NRS-420
Health Assessment
Midterm Prep
2026
Multiple Choice (MCQ)
A 62-year-old patient presents with unilateral facial drooping, difficulty
speaking, and weakness on one side of the body. Which cranial nerve is
most likely affected?
a) CN V (Trigeminal)
b) CN VII (Facial)
c) CN IX (Glossopharyngeal)
d) CN X (Vagus)
Answer: b) CN VII (Facial)
Rationale: Unilateral facial drooping is typically caused by facial nerve
(CN VII) dysfunction, such as Bell’s palsy or stroke affecting facial
expression muscles.
During auscultation of lung sounds, a nurse hears high-pitched, musical
sounds primarily on expiration. This finding is most consistent with:
a) Crackles
b) Rhonchi
c) Wheezes
d) Pleural friction rub
Answer: c) Wheezes
Rationale: Wheezes are continuous, musical sounds heard primarily
during expiration and indicate airway narrowing such as asthma or
COPD.
Which assessment technique is best to determine an adult patient’s
jugular venous pressure (JVP)?
a) Palpation at the carotid artery
,b) Inspection of the neck veins with the patient at 30-45 degrees
c) Auscultation over the tricuspid area
d) Measuring blood pressure on both arms
Answer: b) Inspection of the neck veins with the patient at 30-45 degrees
Rationale: JVP is assessed by inspecting the internal jugular vein with the
patient semi-recumbent to estimate right atrial pressure.
In assessing a patient’s neurological function, which test evaluates
cerebellar function?
a) Babinski reflex
b) Romberg test
c) Pupillary light reflex
d) Deep tendon reflexes
Answer: b) Romberg test
Rationale: The Romberg test assesses balance and proprioception
function related to the cerebellum.
A 45-year-old diabetic patient reports numbness and tingling in the feet.
During assessment, which test best detects peripheral neuropathy?
a) Two-point discrimination
b) Monofilament testing
c) Light touch with cotton wool
d) Vibration sense with tuning fork
Answer: b) Monofilament testing
Rationale: Monofilament testing is a key screening tool for diabetic
peripheral neuropathy.
True/False
True or False: A bruit heard over the carotid artery indicates turbulent
blood flow and may suggest arterial narrowing.
Answer: True
Rationale: Bruits are caused by turbulent blood flow often due to
atherosclerosis or stenosis.
True or False: Dullness to percussion over the lung fields usually
indicates normal, healthy lung tissue.
Answer: False
Rationale: Dullness often means consolidation, pleural effusion, or mass,
not normal lung air-filled tissue.
, True or False: The presence of pitting edema suggests the nurse should
assess for deep vein thrombosis.
Answer: True
Rationale: Pitting edema can result from venous insufficiency or deep
vein thrombosis.
True or False: Orthostatic hypotension is diagnosed when systolic blood
pressure falls by 10 mmHg or more upon standing from sitting.
Answer: False
Rationale: The diagnostic criterion is a drop of at least 20 mmHg systolic
or 10 mmHg diastolic.
True or False: A positive Kernig’s sign indicates meningeal irritation.
Answer: True
Rationale: Kernig’s sign is tested by pain and resistance on extending the
knee with hip flexed, indicating potential meningitis.
Short Answer
Describe the significance of finding a friction rub during cardiac
auscultation.
Answer: It suggests pericarditis, an inflammation of the pericardium
causing a characteristic scratching sound when the heart beats.
Rationale: Pericardial friction rub is due to inflammation causing the
layers to rub.
What is the normal range for capillary refill time in adults?
Answer: Less than 2 seconds
Rationale: Prolonged refill (>2 sec) indicates poor peripheral perfusion.
Name three physical signs suggestive of chronic hypoxia in a patient.
Answer: Clubbing of fingers, cyanosis, and polycythemia
Rationale: These signs develop as adaptive responses to chronic low
oxygen levels.
List two percussion sounds and the corresponding underlying tissue they
represent.
Answer:
Health Assessment
Midterm Prep
2026
Multiple Choice (MCQ)
A 62-year-old patient presents with unilateral facial drooping, difficulty
speaking, and weakness on one side of the body. Which cranial nerve is
most likely affected?
a) CN V (Trigeminal)
b) CN VII (Facial)
c) CN IX (Glossopharyngeal)
d) CN X (Vagus)
Answer: b) CN VII (Facial)
Rationale: Unilateral facial drooping is typically caused by facial nerve
(CN VII) dysfunction, such as Bell’s palsy or stroke affecting facial
expression muscles.
During auscultation of lung sounds, a nurse hears high-pitched, musical
sounds primarily on expiration. This finding is most consistent with:
a) Crackles
b) Rhonchi
c) Wheezes
d) Pleural friction rub
Answer: c) Wheezes
Rationale: Wheezes are continuous, musical sounds heard primarily
during expiration and indicate airway narrowing such as asthma or
COPD.
Which assessment technique is best to determine an adult patient’s
jugular venous pressure (JVP)?
a) Palpation at the carotid artery
,b) Inspection of the neck veins with the patient at 30-45 degrees
c) Auscultation over the tricuspid area
d) Measuring blood pressure on both arms
Answer: b) Inspection of the neck veins with the patient at 30-45 degrees
Rationale: JVP is assessed by inspecting the internal jugular vein with the
patient semi-recumbent to estimate right atrial pressure.
In assessing a patient’s neurological function, which test evaluates
cerebellar function?
a) Babinski reflex
b) Romberg test
c) Pupillary light reflex
d) Deep tendon reflexes
Answer: b) Romberg test
Rationale: The Romberg test assesses balance and proprioception
function related to the cerebellum.
A 45-year-old diabetic patient reports numbness and tingling in the feet.
During assessment, which test best detects peripheral neuropathy?
a) Two-point discrimination
b) Monofilament testing
c) Light touch with cotton wool
d) Vibration sense with tuning fork
Answer: b) Monofilament testing
Rationale: Monofilament testing is a key screening tool for diabetic
peripheral neuropathy.
True/False
True or False: A bruit heard over the carotid artery indicates turbulent
blood flow and may suggest arterial narrowing.
Answer: True
Rationale: Bruits are caused by turbulent blood flow often due to
atherosclerosis or stenosis.
True or False: Dullness to percussion over the lung fields usually
indicates normal, healthy lung tissue.
Answer: False
Rationale: Dullness often means consolidation, pleural effusion, or mass,
not normal lung air-filled tissue.
, True or False: The presence of pitting edema suggests the nurse should
assess for deep vein thrombosis.
Answer: True
Rationale: Pitting edema can result from venous insufficiency or deep
vein thrombosis.
True or False: Orthostatic hypotension is diagnosed when systolic blood
pressure falls by 10 mmHg or more upon standing from sitting.
Answer: False
Rationale: The diagnostic criterion is a drop of at least 20 mmHg systolic
or 10 mmHg diastolic.
True or False: A positive Kernig’s sign indicates meningeal irritation.
Answer: True
Rationale: Kernig’s sign is tested by pain and resistance on extending the
knee with hip flexed, indicating potential meningitis.
Short Answer
Describe the significance of finding a friction rub during cardiac
auscultation.
Answer: It suggests pericarditis, an inflammation of the pericardium
causing a characteristic scratching sound when the heart beats.
Rationale: Pericardial friction rub is due to inflammation causing the
layers to rub.
What is the normal range for capillary refill time in adults?
Answer: Less than 2 seconds
Rationale: Prolonged refill (>2 sec) indicates poor peripheral perfusion.
Name three physical signs suggestive of chronic hypoxia in a patient.
Answer: Clubbing of fingers, cyanosis, and polycythemia
Rationale: These signs develop as adaptive responses to chronic low
oxygen levels.
List two percussion sounds and the corresponding underlying tissue they
represent.
Answer:
