MARYVILLE NURS 612 — ADVANCED HEALTH
ASSESSMENT PRACTICE EXAM 1 2026
QUESTIONS WITH EXPERT VERIFIED ANSWERS
AND RATIONALES FOR GUARANTEED PASS |
LATEST UPDATE
1. When performing a cardiovascular assessment, which of the following is the
best location to auscultate the aortic valve?
A) Left lower sternal border
B) Right second intercostal space at the sternal border
C) Left fifth intercostal space at the midclavicular line
D) Right lower sternal border
Answer: B) Right second intercostal space at the sternal border
Rationale: The aortic valve is best auscultated at the right second intercostal
space adjacent to the sternum, where the valve sounds are most clearly
transmitted.
,2. During a neurological exam, the presence of a positive Babinski reflex in an
adult indicates:
A) Normal plantar response
B) Upper motor neuron lesion
C) Lower motor neuron lesion
D) Peripheral neuropathy
Answer: B) Upper motor neuron lesion
Rationale: A positive Babinski sign (extension of the big toe) in adults is abnormal
and typically indicates an upper motor neuron lesion affecting the corticospinal
tract.
3. Which of the following findings during a lung assessment suggests
consolidation?
A) Hyperresonance on percussion
B) Diminished breath sounds
C) Bronchial breath sounds over peripheral lung fields
D) Vesicular breath sounds throughout lung fields
Answer: C) Bronchial breath sounds over peripheral lung fields
Rationale: Bronchial breath sounds heard over peripheral lung fields suggest lung
consolidation such as pneumonia, where alveoli are filled with fluid or cells.
4. When palpating lymph nodes in the neck, which of the following
characteristics is most suggestive of malignancy?
,A) Tenderness
B) Soft and mobile
C) Firm, fixed, and non-tender
D) Small and bilateral
Answer: C) Firm, fixed, and non-tender
Rationale: Malignant lymph nodes tend to be firm, fixed to surrounding tissues,
and non-tender, unlike benign reactive nodes that are soft, mobile, and tender.
5. What is the normal duration of the capillary refill time in a healthy adult?
A) Less than 2 seconds
B) 3-5 seconds
C) 6-8 seconds
D) More than 10 seconds
Answer: A) Less than 2 seconds
Rationale: Capillary refill time under 2 seconds indicates adequate peripheral
perfusion. Prolonged refill suggests circulatory or perfusion problems.
6. A patient presents with a palpable, irregular, hard thyroid nodule. What is the
next best step in evaluation?
A) Start thyroid hormone replacement
B) Ultrasound of the thyroid
C) Measure serum calcium levels
D) Initiate antibiotics
, Answer: B) Ultrasound of the thyroid
Rationale: Ultrasound helps characterize thyroid nodules, assess size,
composition, and guide potential biopsy to rule out malignancy.
7. Which cranial nerve is tested by assessing the patient’s ability to smile, frown,
and raise eyebrows?
A) Cranial Nerve V (Trigeminal)
B) Cranial Nerve VII (Facial)
C) Cranial Nerve IX (Glossopharyngeal)
D) Cranial Nerve XI (Accessory)
Answer: B) Cranial Nerve VII (Facial)
Rationale: The facial nerve controls muscles of facial expression such as smiling,
frowning, and raising eyebrows.
8. In abdominal examination, which finding is consistent with ascites?
A) Tympanic percussion note throughout the abdomen
B) Shifting dullness on percussion
C) Normal bowel sounds in all quadrants
D) Palpable tender mass in the right lower quadrant
Answer: B) Shifting dullness on percussion
Rationale: Shifting dullness occurs due to fluid accumulation in ascites, changing
the percussion note depending on patient position.
ASSESSMENT PRACTICE EXAM 1 2026
QUESTIONS WITH EXPERT VERIFIED ANSWERS
AND RATIONALES FOR GUARANTEED PASS |
LATEST UPDATE
1. When performing a cardiovascular assessment, which of the following is the
best location to auscultate the aortic valve?
A) Left lower sternal border
B) Right second intercostal space at the sternal border
C) Left fifth intercostal space at the midclavicular line
D) Right lower sternal border
Answer: B) Right second intercostal space at the sternal border
Rationale: The aortic valve is best auscultated at the right second intercostal
space adjacent to the sternum, where the valve sounds are most clearly
transmitted.
,2. During a neurological exam, the presence of a positive Babinski reflex in an
adult indicates:
A) Normal plantar response
B) Upper motor neuron lesion
C) Lower motor neuron lesion
D) Peripheral neuropathy
Answer: B) Upper motor neuron lesion
Rationale: A positive Babinski sign (extension of the big toe) in adults is abnormal
and typically indicates an upper motor neuron lesion affecting the corticospinal
tract.
3. Which of the following findings during a lung assessment suggests
consolidation?
A) Hyperresonance on percussion
B) Diminished breath sounds
C) Bronchial breath sounds over peripheral lung fields
D) Vesicular breath sounds throughout lung fields
Answer: C) Bronchial breath sounds over peripheral lung fields
Rationale: Bronchial breath sounds heard over peripheral lung fields suggest lung
consolidation such as pneumonia, where alveoli are filled with fluid or cells.
4. When palpating lymph nodes in the neck, which of the following
characteristics is most suggestive of malignancy?
,A) Tenderness
B) Soft and mobile
C) Firm, fixed, and non-tender
D) Small and bilateral
Answer: C) Firm, fixed, and non-tender
Rationale: Malignant lymph nodes tend to be firm, fixed to surrounding tissues,
and non-tender, unlike benign reactive nodes that are soft, mobile, and tender.
5. What is the normal duration of the capillary refill time in a healthy adult?
A) Less than 2 seconds
B) 3-5 seconds
C) 6-8 seconds
D) More than 10 seconds
Answer: A) Less than 2 seconds
Rationale: Capillary refill time under 2 seconds indicates adequate peripheral
perfusion. Prolonged refill suggests circulatory or perfusion problems.
6. A patient presents with a palpable, irregular, hard thyroid nodule. What is the
next best step in evaluation?
A) Start thyroid hormone replacement
B) Ultrasound of the thyroid
C) Measure serum calcium levels
D) Initiate antibiotics
, Answer: B) Ultrasound of the thyroid
Rationale: Ultrasound helps characterize thyroid nodules, assess size,
composition, and guide potential biopsy to rule out malignancy.
7. Which cranial nerve is tested by assessing the patient’s ability to smile, frown,
and raise eyebrows?
A) Cranial Nerve V (Trigeminal)
B) Cranial Nerve VII (Facial)
C) Cranial Nerve IX (Glossopharyngeal)
D) Cranial Nerve XI (Accessory)
Answer: B) Cranial Nerve VII (Facial)
Rationale: The facial nerve controls muscles of facial expression such as smiling,
frowning, and raising eyebrows.
8. In abdominal examination, which finding is consistent with ascites?
A) Tympanic percussion note throughout the abdomen
B) Shifting dullness on percussion
C) Normal bowel sounds in all quadrants
D) Palpable tender mass in the right lower quadrant
Answer: B) Shifting dullness on percussion
Rationale: Shifting dullness occurs due to fluid accumulation in ascites, changing
the percussion note depending on patient position.
