NR 302 Health Assessment I - Exam 8 Comprehensive Practice
Questions 2026 |Chamberlain College
1. When assessing a patient’s muscle strength, the nurse notes that the patient
has 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. The nurse is performing the Phalen test on a patient. This test is used to
assess for which condition?
A. Osteoarthritis
B. Rotator Cuff Tear
C. Rheumatoid Arthritis
D. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Answer: D
Rationale: The Phalen test involves holding the hands back-to-back while flexing the
wrists 90 degrees; numbness or burning suggests carpal tunnel syndrome.
,3. An elderly patient presents with a ‘hunchback’ appearance. The nurse
correctly identifies this spinal curvature as:
A. Lordosis
B. Scoliosis
C. Kyphosis
D. Ankylosis
Answer: C
Rationale: Kyphosis is an enhanced thoracic curve, common in aging adults, especially
those with osteoporosis.
4. Which cranial nerve is responsible for the movement of the tongue during
speech and swallowing?
A. CN IX (Glossopharyngeal)
B. CN X (Vagus)
C. CN XI (Spinal Accessory)
D. CN XII (Hypoglossal)
Answer: D
Rationale: Cranial nerve XII (Hypoglossal) controls the muscles of the tongue.
5. The nurse asks a patient to stand with feet together and arms at the sides,
then close their eyes. The patient begins to sway and loses balance. This is
documented as a:
A. Positive Romberg sign
B. Negative Romberg sign
C. Positive Babinski sign
D. Negative Babinski sign
Answer: A
Rationale: A positive Romberg sign occurs when a patient loses balance with eyes closed,
indicating cerebellar ataxia or vestibular dysfunction.
, 6. Which assessment finding is considered normal for a 2-year-old child’s lower
extremities?
A. Genu valgum (knock-knees)
B. Genu varum (bowlegs)
C. Talipes equinovarus
D. Subluxation of the hip
Answer: B
Rationale: Genu varum (bowlegs) is a normal finding in toddlers for about a year after
they start walking.
7. During a neurological exam, the nurse uses a cotton wisp to touch the
patient’s cornea. Which cranial nerves are being tested?
A. CN II and III
B. CN III and IV
C. CN V and VII
D. CN VII and VIII
Answer: C
Rationale: The corneal reflex test involves the sensory component of CN V (Trigeminal)
and the motor component of CN VII (Facial) for blinking.
8. A patient complains of a ‘grating’ sound when moving their knee. The nurse
documents this as:
A. Subluxation
B. Crepitus
C. Dislocation
D. Contracture
Answer: B
Rationale: Crepitus is a dry, crackling, or grating sound or sensation caused by bone
rubbing against bone or roughened cartilage.
Questions 2026 |Chamberlain College
1. When assessing a patient’s muscle strength, the nurse notes that the patient
has 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. The nurse is performing the Phalen test on a patient. This test is used to
assess for which condition?
A. Osteoarthritis
B. Rotator Cuff Tear
C. Rheumatoid Arthritis
D. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Answer: D
Rationale: The Phalen test involves holding the hands back-to-back while flexing the
wrists 90 degrees; numbness or burning suggests carpal tunnel syndrome.
,3. An elderly patient presents with a ‘hunchback’ appearance. The nurse
correctly identifies this spinal curvature as:
A. Lordosis
B. Scoliosis
C. Kyphosis
D. Ankylosis
Answer: C
Rationale: Kyphosis is an enhanced thoracic curve, common in aging adults, especially
those with osteoporosis.
4. Which cranial nerve is responsible for the movement of the tongue during
speech and swallowing?
A. CN IX (Glossopharyngeal)
B. CN X (Vagus)
C. CN XI (Spinal Accessory)
D. CN XII (Hypoglossal)
Answer: D
Rationale: Cranial nerve XII (Hypoglossal) controls the muscles of the tongue.
5. The nurse asks a patient to stand with feet together and arms at the sides,
then close their eyes. The patient begins to sway and loses balance. This is
documented as a:
A. Positive Romberg sign
B. Negative Romberg sign
C. Positive Babinski sign
D. Negative Babinski sign
Answer: A
Rationale: A positive Romberg sign occurs when a patient loses balance with eyes closed,
indicating cerebellar ataxia or vestibular dysfunction.
, 6. Which assessment finding is considered normal for a 2-year-old child’s lower
extremities?
A. Genu valgum (knock-knees)
B. Genu varum (bowlegs)
C. Talipes equinovarus
D. Subluxation of the hip
Answer: B
Rationale: Genu varum (bowlegs) is a normal finding in toddlers for about a year after
they start walking.
7. During a neurological exam, the nurse uses a cotton wisp to touch the
patient’s cornea. Which cranial nerves are being tested?
A. CN II and III
B. CN III and IV
C. CN V and VII
D. CN VII and VIII
Answer: C
Rationale: The corneal reflex test involves the sensory component of CN V (Trigeminal)
and the motor component of CN VII (Facial) for blinking.
8. A patient complains of a ‘grating’ sound when moving their knee. The nurse
documents this as:
A. Subluxation
B. Crepitus
C. Dislocation
D. Contracture
Answer: B
Rationale: Crepitus is a dry, crackling, or grating sound or sensation caused by bone
rubbing against bone or roughened cartilage.
