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NR 509 APEA EXAM 2026 | 200+ PRACTICE
QUESTIONS & DETAILED RATIONALES | HIGH-
YIELD CONTENT | PASS FIRST TRY | ADVANCED
PHYSICAL ASSESSMENT
## Table of Contents
1. **Health History & Interviewing** (Q1–Q20)
2. **General Survey & Vital Signs** (Q21–Q35)
3. **Integumentary System** (Q36–Q50)
4. **Head, Eyes, Ears, Nose, Throat (HEENT)** (Q51–Q70)
5. **Cardiovascular System** (Q71–Q90)
6. **Respiratory System** (Q91–Q110)
7. **Abdominal & Gastrointestinal System** (Q111–Q130)
8. **Neurological System** (Q131–Q155)
9. **Musculoskeletal System** (Q156–Q175)
10. **Female & Male Genitourinary** (Q176–Q190)
11. **Breast & Axillae** (Q191–Q200)
12. **Psychosocial & Cultural Considerations** (Q201–Q210)
13. **Geriatric & Pediatric Variations** (Q211–Q220)
14. **Advanced Assessment Techniques & Diagnostics** (Q221–Q235)
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Section 1: Health History & Interviewing (Q1–Q20)
**Q1.** A 58-year-old male reports chest pain that occurs with exertion
and resolves with rest. Which mnemonic is most appropriate to further
assess this symptom?
A. PQRST
B. SAMPLE
C. COLDSPA
D. HEADSS
**Correct Answer: A – PQRST**
*Rationale: PQRST (Provocation, Quality, Region/Radiation, Severity,
Timing) is used for pain assessment.*
**Q2.** During an interview, a client avoids eye contact and answers
questions with one-word responses. The best initial approach is to:
A. Ask direct closed-ended questions
B. Use open-ended questions and allow silence
C. Terminate the interview
D. Ask a family member to speak for the client
**Correct Answer: B – Use open-ended questions and allow silence**
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*Rationale: Silence gives the client time to process and respond without
pressure.*
**Q3.** A client reports using "herbal supplements" but cannot name
them. The nurse should:
A. Document "patient unwilling to disclose"
B. Ask the client to bring all supplements to the next visit
C. Assume they are harmless
D. Advise stopping all supplements immediately
**Correct Answer: B – Ask client to bring all supplements to next
visit**
*Rationale: Accurate identification prevents drug-herb interactions.*
**Q4.** A 72-year-old client provides inconsistent answers to questions.
The best action is to:
A. Ask the same questions again loudly
B. Interview a family member separately
C. Diagnose dementia immediately
D. Ignore inconsistencies
**Correct Answer: B – Interview a family member separately**
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*Rationale: Collateral history is valuable in older adults with possible
cognitive impairment.*
**Q5.** Which question best assesses a client’s functional status?
A. "Do you have any pain?"
B. "Can you bathe and dress yourself independently?"
C. "How many medications do you take?"
D. "Have you ever been hospitalized?"
**Correct Answer: B – "Can you bathe and dress yourself
independently?"**
*Rationale: Activities of daily living (ADLs) measure functional status.*
**Q6.** A client reports drinking "a few drinks" daily. To quantify
alcohol use, the nurse asks:
A. "Do you drink beer, wine, or liquor?"
B. "How many drinks per day and how many days per week?"
C. "Have you ever had a drinking problem?"
D. "Does your family think you drink too much?"
**Correct Answer: B – Quantity and frequency**
*Rationale: Specific quantification (e.g., 2 beers/day, 5 days/week) is
needed.*
NR 509 APEA EXAM 2026 | 200+ PRACTICE
QUESTIONS & DETAILED RATIONALES | HIGH-
YIELD CONTENT | PASS FIRST TRY | ADVANCED
PHYSICAL ASSESSMENT
## Table of Contents
1. **Health History & Interviewing** (Q1–Q20)
2. **General Survey & Vital Signs** (Q21–Q35)
3. **Integumentary System** (Q36–Q50)
4. **Head, Eyes, Ears, Nose, Throat (HEENT)** (Q51–Q70)
5. **Cardiovascular System** (Q71–Q90)
6. **Respiratory System** (Q91–Q110)
7. **Abdominal & Gastrointestinal System** (Q111–Q130)
8. **Neurological System** (Q131–Q155)
9. **Musculoskeletal System** (Q156–Q175)
10. **Female & Male Genitourinary** (Q176–Q190)
11. **Breast & Axillae** (Q191–Q200)
12. **Psychosocial & Cultural Considerations** (Q201–Q210)
13. **Geriatric & Pediatric Variations** (Q211–Q220)
14. **Advanced Assessment Techniques & Diagnostics** (Q221–Q235)
,2|Page
Section 1: Health History & Interviewing (Q1–Q20)
**Q1.** A 58-year-old male reports chest pain that occurs with exertion
and resolves with rest. Which mnemonic is most appropriate to further
assess this symptom?
A. PQRST
B. SAMPLE
C. COLDSPA
D. HEADSS
**Correct Answer: A – PQRST**
*Rationale: PQRST (Provocation, Quality, Region/Radiation, Severity,
Timing) is used for pain assessment.*
**Q2.** During an interview, a client avoids eye contact and answers
questions with one-word responses. The best initial approach is to:
A. Ask direct closed-ended questions
B. Use open-ended questions and allow silence
C. Terminate the interview
D. Ask a family member to speak for the client
**Correct Answer: B – Use open-ended questions and allow silence**
,3|Page
*Rationale: Silence gives the client time to process and respond without
pressure.*
**Q3.** A client reports using "herbal supplements" but cannot name
them. The nurse should:
A. Document "patient unwilling to disclose"
B. Ask the client to bring all supplements to the next visit
C. Assume they are harmless
D. Advise stopping all supplements immediately
**Correct Answer: B – Ask client to bring all supplements to next
visit**
*Rationale: Accurate identification prevents drug-herb interactions.*
**Q4.** A 72-year-old client provides inconsistent answers to questions.
The best action is to:
A. Ask the same questions again loudly
B. Interview a family member separately
C. Diagnose dementia immediately
D. Ignore inconsistencies
**Correct Answer: B – Interview a family member separately**
, 4|Page
*Rationale: Collateral history is valuable in older adults with possible
cognitive impairment.*
**Q5.** Which question best assesses a client’s functional status?
A. "Do you have any pain?"
B. "Can you bathe and dress yourself independently?"
C. "How many medications do you take?"
D. "Have you ever been hospitalized?"
**Correct Answer: B – "Can you bathe and dress yourself
independently?"**
*Rationale: Activities of daily living (ADLs) measure functional status.*
**Q6.** A client reports drinking "a few drinks" daily. To quantify
alcohol use, the nurse asks:
A. "Do you drink beer, wine, or liquor?"
B. "How many drinks per day and how many days per week?"
C. "Have you ever had a drinking problem?"
D. "Does your family think you drink too much?"
**Correct Answer: B – Quantity and frequency**
*Rationale: Specific quantification (e.g., 2 beers/day, 5 days/week) is
needed.*
