NR509 Advanced Physical Assessment Midterm/Final Exam Guides 2026 – Chamberlain
Cause of saddle numbness and urinary retention - (ANSWER)Cauda equina syndrome
Presentation of retinal detachment - (ANSWER)If sudden visual loss is unilateral and painless,
Obtunded - (ANSWER)patient opens the eyes and looks at you but responds slowly and is somewhat
confused. Alertness and interest in the environment are decreased.
Cranial nerve for lateral gaze - (ANSWER)CN6: Abducens
Adult Illnesses - (ANSWER)Medical: Illnesses such as diabetes, hypertension, hepatitis, asthma, and
human immunodeficiency virus (HIV); hospitalizations; number and gender of sexual partners; and risk-
taking sexual practices
■ Surgical: Dates, indications, and types of operations
■ Obstetric/Gynecologic: Obstetric history, menstrual history, methods of contraception, and sexual
function
■ Psychiatric: Illness and time frame, diagnoses, hospitalizations, and treatments
Present Illness - (ANSWER)chronologic description of the problems prompting the patient's visit,
including the onset of the problem, the setting in which it developed, its manifestations, and any
treatments to date.Each problem/symptom needs: (1) location; (2) quality; (3) quantity or severity; (4)
timing, including onset, duration, and frequency; (5) the setting in which it occurs; (6) factors that have
aggravated
-meds, allergies, tobacco use, ETOH and drug use
Absence of red reflex - (ANSWER)an opacity of the lens (cataract) or, possibly, the vitreous (or even an
artificial eye). Less commonly, a detached retina or, in children, a retinoblastoma may obscure this
reflex.
S/S of seasonal allergies - (ANSWER)Itching, watery eyes, sneezing, ear congestion, postnasal drainage
, NR509 Advanced Physical Assessment Midterm/Final Exam Guides 2026 – Chamberlain
Presentation of optic neuritis - (ANSWER)Enlarged blind spot, vision loss in 1 eye, loss of color vision,
hole in center of vision, trouble seeing to the side, eye pain
pityriasis rosea - (ANSWER)Multiple round to oval scaling violaceous plaques on abdomen and back
Acromion - (ANSWER)tip of shoulder
What to do for + finding on physical exam, but - workup - (ANSWER)continue using test, but less lab and
diagnostics
Cause of falsely high BP - (ANSWER)-too small of a BP cuff
- if the brachial artery is below heart level
- loose cuff
- bladder that balloons outside the cuff
Check for nystagmus - (ANSWER)-involuntary jerking movement of the eyes with quick and slow
components.
- It is named for the direction of the quick component
- seen in cerebellar disease and vestibular disorders and in internuclear ophthalmoplegia
Jaundice - (ANSWER)yellow sclera
how do get a patient to open up when upset - (ANSWER)effective reassurance is simply identifying and
acknowledging the patient's feelings.
-Partnering
-Summarizing
-Transitions
- Empowering the pt
Cause of saddle numbness and urinary retention - (ANSWER)Cauda equina syndrome
Presentation of retinal detachment - (ANSWER)If sudden visual loss is unilateral and painless,
Obtunded - (ANSWER)patient opens the eyes and looks at you but responds slowly and is somewhat
confused. Alertness and interest in the environment are decreased.
Cranial nerve for lateral gaze - (ANSWER)CN6: Abducens
Adult Illnesses - (ANSWER)Medical: Illnesses such as diabetes, hypertension, hepatitis, asthma, and
human immunodeficiency virus (HIV); hospitalizations; number and gender of sexual partners; and risk-
taking sexual practices
■ Surgical: Dates, indications, and types of operations
■ Obstetric/Gynecologic: Obstetric history, menstrual history, methods of contraception, and sexual
function
■ Psychiatric: Illness and time frame, diagnoses, hospitalizations, and treatments
Present Illness - (ANSWER)chronologic description of the problems prompting the patient's visit,
including the onset of the problem, the setting in which it developed, its manifestations, and any
treatments to date.Each problem/symptom needs: (1) location; (2) quality; (3) quantity or severity; (4)
timing, including onset, duration, and frequency; (5) the setting in which it occurs; (6) factors that have
aggravated
-meds, allergies, tobacco use, ETOH and drug use
Absence of red reflex - (ANSWER)an opacity of the lens (cataract) or, possibly, the vitreous (or even an
artificial eye). Less commonly, a detached retina or, in children, a retinoblastoma may obscure this
reflex.
S/S of seasonal allergies - (ANSWER)Itching, watery eyes, sneezing, ear congestion, postnasal drainage
, NR509 Advanced Physical Assessment Midterm/Final Exam Guides 2026 – Chamberlain
Presentation of optic neuritis - (ANSWER)Enlarged blind spot, vision loss in 1 eye, loss of color vision,
hole in center of vision, trouble seeing to the side, eye pain
pityriasis rosea - (ANSWER)Multiple round to oval scaling violaceous plaques on abdomen and back
Acromion - (ANSWER)tip of shoulder
What to do for + finding on physical exam, but - workup - (ANSWER)continue using test, but less lab and
diagnostics
Cause of falsely high BP - (ANSWER)-too small of a BP cuff
- if the brachial artery is below heart level
- loose cuff
- bladder that balloons outside the cuff
Check for nystagmus - (ANSWER)-involuntary jerking movement of the eyes with quick and slow
components.
- It is named for the direction of the quick component
- seen in cerebellar disease and vestibular disorders and in internuclear ophthalmoplegia
Jaundice - (ANSWER)yellow sclera
how do get a patient to open up when upset - (ANSWER)effective reassurance is simply identifying and
acknowledging the patient's feelings.
-Partnering
-Summarizing
-Transitions
- Empowering the pt
