NURS 190 | Physical Assessment | Week 6: Musculoskeletal and
Neurological Systems 2026 |WCU
1. When assessing a patient’s muscle strength, the nurse notes the patient can
complete a full range of motion against gravity but not against any added
resistance. How should the nurse document this finding?
A. 1/5
B. 2/5
C. 3/5
D. 4/5
Answer: C
Rationale: On the 0-5 scale, a 3/5 indicates full range of motion against gravity but not
against resistance.
2. The nurse asks the patient to move their arm away from the midline of the
body. This movement is known as:
A. Adduction
B. Extension
C. Circumduction
D. Abduction
Answer: D
Rationale: Abduction is the movement of a limb away from the midline of the body.
,3. A patient presents with ‘swan-neck’ deformities and ulnar drift of the fingers.
These findings are characteristic of:
A. Osteoarthritis
B. Rheumatoid Arthritis
C. Osteoporosis
D. Gouty Arthritis
Answer: B
Rationale: Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by
symmetric joint involvement and deformities like ulnar drift and swan-neck.
4. Which test is used to assess for a torn meniscus in the knee?
A. Phalen’s Test
B. Tinel’s Sign
C. McMurray’s Test
D. Lachman Test
Answer: C
Rationale: McMurray’s test is specifically performed to evaluate for meniscus tears by
rotating the lower leg while the knee is flexed and extended.
5. During a musculoskeletal assessment, the nurse notes a palpable crunching or
grating sound with joint movement. This is documented as:
A. Subluxation
B. Contracture
C. Crepitus
D. Ankylosis
Answer: C
Rationale: Crepitus is a dry, crackling, or grating sound or sensation produced by friction
between bone and cartilage or fractured parts of a bone.
, 6. To assess Cranial Nerve VII (Facial), what should the nurse ask the patient to
do?
A. Stick out their tongue
B. Shrug their shoulders against resistance
C. Smile, frown, and puff out their cheeks
D. Clench their teeth
Answer: C
Rationale: Cranial Nerve VII (Facial) is assessed by checking facial symmetry during
expressions like smiling, frowning, or puffing cheeks.
7. The nurse is testing a patient’s deep tendon reflexes and finds them to be
very brisk and hyperactive with clonus. What numerical value is assigned?
A. 1+
B. 2+
C. 3+
D. 4+
Answer: D
Rationale: A score of 4+ indicates very brisk, hyperactive reflexes with clonus, often
indicative of upper motor neuron disease.
8. A positive Romberg test is indicated when the patient:
A. Shows a fan-like spreading of the toes
B. Cannot touch finger to nose
C. Cannot identify a number traced on the palm
D. Loses balance when eyes are closed
Answer: D
Rationale: The Romberg test assesses cerebellar function and proprioception; a positive
result is losing balance when the eyes are closed.
Neurological Systems 2026 |WCU
1. When assessing a patient’s muscle strength, the nurse notes the patient can
complete a full range of motion against gravity but not against any added
resistance. How should the nurse document this finding?
A. 1/5
B. 2/5
C. 3/5
D. 4/5
Answer: C
Rationale: On the 0-5 scale, a 3/5 indicates full range of motion against gravity but not
against resistance.
2. The nurse asks the patient to move their arm away from the midline of the
body. This movement is known as:
A. Adduction
B. Extension
C. Circumduction
D. Abduction
Answer: D
Rationale: Abduction is the movement of a limb away from the midline of the body.
,3. A patient presents with ‘swan-neck’ deformities and ulnar drift of the fingers.
These findings are characteristic of:
A. Osteoarthritis
B. Rheumatoid Arthritis
C. Osteoporosis
D. Gouty Arthritis
Answer: B
Rationale: Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by
symmetric joint involvement and deformities like ulnar drift and swan-neck.
4. Which test is used to assess for a torn meniscus in the knee?
A. Phalen’s Test
B. Tinel’s Sign
C. McMurray’s Test
D. Lachman Test
Answer: C
Rationale: McMurray’s test is specifically performed to evaluate for meniscus tears by
rotating the lower leg while the knee is flexed and extended.
5. During a musculoskeletal assessment, the nurse notes a palpable crunching or
grating sound with joint movement. This is documented as:
A. Subluxation
B. Contracture
C. Crepitus
D. Ankylosis
Answer: C
Rationale: Crepitus is a dry, crackling, or grating sound or sensation produced by friction
between bone and cartilage or fractured parts of a bone.
, 6. To assess Cranial Nerve VII (Facial), what should the nurse ask the patient to
do?
A. Stick out their tongue
B. Shrug their shoulders against resistance
C. Smile, frown, and puff out their cheeks
D. Clench their teeth
Answer: C
Rationale: Cranial Nerve VII (Facial) is assessed by checking facial symmetry during
expressions like smiling, frowning, or puffing cheeks.
7. The nurse is testing a patient’s deep tendon reflexes and finds them to be
very brisk and hyperactive with clonus. What numerical value is assigned?
A. 1+
B. 2+
C. 3+
D. 4+
Answer: D
Rationale: A score of 4+ indicates very brisk, hyperactive reflexes with clonus, often
indicative of upper motor neuron disease.
8. A positive Romberg test is indicated when the patient:
A. Shows a fan-like spreading of the toes
B. Cannot touch finger to nose
C. Cannot identify a number traced on the palm
D. Loses balance when eyes are closed
Answer: D
Rationale: The Romberg test assesses cerebellar function and proprioception; a positive
result is losing balance when the eyes are closed.
