NURS 5220 Exam 2 Advanced Health Assessment -
UTA - (PDF)
1. Which part of the brain is primarily responsible for a
patient's mental status, including overall cognition and
executive function?
A. Limbic System
B. Cerebrum
C. Reticular Activating System
D. Cerebellum
Answer: B. Cerebrum
Rationale: The cerebrum, divided into four lobes (frontal,
parietal, temporal, occipital), is responsible for higher
cognitive functions including mental status, executive
function, and language. The limbic system controls
emotions, while the reticular activating system regulates
wakefulness.
2. A 72-year-old patient presents with gradual memory
loss. She can recall events from 30 years ago clearly but
1
,cannot remember what she ate for breakfast. This pattern
suggests:
A. Delirium
B. Depression
C. Dementia
D. Anxiety disorder
Answer: C. Dementia
Rationale: Dementia classically presents with loss of
immediate and recent memory while retaining remote
memory. Delirium has acute onset with fluctuating
consciousness. Depression (pseudodementia) shows more
effortful "I don't know" responses.
3. Which phrase would best test a patient's abstract
reasoning ability?
A. "What is your name and date of birth?"
B. "What three words did I ask you to remember 5
minutes ago?"
C. "What does the phrase 'a stitch in time saves nine'
2
,mean?"
D. "Who is the current president of the United States?"
Answer: C. "What does the phrase 'a stitch in time saves
nine' mean?"
Rationale: Abstract reasoning involves interpreting
proverbs or identifying similarities between objects (e.g.,
"How are an apple and an orange alike?"). Questions
about personal information test orientation, recall tests
memory, and factual questions test knowledge.
4. During a mental status exam, a patient is unable to
recognize a key placed in their hand while their eyes are
closed. This finding is most consistent with:
A. Apraxia
B. Agnosia
C. Aphasia
D. Ataxia
Answer: B. Agnosia
Rationale: Agnosia is the inability to recognize familiar
3
, objects or sounds despite intact sensory ability (tactile
agnosia or astereognosis). Apraxia is inability to perform
learned motor tasks. Aphasia is language impairment.
5. A patient is unable to brush their teeth when asked,
even though they understand the command and have no
motor paralysis. This represents:
A. Agnosia
B. Apraxia
C. Aphasia
D. Astereognosis
Answer: B. Apraxia
Rationale: Apraxia is the inability to perform learned
motor tasks despite having the desire and physical
capacity to perform the movement. This indicates a lesion
in the parietal lobe or its connections.
6. The ability for abstract thinking normally develops
during which stage of life?
A. Early childhood
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UTA - (PDF)
1. Which part of the brain is primarily responsible for a
patient's mental status, including overall cognition and
executive function?
A. Limbic System
B. Cerebrum
C. Reticular Activating System
D. Cerebellum
Answer: B. Cerebrum
Rationale: The cerebrum, divided into four lobes (frontal,
parietal, temporal, occipital), is responsible for higher
cognitive functions including mental status, executive
function, and language. The limbic system controls
emotions, while the reticular activating system regulates
wakefulness.
2. A 72-year-old patient presents with gradual memory
loss. She can recall events from 30 years ago clearly but
1
,cannot remember what she ate for breakfast. This pattern
suggests:
A. Delirium
B. Depression
C. Dementia
D. Anxiety disorder
Answer: C. Dementia
Rationale: Dementia classically presents with loss of
immediate and recent memory while retaining remote
memory. Delirium has acute onset with fluctuating
consciousness. Depression (pseudodementia) shows more
effortful "I don't know" responses.
3. Which phrase would best test a patient's abstract
reasoning ability?
A. "What is your name and date of birth?"
B. "What three words did I ask you to remember 5
minutes ago?"
C. "What does the phrase 'a stitch in time saves nine'
2
,mean?"
D. "Who is the current president of the United States?"
Answer: C. "What does the phrase 'a stitch in time saves
nine' mean?"
Rationale: Abstract reasoning involves interpreting
proverbs or identifying similarities between objects (e.g.,
"How are an apple and an orange alike?"). Questions
about personal information test orientation, recall tests
memory, and factual questions test knowledge.
4. During a mental status exam, a patient is unable to
recognize a key placed in their hand while their eyes are
closed. This finding is most consistent with:
A. Apraxia
B. Agnosia
C. Aphasia
D. Ataxia
Answer: B. Agnosia
Rationale: Agnosia is the inability to recognize familiar
3
, objects or sounds despite intact sensory ability (tactile
agnosia or astereognosis). Apraxia is inability to perform
learned motor tasks. Aphasia is language impairment.
5. A patient is unable to brush their teeth when asked,
even though they understand the command and have no
motor paralysis. This represents:
A. Agnosia
B. Apraxia
C. Aphasia
D. Astereognosis
Answer: B. Apraxia
Rationale: Apraxia is the inability to perform learned
motor tasks despite having the desire and physical
capacity to perform the movement. This indicates a lesion
in the parietal lobe or its connections.
6. The ability for abstract thinking normally develops
during which stage of life?
A. Early childhood
4
