,NR 302 Exam 2 Health Assessment I | Questions And Answers |
2026/2027 CHAMBERLAIN
1.** The nurse is assessing the thyroid gland. Which technique is most
appropriate for palpation of the thyroid?
A) Palpate from the anterior approach with the client's neck hyperextended
B) Palpate from the posterior approach with the client's neck flexed slightly
forward
C) Palpate from the anterior approach while the client holds their breath
D) Palpate from the posterior approach with the client's neck hyperextended
**Correct Answer:** B) Palpate from the posterior approach with the client's
neck flexed slightly forward
**Rationale:** The thyroid is best palpated from the posterior approach with
the client's neck slightly flexed forward to relax the sternocleidomastoid
muscles. The client should swallow during palpation, which causes the
thyroid to rise and become more palpable. Hyperextension tightens neck
muscles and makes palpation difficult.
**2.** A client reports a lump in the neck. The nurse notes the lump is
tender, mobile, and located over the angle of the mandible. This finding is
most consistent with:
A) An enlarged thyroid nodule
B) An inflamed lymph node
C) A carotid artery aneurysm
D) A salivary gland tumor
**Correct Answer:** B) An inflamed lymph node
,**Rationale:** Tender, mobile lymph nodes over the angle of the mandible
typically indicate an inflamed or infected lymph node (lymphadenitis).
Thyroid nodules are typically located in the midline or lower neck, carotid
artery aneurysms are pulsatile, and salivary gland tumors are usually firm
and non-tender.
**3.** The nurse is assessing a client's lymph nodes. Which of the following
findings is considered abnormal?
A) Lymph nodes are non-palpable
B) Lymph nodes are small, mobile, and non-tender
C) Lymph nodes are firm, fixed, and non-tender
D) Lymph nodes are palpable in the cervical chain
**Correct Answer:** C) Lymph nodes are firm, fixed, and non-tender
**Rationale:** Normal lymph nodes are usually non-palpable or small,
mobile, and non-tender. Firm, fixed, non-tender lymph nodes may indicate
malignancy. Tender, mobile lymph nodes typically indicate infection.
**4.** The nurse is assessing the client's head and neck. Which cranial nerve
is being tested when the client is asked to shrug their shoulders against
resistance?
A) Cranial nerve IX (Glossopharyngeal)
B) Cranial nerve X (Vagus)
C) Cranial nerve XI (Spinal accessory)
D) Cranial nerve XII (Hypoglossal)
, **Correct Answer:** C) Cranial nerve XI (Spinal accessory)
**Rationale:** Cranial nerve XI (spinal accessory) innervates the
sternocleidomastoid and trapezius muscles. Testing shoulder shrug against
resistance assesses this nerve. CN IX (A) and X (B) are tested by gag reflex
and voice quality; CN XII (D) is tested by tongue movement.
**5.** The nurse is assessing a client's head and neck. Which of the following
is a normal finding for the trachea?
A) Trachea is deviated to the left
B) Trachea is deviated to the right
C) Trachea is midline
D) Trachea is pulsating
**Correct Answer:** C) Trachea is midline
**Rationale:** A normal trachea is midline. Deviation to either side may
indicate a mass, pneumothorax, or other pathology. Pulsations are not a
normal finding for the trachea.
**6.** The nurse is assessing the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). Which
technique is correct for this assessment?
A) Palpate the joint while the client opens and closes their mouth
B) Auscultate the joint for bruits
C) Percuss the joint for tenderness
D) Inspect the joint for asymmetry only
2026/2027 CHAMBERLAIN
1.** The nurse is assessing the thyroid gland. Which technique is most
appropriate for palpation of the thyroid?
A) Palpate from the anterior approach with the client's neck hyperextended
B) Palpate from the posterior approach with the client's neck flexed slightly
forward
C) Palpate from the anterior approach while the client holds their breath
D) Palpate from the posterior approach with the client's neck hyperextended
**Correct Answer:** B) Palpate from the posterior approach with the client's
neck flexed slightly forward
**Rationale:** The thyroid is best palpated from the posterior approach with
the client's neck slightly flexed forward to relax the sternocleidomastoid
muscles. The client should swallow during palpation, which causes the
thyroid to rise and become more palpable. Hyperextension tightens neck
muscles and makes palpation difficult.
**2.** A client reports a lump in the neck. The nurse notes the lump is
tender, mobile, and located over the angle of the mandible. This finding is
most consistent with:
A) An enlarged thyroid nodule
B) An inflamed lymph node
C) A carotid artery aneurysm
D) A salivary gland tumor
**Correct Answer:** B) An inflamed lymph node
,**Rationale:** Tender, mobile lymph nodes over the angle of the mandible
typically indicate an inflamed or infected lymph node (lymphadenitis).
Thyroid nodules are typically located in the midline or lower neck, carotid
artery aneurysms are pulsatile, and salivary gland tumors are usually firm
and non-tender.
**3.** The nurse is assessing a client's lymph nodes. Which of the following
findings is considered abnormal?
A) Lymph nodes are non-palpable
B) Lymph nodes are small, mobile, and non-tender
C) Lymph nodes are firm, fixed, and non-tender
D) Lymph nodes are palpable in the cervical chain
**Correct Answer:** C) Lymph nodes are firm, fixed, and non-tender
**Rationale:** Normal lymph nodes are usually non-palpable or small,
mobile, and non-tender. Firm, fixed, non-tender lymph nodes may indicate
malignancy. Tender, mobile lymph nodes typically indicate infection.
**4.** The nurse is assessing the client's head and neck. Which cranial nerve
is being tested when the client is asked to shrug their shoulders against
resistance?
A) Cranial nerve IX (Glossopharyngeal)
B) Cranial nerve X (Vagus)
C) Cranial nerve XI (Spinal accessory)
D) Cranial nerve XII (Hypoglossal)
, **Correct Answer:** C) Cranial nerve XI (Spinal accessory)
**Rationale:** Cranial nerve XI (spinal accessory) innervates the
sternocleidomastoid and trapezius muscles. Testing shoulder shrug against
resistance assesses this nerve. CN IX (A) and X (B) are tested by gag reflex
and voice quality; CN XII (D) is tested by tongue movement.
**5.** The nurse is assessing a client's head and neck. Which of the following
is a normal finding for the trachea?
A) Trachea is deviated to the left
B) Trachea is deviated to the right
C) Trachea is midline
D) Trachea is pulsating
**Correct Answer:** C) Trachea is midline
**Rationale:** A normal trachea is midline. Deviation to either side may
indicate a mass, pneumothorax, or other pathology. Pulsations are not a
normal finding for the trachea.
**6.** The nurse is assessing the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). Which
technique is correct for this assessment?
A) Palpate the joint while the client opens and closes their mouth
B) Auscultate the joint for bruits
C) Percuss the joint for tenderness
D) Inspect the joint for asymmetry only
