NURS 6531 ADVANCED HEALTH
ASSESSMENT FINAL EXAM PREP
2026/2027 QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED
ANSWERS| GRADE A+|WALDEN
UNIVERSITY
1. A 65-year-old male presents with a harsh systolic crescendo-decrescendo murmur heard
best at the second right intercostal space, radiating to the carotid arteries. Which diagnosis is
most likely?
A. Mitral Regurgitation
B. Aortic Stenosis
C. Pulmonary Stenosis
D. Aortic Regurgitation
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Aortic stenosis is characterized by a systolic murmur at the right
upper sternal border that radiates to the neck. Mitral regurgitation is holosystolic and
radiates to the axilla.
2. When evaluating a patient for suspected giant cell arteritis, which diagnostic test is
considered the gold standard?
A. Temporal artery biopsy
,B. C-reactive protein (CRP)
C. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)
D. Ultrasound of the temporal artery
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: While ESR and CRP are sensitive markers for inflammation, a
temporal artery biopsy is the definitive gold standard for diagnosing giant cell arteritis.
3. A patient presents with a positive McMurray test. This finding is most suggestive of an
injury to which structure?
A. Anterior cruciate ligament
B. Medial collateral ligament
C. Patellar tendon
D. Meniscus
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: The McMurray test is used to evaluate for tears in the meniscus
by rotating the knee with internal and external stress.
4. Which of the following physical exam findings is most specific for a diagnosis of acute
cholecystitis?
A. Rovsing’s sign
B. Grey Turner’s sign
, C. Cullen’s sign
D. Murphy’s sign
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Murphy’s sign, characterized by inspiratory arrest during deep
palpation of the right upper quadrant, is highly specific for acute cholecystitis.
5. A 28-year-old female presents with fatigue and a lab report showing a microcytic,
hypochromic anemia with an increased Red Cell Distribution Width (RDW). What is the most
likely cause?
A. Vitamin B12 deficiency
B. Anemia of chronic disease
C. Iron deficiency anemia
D. Thalassemia minor
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Iron deficiency anemia typically presents with microcytic,
hypochromic cells and an elevated RDW, reflecting the variation in cell size as iron stores
deplete.
6. In the assessment of a patient with suspected Parkinson’s disease, which classic triad of
symptoms is expected?
A. Headache, fever, and nuchal rigidity
ASSESSMENT FINAL EXAM PREP
2026/2027 QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED
ANSWERS| GRADE A+|WALDEN
UNIVERSITY
1. A 65-year-old male presents with a harsh systolic crescendo-decrescendo murmur heard
best at the second right intercostal space, radiating to the carotid arteries. Which diagnosis is
most likely?
A. Mitral Regurgitation
B. Aortic Stenosis
C. Pulmonary Stenosis
D. Aortic Regurgitation
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Aortic stenosis is characterized by a systolic murmur at the right
upper sternal border that radiates to the neck. Mitral regurgitation is holosystolic and
radiates to the axilla.
2. When evaluating a patient for suspected giant cell arteritis, which diagnostic test is
considered the gold standard?
A. Temporal artery biopsy
,B. C-reactive protein (CRP)
C. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)
D. Ultrasound of the temporal artery
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: While ESR and CRP are sensitive markers for inflammation, a
temporal artery biopsy is the definitive gold standard for diagnosing giant cell arteritis.
3. A patient presents with a positive McMurray test. This finding is most suggestive of an
injury to which structure?
A. Anterior cruciate ligament
B. Medial collateral ligament
C. Patellar tendon
D. Meniscus
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: The McMurray test is used to evaluate for tears in the meniscus
by rotating the knee with internal and external stress.
4. Which of the following physical exam findings is most specific for a diagnosis of acute
cholecystitis?
A. Rovsing’s sign
B. Grey Turner’s sign
, C. Cullen’s sign
D. Murphy’s sign
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Murphy’s sign, characterized by inspiratory arrest during deep
palpation of the right upper quadrant, is highly specific for acute cholecystitis.
5. A 28-year-old female presents with fatigue and a lab report showing a microcytic,
hypochromic anemia with an increased Red Cell Distribution Width (RDW). What is the most
likely cause?
A. Vitamin B12 deficiency
B. Anemia of chronic disease
C. Iron deficiency anemia
D. Thalassemia minor
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Iron deficiency anemia typically presents with microcytic,
hypochromic cells and an elevated RDW, reflecting the variation in cell size as iron stores
deplete.
6. In the assessment of a patient with suspected Parkinson’s disease, which classic triad of
symptoms is expected?
A. Headache, fever, and nuchal rigidity
