NUR 6001 Exams 1–3 – Advanced
Health Assessment – (2026) Actual
Questions & Answers
Exam 1: Foundations & Comprehensive Adult Assessment
1. A 58-year-old male presents for an annual physical. Which of the following interview techniques
best demonstrates patient-centered care?
A) “Do you smoke or use any tobacco products?”
B) “Tell me about your main health concerns today.”
C) “Why didn’t you come in sooner for your high blood pressure?”
D) “You need to lose weight to prevent diabetes.”
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Patient-centered care begins with an open-ended question that allows the patient to
express their priorities. Options A and D are closed or prescriptive. Option C is accusatory and
damages rapport.
2. Which of the following is the correct order of abdominal examination techniques?
A) Palpation, auscultation, percussion, inspection
B) Inspection, auscultation, percussion, palpation
C) Auscultation, inspection, palpation, percussion
D) Percussion, palpation, inspection, auscultation
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Abdominal exam order is inspection, auscultation (to avoid altering bowel sounds),
percussion, then palpation (deep palpation last to avoid guarding).
3. During the mental status exam, a patient is unable to recall three objects after 5 minutes. This
deficit is most consistent with impairment in:
A) Immediate memory
B) Short-term memory
C) Long-term memory
D) Working memory
, Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Short-term memory (recent memory) is tested by asking the patient to recall items after a
few minutes. Immediate memory is seconds; long-term memory is remote events.
4. A patient’s blood pressure is 148/92 in the right arm and 140/88 in the left arm. What is the
most appropriate next step?
A) Diagnose hypertension immediately
B) Repeat in both arms after 5 minutes of rest
C) Use the higher reading for diagnosis
D) Order a vascular ultrasound
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A small interarm difference is common. First repeat after proper rest. Significant
difference (>10–15 mmHg) may suggest subclavian stenosis, but single reading requires
confirmation.
5. A 72-year-old female reports lightheadedness when standing up. Her supine BP is 130/80, and
standing BP is 100/64. This indicates:
A) Orthostatic hypotension
B) Normal physiological response
C) Supine hypertension
D) Carotid sinus hypersensitivity
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Orthostatic hypotension is defined as a drop in systolic BP ≥20 mmHg or diastolic ≥10
mmHg within 3 minutes of standing. The patient also has symptoms.
6. Palpation of the thyroid reveals a small, smooth, nontender nodule that moves upward when
the patient swallows. The most likely diagnosis is:
A) Thyroid cancer
B) Multinodular goiter
C) Benign thyroid nodule
D) Thyroglossal duct cyst
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Most solitary thyroid nodules are benign. The nodule moving with swallowing confirms
thyroid origin (vs. lymph node). Suspicious features include firmness, fixation, and rapid growth.
7. The nurse practitioner notes a pulsation at the 5th left intercostal space, midclavicular line. This
is most likely the:
A) Aortic pulsation
Health Assessment – (2026) Actual
Questions & Answers
Exam 1: Foundations & Comprehensive Adult Assessment
1. A 58-year-old male presents for an annual physical. Which of the following interview techniques
best demonstrates patient-centered care?
A) “Do you smoke or use any tobacco products?”
B) “Tell me about your main health concerns today.”
C) “Why didn’t you come in sooner for your high blood pressure?”
D) “You need to lose weight to prevent diabetes.”
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Patient-centered care begins with an open-ended question that allows the patient to
express their priorities. Options A and D are closed or prescriptive. Option C is accusatory and
damages rapport.
2. Which of the following is the correct order of abdominal examination techniques?
A) Palpation, auscultation, percussion, inspection
B) Inspection, auscultation, percussion, palpation
C) Auscultation, inspection, palpation, percussion
D) Percussion, palpation, inspection, auscultation
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Abdominal exam order is inspection, auscultation (to avoid altering bowel sounds),
percussion, then palpation (deep palpation last to avoid guarding).
3. During the mental status exam, a patient is unable to recall three objects after 5 minutes. This
deficit is most consistent with impairment in:
A) Immediate memory
B) Short-term memory
C) Long-term memory
D) Working memory
, Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Short-term memory (recent memory) is tested by asking the patient to recall items after a
few minutes. Immediate memory is seconds; long-term memory is remote events.
4. A patient’s blood pressure is 148/92 in the right arm and 140/88 in the left arm. What is the
most appropriate next step?
A) Diagnose hypertension immediately
B) Repeat in both arms after 5 minutes of rest
C) Use the higher reading for diagnosis
D) Order a vascular ultrasound
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A small interarm difference is common. First repeat after proper rest. Significant
difference (>10–15 mmHg) may suggest subclavian stenosis, but single reading requires
confirmation.
5. A 72-year-old female reports lightheadedness when standing up. Her supine BP is 130/80, and
standing BP is 100/64. This indicates:
A) Orthostatic hypotension
B) Normal physiological response
C) Supine hypertension
D) Carotid sinus hypersensitivity
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Orthostatic hypotension is defined as a drop in systolic BP ≥20 mmHg or diastolic ≥10
mmHg within 3 minutes of standing. The patient also has symptoms.
6. Palpation of the thyroid reveals a small, smooth, nontender nodule that moves upward when
the patient swallows. The most likely diagnosis is:
A) Thyroid cancer
B) Multinodular goiter
C) Benign thyroid nodule
D) Thyroglossal duct cyst
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Most solitary thyroid nodules are benign. The nodule moving with swallowing confirms
thyroid origin (vs. lymph node). Suspicious features include firmness, fixation, and rapid growth.
7. The nurse practitioner notes a pulsation at the 5th left intercostal space, midclavicular line. This
is most likely the:
A) Aortic pulsation
