WGU D117 ADVANCED HEALTH ASSESSMENT EXAM |
2026/2027 LATEST UPDATE | PRACTICE QUESTIONS &
CORRECT ANSWERS
1. In a scenario where a patient describes their pain as 'excruciating' but is
reluctant to discuss it further, what would be an effective follow-up question
for the nurse?
What do you think caused your pain?
Can you describe what activities you find difficult because of the
pain?
Do you think your pain is worse than others?
Have you tried any treatments for your pain?
2. A nurse performing an eye examination uses an ophthalmoscope to best
visualize which area?
Iris
Optic disc
Cornea
Conjunctiva
3. The nurse is reviewing the normal age-related changes in the eye. Which of
these physiologic changes is responsible for decreased near vision in the
older adult?
Decreased distance vision abilities
Loss of lens elasticity
Decreased adaptation to darkness
Degeneration of the cornea
,4. A patient presents with symptoms of hyperthyroidism and noticeable
exophthalmos. What should be the next step in the assessment process?
Prescribe topical eye drops to reduce swelling.
Refer the patient for immediate surgery.
Advise the patient to monitor symptoms without further action.
Conduct a thorough thyroid function test.
5. In a clinical scenario where a patient presents with anxiety, how should a
nurse approach the family history assessment?
The nurse should avoid discussing family history to prevent
discomfort.
The nurse should only inquire about recent family medical events.
The nurse should focus only on physical health issues.
The nurse should specifically ask about any family history of mental
illness.
6. Describe how guided questioning can improve the quality of information
gathered during a patient interview.
Guided questioning is a technique that avoids patient engagement.
Guided questioning is primarily used to assess physical health only.
Guided questioning encourages patients to provide more detailed
and relevant information about their symptoms.
Guided questioning restricts patients to simple answers.
,7. A patient presents with a sudden onset of raised, itchy welts after eating
shellfish. What is the most likely diagnosis and what immediate action should
be taken?
Psoriasis; prescribe topical steroids.
Wheals, urticaria, or hives; administer antihistamines and monitor for
anaphylaxis.
Eczema; recommend moisturizing lotion.
Purpura; refer to a dermatologist.
8. Why is the placement of a stent categorized as surgical history rather than
medical history?
The placement of a stent is a routine check-up procedure.
The placement of a stent involves an invasive procedure that alters
the patient's anatomy.
The placement of a stent is related to mental health treatment.
The placement of a stent is not relevant to patient history.
9. After asking a 47-year-old woman to open her mouth wide and say 'Ah,' the
physician notes deviation of the uvula to the left side and asymmetry in the
elevation of the soft palate, with the right side of the palate sagging, as noted
in the figure. What specific nerve is most likely damaged?
Left glossopharyngeal nerve
Right vagus nerve
Left hypoglossal nerve
Right hypoglossal nerve
Left vagus nerve
, 10. To palpate for the thyroid, which approach is most appropriate for the nurse
to assume?
Upright
Anterior
Posterior
Lateral
11. Client Needs: Health Promotion and Maintenance A patient has come in for
an examination and states, "I have this spot in front of my ear lobe on my
cheek that seems to be getting bigger and is tender. What do you think it is?"
The nurse notes swelling below the angle of the jaw. What does the nurse
suspect?
Infection in the submental lymph node
Inflammation of the thyroid gland
Inflammation of the parotid gland
Infection in the occipital lymph node
12. You are performing an admission assessment on Joe, a 42-year-old admitted
to your floor with a wound infection. During your admission assessment, Joe
states he is allergic to penicillin. What would be your best response to this
information?
- "Are you allergic to any other drugs?"
- "How often have you received penicillin?"
- "Can you tell me what happens to you when you take penicillin."
- "Don't worry, I'll write your allergy on your chart and make sure you
don't receive any penicillin."
2026/2027 LATEST UPDATE | PRACTICE QUESTIONS &
CORRECT ANSWERS
1. In a scenario where a patient describes their pain as 'excruciating' but is
reluctant to discuss it further, what would be an effective follow-up question
for the nurse?
What do you think caused your pain?
Can you describe what activities you find difficult because of the
pain?
Do you think your pain is worse than others?
Have you tried any treatments for your pain?
2. A nurse performing an eye examination uses an ophthalmoscope to best
visualize which area?
Iris
Optic disc
Cornea
Conjunctiva
3. The nurse is reviewing the normal age-related changes in the eye. Which of
these physiologic changes is responsible for decreased near vision in the
older adult?
Decreased distance vision abilities
Loss of lens elasticity
Decreased adaptation to darkness
Degeneration of the cornea
,4. A patient presents with symptoms of hyperthyroidism and noticeable
exophthalmos. What should be the next step in the assessment process?
Prescribe topical eye drops to reduce swelling.
Refer the patient for immediate surgery.
Advise the patient to monitor symptoms without further action.
Conduct a thorough thyroid function test.
5. In a clinical scenario where a patient presents with anxiety, how should a
nurse approach the family history assessment?
The nurse should avoid discussing family history to prevent
discomfort.
The nurse should only inquire about recent family medical events.
The nurse should focus only on physical health issues.
The nurse should specifically ask about any family history of mental
illness.
6. Describe how guided questioning can improve the quality of information
gathered during a patient interview.
Guided questioning is a technique that avoids patient engagement.
Guided questioning is primarily used to assess physical health only.
Guided questioning encourages patients to provide more detailed
and relevant information about their symptoms.
Guided questioning restricts patients to simple answers.
,7. A patient presents with a sudden onset of raised, itchy welts after eating
shellfish. What is the most likely diagnosis and what immediate action should
be taken?
Psoriasis; prescribe topical steroids.
Wheals, urticaria, or hives; administer antihistamines and monitor for
anaphylaxis.
Eczema; recommend moisturizing lotion.
Purpura; refer to a dermatologist.
8. Why is the placement of a stent categorized as surgical history rather than
medical history?
The placement of a stent is a routine check-up procedure.
The placement of a stent involves an invasive procedure that alters
the patient's anatomy.
The placement of a stent is related to mental health treatment.
The placement of a stent is not relevant to patient history.
9. After asking a 47-year-old woman to open her mouth wide and say 'Ah,' the
physician notes deviation of the uvula to the left side and asymmetry in the
elevation of the soft palate, with the right side of the palate sagging, as noted
in the figure. What specific nerve is most likely damaged?
Left glossopharyngeal nerve
Right vagus nerve
Left hypoglossal nerve
Right hypoglossal nerve
Left vagus nerve
, 10. To palpate for the thyroid, which approach is most appropriate for the nurse
to assume?
Upright
Anterior
Posterior
Lateral
11. Client Needs: Health Promotion and Maintenance A patient has come in for
an examination and states, "I have this spot in front of my ear lobe on my
cheek that seems to be getting bigger and is tender. What do you think it is?"
The nurse notes swelling below the angle of the jaw. What does the nurse
suspect?
Infection in the submental lymph node
Inflammation of the thyroid gland
Inflammation of the parotid gland
Infection in the occipital lymph node
12. You are performing an admission assessment on Joe, a 42-year-old admitted
to your floor with a wound infection. During your admission assessment, Joe
states he is allergic to penicillin. What would be your best response to this
information?
- "Are you allergic to any other drugs?"
- "How often have you received penicillin?"
- "Can you tell me what happens to you when you take penicillin."
- "Don't worry, I'll write your allergy on your chart and make sure you
don't receive any penicillin."
