NR 305 Health Assessment Exam 3 Study Guide 2026 |Chamberlain
College
1. When assessing the abdomen, which of the following is the correct order of
assessment techniques?
A. Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion, Palpation
B. Inspection, Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation
C. Auscultation, Inspection, Palpation, Percussion
D. Percussion, Auscultation, Inspection, Palpation
Answer: A
Rationale: Auscultation is performed before percussion and palpation to avoid stimulating
bowel sounds or causing pain that could alter the assessment findings.
2. The nurse is performing a neurological assessment and asks the patient to
identify a common object, like a key, placed in their hand while their eyes are
closed. What is this called?
A. Stereognosis
B. Proprioception
C. Graphesthesia
D. Kinesthesia
Answer: A
Rationale: Stereognosis is the ability to recognize objects by feeling their form, size, and
weight while the eyes are closed.
,3. A positive Romberg test is indicated by which finding?
A. The patient experiences pain during leg lifts
B. The patient cannot hop on one foot
C. The patient is unable to touch their nose with their eyes closed
D. The patient sways or falls when standing with eyes closed
Answer: D
Rationale: A positive Romberg sign occurs when a patient loses balance when closing their
eyes, suggesting cerebellar ataxia or vestibular dysfunction.
4. Which cranial nerve is being tested when the nurse asks the patient to shrug
their shoulders against resistance?
A. Cranial Nerve XI (Spinal Accessory)
B. Cranial Nerve X (Vagus)
C. Cranial Nerve XII (Hypoglossal)
D. Cranial Nerve IX (Glossopharyngeal)
Answer: A
Rationale: Cranial Nerve XI (Spinal Accessory) innervates the trapezius and
sternocleidomastoid muscles; shrugging tests its motor function.
5. During an abdominal assessment, the nurse notes a loud, gurgling sound in
the upper left quadrant. This is documented as:
A. Borborygmus
B. Bruit
C. Hypoactive bowel sounds
D. Friction rub
Answer: A
Rationale: Borborygmus refers to hyperactive, loud, gurgling bowel sounds associated
with increased motility.
, 6. When testing deep tendon reflexes, the nurse finds the response to be
‘average’ or ‘normal’. How should this be graded?
A. 2+
B. 1+
C. 3+
D. 4+
Answer: A
Rationale: Deep tendon reflexes are graded on a 0-4 scale, where 2+ is considered normal
or average.
7. A patient exhibits a ‘shuffling gait’ with short steps and a stooped posture.
This is most characteristic of which condition?
A. Parkinson’s Disease
B. Cerebral Palsy
C. Multiple Sclerosis
D. Osteoarthritis
Answer: A
Rationale: A parkinsonian gait is characterized by a stooped posture, shuffling steps, and a
lack of arm swing.
8. While assessing the musculoskeletal system, the nurse asks the patient to
move their arm away from the midline of the body. This movement is called:
A. Abduction
B. Adduction
C. Flexion
D. Extension
Answer: A
Rationale: Abduction is the movement of a limb away from the midline of the body.
College
1. When assessing the abdomen, which of the following is the correct order of
assessment techniques?
A. Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion, Palpation
B. Inspection, Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation
C. Auscultation, Inspection, Palpation, Percussion
D. Percussion, Auscultation, Inspection, Palpation
Answer: A
Rationale: Auscultation is performed before percussion and palpation to avoid stimulating
bowel sounds or causing pain that could alter the assessment findings.
2. The nurse is performing a neurological assessment and asks the patient to
identify a common object, like a key, placed in their hand while their eyes are
closed. What is this called?
A. Stereognosis
B. Proprioception
C. Graphesthesia
D. Kinesthesia
Answer: A
Rationale: Stereognosis is the ability to recognize objects by feeling their form, size, and
weight while the eyes are closed.
,3. A positive Romberg test is indicated by which finding?
A. The patient experiences pain during leg lifts
B. The patient cannot hop on one foot
C. The patient is unable to touch their nose with their eyes closed
D. The patient sways or falls when standing with eyes closed
Answer: D
Rationale: A positive Romberg sign occurs when a patient loses balance when closing their
eyes, suggesting cerebellar ataxia or vestibular dysfunction.
4. Which cranial nerve is being tested when the nurse asks the patient to shrug
their shoulders against resistance?
A. Cranial Nerve XI (Spinal Accessory)
B. Cranial Nerve X (Vagus)
C. Cranial Nerve XII (Hypoglossal)
D. Cranial Nerve IX (Glossopharyngeal)
Answer: A
Rationale: Cranial Nerve XI (Spinal Accessory) innervates the trapezius and
sternocleidomastoid muscles; shrugging tests its motor function.
5. During an abdominal assessment, the nurse notes a loud, gurgling sound in
the upper left quadrant. This is documented as:
A. Borborygmus
B. Bruit
C. Hypoactive bowel sounds
D. Friction rub
Answer: A
Rationale: Borborygmus refers to hyperactive, loud, gurgling bowel sounds associated
with increased motility.
, 6. When testing deep tendon reflexes, the nurse finds the response to be
‘average’ or ‘normal’. How should this be graded?
A. 2+
B. 1+
C. 3+
D. 4+
Answer: A
Rationale: Deep tendon reflexes are graded on a 0-4 scale, where 2+ is considered normal
or average.
7. A patient exhibits a ‘shuffling gait’ with short steps and a stooped posture.
This is most characteristic of which condition?
A. Parkinson’s Disease
B. Cerebral Palsy
C. Multiple Sclerosis
D. Osteoarthritis
Answer: A
Rationale: A parkinsonian gait is characterized by a stooped posture, shuffling steps, and a
lack of arm swing.
8. While assessing the musculoskeletal system, the nurse asks the patient to
move their arm away from the midline of the body. This movement is called:
A. Abduction
B. Adduction
C. Flexion
D. Extension
Answer: A
Rationale: Abduction is the movement of a limb away from the midline of the body.
