes a discrete,
elevated, fluid-filled, superficial skin lesion measuring 0.3 cm in diameter
on the patient's right index finger. This finding is characteristic of which
primary skin lesion?
A. Vesicle
B. Bulla
Expert Verified Questions and Answers Detailed Rationales
INTRODUCTION
Welcome to the ultimate preparation resource for NURS 5220 Advanced
Health Assessment & Diagnostic Reasoning: Exam 1. This comprehensive,
master-level study guide transforms complex clinical assessment
concepts into highly readable multiple-choice questions. Tailored
specifically for MSN and DNP students aiming for top marks, each entry
breaks down real-world clinical scenarios, physical examination
techniques, and SOAP note documentation mechanics with immediate,
verified explanations to ensure complete mastery of the material.
Question 1
An advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) is conducting a
comprehensive health history on a new adult patient. The patient provides
a detailed narrative regarding their episodic chest tightness. Which of the
following components documented in the chart represents objective data?
A. Patient reports that the chest tightness feels like "an elephant sitting
on my chest."
B. The patient's spouse states that the patient becomes pale and sweaty
during episodes.
C. A localized, high-pitched expiratory wheeze is auscultated over the left
lower lung field during the exam.
,D. Patient states that sublingual nitroglycerin relieves the pain within 3
minutes.
Answer: C. A localized, high-pitched expiratory wheeze is auscultated
over the left lower lung field during the exam.
Explanation: Objective data consists of measurable, observable, or
reproducible findings obtained directly by the clinician through
physical examination techniques (inspection, palpation, percussion,
auscultation) or diagnostic tests. Options A, B, and D are all
elements of the subjective history provided by the patient or their
spouse (hearsay/history), which belong in the Subjective (S)
section of a SOAP note.
Question 2
During a focused evaluation for acute abdominal pain, a patient mentions,
"The sharp pain started suddenly 4 hours ago in the mid-epigastrium and
now it seems to be moving straight through to my back." Which two
components of the OLDCARTS mnemonic are explicitly addressed in this
statement?
A. Onset and Radiation
B. Duration and Characteristics
C. Aggravating factors and Timing
D. Location and Severity
Answer: A. Onset and Radiation
,Explanation: The patient defines the onset ("started suddenly 4 hours
ago") and radiation ("moving straight through to my back"). While
"sharp" addresses the character and "mid-epigastrium" addresses
location, option A is the only pair where both elements are
completely true and explicitly detailed within the given quote.
Question 3
When structuring a comprehensive SOAP note for an established patient
presenting with a chronic disease flare-up, where should the nurse
practitioner document the patient's current prescription list and reported
compliance?
A. Subjective (S)
B. Objective (O)
C. Assessment (A)
D. Plan (P)
Answer: A. Subjective (S)
Explanation: Current medications, dosages, frequencies, and the
patient's reported adherence or side effects are entirely subjective
history obtained via patient interview. While a verified pharmacy
printout or serum drug level is objective, the historical list provided
by the patient during history-taking belongs strictly under the
Subjective section.
, Question 4
A 62-year-old female presents with a new skin lesion on her left forearm.
While performing a dermatological inspection, the APRN notes a flat, non-
palpable, irregularly shaped area of skin discoloration measuring 1.5 cm
in diameter. How should this lesion be precisely documented?
A. Macule
B. Patch
C. Papule
D. Plaque
Answer: B. Patch
Explanation: A patch is defined as a flat, non-palpable, irregular-
shaped macule that is greater than 1.0 cm in diameter. A macule is
also flat but is strictly less than 1.0 cm. Papules and plaques are
elevated, palpable lesions, which contradicts the "flat, non-palpable"
description.
Question 5
During a routine wellness examination, the provider notes a discrete,
elevated, fluid-filled, superficial skin lesion measuring 0.3 cm in diameter
on the patient's right index finger. This finding is characteristic of which
primary skin lesion?
A. Vesicle
B. Bulla
