Wilkes NSG 550 Exam 3 – Diagnostic Reasoning 2026 UPDAT… 2026 Update • Verified Answers
✓ VERIFIED • 2026 UPDATE • 100% ACCURATE
Wilkes NSG 550 Exam 3 – Diagnostic Reasoning
2026 UPDATE
Actual Exam Questions & Verified Answers
with Detailed Rationales
Document Type: Exam (Elaborations)
Academic Year:
Total Questions: 50 Multiple Choice
Includes: Correct Answers + Full Rationales
Status: Verified & Updated for 2026
Exam (Elaborations) • Actual Questions & Rationales Page 1
,Wilkes NSG 550 Exam 3 – Diagnostic Reasoning 2026 UPDAT… 2026 Update • Verified Answers
Questions & Verified Answers
1. Which component of the SOAP note includes the patient’s description of their chief
complaint and history of present illness?
A. Assessment
B. Objective
C. Subjective
D. Plan
Answer: C
Rationale: The Subjective section includes information provided by the patient, including the chief complaint,
HPI, and review of systems. Recognizing this principle allows the nurse to prioritize care, anticipate
complications, and provide accurate patient education. Exam questions often test the ability to distinguish this
concept from closely related distractors, making a clear rationale essential for mastery.
2. When performing a physical examination of the abdomen, which sequence is correct?
A. Inspection, Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation
B. Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation, Inspection
C. Auscultation, Inspection, Palpation, Percussion
D. Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion, Palpation
Answer: D
Rationale: In abdominal assessment, auscultation follows inspection to avoid altering bowel sounds through
percussion or palpation. This is an important clinical concept because selecting the correct answer (D) requires
understanding both the pathophysiology and the practical nursing implications. Recognizing this principle
allows the nurse to prioritize care, anticipate complications, and provide accurate patient education.
3. A patient presents with a ‘curtain falling over the eye’ sensation and floaters. This is most
characteristic of:
A. Cataracts
B. Glaucoma
C. Retinal Detachment
D. Macular Degeneration
Answer: C
Rationale: Retinal detachment often presents as a sudden sensation of a curtain closing, accompanied by
flashes or floaters. Recognizing this principle allows the nurse to prioritize care, anticipate complications, and
provide accurate patient education. Exam questions often test the ability to distinguish this concept from closely
related distractors, making a clear rationale essential for mastery.
Exam (Elaborations) • Actual Questions & Rationales Page 2
, Wilkes NSG 550 Exam 3 – Diagnostic Reasoning 2026 UPDAT… 2026 Update • Verified Answers
4. Which cranial nerve is primarily responsible for visual acuity?
A. CN II
B. CN I
C. CN III
D. CN IV
Answer: A
Rationale: Cranial Nerve II (Optic) is responsible for vision and is tested using a Snellen chart. This is an
important clinical concept because selecting the correct answer (A) requires understanding both the
pathophysiology and the practical nursing implications. Recognizing this principle allows the nurse to prioritize
care, anticipate complications, and provide accurate patient education.
5. During a cardiac assessment, an S3 heart sound is most commonly associated with which
condition in older adults?
A. Mitral Valve Prolapse
B. Aortic Stenosis
C. Normal Aging
D. Heart Failure
Answer: D
Rationale: In adults, an S3 gallop is often a sign of ventricular volume overload, commonly seen in congestive
heart failure. Exam questions often test the ability to distinguish this concept from closely related distractors,
making a clear rationale essential for mastery. Applying this knowledge in clinical settings supports safe,
evidence-based practice and improves patient outcomes.
6. The Phalen maneuver is used to screen for which of the following?
A. De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis
B. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
C. Rotator Cuff Tear
D. Tennis Elbow
Answer: B
Rationale: The Phalen test, involving forced wrist flexion, is used to elicit symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome.
Applying this knowledge in clinical settings supports safe, evidence-based practice and improves patient
outcomes. This is an important clinical concept because selecting the correct answer (B) requires
understanding both the pathophysiology and the practical nursing implications.
Exam (Elaborations) • Actual Questions & Rationales Page 3
✓ VERIFIED • 2026 UPDATE • 100% ACCURATE
Wilkes NSG 550 Exam 3 – Diagnostic Reasoning
2026 UPDATE
Actual Exam Questions & Verified Answers
with Detailed Rationales
Document Type: Exam (Elaborations)
Academic Year:
Total Questions: 50 Multiple Choice
Includes: Correct Answers + Full Rationales
Status: Verified & Updated for 2026
Exam (Elaborations) • Actual Questions & Rationales Page 1
,Wilkes NSG 550 Exam 3 – Diagnostic Reasoning 2026 UPDAT… 2026 Update • Verified Answers
Questions & Verified Answers
1. Which component of the SOAP note includes the patient’s description of their chief
complaint and history of present illness?
A. Assessment
B. Objective
C. Subjective
D. Plan
Answer: C
Rationale: The Subjective section includes information provided by the patient, including the chief complaint,
HPI, and review of systems. Recognizing this principle allows the nurse to prioritize care, anticipate
complications, and provide accurate patient education. Exam questions often test the ability to distinguish this
concept from closely related distractors, making a clear rationale essential for mastery.
2. When performing a physical examination of the abdomen, which sequence is correct?
A. Inspection, Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation
B. Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation, Inspection
C. Auscultation, Inspection, Palpation, Percussion
D. Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion, Palpation
Answer: D
Rationale: In abdominal assessment, auscultation follows inspection to avoid altering bowel sounds through
percussion or palpation. This is an important clinical concept because selecting the correct answer (D) requires
understanding both the pathophysiology and the practical nursing implications. Recognizing this principle
allows the nurse to prioritize care, anticipate complications, and provide accurate patient education.
3. A patient presents with a ‘curtain falling over the eye’ sensation and floaters. This is most
characteristic of:
A. Cataracts
B. Glaucoma
C. Retinal Detachment
D. Macular Degeneration
Answer: C
Rationale: Retinal detachment often presents as a sudden sensation of a curtain closing, accompanied by
flashes or floaters. Recognizing this principle allows the nurse to prioritize care, anticipate complications, and
provide accurate patient education. Exam questions often test the ability to distinguish this concept from closely
related distractors, making a clear rationale essential for mastery.
Exam (Elaborations) • Actual Questions & Rationales Page 2
, Wilkes NSG 550 Exam 3 – Diagnostic Reasoning 2026 UPDAT… 2026 Update • Verified Answers
4. Which cranial nerve is primarily responsible for visual acuity?
A. CN II
B. CN I
C. CN III
D. CN IV
Answer: A
Rationale: Cranial Nerve II (Optic) is responsible for vision and is tested using a Snellen chart. This is an
important clinical concept because selecting the correct answer (A) requires understanding both the
pathophysiology and the practical nursing implications. Recognizing this principle allows the nurse to prioritize
care, anticipate complications, and provide accurate patient education.
5. During a cardiac assessment, an S3 heart sound is most commonly associated with which
condition in older adults?
A. Mitral Valve Prolapse
B. Aortic Stenosis
C. Normal Aging
D. Heart Failure
Answer: D
Rationale: In adults, an S3 gallop is often a sign of ventricular volume overload, commonly seen in congestive
heart failure. Exam questions often test the ability to distinguish this concept from closely related distractors,
making a clear rationale essential for mastery. Applying this knowledge in clinical settings supports safe,
evidence-based practice and improves patient outcomes.
6. The Phalen maneuver is used to screen for which of the following?
A. De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis
B. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
C. Rotator Cuff Tear
D. Tennis Elbow
Answer: B
Rationale: The Phalen test, involving forced wrist flexion, is used to elicit symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome.
Applying this knowledge in clinical settings supports safe, evidence-based practice and improves patient
outcomes. This is an important clinical concept because selecting the correct answer (B) requires
understanding both the pathophysiology and the practical nursing implications.
Exam (Elaborations) • Actual Questions & Rationales Page 3
