RATIONALES – ADVANCED HEALTH ASSESSMENT STUDY GUIDE
(GRADED A+)
Q1. A young adult male reports a lump in his scrotum. On exam, you feel a soft mass above the
left testicle, like a "bag of worms." What’s the diagnosis?
A) Hydrocele
B) Varicocele
C) Testicular cancer
D) Vas deferens
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Varicoceles are dilated scrotal veins, often on the left.
Tip: “Left + Wormy = Varicocele.”
Q2. Which of these visual changes occurs naturally with aging?
A) Cataracts
B) Glaucoma
C) Macular degeneration
D) Difficulty with near vision
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Loss of lens elasticity leads to presbyopia, causing near vision blur.
Tip: “Old age = Reading glasses.”
Q3. A 68-year-old presents with shortness of breath and elevated jugular venous pressure. Which
is a likely cause?
A) Left-sided heart failure
B) Mitral stenosis
C) Constrictive pericarditis
D) Aortic aneurysm
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Constrictive pericarditis limits cardiac filling and raises JVP.
Tip: “Constricted heart = high neck veins.”
Q4. Which lymph node group is most commonly affected in breast cancer?
A) Lateral
B) Subscapular
C) Pectoral
D) Central
Correct Answer: D
, Rationale: Central axillary nodes are the primary drainage site.
Tip: “Center = Cancer hot zone.”
Q5. A woman suspected of hypothyroidism has dry skin. What texture is typical?
A) Moist and smooth
B) Moist and rough
C) Dry and smooth
D) Dry and rough
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Hypothyroidism causes decreased skin moisture.
Tip: “Thyroid slow = Skin dry.”
Q6. A patient with SLE has a non-blanching, raised, red rash. What do you suspect?
A) Lupus-related
B) Chemical exposure
C) Allergic reaction
D) Benign rash
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Vasculitis from lupus causes non-blanching rashes.
Tip: “SLE = Skin Lesions Expected.”
Q7. While palpating the abdomen, you detect a small mass. What’s your next step?
A) Ultrasound
B) Palpate with tensed muscles
C) Refer to surgery
D) Percussion
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Tensing the abdomen helps distinguish superficial vs. deep masses.
Tip: “Tense first, test second.”
Q8. Which of the following is considered a coronary heart disease (CHD) risk equivalent?
A) Hypertension
B) Peripheral arterial disease (PAD)
C) COPD
D) SLE
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: PAD carries similar cardiac risk as existing CHD.
Tip: “PAD = Pre-CHD.”
Q9. A patient overuses the word “largely” during conversation. What speech pattern is this?
A) Echolalia
, B) Flight of ideas
C) Perseveration
D) Circumstantiality
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Perseveration is the repetitive use of a word or phrase.
Tip: “Repeating words = Perseverating thoughts.”
Q10. A woman with family breast cancer history asks about her risk. Which factor increases her
risk most?
A) Periods before age 12
B) First child after age 25
C) Sister with breast cancer at 38
D) Mother with postmenopausal breast cancer
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Premenopausal breast cancer in a first-degree relative increases risk.
Tip: “Early cancer = Early concern.”
Q11. A woman complains of smelly, thin vaginal discharge that worsens after sex. Microscopy
shows clue cells. Diagnosis?
A) Candida
B) Trichomoniasis
C) Atrophic vaginitis
D) Bacterial vaginosis
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Clue cells and a fishy odor point to BV.
Tip: “Fishy + Clue = BV.”
Q12. A dementia patient has a moist, pink, painless rectal mass. Likely diagnosis?
A) Rectal cancer
B) Hemorrhoid
C) Rectal prolapse
D) Anal polyp
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Rectal prolapse presents as a soft, protruding mass.
Tip: “Moist + no pain = Prolapse.”
Q13. A pregnant woman at 24 weeks has BP of 168/96 but no proteinuria. Likely diagnosis?
A) Chronic hypertension
B) Preeclampsia
C) Supine hypotensive syndrome
D) Gestational hypertension