NURS 5220 ADVANCED HEALTH ASSESSMENT EXAM
2026/2027 | COMPLETE NURSING EXAM PREP | HIGH-
YIELD PRACTICE QUESTIONS & CORRECT ANSWERS |
LATEST UPDATED VERSION | UTA
1. If an older patient presents with dry mouth and difficulty swallowing, what
assessment should a healthcare provider prioritize?
Evaluate salivary gland function
Check for oral infections
Review the patient's medication list
Assess for signs of dehydration
2. Describe the implications of using a wide cuff on a small child during a blood
pressure assessment.
Using a wide cuff on a small child can lead to inaccurately low
blood pressure readings.
Using a wide cuff on a small child will result in higher systolic readings.
Using a wide cuff on a small child will provide accurate blood
pressure readings.
Using a wide cuff on a small child will not affect the readings at all.
3. A chief complaint is defined as the:
findings from a SAMPLE interview.
findings from a primary survey.
primary reason the person is seeking medical care.
findings from a secondary survey.
,4. Discuss the factors that may contribute to the decline in stature in older
adults starting at age 50.
Stature decline is primarily due to genetic factors alone.
There are no significant factors affecting stature in older adults.
Increased muscle mass and improved posture lead to stature decline.
Factors such as loss of bone density, changes in posture, and
intervertebral disc degeneration contribute to stature decline.
5. In a scenario where a child presents with unilateral nasal discharge and
persistent sneezing, what would be the most appropriate next step in
assessment?
Schedule a follow-up appointment for further evaluation.
Administer an antihistamine for allergies.
Examine for the presence of a foreign object.
Perform a throat examination for potential infections.
6. Describe how the pneumatic attachment of an otoscope contributes to the
assessment of the tympanic membrane.
It helps visualize the tympanic membrane's color and texture.
It determines the presence of fluid behind the tympanic membrane.
It measures the acoustic reflex of the tympanic membrane.
It allows the clinician to assess the mobility of the tympanic
membrane by applying air pressure.
7. On palpation of an older individual's skin, you observe 'tenting.' What would
be most appropriate for you to do in regard to this condition?
, Have the individual further evaluated for dehydration
Observe the skin carefully for other manifestations of loss of skin
integrity
Refer the client for a punch biopsy of the skin
Inform the individual to be especially vigilant in self-screening for skin
cancer
8. A nurse needs to auscultate the heart sounds of a patient who is in a hospital
room watching his favorite television show. Before beginning the assessment,
which of the following should the nurse do to provide a proper environment
for the assessment?
Turn off the TV and begin the assessment.
Ask the client to play some music from his laptop computer instead of
watching TV.
Leave the television as is, as the client is enjoying his show and being
distracted from his pain.
Ask the client if it would be okay to mute the volume on the TV
during the assessment.
9. Which type of breath sounds are normally auscultated over most of the lung
fields?
Tubular
Bronchovesicular
Bronchial
Vesicular
, 10. In which of the following patients would you include transillumination as part
of your exam?
The patient is complaining of a sore throat and anterior adenopathy.
The patient is complaining of a swollen tender mass just anterior to
the right ear.
The patient is complaining of a runny nose and itchy eyes for the last
week
The patient is complaining of right maxillary sinus pain and is
tender on palpation.
11. Describe the significance of palpating the submental lymph nodes during a
health assessment.
Palpating the submental lymph nodes measures hydration levels.
Palpating the submental lymph nodes assesses the function of cranial
nerves.
Palpating the submental lymph nodes evaluates skin conditions.
Palpating the submental lymph nodes helps identify potential
infections or malignancies in the oral cavity and throat.
12. Describe how Vitamin E contributes to overall health and well-being.
Vitamin E is primarily involved in the metabolism of fats.
Vitamin E regulates blood sugar levels in the body.
Vitamin E acts as an antioxidant that helps protect cells from
damage caused by free radicals.
Vitamin E is essential for the synthesis of collagen in the skin.
2026/2027 | COMPLETE NURSING EXAM PREP | HIGH-
YIELD PRACTICE QUESTIONS & CORRECT ANSWERS |
LATEST UPDATED VERSION | UTA
1. If an older patient presents with dry mouth and difficulty swallowing, what
assessment should a healthcare provider prioritize?
Evaluate salivary gland function
Check for oral infections
Review the patient's medication list
Assess for signs of dehydration
2. Describe the implications of using a wide cuff on a small child during a blood
pressure assessment.
Using a wide cuff on a small child can lead to inaccurately low
blood pressure readings.
Using a wide cuff on a small child will result in higher systolic readings.
Using a wide cuff on a small child will provide accurate blood
pressure readings.
Using a wide cuff on a small child will not affect the readings at all.
3. A chief complaint is defined as the:
findings from a SAMPLE interview.
findings from a primary survey.
primary reason the person is seeking medical care.
findings from a secondary survey.
,4. Discuss the factors that may contribute to the decline in stature in older
adults starting at age 50.
Stature decline is primarily due to genetic factors alone.
There are no significant factors affecting stature in older adults.
Increased muscle mass and improved posture lead to stature decline.
Factors such as loss of bone density, changes in posture, and
intervertebral disc degeneration contribute to stature decline.
5. In a scenario where a child presents with unilateral nasal discharge and
persistent sneezing, what would be the most appropriate next step in
assessment?
Schedule a follow-up appointment for further evaluation.
Administer an antihistamine for allergies.
Examine for the presence of a foreign object.
Perform a throat examination for potential infections.
6. Describe how the pneumatic attachment of an otoscope contributes to the
assessment of the tympanic membrane.
It helps visualize the tympanic membrane's color and texture.
It determines the presence of fluid behind the tympanic membrane.
It measures the acoustic reflex of the tympanic membrane.
It allows the clinician to assess the mobility of the tympanic
membrane by applying air pressure.
7. On palpation of an older individual's skin, you observe 'tenting.' What would
be most appropriate for you to do in regard to this condition?
, Have the individual further evaluated for dehydration
Observe the skin carefully for other manifestations of loss of skin
integrity
Refer the client for a punch biopsy of the skin
Inform the individual to be especially vigilant in self-screening for skin
cancer
8. A nurse needs to auscultate the heart sounds of a patient who is in a hospital
room watching his favorite television show. Before beginning the assessment,
which of the following should the nurse do to provide a proper environment
for the assessment?
Turn off the TV and begin the assessment.
Ask the client to play some music from his laptop computer instead of
watching TV.
Leave the television as is, as the client is enjoying his show and being
distracted from his pain.
Ask the client if it would be okay to mute the volume on the TV
during the assessment.
9. Which type of breath sounds are normally auscultated over most of the lung
fields?
Tubular
Bronchovesicular
Bronchial
Vesicular
, 10. In which of the following patients would you include transillumination as part
of your exam?
The patient is complaining of a sore throat and anterior adenopathy.
The patient is complaining of a swollen tender mass just anterior to
the right ear.
The patient is complaining of a runny nose and itchy eyes for the last
week
The patient is complaining of right maxillary sinus pain and is
tender on palpation.
11. Describe the significance of palpating the submental lymph nodes during a
health assessment.
Palpating the submental lymph nodes measures hydration levels.
Palpating the submental lymph nodes assesses the function of cranial
nerves.
Palpating the submental lymph nodes evaluates skin conditions.
Palpating the submental lymph nodes helps identify potential
infections or malignancies in the oral cavity and throat.
12. Describe how Vitamin E contributes to overall health and well-being.
Vitamin E is primarily involved in the metabolism of fats.
Vitamin E regulates blood sugar levels in the body.
Vitamin E acts as an antioxidant that helps protect cells from
damage caused by free radicals.
Vitamin E is essential for the synthesis of collagen in the skin.
