Maryville NURS 612 Exam 1 - Health
Assessment and Physical Examination
Study Guide with Complete Verified
Q&A (Rationales Included) Latest
Maryville NURS 612 Exam 1 - Health | Comprehensive
Examination
Maryville NURS 612 Exam 1 - Health Assessment and
Physical Examination Study Guide with Complete Verified
Q&A (Rationales Included) Latest Update 2026/2027 Already
INTRODUCTION
This document is an important and very helpful preparation
resource for Maryville NURS 612 Exam 1 - Health Assessment
and Physical Examination Study Guide with Complete Verified
Q&A (Rationales Included) Latest Update 2026/2027 Already
Graded A+. Every item uses a focused exam stem, four response
options, a keyed response, and a clear rationale, making it
easier to understand the subject, spot distractors, and build real
exam confidence.
Page 1
, Question 1
A patient presents with sudden-onset severe tearing chest pain radiating to the
back, accompanied by a blood pressure differential of 25 mm Hg between
arms. Which assessment finding is most critical to obtain next to guide
immediate management?
A. Bilateral upper extremity pulses and neurological status
B. Auscultation for a diastolic murmur of aortic regurgitation
C. Measurement of oxygen saturation and respiratory rate
D. Palpation of the abdomen for pulsatile mass
Correct Answer: A - Bilateral upper extremity pulses and
neurological status
RATIONALE
In suspected aortic dissection, assessing bilateral pulses and
neurological status helps determine involvement of branch vessels and
guides immediate surgical vs. medical management. Aortic
regurgitation murmur is supportive but not as critical for immediate
decision-making. Oxygen saturation and abdominal palpation are less
specific and may delay definitive care.
Question 2
When performing a mental status examination, which component is most
directly assessed by asking the patient to recall three unrelated words after a
5-minute delay?
A. Attention and concentration
B. Recent memory
C. Remote memory
D. Judgment and insight
Correct Answer: B - Recent memory
Page 2
, RATIONALE
Delayed recall of three words tests recent memory (encoding, storage,
retrieval). Attention is tested by immediate repetition or serial sevens.
Remote memory involves recalling past personal or historical events.
Judgment and insight are assessed through hypothetical scenarios and
self-awareness.
Question 3
A patient reports a chronic cough with production of clear sputum that worsens
when lying down and is relieved by sitting upright. Which underlying
condition should be highest on the differential?
A. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
B. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
C. Heart failure
D. Postnasal drip syndrome
Correct Answer: A - Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
RATIONALE
Cough worsened by recumbency and relieved by sitting is classic for
GERD due to acid reflux irritating the airway. COPD typically
produces cough with sputum that is worse in the morning and with
exertion. Heart failure cough is usually productive of frothy sputum
and associated with orthopnea and edema. Postnasal drip often causes
a tickling cough without positional variation.
Question 4
During auscultation of the heart, a high-pitched, blowing diastolic murmur is
heard best at the left lower sternal border with the patient sitting and leaning
forward. This finding is most consistent with:
A. Aortic stenosis
B. Mitral regurgitation
C. Aortic regurgitation
Page 3
Assessment and Physical Examination
Study Guide with Complete Verified
Q&A (Rationales Included) Latest
Maryville NURS 612 Exam 1 - Health | Comprehensive
Examination
Maryville NURS 612 Exam 1 - Health Assessment and
Physical Examination Study Guide with Complete Verified
Q&A (Rationales Included) Latest Update 2026/2027 Already
INTRODUCTION
This document is an important and very helpful preparation
resource for Maryville NURS 612 Exam 1 - Health Assessment
and Physical Examination Study Guide with Complete Verified
Q&A (Rationales Included) Latest Update 2026/2027 Already
Graded A+. Every item uses a focused exam stem, four response
options, a keyed response, and a clear rationale, making it
easier to understand the subject, spot distractors, and build real
exam confidence.
Page 1
, Question 1
A patient presents with sudden-onset severe tearing chest pain radiating to the
back, accompanied by a blood pressure differential of 25 mm Hg between
arms. Which assessment finding is most critical to obtain next to guide
immediate management?
A. Bilateral upper extremity pulses and neurological status
B. Auscultation for a diastolic murmur of aortic regurgitation
C. Measurement of oxygen saturation and respiratory rate
D. Palpation of the abdomen for pulsatile mass
Correct Answer: A - Bilateral upper extremity pulses and
neurological status
RATIONALE
In suspected aortic dissection, assessing bilateral pulses and
neurological status helps determine involvement of branch vessels and
guides immediate surgical vs. medical management. Aortic
regurgitation murmur is supportive but not as critical for immediate
decision-making. Oxygen saturation and abdominal palpation are less
specific and may delay definitive care.
Question 2
When performing a mental status examination, which component is most
directly assessed by asking the patient to recall three unrelated words after a
5-minute delay?
A. Attention and concentration
B. Recent memory
C. Remote memory
D. Judgment and insight
Correct Answer: B - Recent memory
Page 2
, RATIONALE
Delayed recall of three words tests recent memory (encoding, storage,
retrieval). Attention is tested by immediate repetition or serial sevens.
Remote memory involves recalling past personal or historical events.
Judgment and insight are assessed through hypothetical scenarios and
self-awareness.
Question 3
A patient reports a chronic cough with production of clear sputum that worsens
when lying down and is relieved by sitting upright. Which underlying
condition should be highest on the differential?
A. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
B. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
C. Heart failure
D. Postnasal drip syndrome
Correct Answer: A - Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
RATIONALE
Cough worsened by recumbency and relieved by sitting is classic for
GERD due to acid reflux irritating the airway. COPD typically
produces cough with sputum that is worse in the morning and with
exertion. Heart failure cough is usually productive of frothy sputum
and associated with orthopnea and edema. Postnasal drip often causes
a tickling cough without positional variation.
Question 4
During auscultation of the heart, a high-pitched, blowing diastolic murmur is
heard best at the left lower sternal border with the patient sitting and leaning
forward. This finding is most consistent with:
A. Aortic stenosis
B. Mitral regurgitation
C. Aortic regurgitation
Page 3
