NURS 5220 ADVANCED PHYSICAL
ASSESSMENT FINAL EXAM 2026/2027
QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT VERIFIED
ANSWERS | GURANTEED A+
1. A 65-year-old male presents with a sudden onset of the ‘worst headache of my life.’
Physical examination reveals nuchal rigidity and photophobia. What is the most likely
diagnosis?
A. Tension-type headache
B. Subarachnoid hemorrhage
C. Migraine with aura
D. Temporal arteritis
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Sudden, severe headache (‘thunderclap’) combined with signs of
meningeal irritation such as nuchal rigidity is classic for a subarachnoid hemorrhage.
2. When performing the Rinne test, a patient reports that bone conduction is greater than air
conduction (BC > AC) in the left ear. This finding is indicative of:
A. Sensorineural hearing loss in the left ear
B. Normal hearing in the left ear
,C. Conductive hearing loss in the left ear
D. Central hearing loss
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: In a normal ear, air conduction (AC) is twice as long as bone
conduction (BC). If BC > AC, it indicates a conductive hearing loss in that ear.
3. During a cardiac assessment, the nurse practitioner notes a mid-systolic click followed by a
late systolic murmur at the apex. This is most characteristic of:
A. Mitral valve prolapse
B. Aortic stenosis
C. Mitral regurgitation
D. Pulmonary stenosis
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Mitral valve prolapse (MVP) is typically characterized by a mid-
systolic click and a late systolic murmur.
4. A positive Murphy’s sign is best described as:
A. Pain felt in the right lower quadrant when the left lower quadrant is palpated
B. Abrupt cessation of inspiration during deep palpation of the right upper quadrant
C. Bruising around the umbilicus indicating intra-abdominal bleeding
, D. Pain elicited by extending the right hip while the patient is side-lying
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Murphy’s sign is used to detect cholecystitis; the patient stops
breathing in when the gallbladder is compressed due to pain.
5. Which cranial nerve is responsible for the motor function of the muscles of mastication
(chewing)?
A. CN V (Trigeminal)
B. CN VII (Facial)
C. CN IX (Glossopharyngeal)
D. CN XII (Hypoglossal)
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: The trigeminal nerve (CN V) provides motor innervation to the
muscles of mastication and sensory innervation to the face.
6. A 45-year-old patient presents with symptoms of hypothyroidism. On physical exam, the
NP notes a non-tender, enlarged thyroid gland. Which of the following is the most likely
diagnosis?
A. Graves’ disease
B. Toxic multinodular goiter
C. Hashimoto’s thyroiditis
ASSESSMENT FINAL EXAM 2026/2027
QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT VERIFIED
ANSWERS | GURANTEED A+
1. A 65-year-old male presents with a sudden onset of the ‘worst headache of my life.’
Physical examination reveals nuchal rigidity and photophobia. What is the most likely
diagnosis?
A. Tension-type headache
B. Subarachnoid hemorrhage
C. Migraine with aura
D. Temporal arteritis
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Sudden, severe headache (‘thunderclap’) combined with signs of
meningeal irritation such as nuchal rigidity is classic for a subarachnoid hemorrhage.
2. When performing the Rinne test, a patient reports that bone conduction is greater than air
conduction (BC > AC) in the left ear. This finding is indicative of:
A. Sensorineural hearing loss in the left ear
B. Normal hearing in the left ear
,C. Conductive hearing loss in the left ear
D. Central hearing loss
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: In a normal ear, air conduction (AC) is twice as long as bone
conduction (BC). If BC > AC, it indicates a conductive hearing loss in that ear.
3. During a cardiac assessment, the nurse practitioner notes a mid-systolic click followed by a
late systolic murmur at the apex. This is most characteristic of:
A. Mitral valve prolapse
B. Aortic stenosis
C. Mitral regurgitation
D. Pulmonary stenosis
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Mitral valve prolapse (MVP) is typically characterized by a mid-
systolic click and a late systolic murmur.
4. A positive Murphy’s sign is best described as:
A. Pain felt in the right lower quadrant when the left lower quadrant is palpated
B. Abrupt cessation of inspiration during deep palpation of the right upper quadrant
C. Bruising around the umbilicus indicating intra-abdominal bleeding
, D. Pain elicited by extending the right hip while the patient is side-lying
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Murphy’s sign is used to detect cholecystitis; the patient stops
breathing in when the gallbladder is compressed due to pain.
5. Which cranial nerve is responsible for the motor function of the muscles of mastication
(chewing)?
A. CN V (Trigeminal)
B. CN VII (Facial)
C. CN IX (Glossopharyngeal)
D. CN XII (Hypoglossal)
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: The trigeminal nerve (CN V) provides motor innervation to the
muscles of mastication and sensory innervation to the face.
6. A 45-year-old patient presents with symptoms of hypothyroidism. On physical exam, the
NP notes a non-tender, enlarged thyroid gland. Which of the following is the most likely
diagnosis?
A. Graves’ disease
B. Toxic multinodular goiter
C. Hashimoto’s thyroiditis
