NR 305 Health Assessment Exam 4 Study Guide 2026 |Chamberlain
College
1. When assessing the range of motion of the spine, which movement involves
bending the trunk to the side?
A. Flexion
B. Extension
C. Lateral bending
D. Rotation
Answer: C
Rationale: Lateral bending is the movement of the trunk to the right or left side; flexion is
bending forward, and extension is straightening back.
2. Which postural change is commonly observed in pregnant women to
compensate for the enlarging fetus?
A. Kyphosis
B. Lordosis
C. Scoliosis
D. Ankylosis
Answer: B
Rationale: Lordosis, or an inward curvature of the lumbar spine, is common during
pregnancy as the center of gravity shifts forward.
,3. An elderly patient presents with an enhanced outward curvature of the
thoracic spine. This condition is known as:
A. Kyphosis
B. Scoliosis
C. Lordosis
D. Torticollis
Answer: A
Rationale: Kyphosis is an exaggerated posterior curvature of the thoracic spine, often seen
in aging adults due to osteoporosis.
4. During a musculoskeletal assessment, the nurse notes a grating sound when
the patient moves their knee. This is documented as:
A. Bruit
B. Crepitus
C. Crackles
D. Friction rub
Answer: B
Rationale: Crepitus is a dry, crackling or grating sound or sensation caused by bone
rubbing against bone or cartilage.
5. When grading muscle strength, a patient who can move a limb against gravity
but not against any resistance would receive what grade?
A. 1/5
B. 2/5
C. 4/5
D. 3/5
Answer: D
Rationale: Grade 3/5 indicates full range of motion against gravity but not against added
resistance.
, 6. A patient complains of numbness and tingling in the thumb and first two
fingers. The nurse performs Phalen’s test to screen for:
A. Carpal tunnel syndrome
B. Tennis elbow
C. Rheumatoid arthritis
D. Dupuytren contracture
Answer: A
Rationale: Phalen’s test (holding wrists in 90-degree flexion for 60 seconds) reproduces
symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome.
7. Which assessment finding is characteristic of Osteoarthritis (OA) rather than
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)?
A. Heberden and Bouchard nodes
B. Morning stiffness lasting hours
C. Symmetric joint involvement
D. Systemic symptoms like fever and fatigue
Answer: A
Rationale: Heberden and Bouchard nodes are hard, bony overgrowths characteristic of
OA; RA is usually symmetric and systemic.
8. To assess the function of Cranial Nerve II (Optic), the nurse should:
A. Assess visual acuity using a Snellen chart
B. Check pupillary reaction to light
C. Check the gag reflex
D. Ask the patient to shrug their shoulders
Answer: A
Rationale: The Optic nerve (CN II) is responsible for vision; visual acuity is the primary
assessment method.
College
1. When assessing the range of motion of the spine, which movement involves
bending the trunk to the side?
A. Flexion
B. Extension
C. Lateral bending
D. Rotation
Answer: C
Rationale: Lateral bending is the movement of the trunk to the right or left side; flexion is
bending forward, and extension is straightening back.
2. Which postural change is commonly observed in pregnant women to
compensate for the enlarging fetus?
A. Kyphosis
B. Lordosis
C. Scoliosis
D. Ankylosis
Answer: B
Rationale: Lordosis, or an inward curvature of the lumbar spine, is common during
pregnancy as the center of gravity shifts forward.
,3. An elderly patient presents with an enhanced outward curvature of the
thoracic spine. This condition is known as:
A. Kyphosis
B. Scoliosis
C. Lordosis
D. Torticollis
Answer: A
Rationale: Kyphosis is an exaggerated posterior curvature of the thoracic spine, often seen
in aging adults due to osteoporosis.
4. During a musculoskeletal assessment, the nurse notes a grating sound when
the patient moves their knee. This is documented as:
A. Bruit
B. Crepitus
C. Crackles
D. Friction rub
Answer: B
Rationale: Crepitus is a dry, crackling or grating sound or sensation caused by bone
rubbing against bone or cartilage.
5. When grading muscle strength, a patient who can move a limb against gravity
but not against any resistance would receive what grade?
A. 1/5
B. 2/5
C. 4/5
D. 3/5
Answer: D
Rationale: Grade 3/5 indicates full range of motion against gravity but not against added
resistance.
, 6. A patient complains of numbness and tingling in the thumb and first two
fingers. The nurse performs Phalen’s test to screen for:
A. Carpal tunnel syndrome
B. Tennis elbow
C. Rheumatoid arthritis
D. Dupuytren contracture
Answer: A
Rationale: Phalen’s test (holding wrists in 90-degree flexion for 60 seconds) reproduces
symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome.
7. Which assessment finding is characteristic of Osteoarthritis (OA) rather than
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)?
A. Heberden and Bouchard nodes
B. Morning stiffness lasting hours
C. Symmetric joint involvement
D. Systemic symptoms like fever and fatigue
Answer: A
Rationale: Heberden and Bouchard nodes are hard, bony overgrowths characteristic of
OA; RA is usually symmetric and systemic.
8. To assess the function of Cranial Nerve II (Optic), the nurse should:
A. Assess visual acuity using a Snellen chart
B. Check pupillary reaction to light
C. Check the gag reflex
D. Ask the patient to shrug their shoulders
Answer: A
Rationale: The Optic nerve (CN II) is responsible for vision; visual acuity is the primary
assessment method.
