NR304 Health Assessment II Exam 1 2025/2026 - 100%
Correct Questions & A Grade Verified Answers for
Chamberlain University
A 68-year-old male with a history of heart failure presents with dyspnea and bilateral
ankle edema. During cardiovascular assessment, you auscultate a low-pitched extra
heart sound immediately after S2 at the apex in the left lateral decubitus position.
Which assessment technique best confirms this finding?
A) Use the diaphragm of the stethoscope and have the patient sit upright
B) Use the bell of the stethoscope with the patient in left lateral decubitus position
C) Apply firm pressure with the diaphragm at the right sternal border
1. D) Auscultate during expiration while the patient holds their breath
Answer: B
Rationale: An S3 gallop is best heard with the bell of the stethoscope at the apex in the
left lateral decubitus position. The bell should be applied lightly as S3 is a low-pitched
sound that occurs during early diastolic filling.
During a neurological assessment, you ask a patient to follow your finger as you move it
in an "H" pattern. Which cranial nerves are you primarily testing?
A) II and III
B) III, IV, and VI
C) II and VIII
2. D) V and VII
Answer: B
Rationale: Extraocular movements test cranial nerves III (oculomotor), IV (trochlear),
and VI (abducens). These nerves control the six extraocular muscles responsible for eye
movement in all directions.
A patient presents with acute asthma exacerbation. During lung auscultation, you hear
high-pitched, musical sounds during expiration. These adventitious breath sounds are
characteristic of:
A) Fine crackles
,B) Wheezes
C) Rhonchi
3. D) Pleural friction rub
Answer: B
Rationale: Wheezes are high-pitched, musical sounds produced by airflow through
narrowed airways. They are typically heard during both inspiration and expiration but are
often more prominent during expiration in asthma.
When assessing a patient for hepatomegaly, the correct technique for palpating the liver
edge includes:
A) Starting in the RLQ and pressing deeply while moving upward toward the costal
margin
B) Starting at the costal margin and pressing downward while the patient exhales
C) Starting in the RLQ and pressing gently while moving upward as the patient inhales
4. D) Starting at the xiphoid process and pressing laterally during expiration
Answer: C
Rationale: Liver palpation should begin in the right lower quadrant and move upward
toward the costal margin. The examiner should press gently and feel during inspiration
as the liver moves downward with diaphragmatic contraction.
A 72-year-old woman demonstrates difficulty with heel-to-toe walking along a straight
line. This finding most specifically suggests:
A) Parkinson's disease
B) Cerebellar dysfunction
C) Peripheral neuropathy
5. D) Normal age-related change
Answer: B
Rationale: The heel-to-toe walk (tandem walking) specifically tests cerebellar function
and balance. Difficulty with this test indicates ataxia, which is characteristic of
cerebellar dysfunction.
During cardiovascular assessment, you notice a pulsation in the right supraclavicular
fossa. This finding is most concerning for:
A) Normal carotid pulse transmission
, B) Aortic aneurysm
C) Right ventricular hypertrophy
6. D) Superior vena cava syndrome
Answer: B
Rationale: Pulsation in the supraclavicular fossa, particularly if prominent or expansile,
may indicate an aortic arch aneurysm. The aortic arch lies posterior to the right
supraclavicular area.
When testing sensation in a patient with suspected peripheral neuropathy, the correct
sequence for testing light touch is:
A) Start distally and move proximally comparing symmetric areas
B) Start proximally and move distally on one extremity
C) Test random areas without specific pattern
7. D) Start at the trunk and move outward bilaterally
Answer: A
Rationale: In peripheral neuropathy, sensory loss typically follows a stocking-glove
distribution. Starting distally and moving proximally while comparing symmetric areas
helps map the extent of sensory deficit.
A patient presents with suspected meningitis. During assessment, you perform Kernig's
sign by:
A) Flexing the neck and observing for hip/knee flexion
B) Flexing the hip and knee to 90 degrees then extending the knee
C) Extending the knee and dorsiflexing the ankle
8. D) Flexing the neck while the patient is supine
Answer: B
Rationale: Kernig's sign is performed by flexing the hip and knee to 90 degrees then
attempting to extend the knee. Pain or resistance to extension indicates meningeal
irritation.
When auscultating for carotid bruits, the correct technique includes:
A) Using the bell of the stethoscope with the patient holding their breath
B) Using the diaphragm while the patient breathes normally
C) Using the bell while the patient takes deep breaths
Correct Questions & A Grade Verified Answers for
Chamberlain University
A 68-year-old male with a history of heart failure presents with dyspnea and bilateral
ankle edema. During cardiovascular assessment, you auscultate a low-pitched extra
heart sound immediately after S2 at the apex in the left lateral decubitus position.
Which assessment technique best confirms this finding?
A) Use the diaphragm of the stethoscope and have the patient sit upright
B) Use the bell of the stethoscope with the patient in left lateral decubitus position
C) Apply firm pressure with the diaphragm at the right sternal border
1. D) Auscultate during expiration while the patient holds their breath
Answer: B
Rationale: An S3 gallop is best heard with the bell of the stethoscope at the apex in the
left lateral decubitus position. The bell should be applied lightly as S3 is a low-pitched
sound that occurs during early diastolic filling.
During a neurological assessment, you ask a patient to follow your finger as you move it
in an "H" pattern. Which cranial nerves are you primarily testing?
A) II and III
B) III, IV, and VI
C) II and VIII
2. D) V and VII
Answer: B
Rationale: Extraocular movements test cranial nerves III (oculomotor), IV (trochlear),
and VI (abducens). These nerves control the six extraocular muscles responsible for eye
movement in all directions.
A patient presents with acute asthma exacerbation. During lung auscultation, you hear
high-pitched, musical sounds during expiration. These adventitious breath sounds are
characteristic of:
A) Fine crackles
,B) Wheezes
C) Rhonchi
3. D) Pleural friction rub
Answer: B
Rationale: Wheezes are high-pitched, musical sounds produced by airflow through
narrowed airways. They are typically heard during both inspiration and expiration but are
often more prominent during expiration in asthma.
When assessing a patient for hepatomegaly, the correct technique for palpating the liver
edge includes:
A) Starting in the RLQ and pressing deeply while moving upward toward the costal
margin
B) Starting at the costal margin and pressing downward while the patient exhales
C) Starting in the RLQ and pressing gently while moving upward as the patient inhales
4. D) Starting at the xiphoid process and pressing laterally during expiration
Answer: C
Rationale: Liver palpation should begin in the right lower quadrant and move upward
toward the costal margin. The examiner should press gently and feel during inspiration
as the liver moves downward with diaphragmatic contraction.
A 72-year-old woman demonstrates difficulty with heel-to-toe walking along a straight
line. This finding most specifically suggests:
A) Parkinson's disease
B) Cerebellar dysfunction
C) Peripheral neuropathy
5. D) Normal age-related change
Answer: B
Rationale: The heel-to-toe walk (tandem walking) specifically tests cerebellar function
and balance. Difficulty with this test indicates ataxia, which is characteristic of
cerebellar dysfunction.
During cardiovascular assessment, you notice a pulsation in the right supraclavicular
fossa. This finding is most concerning for:
A) Normal carotid pulse transmission
, B) Aortic aneurysm
C) Right ventricular hypertrophy
6. D) Superior vena cava syndrome
Answer: B
Rationale: Pulsation in the supraclavicular fossa, particularly if prominent or expansile,
may indicate an aortic arch aneurysm. The aortic arch lies posterior to the right
supraclavicular area.
When testing sensation in a patient with suspected peripheral neuropathy, the correct
sequence for testing light touch is:
A) Start distally and move proximally comparing symmetric areas
B) Start proximally and move distally on one extremity
C) Test random areas without specific pattern
7. D) Start at the trunk and move outward bilaterally
Answer: A
Rationale: In peripheral neuropathy, sensory loss typically follows a stocking-glove
distribution. Starting distally and moving proximally while comparing symmetric areas
helps map the extent of sensory deficit.
A patient presents with suspected meningitis. During assessment, you perform Kernig's
sign by:
A) Flexing the neck and observing for hip/knee flexion
B) Flexing the hip and knee to 90 degrees then extending the knee
C) Extending the knee and dorsiflexing the ankle
8. D) Flexing the neck while the patient is supine
Answer: B
Rationale: Kernig's sign is performed by flexing the hip and knee to 90 degrees then
attempting to extend the knee. Pain or resistance to extension indicates meningeal
irritation.
When auscultating for carotid bruits, the correct technique includes:
A) Using the bell of the stethoscope with the patient holding their breath
B) Using the diaphragm while the patient breathes normally
C) Using the bell while the patient takes deep breaths
