Chamberlain University
1 MAXE 403 RN
★ ★
College of Nursing & Public Health
C
C A R E • CO M P E T E N C E • CO N F I D E N C E
EST. 1889
NR 304 — Health Assessment
E X A M 1 : P E R I P H E R A L VA S CU L A R , A B D O M I N A L , C R A N I A L N E R V E S & ST R O K E A SS E SS M E N T
INSTITUTION Chamberlain University — COURSE NR 304 – Health Assessment
College of Nursing & Public
Health
EXAM VERSION Latest Update TOTAL QUESTIONS 38 Q&A with Clinical Rationale
FORMAT Multiple Choice – Select the GRADE A – 100% Correct Verified
Single Best Answer Answers
EXAM 1 STUDY GUIDE
▸ This document contains verified Q&A for NR 304 Health Assessment Exam 1 (2026/2027 Update).
▸ Covers peripheral vascular assessment (inspection, palpation, PAD risk factors, clinical manifestations,
acute/chronic arterial disease, Buerger's disease, Raynaud's phenomenon, aortic aneurysms, DVT, chronic venous
disease, venous disease progression), GI assessment order, abdominal quadrants and contents, bowel sound
classifications, Murphy's sign, low residue diet, neurological assessment order, Glasgow Coma Scale, cranial
nerves I-XII (functions and assessment techniques), BE FAST stroke recognition, Broca's/Wernicke's areas,
cerebellum function, and pons function.
▸ Each answer includes clinical rationale based on evidence-based practice and Chamberlain University nursing
curriculum standards.
▸ Use this guide to prepare for Exam 1 and for clinical application in health assessment practice.
SECTION I — PERIPHERAL VASCULAR ASSESSMENT Q1–Q14
1. When assessing for peripheral vascular disease, what would you inspect?
CORRECT ANSWER: Skin color, intactness, size, symmetry of extremities, any swelling/edema, hair growth
and distribution on arms and legs.
RATIONALE: Hair loss on legs suggests arterial insufficiency. Brown discoloration (hemosiderin) suggests venous
stasis.
2. When assessing for peripheral vascular disease, what would you palpate?
CORRECT ANSWER: Palpate pulses (radial, brachial, femoral, popliteal, posterior tibial, dorsalis pedis),
lymph nodes, skin temperature, and edema.
RATIONALE: Pulses rated 0 (absent) to 4+ (bounding). Decreased/absent pulses indicate arterial insufficiency.
, 3. What is the biggest risk factor for Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD)?
CORRECT ANSWER: Atherosclerosis. Other risk factors: tobacco, DM, uncontrolled HTN, hyperlipidemia,
family hx, obesity.
RATIONALE: Smoking and diabetes are the strongest modifiable risk factors. PAD is a marker for systemic
atherosclerosis.
4. What are clinical manifestations of PAD?
CORRECT ANSWER: Half of people with PAD have no symptoms, intermittent claudication, weak pulses, legs
that feel numb/weak/heavy, pain in specific areas at specific times, changes in skin color/temp, hair loss,
wounds that do not heal, dead tissue (gangrene).
RATIONALE: Intermittent claudication = reproducible muscle pain with exercise, relieved by rest. Critical limb
ischemia: rest pain, ulcers, gangrene.
5. What is acute peripheral arterial disease (acute arterial ischemia)?
CORRECT ANSWER: Sudden interruption in arterial blood supply to tissue, organ, or extremity. S+S: sudden
onset, pain, pallor, pulselessness, paresthesia, poikilothermia (coldness), paralysis → foot drop. #1 Cause:
embolization of a thrombus.
RATIONALE: The 6 P's of acute ischemia: Pain, Pallor, Pulselessness, Paresthesia, Poikilothermia, Paralysis. Medical
emergency requiring immediate revascularization.
6. What is chronic peripheral arterial disease?
CORRECT ANSWER: Chronic pain, gradual onset, cramping, numbness, tingling, cold, intermittent
claudication, six P's (less severe than acute), smooth well-defined dry ulcers on ankles/feet (toes or lateral
malleolus), hair loss, 1+ or absent pulse.
RATIONALE: Arterial ulcers are "punched out" with well-defined borders. Elevating legs worsens pain (dangling
relieves).
7. What is thromboangiitis obliterans (Buerger's disease)?
CORRECT ANSWER: Segmental recurrent inflammation in small and medium arteries/veins in arms and legs.
Red/blue fingers/toes, intermittent claudication, color/temp changes, paresthesia, superficial vein
thrombosis, cold sensitivity.
RATIONALE: Smoking cessation is essential for treatment. Men younger than 45 with hx of tobacco use are at risk.
Recurrence if patient continues smoking.
1 MAXE 403 RN
★ ★
College of Nursing & Public Health
C
C A R E • CO M P E T E N C E • CO N F I D E N C E
EST. 1889
NR 304 — Health Assessment
E X A M 1 : P E R I P H E R A L VA S CU L A R , A B D O M I N A L , C R A N I A L N E R V E S & ST R O K E A SS E SS M E N T
INSTITUTION Chamberlain University — COURSE NR 304 – Health Assessment
College of Nursing & Public
Health
EXAM VERSION Latest Update TOTAL QUESTIONS 38 Q&A with Clinical Rationale
FORMAT Multiple Choice – Select the GRADE A – 100% Correct Verified
Single Best Answer Answers
EXAM 1 STUDY GUIDE
▸ This document contains verified Q&A for NR 304 Health Assessment Exam 1 (2026/2027 Update).
▸ Covers peripheral vascular assessment (inspection, palpation, PAD risk factors, clinical manifestations,
acute/chronic arterial disease, Buerger's disease, Raynaud's phenomenon, aortic aneurysms, DVT, chronic venous
disease, venous disease progression), GI assessment order, abdominal quadrants and contents, bowel sound
classifications, Murphy's sign, low residue diet, neurological assessment order, Glasgow Coma Scale, cranial
nerves I-XII (functions and assessment techniques), BE FAST stroke recognition, Broca's/Wernicke's areas,
cerebellum function, and pons function.
▸ Each answer includes clinical rationale based on evidence-based practice and Chamberlain University nursing
curriculum standards.
▸ Use this guide to prepare for Exam 1 and for clinical application in health assessment practice.
SECTION I — PERIPHERAL VASCULAR ASSESSMENT Q1–Q14
1. When assessing for peripheral vascular disease, what would you inspect?
CORRECT ANSWER: Skin color, intactness, size, symmetry of extremities, any swelling/edema, hair growth
and distribution on arms and legs.
RATIONALE: Hair loss on legs suggests arterial insufficiency. Brown discoloration (hemosiderin) suggests venous
stasis.
2. When assessing for peripheral vascular disease, what would you palpate?
CORRECT ANSWER: Palpate pulses (radial, brachial, femoral, popliteal, posterior tibial, dorsalis pedis),
lymph nodes, skin temperature, and edema.
RATIONALE: Pulses rated 0 (absent) to 4+ (bounding). Decreased/absent pulses indicate arterial insufficiency.
, 3. What is the biggest risk factor for Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD)?
CORRECT ANSWER: Atherosclerosis. Other risk factors: tobacco, DM, uncontrolled HTN, hyperlipidemia,
family hx, obesity.
RATIONALE: Smoking and diabetes are the strongest modifiable risk factors. PAD is a marker for systemic
atherosclerosis.
4. What are clinical manifestations of PAD?
CORRECT ANSWER: Half of people with PAD have no symptoms, intermittent claudication, weak pulses, legs
that feel numb/weak/heavy, pain in specific areas at specific times, changes in skin color/temp, hair loss,
wounds that do not heal, dead tissue (gangrene).
RATIONALE: Intermittent claudication = reproducible muscle pain with exercise, relieved by rest. Critical limb
ischemia: rest pain, ulcers, gangrene.
5. What is acute peripheral arterial disease (acute arterial ischemia)?
CORRECT ANSWER: Sudden interruption in arterial blood supply to tissue, organ, or extremity. S+S: sudden
onset, pain, pallor, pulselessness, paresthesia, poikilothermia (coldness), paralysis → foot drop. #1 Cause:
embolization of a thrombus.
RATIONALE: The 6 P's of acute ischemia: Pain, Pallor, Pulselessness, Paresthesia, Poikilothermia, Paralysis. Medical
emergency requiring immediate revascularization.
6. What is chronic peripheral arterial disease?
CORRECT ANSWER: Chronic pain, gradual onset, cramping, numbness, tingling, cold, intermittent
claudication, six P's (less severe than acute), smooth well-defined dry ulcers on ankles/feet (toes or lateral
malleolus), hair loss, 1+ or absent pulse.
RATIONALE: Arterial ulcers are "punched out" with well-defined borders. Elevating legs worsens pain (dangling
relieves).
7. What is thromboangiitis obliterans (Buerger's disease)?
CORRECT ANSWER: Segmental recurrent inflammation in small and medium arteries/veins in arms and legs.
Red/blue fingers/toes, intermittent claudication, color/temp changes, paresthesia, superficial vein
thrombosis, cold sensitivity.
RATIONALE: Smoking cessation is essential for treatment. Men younger than 45 with hx of tobacco use are at risk.
Recurrence if patient continues smoking.
