NSG 3160 HEALTH ASSESSMENT FINAL
EXAM V3 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. During a musculoskeletal assessment, the nurse notes a palpable crunching sound and
grating sensation when the patient moves their knee. How should this be documented?
A. Crepitus
B. Tenosynovitis
C. Subluxation
D. Joint effusion
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Crepitus is a dry, crackling, or grating sound or sensation
produced by friction between bone and cartilage or the fractured parts of a bone.
2. When assessing the pupillary light reflex, the nurse shines light into the right eye and
observes the left pupil constrict. This response is known as:
A. Direct light reflex
B. Accommodation
C. Consensual light reflex
D. Convergence
,Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: The consensual light reflex is the simultaneous constriction of
the opposite pupil when light is shone into one eye.
3. A patient presents with a ‘stabbing’ chest pain that increases with deep inspiration and
coughing. Which respiratory condition is most likely indicated?
A. Asthma
B. Pneumothorax
C. Pleuritis
D. Chronic bronchitis
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Pleuritic pain is typically sharp, stabbing, and exacerbated by
breathing movements such as inspiration or coughing due to inflammation of the pleura.
4. The nurse is performing a breast exam on a 50-year-old female. Which finding requires
immediate further investigation?
A. Bilateral symmetry of size and shape
B. A soft, mobile, non-tender lump in the upper outer quadrant
C. Montgomery tubercles on the areola
D. A recent, unilateral nipple retraction and peau d’orange skin
Answer: D
, Conceptual Explanation: Recent nipple retraction and ‘peau d’orange’ (orange-peel
appearance) are classic signs of underlying malignancy and lymph obstruction.
5. When percussing a patient’s abdomen, the nurse notes a dull sound in the right upper
quadrant. The nurse understands this is:
A. Indicative of gaseous distension
B. Normal percussion over the liver
C. Evidence of an abdominal aortic aneurysm
D. Sign of a perforated bowel
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Dullness is the expected percussion note over dense organs like
the liver.
6. The nurse asks the patient to identify a common object placed in their hand while their
eyes are closed. This tests which sensory function?
A. Graphesthesia
B. Two-point discrimination
C. Stereognosis
D. Proprioception
Answer: C
EXAM V3 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. During a musculoskeletal assessment, the nurse notes a palpable crunching sound and
grating sensation when the patient moves their knee. How should this be documented?
A. Crepitus
B. Tenosynovitis
C. Subluxation
D. Joint effusion
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Crepitus is a dry, crackling, or grating sound or sensation
produced by friction between bone and cartilage or the fractured parts of a bone.
2. When assessing the pupillary light reflex, the nurse shines light into the right eye and
observes the left pupil constrict. This response is known as:
A. Direct light reflex
B. Accommodation
C. Consensual light reflex
D. Convergence
,Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: The consensual light reflex is the simultaneous constriction of
the opposite pupil when light is shone into one eye.
3. A patient presents with a ‘stabbing’ chest pain that increases with deep inspiration and
coughing. Which respiratory condition is most likely indicated?
A. Asthma
B. Pneumothorax
C. Pleuritis
D. Chronic bronchitis
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Pleuritic pain is typically sharp, stabbing, and exacerbated by
breathing movements such as inspiration or coughing due to inflammation of the pleura.
4. The nurse is performing a breast exam on a 50-year-old female. Which finding requires
immediate further investigation?
A. Bilateral symmetry of size and shape
B. A soft, mobile, non-tender lump in the upper outer quadrant
C. Montgomery tubercles on the areola
D. A recent, unilateral nipple retraction and peau d’orange skin
Answer: D
, Conceptual Explanation: Recent nipple retraction and ‘peau d’orange’ (orange-peel
appearance) are classic signs of underlying malignancy and lymph obstruction.
5. When percussing a patient’s abdomen, the nurse notes a dull sound in the right upper
quadrant. The nurse understands this is:
A. Indicative of gaseous distension
B. Normal percussion over the liver
C. Evidence of an abdominal aortic aneurysm
D. Sign of a perforated bowel
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Dullness is the expected percussion note over dense organs like
the liver.
6. The nurse asks the patient to identify a common object placed in their hand while their
eyes are closed. This tests which sensory function?
A. Graphesthesia
B. Two-point discrimination
C. Stereognosis
D. Proprioception
Answer: C
