NURS 190 PHYSICAL ASSESSMENT:
WEEK 4 HEENT ADVANCED QUIZ
1. When assessing the pupillary light reflex, what does a consensual response indicate?
A. The pupil of the eye not receiving the light constricts simultaneously.
B. The eye follows an object moving toward the nose.
C. The eyelid lifts symmetrically when looking up.
D. The pupil of the eye receiving the light constricts.
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: A consensual light reflex is the simultaneous constriction of the
opposite pupil when one eye is exposed to bright light, indicating intact crossing fibers in
the optic chiasm.
2. During an otoscopic exam on an adult, in which direction should the nurse pull the pinna?
A. Down and back
B. Up and forward
C. Straight back
D. Up and back
,Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: For adults, the pinna is pulled up and back to straighten the S-
shape of the external auditory canal. For children under 3, it is pulled down and back.
3. A patient presents with a ‘curtain falling’ sensation over their field of vision. This is a classic
symptom of:
A. Cataracts
B. Acute angle-closure glaucoma
C. Retinal detachment
D. Macular degeneration
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Retinal detachment is often described as a shadow or curtain
being drawn across the eye, which is a medical emergency.
4. Which lymph node is located at the base of the skull?
A. Submental
B. Posterior cervical
C. Occipital
D. Jugulodigastric
Answer: C
, Conceptual Explanation: The occipital lymph nodes are located at the base of the skull
posteriorly.
5. When performing the Weber test, where should the tuning fork be placed?
A. On the mastoid process
B. In front of the ear canal
C. On the midline of the skull
D. On the bridge of the nose
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: The Weber test involves placing a vibrating tuning fork on the
midline of the skull to determine if sound lateralizes to one ear.
6. A nurse observes a white, cheesy coating on the patient’s tongue that can be scraped off,
leaving a raw surface. This is likely:
A. Leukoplakia
B. Geographic tongue
C. Oral squamous cell carcinoma
D. Candidiasis (Thrush)
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Oral candidiasis presents as white patches that can be scraped
off, unlike leukoplakia which is adherent.
WEEK 4 HEENT ADVANCED QUIZ
1. When assessing the pupillary light reflex, what does a consensual response indicate?
A. The pupil of the eye not receiving the light constricts simultaneously.
B. The eye follows an object moving toward the nose.
C. The eyelid lifts symmetrically when looking up.
D. The pupil of the eye receiving the light constricts.
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: A consensual light reflex is the simultaneous constriction of the
opposite pupil when one eye is exposed to bright light, indicating intact crossing fibers in
the optic chiasm.
2. During an otoscopic exam on an adult, in which direction should the nurse pull the pinna?
A. Down and back
B. Up and forward
C. Straight back
D. Up and back
,Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: For adults, the pinna is pulled up and back to straighten the S-
shape of the external auditory canal. For children under 3, it is pulled down and back.
3. A patient presents with a ‘curtain falling’ sensation over their field of vision. This is a classic
symptom of:
A. Cataracts
B. Acute angle-closure glaucoma
C. Retinal detachment
D. Macular degeneration
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Retinal detachment is often described as a shadow or curtain
being drawn across the eye, which is a medical emergency.
4. Which lymph node is located at the base of the skull?
A. Submental
B. Posterior cervical
C. Occipital
D. Jugulodigastric
Answer: C
, Conceptual Explanation: The occipital lymph nodes are located at the base of the skull
posteriorly.
5. When performing the Weber test, where should the tuning fork be placed?
A. On the mastoid process
B. In front of the ear canal
C. On the midline of the skull
D. On the bridge of the nose
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: The Weber test involves placing a vibrating tuning fork on the
midline of the skull to determine if sound lateralizes to one ear.
6. A nurse observes a white, cheesy coating on the patient’s tongue that can be scraped off,
leaving a raw surface. This is likely:
A. Leukoplakia
B. Geographic tongue
C. Oral squamous cell carcinoma
D. Candidiasis (Thrush)
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Oral candidiasis presents as white patches that can be scraped
off, unlike leukoplakia which is adherent.
