GALEN COLLEGE OF NURSING
Course Code: NSG 3160
Instructor:
Date: 2026
FINAL EXAM – HEALTH ASSESSMENT
1. A patient presents with unilateral wheezing. Which assessment finding
most strongly suggests airway obstruction?
- A. Bilateral crackles
- B. Diminished breath sounds on one side
- C. Symmetrical chest expansion
- D. Clear lung sounds
Answer: B
Rationale: Diminished unilateral sounds indicate obstruction.
2. During abdominal assessment, the nurse auscultates before palpation.
Why?
- A. Prevents false bowel sounds
- B. Reduces patient discomfort
- C. Avoids stimulating peristalsis
- D. Ensures accurate percussion
Answer: C
Rationale: Palpation may alter bowel sounds.
3. Which cranial nerve is tested by assessing pupillary light reflex?
- A. CN II and III
- B. CN V and VII
- C. CN VIII
- D. CN IX and X
Answer: A
1
, Rationale: Optic (II) senses light; Oculomotor (III) mediates constriction.
4. A nurse notes clubbing of fingers. Which condition is most likely?
- A. Chronic hypoxia
- B. Dehydration
- C. Acute infection
- D. Peripheral neuropathy
Answer: A
Rationale: Clubbing is linked to long‑term oxygen deprivation.
5. Which finding is most concerning during cardiovascular assessment?
- A. S1 louder than S2
- B. S3 gallop in adult
- C. Regular rhythm at 72 bpm
- D. Split S2 with inspiration
Answer: B
Rationale: S3 in adults suggests heart failure.
6. A patient reports sudden severe headache described as “worst ever.”
What is the priority assessment?
- A. Blood pressure
- B. Neurological status
- C. Temperature
- D. Pain scale
Answer: B
Rationale: Neuro exam detects possible stroke or hemorrhage.
7. Which skin finding requires urgent evaluation?
- A. Cherry angioma
- B. Petechiae
- C. Freckles
- D. Seborrheic keratosis
Answer: B
Rationale: Petechiae may indicate bleeding disorders.
8. Which technique best assesses tactile fremitus?
- A. Percussion with fingertips
- B. Palpation with ulnar hand surface
- C. Auscultation with diaphragm
- D. Inspection of chest symmetry
Answer: B
Rationale: Ulnar surface detects vibrations.
2
, 9. A nurse palpates dorsalis pedis pulses bilaterally. Which documentation is
correct if pulses are absent?
- A. +2
- B. +1
- C. 0
- D. +3
Answer: C
Rationale: 0 indicates absent pulse.
10. Which finding is normal in older adults?
- A. Kyphosis
- B. Clubbing
- C. Cyanosis
- D. Bounding pulses
Answer: A
Rationale: Age‑related spinal curvature is common.
11. Which assessment tool screens for depression in primary care?
- A. PHQ‑9
- B. MMSE
- C. GCS
- D. Braden Scale
Answer: A
Rationale: PHQ‑9 is validated for depression screening.
12. A nurse notes unequal pupils after head trauma. What is the likely
cause?
- A. Increased intracranial pressure
- B. Normal variation
- C. Dehydration
- D. Sinus infection
Answer: A
Rationale: ICP can compress cranial nerves, causing anisocoria.
---
### True/False (8 questions)
13. The Glasgow Coma Scale assesses eye, verbal, and motor responses.
Answer: True
Rationale: These three domains determine consciousness.
14. Palpation should precede auscultation in abdominal exams.
Answer: False
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Course Code: NSG 3160
Instructor:
Date: 2026
FINAL EXAM – HEALTH ASSESSMENT
1. A patient presents with unilateral wheezing. Which assessment finding
most strongly suggests airway obstruction?
- A. Bilateral crackles
- B. Diminished breath sounds on one side
- C. Symmetrical chest expansion
- D. Clear lung sounds
Answer: B
Rationale: Diminished unilateral sounds indicate obstruction.
2. During abdominal assessment, the nurse auscultates before palpation.
Why?
- A. Prevents false bowel sounds
- B. Reduces patient discomfort
- C. Avoids stimulating peristalsis
- D. Ensures accurate percussion
Answer: C
Rationale: Palpation may alter bowel sounds.
3. Which cranial nerve is tested by assessing pupillary light reflex?
- A. CN II and III
- B. CN V and VII
- C. CN VIII
- D. CN IX and X
Answer: A
1
, Rationale: Optic (II) senses light; Oculomotor (III) mediates constriction.
4. A nurse notes clubbing of fingers. Which condition is most likely?
- A. Chronic hypoxia
- B. Dehydration
- C. Acute infection
- D. Peripheral neuropathy
Answer: A
Rationale: Clubbing is linked to long‑term oxygen deprivation.
5. Which finding is most concerning during cardiovascular assessment?
- A. S1 louder than S2
- B. S3 gallop in adult
- C. Regular rhythm at 72 bpm
- D. Split S2 with inspiration
Answer: B
Rationale: S3 in adults suggests heart failure.
6. A patient reports sudden severe headache described as “worst ever.”
What is the priority assessment?
- A. Blood pressure
- B. Neurological status
- C. Temperature
- D. Pain scale
Answer: B
Rationale: Neuro exam detects possible stroke or hemorrhage.
7. Which skin finding requires urgent evaluation?
- A. Cherry angioma
- B. Petechiae
- C. Freckles
- D. Seborrheic keratosis
Answer: B
Rationale: Petechiae may indicate bleeding disorders.
8. Which technique best assesses tactile fremitus?
- A. Percussion with fingertips
- B. Palpation with ulnar hand surface
- C. Auscultation with diaphragm
- D. Inspection of chest symmetry
Answer: B
Rationale: Ulnar surface detects vibrations.
2
, 9. A nurse palpates dorsalis pedis pulses bilaterally. Which documentation is
correct if pulses are absent?
- A. +2
- B. +1
- C. 0
- D. +3
Answer: C
Rationale: 0 indicates absent pulse.
10. Which finding is normal in older adults?
- A. Kyphosis
- B. Clubbing
- C. Cyanosis
- D. Bounding pulses
Answer: A
Rationale: Age‑related spinal curvature is common.
11. Which assessment tool screens for depression in primary care?
- A. PHQ‑9
- B. MMSE
- C. GCS
- D. Braden Scale
Answer: A
Rationale: PHQ‑9 is validated for depression screening.
12. A nurse notes unequal pupils after head trauma. What is the likely
cause?
- A. Increased intracranial pressure
- B. Normal variation
- C. Dehydration
- D. Sinus infection
Answer: A
Rationale: ICP can compress cranial nerves, causing anisocoria.
---
### True/False (8 questions)
13. The Glasgow Coma Scale assesses eye, verbal, and motor responses.
Answer: True
Rationale: These three domains determine consciousness.
14. Palpation should precede auscultation in abdominal exams.
Answer: False
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