NURS 5220 EXAM 2 (2026/2027) (PDF) |
ADVANCED HEALTH ASSESSMENT | UTA
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
(VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS
RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT
DOWNLOAD PDF.
Core Domains
• Cardiovascular Assessment and Heart Sounds
• Respiratory Assessment and Breath Sounds
• Abdominal Assessment and Gastrointestinal Findings
• Neurological Assessment and Cranial Nerves
• Musculoskeletal Assessment and Functional Testing
• Skin, Hair, and Nail Assessment
• Special Populations and Developmental Assessment
• Clinical Reasoning, Documentation, and Diagnostic Interpretation
Introduction
The NURS 5220 Exam 2 assesses graduate nursing students' mastery of
advanced health assessment and diagnostic reasoning. This comprehensive
evaluation covers system-based physical examination techniques, including
cardiovascular, respiratory, abdominal, neurological, and musculoskeletal
assessments. The exam employs multiple-choice and scenario-based questions
to test clinical decision-making, accurate interpretation of physical findings,
and documentation standards. Emphasis is placed on distinguishing normal
from abnormal findings, recognizing clinical indicators of disease processes,
,and applying evidence-based assessment principles across diverse patient
populations.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
Question 1
When auscultating the lungs, what are the normal breath sounds heard over
most of the lung periphery?
A. Vesicular
B. Bronchovesicular
C. Bronchial
D. Adventitious
Correct answer: A. Vesicular
RATIONALE: Vesicular breath sounds are soft, low-pitched sounds heard
over the majority of the lung fields (periphery). Bronchovesicular sounds are
heard over the major bronchi, bronchial sounds over the trachea, and
adventitious sounds are abnormal.
Question 2
During a cardiac assessment, the S1 heart sound is primarily caused by the
closure of which valves?
A. Aortic and Pulmonic
B. Pulmonic and Tricuspid
C. Aortic and Mitral
D. Mitral and Tricuspid
Correct answer: D. Mitral and Tricuspid
, RATIONALE: S1 occurs with the closure of the atrioventricular (AV)
valves, which are the mitral and tricuspid valves. This marks the beginning of
systole.
Question 3
Which physical exam technique is used to assess for tactile fremitus?
A. Percussion
B. Palpation
C. Auscultation
D. Inspection
Correct answer: B. Palpation
RATIONALE: Tactile fremitus is assessed by palpating the chest wall while
the patient repeats words like "ninety-nine." Increased fremitus suggests
consolidation; decreased fremitus suggests air or fluid in the pleural space.
Question 4
In which order should the physical examination of the abdomen be
performed?
A. Inspection, Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation
B. Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion, Palpation
C. Auscultation, Inspection, Palpation, Percussion
D. Inspection, Percussion, Palpation, Auscultation
Correct answer: B. Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion, Palpation
RATIONALE: Auscultation is performed second in the abdominal exam to
avoid altering bowel sounds through percussion or palpation. The correct
sequence is inspection, auscultation, percussion, and palpation.
, Question 5
What is the correct location to auscultate the aortic valve area?
A. Second left intercostal space at the left sternal border
B. Second right intercostal space at the right sternal border
C. Fifth left intercostal space at the midclavicular line
D. Fourth left intercostal space at the left sternal border
Correct answer: B. Second right intercostal space at the right sternal
border
RATIONALE: The aortic area is located at the second right intercostal
space at the right sternal border. The pulmonic area is at the second left
intercostal space, and the apical area is at the fifth left intercostal space at the
midclavicular line.
Question 6
A positive Romberg sign is indicated by which of the following?
A. Inability to touch the nose with the eyes closed
B. Fanning of the toes when the sole of the foot is stroked
C. Tremors during rapid alternating movements
D. Significant swaying or falling when the eyes are closed
Correct answer: D. Significant swaying or falling when the eyes are closed
RATIONALE: A positive Romberg test occurs when a patient loses balance
after closing their eyes, suggesting a problem with proprioception or
vestibular function. This indicates sensory ataxia.
Question 7
When assessing muscle strength, a grade of 3/5 indicates:
ADVANCED HEALTH ASSESSMENT | UTA
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
(VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS
RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT
DOWNLOAD PDF.
Core Domains
• Cardiovascular Assessment and Heart Sounds
• Respiratory Assessment and Breath Sounds
• Abdominal Assessment and Gastrointestinal Findings
• Neurological Assessment and Cranial Nerves
• Musculoskeletal Assessment and Functional Testing
• Skin, Hair, and Nail Assessment
• Special Populations and Developmental Assessment
• Clinical Reasoning, Documentation, and Diagnostic Interpretation
Introduction
The NURS 5220 Exam 2 assesses graduate nursing students' mastery of
advanced health assessment and diagnostic reasoning. This comprehensive
evaluation covers system-based physical examination techniques, including
cardiovascular, respiratory, abdominal, neurological, and musculoskeletal
assessments. The exam employs multiple-choice and scenario-based questions
to test clinical decision-making, accurate interpretation of physical findings,
and documentation standards. Emphasis is placed on distinguishing normal
from abnormal findings, recognizing clinical indicators of disease processes,
,and applying evidence-based assessment principles across diverse patient
populations.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
Question 1
When auscultating the lungs, what are the normal breath sounds heard over
most of the lung periphery?
A. Vesicular
B. Bronchovesicular
C. Bronchial
D. Adventitious
Correct answer: A. Vesicular
RATIONALE: Vesicular breath sounds are soft, low-pitched sounds heard
over the majority of the lung fields (periphery). Bronchovesicular sounds are
heard over the major bronchi, bronchial sounds over the trachea, and
adventitious sounds are abnormal.
Question 2
During a cardiac assessment, the S1 heart sound is primarily caused by the
closure of which valves?
A. Aortic and Pulmonic
B. Pulmonic and Tricuspid
C. Aortic and Mitral
D. Mitral and Tricuspid
Correct answer: D. Mitral and Tricuspid
, RATIONALE: S1 occurs with the closure of the atrioventricular (AV)
valves, which are the mitral and tricuspid valves. This marks the beginning of
systole.
Question 3
Which physical exam technique is used to assess for tactile fremitus?
A. Percussion
B. Palpation
C. Auscultation
D. Inspection
Correct answer: B. Palpation
RATIONALE: Tactile fremitus is assessed by palpating the chest wall while
the patient repeats words like "ninety-nine." Increased fremitus suggests
consolidation; decreased fremitus suggests air or fluid in the pleural space.
Question 4
In which order should the physical examination of the abdomen be
performed?
A. Inspection, Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation
B. Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion, Palpation
C. Auscultation, Inspection, Palpation, Percussion
D. Inspection, Percussion, Palpation, Auscultation
Correct answer: B. Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion, Palpation
RATIONALE: Auscultation is performed second in the abdominal exam to
avoid altering bowel sounds through percussion or palpation. The correct
sequence is inspection, auscultation, percussion, and palpation.
, Question 5
What is the correct location to auscultate the aortic valve area?
A. Second left intercostal space at the left sternal border
B. Second right intercostal space at the right sternal border
C. Fifth left intercostal space at the midclavicular line
D. Fourth left intercostal space at the left sternal border
Correct answer: B. Second right intercostal space at the right sternal
border
RATIONALE: The aortic area is located at the second right intercostal
space at the right sternal border. The pulmonic area is at the second left
intercostal space, and the apical area is at the fifth left intercostal space at the
midclavicular line.
Question 6
A positive Romberg sign is indicated by which of the following?
A. Inability to touch the nose with the eyes closed
B. Fanning of the toes when the sole of the foot is stroked
C. Tremors during rapid alternating movements
D. Significant swaying or falling when the eyes are closed
Correct answer: D. Significant swaying or falling when the eyes are closed
RATIONALE: A positive Romberg test occurs when a patient loses balance
after closing their eyes, suggesting a problem with proprioception or
vestibular function. This indicates sensory ataxia.
Question 7
When assessing muscle strength, a grade of 3/5 indicates:
