NSG 500 Exam 3 V1 | NSG 500 Advanced
Health Assessment | Wilkes University |
2026 Q&A with Rationale (Wilkes NSG500
Exam 3 2026)
1. When assessing for carpal tunnel syndrome, the nurse practitioner asks the patient to hold
both wrists in a fully flexed position for 60 seconds. This specific maneuver is known as:
A. Tinel’s sign
B. Lachman test
C. McMurray’s test
D. Phalen’s test
Answer: D
Rationale: Phalen’s test is a diagnostic maneuver used to identify carpal tunnel syndrome
by compressing the median nerve. A positive result occurs when the patient experiences
numbness or tingling in the distribution of the median nerve within 60 seconds. This test is
highly sensitive for nerve entrapment at the wrist and is a standard component of the
musculoskeletal examination.
2. A patient presents with suspected meningitis. The clinician flexes the patient’s neck and
observes for involuntary flexion of the hips and knees. This assessment finding is documented
as:
A. Positive Kernig sign
,B. Positive Brudzinski sign
C. Positive Babinski sign
D. Positive Romberg sign
Answer: B
Rationale: The Brudzinski sign is a clinical indicator of meningeal irritation where neck
flexion causes hip and knee flexion. It is often performed alongside the Kernig sign to
evaluate for central nervous system inflammation. Documenting this finding is critical for
the rapid diagnosis of bacterial or viral meningitis in clinical practice.
3. During a neurological examination, the practitioner asks the patient to identify a common
object, such as a key or coin, placed in their hand while their eyes are closed. What is this
ability called?
A. Graphesthesia
B. Stereognosis
C. Point localization
D. Two-point discrimination
Answer: B
Rationale: Stereognosis is the ability to perceive and recognize the form of an object in the
absence of visual and auditory information. This test evaluates the integrative function of
, the parietal lobe and sensory pathways. Impairment in this area often suggests a lesion in
the sensory cortex despite intact primary sensation.
4. A 55-year-old female presents for her annual exam. Upon inspection of the breast, the
practitioner notes skin thickening and enlarged pores resembling an orange peel. This finding
is most likely:
A. Fibrocystic change
B. Mastitis
C. Peau d’orange
D. Paget’s disease
Answer: C
Rationale: Peau d’orange refers to a specific skin change where the breast tissue appears
pitted and edematous, similar to the skin of an orange. This condition is caused by
lymphatic obstruction and is frequently associated with inflammatory breast cancer. It
requires immediate diagnostic imaging and further clinical workup to rule out malignancy.
5. Which cranial nerve is primarily responsible for the motor function of facial expression,
such as smiling and frowning?
A. Cranial Nerve V (Trigeminal)
B. Cranial Nerve XII (Hypoglossal)
C. Cranial Nerve IX (Glossopharyngeal)
Health Assessment | Wilkes University |
2026 Q&A with Rationale (Wilkes NSG500
Exam 3 2026)
1. When assessing for carpal tunnel syndrome, the nurse practitioner asks the patient to hold
both wrists in a fully flexed position for 60 seconds. This specific maneuver is known as:
A. Tinel’s sign
B. Lachman test
C. McMurray’s test
D. Phalen’s test
Answer: D
Rationale: Phalen’s test is a diagnostic maneuver used to identify carpal tunnel syndrome
by compressing the median nerve. A positive result occurs when the patient experiences
numbness or tingling in the distribution of the median nerve within 60 seconds. This test is
highly sensitive for nerve entrapment at the wrist and is a standard component of the
musculoskeletal examination.
2. A patient presents with suspected meningitis. The clinician flexes the patient’s neck and
observes for involuntary flexion of the hips and knees. This assessment finding is documented
as:
A. Positive Kernig sign
,B. Positive Brudzinski sign
C. Positive Babinski sign
D. Positive Romberg sign
Answer: B
Rationale: The Brudzinski sign is a clinical indicator of meningeal irritation where neck
flexion causes hip and knee flexion. It is often performed alongside the Kernig sign to
evaluate for central nervous system inflammation. Documenting this finding is critical for
the rapid diagnosis of bacterial or viral meningitis in clinical practice.
3. During a neurological examination, the practitioner asks the patient to identify a common
object, such as a key or coin, placed in their hand while their eyes are closed. What is this
ability called?
A. Graphesthesia
B. Stereognosis
C. Point localization
D. Two-point discrimination
Answer: B
Rationale: Stereognosis is the ability to perceive and recognize the form of an object in the
absence of visual and auditory information. This test evaluates the integrative function of
, the parietal lobe and sensory pathways. Impairment in this area often suggests a lesion in
the sensory cortex despite intact primary sensation.
4. A 55-year-old female presents for her annual exam. Upon inspection of the breast, the
practitioner notes skin thickening and enlarged pores resembling an orange peel. This finding
is most likely:
A. Fibrocystic change
B. Mastitis
C. Peau d’orange
D. Paget’s disease
Answer: C
Rationale: Peau d’orange refers to a specific skin change where the breast tissue appears
pitted and edematous, similar to the skin of an orange. This condition is caused by
lymphatic obstruction and is frequently associated with inflammatory breast cancer. It
requires immediate diagnostic imaging and further clinical workup to rule out malignancy.
5. Which cranial nerve is primarily responsible for the motor function of facial expression,
such as smiling and frowning?
A. Cranial Nerve V (Trigeminal)
B. Cranial Nerve XII (Hypoglossal)
C. Cranial Nerve IX (Glossopharyngeal)
