|Chamberlain College
1. When assessing the musculoskeletal system, which of the following is the
correct order of physical examination techniques?
A. Range of Motion, Inspection, Palpation, Strength
B. Inspection, Percussion, Palpation, Auscultation
C. Palpation, Inspection, Range of Motion, Strength
D. Inspection, Palpation, Range of Motion, Muscle Strength
Answer: D
Rationale: The standard sequence for musculoskeletal assessment is inspection first,
followed by palpation, then assessing joint range of motion, and finally testing muscle
strength.
2. A patient is unable to shrug their shoulders against resistance. Which cranial
nerve should the nurse suspect is affected?
A. Cranial Nerve V (Trigeminal)
B. Cranial Nerve XI (Spinal Accessory)
C. Cranial Nerve VII (Facial)
D. Cranial Nerve XII (Hypoglossal)
Answer: B
Rationale: Cranial Nerve XI (Spinal Accessory) innervates the sternocleidomastoid and
trapezius muscles, which are responsible for shrugging the shoulders.
,3. Which assessment finding is characteristic of Osteoarthritis (OA)?
A. Symmetric joint swelling and morning stiffness lasting over an hour
B. Ulnar deviation of the fingers
C. Systemic symptoms such as fever and fatigue
D. Asymmetric joint involvement with Heberden and Bouchard nodes
Answer: D
Rationale: Osteoarthritis is typically asymmetric and characterized by bony overgrowths
like Heberden nodes (DIP joints) and Bouchard nodes (PIP joints), whereas RA is systemic
and symmetric.
4. The nurse asks the patient to stand with feet together and eyes closed. The
patient begins to sway significantly and loses balance. This is a positive:
A. Babinski sign
B. Phalen test
C. Romberg test
D. Tinel sign
Answer: C
Rationale: The Romberg test assesses cerebellar function and proprioception; swaying or
falling when the eyes are closed indicates a positive result.
5. When grading muscle strength, a nurse records a ‘3’ on the 0-5 scale. What
does this indicate?
A. No muscular contraction detected
B. Slight contraction, no movement
C. Full range of motion against gravity but not against resistance
D. Full range of motion against gravity with full resistance
Answer: C
Rationale: A grade of 3 signifies that the patient can complete the full range of motion
against gravity but fails when any manual resistance is applied.
, 6. During a breast examination, the nurse should palpate which area most
carefully as it is the most common site for breast tumors?
A. Upper Inner Quadrant
B. Upper Outer Quadrant (Tail of Spence)
C. Lower Inner Quadrant
D. Lower Outer Quadrant
Answer: B
Rationale: The upper outer quadrant, including the Tail of Spence, is the most common site
for breast cancer occurrences.
7. Which reflex response is considered normal and documented as 2+?
A. Hyperactive with clonus
B. Diminished or low normal
C. Very brisk or hyperactive
D. Average or expected response
Answer: D
Rationale: On the 0-4+ scale for deep tendon reflexes, 2+ is the expected average response.
8. A patient presents with a ‘shuffling gait’ and a ‘pill-rolling’ tremor. These are
classic signs of:
A. Parkinson’s Disease
B. Multiple Sclerosis
C. Cerebral Palsy
D. Ischemic Stroke
Answer: A
Rationale: Parkinson’s Disease is characterized by bradykinesia, shuffling gait, rigidity,
and resting tremors often described as pill-rolling.