,Maryville NURS 612 Exam 3 | Advanced Health Assessment
(2026) Q&A
1. A patient's inability to follow simple instructions could indicate which of the
following findings?
A) Dysphonia
B) Amnesia
C) Aphasia
D) Depression
Correct Answer: Depression
Rationale: A patient with depression may have difficulty concentrating or following
instructions due to cognitive slowing or inattention. Dysphonia is a voice disorder,
amnesia is memory loss, and aphasia is a language disorder. While these can affect
communication, depression is a common cause of poor performance on simple tasks.
2. A patient scores a 3 on the Mini-Cog Assessment Instrument for dementia. What
does this score indicate?
A) Advanced dementia
B) Early dementia
C) Need for further evaluation
D) Negative screen for dementia
Correct Answer: Negative screen for dementia
,Rationale: A Mini-Cog score of 3 (correct recall of all three words after the clock-
drawing test) is considered a negative screen and does not suggest cognitive
impairment. A score of 0-2 indicates the need for further evaluation.
3. The examiner asks the patient to complete this statement: "A bird is to air as a fish
is to ..." This is an example of what type of testing?
A) Calculation
B) Analogy
C) Judgment
D) Mood & feelings
Correct Answer: Analogy
Rationale: Asking the patient to complete an analogy (e.g., bird is to air as fish is to
water) tests abstract reasoning and the ability to recognize relationships between
concepts. This is a component of a mental status examination.
4. Assume that the patient's response to the question: "A bird is to air as a fish is to
..." is "scales". What does this response likely reflect?
A) Left cerebral hemisphere lesion
B) Depression
C) Eating disorder
D) Aphasia
Correct Answer: Left cerebral hemisphere lesion
Rationale: Providing a concrete or incorrect response to an analogy question
suggests difficulty with abstract reasoning, which is often associated with a left
, cerebral hemisphere lesion affecting language and higher cognitive functions.
Depression and eating disorders do not typically cause this specific deficit.
5. Which type of assessment should be used to evaluate the mental status of a
patient with head trauma?
A) PHQ
B) Perceptual distortion assessment
C) Glasgow Coma Scale
D) Functional assessment
Correct Answer: Glasgow Coma Scale
Rationale: The Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) is the standard tool for assessing level of
consciousness in patients with head trauma. It evaluates eye opening, verbal
response, and motor response to provide an objective measure of neurological
status.
6. Which of the following indicates possible cognitive impairment?
A) Ability to complete personal care without assistance
B) Suspiciousness or inappropriate affect
C) Articulate communication
D) Prudent behavior and calm demeanor
Correct Answer: Suspiciousness or inappropriate affect
Rationale: Suspiciousness, inappropriate affect, or significant changes in behavior
can indicate cognitive impairment, including dementia or psychiatric disorders.
Independence in personal care, articulate communication, and prudent behavior are
generally inconsistent with cognitive impairment.
(2026) Q&A
1. A patient's inability to follow simple instructions could indicate which of the
following findings?
A) Dysphonia
B) Amnesia
C) Aphasia
D) Depression
Correct Answer: Depression
Rationale: A patient with depression may have difficulty concentrating or following
instructions due to cognitive slowing or inattention. Dysphonia is a voice disorder,
amnesia is memory loss, and aphasia is a language disorder. While these can affect
communication, depression is a common cause of poor performance on simple tasks.
2. A patient scores a 3 on the Mini-Cog Assessment Instrument for dementia. What
does this score indicate?
A) Advanced dementia
B) Early dementia
C) Need for further evaluation
D) Negative screen for dementia
Correct Answer: Negative screen for dementia
,Rationale: A Mini-Cog score of 3 (correct recall of all three words after the clock-
drawing test) is considered a negative screen and does not suggest cognitive
impairment. A score of 0-2 indicates the need for further evaluation.
3. The examiner asks the patient to complete this statement: "A bird is to air as a fish
is to ..." This is an example of what type of testing?
A) Calculation
B) Analogy
C) Judgment
D) Mood & feelings
Correct Answer: Analogy
Rationale: Asking the patient to complete an analogy (e.g., bird is to air as fish is to
water) tests abstract reasoning and the ability to recognize relationships between
concepts. This is a component of a mental status examination.
4. Assume that the patient's response to the question: "A bird is to air as a fish is to
..." is "scales". What does this response likely reflect?
A) Left cerebral hemisphere lesion
B) Depression
C) Eating disorder
D) Aphasia
Correct Answer: Left cerebral hemisphere lesion
Rationale: Providing a concrete or incorrect response to an analogy question
suggests difficulty with abstract reasoning, which is often associated with a left
, cerebral hemisphere lesion affecting language and higher cognitive functions.
Depression and eating disorders do not typically cause this specific deficit.
5. Which type of assessment should be used to evaluate the mental status of a
patient with head trauma?
A) PHQ
B) Perceptual distortion assessment
C) Glasgow Coma Scale
D) Functional assessment
Correct Answer: Glasgow Coma Scale
Rationale: The Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) is the standard tool for assessing level of
consciousness in patients with head trauma. It evaluates eye opening, verbal
response, and motor response to provide an objective measure of neurological
status.
6. Which of the following indicates possible cognitive impairment?
A) Ability to complete personal care without assistance
B) Suspiciousness or inappropriate affect
C) Articulate communication
D) Prudent behavior and calm demeanor
Correct Answer: Suspiciousness or inappropriate affect
Rationale: Suspiciousness, inappropriate affect, or significant changes in behavior
can indicate cognitive impairment, including dementia or psychiatric disorders.
Independence in personal care, articulate communication, and prudent behavior are
generally inconsistent with cognitive impairment.
