NR 302 Health Assessment I - Exam 4 Study Guide 2026 |Chamberlain
College
1. A nurse is assessing a patient’s muscle strength and notes that the patient can
complete full range of motion against gravity but not against resistance. How
should this be documented?
A. 1/5
B. 2/5
C. 3/5
D. 4/5
Answer: C
Rationale: A grade of 3/5 indicates full range of motion with gravity, but the patient
cannot overcome any added resistance.
2. Which cranial nerve is responsible for the movement of the tongue during
speech and swallowing?
A. CN IX
B. CN X
C. CN XII
D. CN XI
Answer: C
Rationale: Cranial nerve XII (Hypoglossal) is primarily responsible for the motor
movement of the tongue.
,3. When performing a musculoskeletal assessment, what is the term for a
grating sound or sensation produced by friction between bone and cartilage?
A. Bursitis
B. Subluxation
C. Crepitus
D. Effusion
Answer: C
Rationale: Crepitus is a dry, crackling or grating sound or sensation caused by the rubbing
together of bone surfaces.
4. A patient is asked to close their eyes and identify a common object placed in
their hand. Which sensory function is being tested?
A. Graphesthesia
B. Proprioception
C. Extinction
D. Stereognosis
Answer: D
Rationale: Stereognosis is the ability to recognize an object through touch without visual
input.
5. The nurse observes a patient’s gait and notes unsteadiness and lack of
coordination. This finding is best described as:
A. Flaccidity
B. Spasticity
C. Bradykinesia
D. Ataxia
Answer: D
Rationale: Ataxia is the loss of full control of bodily movements, often resulting in an
unsteady or staggering gait.
, 6. Which assessment technique is most appropriate to evaluate for a herniated
nucleus pulposus (herniated disc)?
A. McMurray test
B. Straight leg raising test
C. Phalen test
D. Bulge sign
Answer: B
Rationale: The straight leg raising (Lasegue) test is used to check for nerve root irritation
or lumbar disc herniation.
7. While assessing deep tendon reflexes, the nurse finds that the patient’s
patellar reflex is very brisk with clonus. What grade should be assigned?
A. 1+
B. 2+
C. 4+
D. 3+
Answer: C
Rationale: A grade of 4+ is used for very brisk, hyperactive reflexes with clonus, which is
often indicative of disease.
8. A patient exhibits a positive Romberg test. What does this indicate?
A. Impaired cranial nerve II function
B. Muscle weakness in the lower extremities
C. Loss of sharp-dull discrimination
D. Vestibular or cerebellar dysfunction
Answer: D
Rationale: A positive Romberg sign (loss of balance when eyes are closed) indicates a
problem with proprioception, vestibular function, or cerebellar coordination.
College
1. A nurse is assessing a patient’s muscle strength and notes that the patient can
complete full range of motion against gravity but not against resistance. How
should this be documented?
A. 1/5
B. 2/5
C. 3/5
D. 4/5
Answer: C
Rationale: A grade of 3/5 indicates full range of motion with gravity, but the patient
cannot overcome any added resistance.
2. Which cranial nerve is responsible for the movement of the tongue during
speech and swallowing?
A. CN IX
B. CN X
C. CN XII
D. CN XI
Answer: C
Rationale: Cranial nerve XII (Hypoglossal) is primarily responsible for the motor
movement of the tongue.
,3. When performing a musculoskeletal assessment, what is the term for a
grating sound or sensation produced by friction between bone and cartilage?
A. Bursitis
B. Subluxation
C. Crepitus
D. Effusion
Answer: C
Rationale: Crepitus is a dry, crackling or grating sound or sensation caused by the rubbing
together of bone surfaces.
4. A patient is asked to close their eyes and identify a common object placed in
their hand. Which sensory function is being tested?
A. Graphesthesia
B. Proprioception
C. Extinction
D. Stereognosis
Answer: D
Rationale: Stereognosis is the ability to recognize an object through touch without visual
input.
5. The nurse observes a patient’s gait and notes unsteadiness and lack of
coordination. This finding is best described as:
A. Flaccidity
B. Spasticity
C. Bradykinesia
D. Ataxia
Answer: D
Rationale: Ataxia is the loss of full control of bodily movements, often resulting in an
unsteady or staggering gait.
, 6. Which assessment technique is most appropriate to evaluate for a herniated
nucleus pulposus (herniated disc)?
A. McMurray test
B. Straight leg raising test
C. Phalen test
D. Bulge sign
Answer: B
Rationale: The straight leg raising (Lasegue) test is used to check for nerve root irritation
or lumbar disc herniation.
7. While assessing deep tendon reflexes, the nurse finds that the patient’s
patellar reflex is very brisk with clonus. What grade should be assigned?
A. 1+
B. 2+
C. 4+
D. 3+
Answer: C
Rationale: A grade of 4+ is used for very brisk, hyperactive reflexes with clonus, which is
often indicative of disease.
8. A patient exhibits a positive Romberg test. What does this indicate?
A. Impaired cranial nerve II function
B. Muscle weakness in the lower extremities
C. Loss of sharp-dull discrimination
D. Vestibular or cerebellar dysfunction
Answer: D
Rationale: A positive Romberg sign (loss of balance when eyes are closed) indicates a
problem with proprioception, vestibular function, or cerebellar coordination.
