NURS 190 Physical Assessment: Week 8 Neurological and
Musculoskeletal System Quiz 2026 |WCU
1. When assessing the deep tendon reflexes of a patient, the nurse notes a very
brisk response with intermittent clonus. How should this be documented?
A. 4+
B. 2+
C. 3+
D. 1+
Answer: A
Rationale: A reflex grade of 4+ is characterized as very brisk, hyperactive, and often
associated with clonus, indicating a potential upper motor neuron lesion.
2. The nurse asks the patient to stand with feet together and eyes closed. The
patient begins to sway and loses balance. This is a positive sign for which test?
A. Babinski test
B. Allen test
C. Romberg test
D. Phalen test
Answer: C
Rationale: The Romberg test assesses cerebellar function and proprioception; a positive
sign occurs when the patient loses balance with eyes closed.
,3. During a musculoskeletal assessment, the nurse performs the Phalen test.
What condition is this test screening for?
A. Rotator cuff tear
B. Osteoarthritis of the hip
C. Herniated nucleus pulposus
D. Carpal tunnel syndrome
Answer: D
Rationale: The Phalen test involves holding the wrists in acute flexion for 60 seconds;
numbness or burning suggests carpal tunnel syndrome.
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 XII (Hypoglossal)
D. CN XI (Accessory)
Answer: C
Rationale: Cranial nerve XII, the hypoglossal nerve, provides motor innervation to the
muscles of the tongue.
5. A nurse observes a patient’s gait and notes it is staggered, unsteady, and the
patient has a wide base of support. Which term best describes this?
A. Spastic gait
B. Scissors gait
C. Ataxia
D. Propulsive gait
Answer: C
Rationale: Ataxia is defined as uncoordinated or unsteady gait often resulting from
cerebellar dysfunction or vestibular issues.
, 6. To assess the function of Cranial Nerve V (Trigeminal), which action should
the nurse take?
A. Ask the patient to shrug their shoulders against resistance
B. Palpate the temporal and masseter muscles as the patient clenches their teeth
C. Have the patient identify common scents with eyes closed
D. Check for a gag reflex using a tongue depressor
Answer: B
Rationale: The motor component of CN V is assessed by palpating muscles of mastication
while clenching, and the sensory component is tested with light touch to the face.
7. Which assessment finding is most characteristic of Rheumatoid Arthritis
rather than Osteoarthritis?
A. Morning stiffness lasting more than one hour
B. Asymmetric joint involvement
C. Pain that is worse later in the day
D. Presence of Heberden nodes
Answer: A
Rationale: Rheumatoid arthritis is a systemic inflammatory disease characterized by
prolonged morning stiffness, whereas osteoarthritis stiffness usually resolves quickly.
8. The nurse is assessing a patient’s muscle strength and finds the patient can
complete full range of motion against gravity but not against any added
resistance. What grade is this?
A. Grade 1
B. Grade 3
C. Grade 2
D. Grade 4
Answer: B
Musculoskeletal System Quiz 2026 |WCU
1. When assessing the deep tendon reflexes of a patient, the nurse notes a very
brisk response with intermittent clonus. How should this be documented?
A. 4+
B. 2+
C. 3+
D. 1+
Answer: A
Rationale: A reflex grade of 4+ is characterized as very brisk, hyperactive, and often
associated with clonus, indicating a potential upper motor neuron lesion.
2. The nurse asks the patient to stand with feet together and eyes closed. The
patient begins to sway and loses balance. This is a positive sign for which test?
A. Babinski test
B. Allen test
C. Romberg test
D. Phalen test
Answer: C
Rationale: The Romberg test assesses cerebellar function and proprioception; a positive
sign occurs when the patient loses balance with eyes closed.
,3. During a musculoskeletal assessment, the nurse performs the Phalen test.
What condition is this test screening for?
A. Rotator cuff tear
B. Osteoarthritis of the hip
C. Herniated nucleus pulposus
D. Carpal tunnel syndrome
Answer: D
Rationale: The Phalen test involves holding the wrists in acute flexion for 60 seconds;
numbness or burning suggests carpal tunnel syndrome.
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 XII (Hypoglossal)
D. CN XI (Accessory)
Answer: C
Rationale: Cranial nerve XII, the hypoglossal nerve, provides motor innervation to the
muscles of the tongue.
5. A nurse observes a patient’s gait and notes it is staggered, unsteady, and the
patient has a wide base of support. Which term best describes this?
A. Spastic gait
B. Scissors gait
C. Ataxia
D. Propulsive gait
Answer: C
Rationale: Ataxia is defined as uncoordinated or unsteady gait often resulting from
cerebellar dysfunction or vestibular issues.
, 6. To assess the function of Cranial Nerve V (Trigeminal), which action should
the nurse take?
A. Ask the patient to shrug their shoulders against resistance
B. Palpate the temporal and masseter muscles as the patient clenches their teeth
C. Have the patient identify common scents with eyes closed
D. Check for a gag reflex using a tongue depressor
Answer: B
Rationale: The motor component of CN V is assessed by palpating muscles of mastication
while clenching, and the sensory component is tested with light touch to the face.
7. Which assessment finding is most characteristic of Rheumatoid Arthritis
rather than Osteoarthritis?
A. Morning stiffness lasting more than one hour
B. Asymmetric joint involvement
C. Pain that is worse later in the day
D. Presence of Heberden nodes
Answer: A
Rationale: Rheumatoid arthritis is a systemic inflammatory disease characterized by
prolonged morning stiffness, whereas osteoarthritis stiffness usually resolves quickly.
8. The nurse is assessing a patient’s muscle strength and finds the patient can
complete full range of motion against gravity but not against any added
resistance. What grade is this?
A. Grade 1
B. Grade 3
C. Grade 2
D. Grade 4
Answer: B
