NSG 3160 HEALTH ASSESSMENT FINAL
EXAM V3 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. When assessing the abdomen, which sequence of physical examination techniques should
the nurse follow?
A. Inspection, Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation
B. Auscultation, Inspection, Palpation, Percussion
C. Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation, Inspection
D. Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion, Palpation
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Auscultation is performed before percussion and palpation to
avoid altering bowel sounds through physical manipulation.
2. Which cranial nerve is being tested when a nurse asks a patient to shrug their shoulders
against resistance?
A. CN IX (Glossopharyngeal)
B. CN X (Vagus)
C. CN XI (Spinal Accessory)
D. CN XII (Hypoglossal)
,Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Cranial Nerve XI innervates the trapezius and
sternocleidomastoid muscles; shoulder shrugging tests its motor function.
3. A patient presents with a profile sign (nail base angle) of 180 degrees. The nurse should
document this as:
A. Normal finding
B. Paronychia
C. Late clubbing
D. Early clubbing
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: The normal nail base angle is 160 degrees. An angle of 180
degrees indicates early clubbing, often associated with chronic hypoxia.
4. During a respiratory assessment, the nurse notes a low-pitched, snoring sound that clears
with coughing. This is identified as:
A. Rhonchi
B. Pleural friction rub
C. Crackles
D. Wheeze
Answer: A
, Conceptual Explanation: Rhonchi are low-pitched, sonorous wheezes often caused by
secretions in larger airways and frequently clear with coughing.
5. Where is the best location to auscultate the mitral valve area?
A. Second intercostal space at the right sternal border
B. Fifth intercostal space at the left midclavicular line
C. Second intercostal space at the left sternal border
D. Fourth intercostal space at the left sternal border
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: The mitral valve area, or apex of the heart, is located at the fifth
intercostal space at the left midclavicular line.
6. A nurse is assessing a patient for a possible stroke and asks the patient to smile. This tests
which cranial nerve?
A. CN VII (Facial)
B. CN V (Trigeminal)
C. CN VIII (Acoustic)
D. CN IX (Glossopharyngeal)
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Cranial Nerve VII (Facial) controls the muscles of facial
expression, including smiling and puffing cheeks.
EXAM V3 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. When assessing the abdomen, which sequence of physical examination techniques should
the nurse follow?
A. Inspection, Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation
B. Auscultation, Inspection, Palpation, Percussion
C. Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation, Inspection
D. Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion, Palpation
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Auscultation is performed before percussion and palpation to
avoid altering bowel sounds through physical manipulation.
2. Which cranial nerve is being tested when a nurse asks a patient to shrug their shoulders
against resistance?
A. CN IX (Glossopharyngeal)
B. CN X (Vagus)
C. CN XI (Spinal Accessory)
D. CN XII (Hypoglossal)
,Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Cranial Nerve XI innervates the trapezius and
sternocleidomastoid muscles; shoulder shrugging tests its motor function.
3. A patient presents with a profile sign (nail base angle) of 180 degrees. The nurse should
document this as:
A. Normal finding
B. Paronychia
C. Late clubbing
D. Early clubbing
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: The normal nail base angle is 160 degrees. An angle of 180
degrees indicates early clubbing, often associated with chronic hypoxia.
4. During a respiratory assessment, the nurse notes a low-pitched, snoring sound that clears
with coughing. This is identified as:
A. Rhonchi
B. Pleural friction rub
C. Crackles
D. Wheeze
Answer: A
, Conceptual Explanation: Rhonchi are low-pitched, sonorous wheezes often caused by
secretions in larger airways and frequently clear with coughing.
5. Where is the best location to auscultate the mitral valve area?
A. Second intercostal space at the right sternal border
B. Fifth intercostal space at the left midclavicular line
C. Second intercostal space at the left sternal border
D. Fourth intercostal space at the left sternal border
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: The mitral valve area, or apex of the heart, is located at the fifth
intercostal space at the left midclavicular line.
6. A nurse is assessing a patient for a possible stroke and asks the patient to smile. This tests
which cranial nerve?
A. CN VII (Facial)
B. CN V (Trigeminal)
C. CN VIII (Acoustic)
D. CN IX (Glossopharyngeal)
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Cranial Nerve VII (Facial) controls the muscles of facial
expression, including smiling and puffing cheeks.
