NUR 643E ADVANCED HEALTH ASSESSMENT FINAL EXAM |
COMPLETE NURSING STUDY GUIDE 2026/2027
1. What structures are found on the surface of the small intestine that facilitate
nutrient absorption?
Crypts of Lieberkühn
Villi
Microvilli
Plicae circulares
2. Describe the role of villi in the small intestine's function.
Villi transport waste products out of the intestine.
Villi produce digestive enzymes.
Villi secrete mucus to protect the intestinal lining.
Villi increase the surface area for absorption of nutrients.
3. Describe the significance of inspecting the umbilicus during a gastrointestinal
assessment.
Inspecting the umbilicus can reveal important information about
potential abnormalities such as hernias, inflammation, or
displacement.
The umbilicus is only examined for signs of infection.
Inspection of the umbilicus is not relevant in gastrointestinal
assessments.
The umbilicus is primarily assessed for its color and size only.
,4. A patient presents with a painful, non-reducible hernia. What immediate
action should a healthcare provider consider to prevent further
complications?
Referral to physical therapy
Observation and monitoring
Surgical intervention
Prescribing pain medication
5. To make an abdominal exam easier you and more comfortable for your
patient, have him?
Place a pillow under his pelvis.
Lay laterally recumbant.
Place his hands above his head.
Empty his bladder before the exam.
6. Describe the physiological mechanism by which low potassium levels can
cause abdominal distention.
Low potassium levels have no effect on abdominal distention.
Low potassium levels can impair muscle contraction in the
gastrointestinal tract, leading to decreased motility and abdominal
distention.
Low potassium levels enhance peristalsis, reducing abdominal
distention.
Low potassium levels increase gastric acid production, causing
distention.
,7. A patient presents with right lower quadrant pain and a positive Psoas sign.
What would be the most appropriate next step in management?
Further imaging studies to confirm appendicitis
Immediate surgical intervention
Referral to a gastroenterologist for further evaluation
Prescribing pain medication
8. Which abdominal arteries are typically auscultated during a physical
examination?
Femoral artery, popliteal artery
Aorta, renal arteries, iliac arteries
Subclavian artery, carotid artery
Brachial artery, radial artery
9. Name one class of medications that is known to commonly cause
constipation.
Opioids
Antibiotics
Antihistamines
Antidepressants
10. The clinician should auscultate the abdomen to listen for possible bruits of
the:
Aorta
Renal artery
, Iliac artery
All of the above
11. When percussing the abdomen, you would document the normal finding of
percussion over the intestines as:
Hyperresonant
Dull
Tympanic
Resonant
12. If a patient presents with chronic abdominal pain and a positive
hypersensitivity test for gluten, what condition might be suspected?
Peptic ulcer disease
Irritable bowel syndrome
Gallstones
Celiac disease
13. During a physical examination, a patient presents with an asymmetrical
abdominal contour. What should be the next step in your assessment?
Assume it is a normal variant and schedule a follow-up in six months.
Conduct further diagnostic tests to determine the underlying
cause.
Document the finding and proceed without further assessment.
Immediately refer the patient for surgery.
14. A patient tells says: "I have had increasing abdominal pain, bloating, & now
new bone pain over 3 - 4 months." On assessment, the nurse finds weight
COMPLETE NURSING STUDY GUIDE 2026/2027
1. What structures are found on the surface of the small intestine that facilitate
nutrient absorption?
Crypts of Lieberkühn
Villi
Microvilli
Plicae circulares
2. Describe the role of villi in the small intestine's function.
Villi transport waste products out of the intestine.
Villi produce digestive enzymes.
Villi secrete mucus to protect the intestinal lining.
Villi increase the surface area for absorption of nutrients.
3. Describe the significance of inspecting the umbilicus during a gastrointestinal
assessment.
Inspecting the umbilicus can reveal important information about
potential abnormalities such as hernias, inflammation, or
displacement.
The umbilicus is only examined for signs of infection.
Inspection of the umbilicus is not relevant in gastrointestinal
assessments.
The umbilicus is primarily assessed for its color and size only.
,4. A patient presents with a painful, non-reducible hernia. What immediate
action should a healthcare provider consider to prevent further
complications?
Referral to physical therapy
Observation and monitoring
Surgical intervention
Prescribing pain medication
5. To make an abdominal exam easier you and more comfortable for your
patient, have him?
Place a pillow under his pelvis.
Lay laterally recumbant.
Place his hands above his head.
Empty his bladder before the exam.
6. Describe the physiological mechanism by which low potassium levels can
cause abdominal distention.
Low potassium levels have no effect on abdominal distention.
Low potassium levels can impair muscle contraction in the
gastrointestinal tract, leading to decreased motility and abdominal
distention.
Low potassium levels enhance peristalsis, reducing abdominal
distention.
Low potassium levels increase gastric acid production, causing
distention.
,7. A patient presents with right lower quadrant pain and a positive Psoas sign.
What would be the most appropriate next step in management?
Further imaging studies to confirm appendicitis
Immediate surgical intervention
Referral to a gastroenterologist for further evaluation
Prescribing pain medication
8. Which abdominal arteries are typically auscultated during a physical
examination?
Femoral artery, popliteal artery
Aorta, renal arteries, iliac arteries
Subclavian artery, carotid artery
Brachial artery, radial artery
9. Name one class of medications that is known to commonly cause
constipation.
Opioids
Antibiotics
Antihistamines
Antidepressants
10. The clinician should auscultate the abdomen to listen for possible bruits of
the:
Aorta
Renal artery
, Iliac artery
All of the above
11. When percussing the abdomen, you would document the normal finding of
percussion over the intestines as:
Hyperresonant
Dull
Tympanic
Resonant
12. If a patient presents with chronic abdominal pain and a positive
hypersensitivity test for gluten, what condition might be suspected?
Peptic ulcer disease
Irritable bowel syndrome
Gallstones
Celiac disease
13. During a physical examination, a patient presents with an asymmetrical
abdominal contour. What should be the next step in your assessment?
Assume it is a normal variant and schedule a follow-up in six months.
Conduct further diagnostic tests to determine the underlying
cause.
Document the finding and proceed without further assessment.
Immediately refer the patient for surgery.
14. A patient tells says: "I have had increasing abdominal pain, bloating, & now
new bone pain over 3 - 4 months." On assessment, the nurse finds weight
