NSG 3160 Exam 4 | Health Assessment
COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT PRACTICE EXAM (2026/2027) - GALEN COLLEGE
(1) A nurse is assessing a client's Cranial Nerve VII (Facial). Which action should the nurse
ask the client to perform?
A. Shrug the shoulders against resistance.
B. Stick out the tongue and move it side to side.
C. Smile, frown, and puff out the cheeks.
D. Follow a penlight through the six cardinal fields of gaze.
CORRECT ANSWER: C
Assessment Rationale: Cranial Nerve VII (Facial) is tested by observing facial symmetry during
movements such as smiling, frowning, closing eyes tightly, and puffing cheeks.
(2) While assessing a client's deep tendon reflexes, the nurse notes a very brisk response
with rhythmic oscillations (clonus). How should the nurse grade this reflex?
A. 1+
B. 2+
C. 3+
D. 4+
CORRECT ANSWER: D
Assessment Rationale: Reflexes are graded on a 0-4+ scale: 0 (absent), 1+ (diminished), 2+
(normal), 3+ (brisker than average), and 4+ (very brisk, hyperactive, with clonus).
(3) The nurse asks the client to stand with feet together and arms at the side, first with
eyes open and then with eyes closed. Which test is being performed?
A. Weber test
B. Romberg test
C. Babinski test
D. Graphesthesia test
CORRECT ANSWER: B
Assessment Rationale: The Romberg test assesses cerebellar function and balance. Significant
swaying or falling when the eyes are closed is a 'positive Romberg.'
,(4) A nurse is assessing a client for carpal tunnel syndrome. The nurse asks the client to
hold both hands back-to-back while flexing the wrists at 90 degrees for 60 seconds. This
is known as:
A. Phalen's test
B. Tinel's sign
C. Bulge sign
D. McMurray's test
CORRECT ANSWER: A
Assessment Rationale: Phalen's test produces numbness and burning in a person with carpal
tunnel syndrome. Tinel's sign involves percussion of the median nerve.
(5) During a musculoskeletal assessment, the nurse notes a lateral curvature of the
thoracic and lumbar spine. This finding is documented as:
A. Kyphosis
B. Lordosis
C. Scoliosis
D. Ankylosis
CORRECT ANSWER: C
Assessment Rationale: Scoliosis is an S-shaped lateral curvature of the spine. Kyphosis is an
exaggerated posterior curvature (hunchback), and Lordosis is an exaggerated lumbar curvature
(swayback).
(6) When teaching a client about breast self-examination (BSE), the nurse should instruct
the client to perform the exam at which time?
A. During the first day of the menstrual period.
B. 4 to 7 days after the menstrual period begins.
C. On the same day every month regardless of the cycle.
D. Just before the menstrual period begins.
CORRECT ANSWER: B
Assessment Rationale: Breasts are least congested and smallest 4 to 7 days after the
menstrual cycle starts, making this the ideal time for palpation.
,(7) Which quadrant of the breast is the most common site for breast tumors?
A. Upper inner quadrant
B. Lower inner quadrant
C. Upper outer quadrant (Tail of Spence)
D. Lower outer quadrant
CORRECT ANSWER: C
Assessment Rationale: The upper outer quadrant, including the axillary Tail of Spence, is the
site where the majority of breast tumors are found.
(8) A nurse is performing a testicular exam. Which finding is considered normal?
A. A hard, non-tender mass.
B. One testis is lower than the other.
C. Scrotal skin that is smooth and tight.
D. Pain upon gentle palpation of the testes.
CORRECT ANSWER: B
Assessment Rationale: It is a normal finding for the left testis to hang lower than the right.
The testes should feel firm, rubbery, smooth, and be equal in size.
(9) The nurse is using the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) to assess a client. Which three areas
are evaluated?
A. Pupillary response, heart rate, and reflexes.
B. Eye opening, motor response, and verbal response.
C. Orientation, memory, and judgment.
D. Speech, gait, and balance.
CORRECT ANSWER: B
Assessment Rationale: The GCS scores eye opening (1-4), verbal response (1-5), and motor
response (1-6). A total score of 15 is normal; a score of 8 or less indicates a coma.
, (10) Which assessment technique is always performed last during an abdominal
assessment?
A. Inspection
B. Auscultation
C. Percussion
D. Palpation
CORRECT ANSWER: D
Assessment Rationale: In an abdominal assessment, palpation and percussion are performed
after auscultation because they can stimulate peristalsis and alter bowel sounds.
(11) A nurse is assessing a client's Cranial Nerve VII (Facial). Which action should the
nurse ask the client to perform?
A. Shrug the shoulders against resistance.
B. Stick out the tongue and move it side to side.
C. Smile, frown, and puff out the cheeks.
D. Follow a penlight through the six cardinal fields of gaze.
CORRECT ANSWER: C
Assessment Rationale: Cranial Nerve VII (Facial) is tested by observing facial symmetry during
movements such as smiling, frowning, closing eyes tightly, and puffing cheeks.
(12) While assessing a client's deep tendon reflexes, the nurse notes a very brisk
response with rhythmic oscillations (clonus). How should the nurse grade this reflex?
A. 1+
B. 2+
C. 3+
D. 4+
CORRECT ANSWER: D
Assessment Rationale: Reflexes are graded on a 0-4+ scale: 0 (absent), 1+ (diminished), 2+
(normal), 3+ (brisker than average), and 4+ (very brisk, hyperactive, with clonus).
COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT PRACTICE EXAM (2026/2027) - GALEN COLLEGE
(1) A nurse is assessing a client's Cranial Nerve VII (Facial). Which action should the nurse
ask the client to perform?
A. Shrug the shoulders against resistance.
B. Stick out the tongue and move it side to side.
C. Smile, frown, and puff out the cheeks.
D. Follow a penlight through the six cardinal fields of gaze.
CORRECT ANSWER: C
Assessment Rationale: Cranial Nerve VII (Facial) is tested by observing facial symmetry during
movements such as smiling, frowning, closing eyes tightly, and puffing cheeks.
(2) While assessing a client's deep tendon reflexes, the nurse notes a very brisk response
with rhythmic oscillations (clonus). How should the nurse grade this reflex?
A. 1+
B. 2+
C. 3+
D. 4+
CORRECT ANSWER: D
Assessment Rationale: Reflexes are graded on a 0-4+ scale: 0 (absent), 1+ (diminished), 2+
(normal), 3+ (brisker than average), and 4+ (very brisk, hyperactive, with clonus).
(3) The nurse asks the client to stand with feet together and arms at the side, first with
eyes open and then with eyes closed. Which test is being performed?
A. Weber test
B. Romberg test
C. Babinski test
D. Graphesthesia test
CORRECT ANSWER: B
Assessment Rationale: The Romberg test assesses cerebellar function and balance. Significant
swaying or falling when the eyes are closed is a 'positive Romberg.'
,(4) A nurse is assessing a client for carpal tunnel syndrome. The nurse asks the client to
hold both hands back-to-back while flexing the wrists at 90 degrees for 60 seconds. This
is known as:
A. Phalen's test
B. Tinel's sign
C. Bulge sign
D. McMurray's test
CORRECT ANSWER: A
Assessment Rationale: Phalen's test produces numbness and burning in a person with carpal
tunnel syndrome. Tinel's sign involves percussion of the median nerve.
(5) During a musculoskeletal assessment, the nurse notes a lateral curvature of the
thoracic and lumbar spine. This finding is documented as:
A. Kyphosis
B. Lordosis
C. Scoliosis
D. Ankylosis
CORRECT ANSWER: C
Assessment Rationale: Scoliosis is an S-shaped lateral curvature of the spine. Kyphosis is an
exaggerated posterior curvature (hunchback), and Lordosis is an exaggerated lumbar curvature
(swayback).
(6) When teaching a client about breast self-examination (BSE), the nurse should instruct
the client to perform the exam at which time?
A. During the first day of the menstrual period.
B. 4 to 7 days after the menstrual period begins.
C. On the same day every month regardless of the cycle.
D. Just before the menstrual period begins.
CORRECT ANSWER: B
Assessment Rationale: Breasts are least congested and smallest 4 to 7 days after the
menstrual cycle starts, making this the ideal time for palpation.
,(7) Which quadrant of the breast is the most common site for breast tumors?
A. Upper inner quadrant
B. Lower inner quadrant
C. Upper outer quadrant (Tail of Spence)
D. Lower outer quadrant
CORRECT ANSWER: C
Assessment Rationale: The upper outer quadrant, including the axillary Tail of Spence, is the
site where the majority of breast tumors are found.
(8) A nurse is performing a testicular exam. Which finding is considered normal?
A. A hard, non-tender mass.
B. One testis is lower than the other.
C. Scrotal skin that is smooth and tight.
D. Pain upon gentle palpation of the testes.
CORRECT ANSWER: B
Assessment Rationale: It is a normal finding for the left testis to hang lower than the right.
The testes should feel firm, rubbery, smooth, and be equal in size.
(9) The nurse is using the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) to assess a client. Which three areas
are evaluated?
A. Pupillary response, heart rate, and reflexes.
B. Eye opening, motor response, and verbal response.
C. Orientation, memory, and judgment.
D. Speech, gait, and balance.
CORRECT ANSWER: B
Assessment Rationale: The GCS scores eye opening (1-4), verbal response (1-5), and motor
response (1-6). A total score of 15 is normal; a score of 8 or less indicates a coma.
, (10) Which assessment technique is always performed last during an abdominal
assessment?
A. Inspection
B. Auscultation
C. Percussion
D. Palpation
CORRECT ANSWER: D
Assessment Rationale: In an abdominal assessment, palpation and percussion are performed
after auscultation because they can stimulate peristalsis and alter bowel sounds.
(11) A nurse is assessing a client's Cranial Nerve VII (Facial). Which action should the
nurse ask the client to perform?
A. Shrug the shoulders against resistance.
B. Stick out the tongue and move it side to side.
C. Smile, frown, and puff out the cheeks.
D. Follow a penlight through the six cardinal fields of gaze.
CORRECT ANSWER: C
Assessment Rationale: Cranial Nerve VII (Facial) is tested by observing facial symmetry during
movements such as smiling, frowning, closing eyes tightly, and puffing cheeks.
(12) While assessing a client's deep tendon reflexes, the nurse notes a very brisk
response with rhythmic oscillations (clonus). How should the nurse grade this reflex?
A. 1+
B. 2+
C. 3+
D. 4+
CORRECT ANSWER: D
Assessment Rationale: Reflexes are graded on a 0-4+ scale: 0 (absent), 1+ (diminished), 2+
(normal), 3+ (brisker than average), and 4+ (very brisk, hyperactive, with clonus).
