ATI Health Assessment Exam 3 Questions & Answers
2026/2027 | Nursing Student Guide
Advanced Health Assessment | Key Domains: Neurological Assessment, Musculoskeletal
Assessment, Male & Female Genitourinary Assessment, Assessment of the Breast & Axillae, and
Comprehensive Head-to-Toe Assessment Integration | Expert-Aligned Structure | Exam-Ready
Format
Introduction
This structured ATI Health Assessment Exam 3 guide for 2026/2027 provides a focused set of
exam-style questions with correct answers and rationales. It emphasizes advanced assessment
techniques for specific body systems, interpretation of normal and abnormal findings, and the
integration of data to form a comprehensive clinical picture, building upon foundational assessment
skills.
Exam Structure:
• Exam 3: (50 QUESTIONS)
Answer Format
All correct answers must appear in bold and cyan blue, accompanied by concise rationales
explaining the correct assessment technique (e.g., how to test cranial nerve V, perform a breast
exam), the normal versus abnormal finding for a specific test (e.g., Babinski, Romberg), the
anatomical landmark for an assessment, and why alternative options describe an incorrect
procedure or misinterpret a finding.
Domain 1: Neurological Assessment
1. How should the nurse test cranial nerve V (trigeminal)?
A. Ask the client to smile and show teeth
B. Have the client identify a familiar scent
C. Lightly touch the forehead, cheeks, and chin with a cotton wisp
D. Test shoulder shrug against resistance
,C. Lightly touch the forehead, cheeks, and chin with a cotton wisp
Cranial nerve V (trigeminal) is a mixed nerve responsible for facial sensation and mastication. Sensory
function is tested by lightly touching the three divisions (ophthalmic, maxillary, mandibular) with
cotton. Motor function (jaw strength) is also assessed, but sensory is primary here. Smiling (A) tests CN
VII. Smell (B) is CN I. Shoulder shrug (D) is CN XI.
2. A positive Babinski reflex in an adult is indicated by:
A. Plantar flexion of the toes
B. Dorsiflexion of the big toe and fanning of other toes
C. No movement of the toes
D. Involuntary flexion of the knee
B. Dorsiflexion of the big toe and fanning of other toes
The Babinski reflex is abnormal in adults and indicates upper motor neuron lesion (e.g., stroke, MS).
Normal response is plantar flexion (A). Dorsiflexion with fanning is positive Babinski. No movement (C)
or knee flexion (D) are not part of this test.
3. The Romberg test assesses:
A. Cerebellar function
B. Cranial nerve VIII function
C. Proprioception and balance
D. Upper extremity strength
C. Proprioception and balance
The Romberg test evaluates proprioception (position sense) and vestibular function. The client stands
with feet together and eyes closed; swaying or falling indicates a positive test. Cerebellar function (A) is
tested with heel-to-shin or finger-to-nose. CN VIII (B) is tested with Weber/Rinne.
, Domain 2: Musculoskeletal Assessment
4. To assess for scoliosis in an adolescent, the nurse should:
A. Measure leg length discrepancy
B. Observe for asymmetry when the client bends forward
C. Palpate for crepitus in the spine
D. Test deep tendon reflexes in the lower extremities
B. Observe for asymmetry when the client bends forward
The forward-bending test is the standard screening for scoliosis. The nurse looks for rib hump or
asymmetry in the back. Leg length (A) is for hip dysplasia. Crepitus (C) suggests arthritis. Reflexes (D)
assess neurologic function.
5. Which joint is assessed using the bulge sign?
A. Shoulder
B. Elbow
C. Knee
D. Ankle
C. Knee
The bulge sign detects small amounts of fluid in the knee joint. The nurse strokes the medial aspect
upward, waits, then taps the lateral side; a bulge on the medial side indicates fluid. This is not used for
shoulder (A), elbow (B), or ankle (D).
6. A client reports pain and limited range of motion in the right shoulder. Which test assesses
the rotator cuff?
A. Phalen’s test
B. Tinel’s sign
2026/2027 | Nursing Student Guide
Advanced Health Assessment | Key Domains: Neurological Assessment, Musculoskeletal
Assessment, Male & Female Genitourinary Assessment, Assessment of the Breast & Axillae, and
Comprehensive Head-to-Toe Assessment Integration | Expert-Aligned Structure | Exam-Ready
Format
Introduction
This structured ATI Health Assessment Exam 3 guide for 2026/2027 provides a focused set of
exam-style questions with correct answers and rationales. It emphasizes advanced assessment
techniques for specific body systems, interpretation of normal and abnormal findings, and the
integration of data to form a comprehensive clinical picture, building upon foundational assessment
skills.
Exam Structure:
• Exam 3: (50 QUESTIONS)
Answer Format
All correct answers must appear in bold and cyan blue, accompanied by concise rationales
explaining the correct assessment technique (e.g., how to test cranial nerve V, perform a breast
exam), the normal versus abnormal finding for a specific test (e.g., Babinski, Romberg), the
anatomical landmark for an assessment, and why alternative options describe an incorrect
procedure or misinterpret a finding.
Domain 1: Neurological Assessment
1. How should the nurse test cranial nerve V (trigeminal)?
A. Ask the client to smile and show teeth
B. Have the client identify a familiar scent
C. Lightly touch the forehead, cheeks, and chin with a cotton wisp
D. Test shoulder shrug against resistance
,C. Lightly touch the forehead, cheeks, and chin with a cotton wisp
Cranial nerve V (trigeminal) is a mixed nerve responsible for facial sensation and mastication. Sensory
function is tested by lightly touching the three divisions (ophthalmic, maxillary, mandibular) with
cotton. Motor function (jaw strength) is also assessed, but sensory is primary here. Smiling (A) tests CN
VII. Smell (B) is CN I. Shoulder shrug (D) is CN XI.
2. A positive Babinski reflex in an adult is indicated by:
A. Plantar flexion of the toes
B. Dorsiflexion of the big toe and fanning of other toes
C. No movement of the toes
D. Involuntary flexion of the knee
B. Dorsiflexion of the big toe and fanning of other toes
The Babinski reflex is abnormal in adults and indicates upper motor neuron lesion (e.g., stroke, MS).
Normal response is plantar flexion (A). Dorsiflexion with fanning is positive Babinski. No movement (C)
or knee flexion (D) are not part of this test.
3. The Romberg test assesses:
A. Cerebellar function
B. Cranial nerve VIII function
C. Proprioception and balance
D. Upper extremity strength
C. Proprioception and balance
The Romberg test evaluates proprioception (position sense) and vestibular function. The client stands
with feet together and eyes closed; swaying or falling indicates a positive test. Cerebellar function (A) is
tested with heel-to-shin or finger-to-nose. CN VIII (B) is tested with Weber/Rinne.
, Domain 2: Musculoskeletal Assessment
4. To assess for scoliosis in an adolescent, the nurse should:
A. Measure leg length discrepancy
B. Observe for asymmetry when the client bends forward
C. Palpate for crepitus in the spine
D. Test deep tendon reflexes in the lower extremities
B. Observe for asymmetry when the client bends forward
The forward-bending test is the standard screening for scoliosis. The nurse looks for rib hump or
asymmetry in the back. Leg length (A) is for hip dysplasia. Crepitus (C) suggests arthritis. Reflexes (D)
assess neurologic function.
5. Which joint is assessed using the bulge sign?
A. Shoulder
B. Elbow
C. Knee
D. Ankle
C. Knee
The bulge sign detects small amounts of fluid in the knee joint. The nurse strokes the medial aspect
upward, waits, then taps the lateral side; a bulge on the medial side indicates fluid. This is not used for
shoulder (A), elbow (B), or ankle (D).
6. A client reports pain and limited range of motion in the right shoulder. Which test assesses
the rotator cuff?
A. Phalen’s test
B. Tinel’s sign
