NURS 190 Physical Assessment - Week 7 Comprehensive Quiz
(2026/2027 Update) WCU
1. When assessing a patient for carpal tunnel syndrome, the nurse asks the
patient to hold both hands back-to-back while flexing the wrists 90 degrees for
60 seconds. What is this test called?
A. Tinel sign
B. Phalen test
C. McMurray test
D. Bulge sign
Answer: B
Rationale: The Phalen test reproduces numbness and burning in a person with carpal
tunnel syndrome. Tinel sign involves percussion of the median nerve.
2. Which cranial nerve is being assessed when the nurse asks the patient to
shrug their shoulders against resistance?
A. CN IX (Glossopharyngeal)
B. CN X (Vagus)
C. CN XI (Spinal Accessory)
D. CN XII (Hypoglossal)
Answer: C
Rationale: Cranial nerve XI (Spinal Accessory) innervates the trapezius and sternomastoid
muscles; shrugging tests its strength.
,3. A patient presents with a ‘humpback’ appearance in the thoracic spine. The
nurse documents this as:
A. Lordosis
B. Scoliosis
C. Ankylosis
D. Kyphosis
Answer: D
Rationale: Kyphosis is an enhanced thoracic curve common in aging adults. Lordosis is an
inward lumbar curve, and scoliosis is a lateral S-shaped curve.
4. The nurse is testing a patient’s muscle strength and notes that the patient has
full range of motion against gravity but not against resistance. How should this
be graded?
A. 2/5
B. 4/5
C. 3/5
D. 5/5
Answer: C
Rationale: Grade 3 indicates full ROM with gravity but no resistance. Grade 4 is full ROM
with some resistance; Grade 5 is full ROM against full resistance.
5. During a neurological exam, the nurse asks the patient to identify a common
object, such as a key, placed in their hand while their eyes are closed. This tests
for:
A. Graphesthesia
B. Extinction
C. Stereognosis
D. Two-point discrimination
Answer: C
, Rationale: Stereognosis is the ability to recognize objects by feeling their forms, sizes, and
weights with eyes closed.
6. An adult patient’s toes fan out when the nurse strokes the lateral aspect of
the sole of the foot. This is documented as a positive Babinski sign. What does
this indicate?
A. A normal finding in adults
B. Lower motor neuron lesion
C. Peripheral neuropathy
D. Upper motor neuron disease
Answer: D
Rationale: A positive Babinski sign (dorsiflexion of the big toe and fanning of all toes) is
abnormal in adults and signifies upper motor neuron disease of the corticospinal tract.
7. Which area of the brain is primarily responsible for personality, behavior,
emotions, and intellectual function?
A. Occipital lobe
B. Parietal lobe
C. Frontal lobe
D. Temporal lobe
Answer: C
Rationale: The frontal lobe contains the precentral gyrus for motor function and also
manages personality, emotion, and intellect.
(2026/2027 Update) WCU
1. When assessing a patient for carpal tunnel syndrome, the nurse asks the
patient to hold both hands back-to-back while flexing the wrists 90 degrees for
60 seconds. What is this test called?
A. Tinel sign
B. Phalen test
C. McMurray test
D. Bulge sign
Answer: B
Rationale: The Phalen test reproduces numbness and burning in a person with carpal
tunnel syndrome. Tinel sign involves percussion of the median nerve.
2. Which cranial nerve is being assessed when the nurse asks the patient to
shrug their shoulders against resistance?
A. CN IX (Glossopharyngeal)
B. CN X (Vagus)
C. CN XI (Spinal Accessory)
D. CN XII (Hypoglossal)
Answer: C
Rationale: Cranial nerve XI (Spinal Accessory) innervates the trapezius and sternomastoid
muscles; shrugging tests its strength.
,3. A patient presents with a ‘humpback’ appearance in the thoracic spine. The
nurse documents this as:
A. Lordosis
B. Scoliosis
C. Ankylosis
D. Kyphosis
Answer: D
Rationale: Kyphosis is an enhanced thoracic curve common in aging adults. Lordosis is an
inward lumbar curve, and scoliosis is a lateral S-shaped curve.
4. The nurse is testing a patient’s muscle strength and notes that the patient has
full range of motion against gravity but not against resistance. How should this
be graded?
A. 2/5
B. 4/5
C. 3/5
D. 5/5
Answer: C
Rationale: Grade 3 indicates full ROM with gravity but no resistance. Grade 4 is full ROM
with some resistance; Grade 5 is full ROM against full resistance.
5. During a neurological exam, the nurse asks the patient to identify a common
object, such as a key, placed in their hand while their eyes are closed. This tests
for:
A. Graphesthesia
B. Extinction
C. Stereognosis
D. Two-point discrimination
Answer: C
, Rationale: Stereognosis is the ability to recognize objects by feeling their forms, sizes, and
weights with eyes closed.
6. An adult patient’s toes fan out when the nurse strokes the lateral aspect of
the sole of the foot. This is documented as a positive Babinski sign. What does
this indicate?
A. A normal finding in adults
B. Lower motor neuron lesion
C. Peripheral neuropathy
D. Upper motor neuron disease
Answer: D
Rationale: A positive Babinski sign (dorsiflexion of the big toe and fanning of all toes) is
abnormal in adults and signifies upper motor neuron disease of the corticospinal tract.
7. Which area of the brain is primarily responsible for personality, behavior,
emotions, and intellectual function?
A. Occipital lobe
B. Parietal lobe
C. Frontal lobe
D. Temporal lobe
Answer: C
Rationale: The frontal lobe contains the precentral gyrus for motor function and also
manages personality, emotion, and intellect.
