A+ GRADED 1
NR547 Differential Diagnosis in
Psychiatric-Mental Health Across th
Lifespan Final Exam (2025/2026
Update) – Chamberlain College of
Nursing | Practicum Review with
Questions and Verified Answers
Instructions
1. Read each question thoroughly before selecting your answer.
2. Choose the one best answer out of the four options.
3. After answering, review the rationale to understand the clinical
reasoning.
4. Focus on recognizing assessment cues, patient findings, and
Secti indicators.
diagnostic
5. Use this set as both a study aid and a practice exam to strengthen
your preparation for the final.
, 2
1. What is the most appropriate technique to assess for jugular venous
distension (JVD)?
A. Palpate the supraclavicular fossa.
B. Inspect the neck at a 45-degree angle with the patient supine.
C. Auscultate the carotid arteries.
D. Measure blood pressure bilaterally.
Correct Answer: B. Inspect the neck at a 45-degree angle with the
patient supine.
Rationale: JVD is assessed by inspecting the jugular vein with the
patient at a 30–45-degree angle to visualize pulsations above the
clavicle, indicating increased right atrial pressure. Palpation,
auscultation, or blood pressure measurement do not assess JVD.
2. A patient presents with a high-pitched, blowing murmur heard best at
the left sternal border. What condition is most likely?
A. Mitral regurgitation
B. Aortic stenosis
C. Tricuspid regurgitation
D. Pulmonic stenosis
Correct Answer: C. Tricuspid regurgitation
Rationale: A high-pitched, blowing murmur at the left sternal border is
characteristic of tricuspid regurgitation, often associated with right
heart conditions. Mitral regurgitation and aortic stenosis have different
murmur locations and qualities, and pulmonic stenosis is rare.
3. When assessing the cranial nerves, which test evaluates cranial nerve V
(trigeminal)?
A. Test visual acuity.
B. Assess facial sensation to touch.
C. Observe for nystagmus.
D. Test gag reflex.
Correct Answer: B. Assess facial sensation to touch.
Rationale: Cranial nerve V is responsible for facial sensation and
mastication. Testing light touch and pain on the face assesses its sensory
function. Visual acuity tests cranial nerve II, nystagmus tests VIII, and
gag reflex tests IX and X.
, 3
4. A patient reports unilateral leg swelling and pain. What is the priority
physical assessment?
A. Check for Homans’ sign.
B. Measure calf circumference bilaterally.
C. Assess for peripheral pulses.
D. Inspect for skin discoloration.
Correct Answer: B. Measure calf circumference bilaterally.
Rationale: Measuring calf circumference helps identify asymmetry
suggestive of deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Homans’ sign is unreliable,
pulses may be normal in DVT, and skin discoloration is a later finding.
5. During a respiratory assessment, you note decreased breath sounds and
dullness to percussion on the right lower lobe. What is the most likely
cause?
A. Pneumothorax
B. Pleural effusion
C. Pneumonia
D. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
Correct Answer: B. Pleural effusion
Rationale: Decreased breath sounds and dullness to percussion suggest
fluid accumulation, as in pleural effusion. Pneumothorax causes
hyperresonance, pneumonia may cause crackles, and COPD causes
hyperinflation with prolonged expiration.
6. What is the correct technique to palpate the liver edge?
A. Press deeply in the left upper quadrant.
B. Use light palpation in the right lower quadrant.
C. Palpate below the right costal margin during inspiration.
D. Percuss the left midclavicular line.
Correct Answer: C. Palpate below the right costal margin during
inspiration.
Rationale: The liver edge is palpated in the right upper quadrant below
the costal margin during deep inspiration, as the diaphragm lowers the
liver. Other options target incorrect areas or methods.
7. A patient presents with a pulsatile abdominal mass. What is the priority
assessment?
A. Auscultate for bruits.
B. Percuss for tympany.
NR547 Differential Diagnosis in
Psychiatric-Mental Health Across th
Lifespan Final Exam (2025/2026
Update) – Chamberlain College of
Nursing | Practicum Review with
Questions and Verified Answers
Instructions
1. Read each question thoroughly before selecting your answer.
2. Choose the one best answer out of the four options.
3. After answering, review the rationale to understand the clinical
reasoning.
4. Focus on recognizing assessment cues, patient findings, and
Secti indicators.
diagnostic
5. Use this set as both a study aid and a practice exam to strengthen
your preparation for the final.
, 2
1. What is the most appropriate technique to assess for jugular venous
distension (JVD)?
A. Palpate the supraclavicular fossa.
B. Inspect the neck at a 45-degree angle with the patient supine.
C. Auscultate the carotid arteries.
D. Measure blood pressure bilaterally.
Correct Answer: B. Inspect the neck at a 45-degree angle with the
patient supine.
Rationale: JVD is assessed by inspecting the jugular vein with the
patient at a 30–45-degree angle to visualize pulsations above the
clavicle, indicating increased right atrial pressure. Palpation,
auscultation, or blood pressure measurement do not assess JVD.
2. A patient presents with a high-pitched, blowing murmur heard best at
the left sternal border. What condition is most likely?
A. Mitral regurgitation
B. Aortic stenosis
C. Tricuspid regurgitation
D. Pulmonic stenosis
Correct Answer: C. Tricuspid regurgitation
Rationale: A high-pitched, blowing murmur at the left sternal border is
characteristic of tricuspid regurgitation, often associated with right
heart conditions. Mitral regurgitation and aortic stenosis have different
murmur locations and qualities, and pulmonic stenosis is rare.
3. When assessing the cranial nerves, which test evaluates cranial nerve V
(trigeminal)?
A. Test visual acuity.
B. Assess facial sensation to touch.
C. Observe for nystagmus.
D. Test gag reflex.
Correct Answer: B. Assess facial sensation to touch.
Rationale: Cranial nerve V is responsible for facial sensation and
mastication. Testing light touch and pain on the face assesses its sensory
function. Visual acuity tests cranial nerve II, nystagmus tests VIII, and
gag reflex tests IX and X.
, 3
4. A patient reports unilateral leg swelling and pain. What is the priority
physical assessment?
A. Check for Homans’ sign.
B. Measure calf circumference bilaterally.
C. Assess for peripheral pulses.
D. Inspect for skin discoloration.
Correct Answer: B. Measure calf circumference bilaterally.
Rationale: Measuring calf circumference helps identify asymmetry
suggestive of deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Homans’ sign is unreliable,
pulses may be normal in DVT, and skin discoloration is a later finding.
5. During a respiratory assessment, you note decreased breath sounds and
dullness to percussion on the right lower lobe. What is the most likely
cause?
A. Pneumothorax
B. Pleural effusion
C. Pneumonia
D. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
Correct Answer: B. Pleural effusion
Rationale: Decreased breath sounds and dullness to percussion suggest
fluid accumulation, as in pleural effusion. Pneumothorax causes
hyperresonance, pneumonia may cause crackles, and COPD causes
hyperinflation with prolonged expiration.
6. What is the correct technique to palpate the liver edge?
A. Press deeply in the left upper quadrant.
B. Use light palpation in the right lower quadrant.
C. Palpate below the right costal margin during inspiration.
D. Percuss the left midclavicular line.
Correct Answer: C. Palpate below the right costal margin during
inspiration.
Rationale: The liver edge is palpated in the right upper quadrant below
the costal margin during deep inspiration, as the diaphragm lowers the
liver. Other options target incorrect areas or methods.
7. A patient presents with a pulsatile abdominal mass. What is the priority
assessment?
A. Auscultate for bruits.
B. Percuss for tympany.
