NURS 5220 Advanced Health Assessment-
UTA Test Questions & Answers
Page 1 of 191
,Question 1
1: Which component of the health history is most important for establishing
rapport with a new patient?
A. Past medical history
B. Chief complaint
C. Review of systems
D. Social history
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Chief complaint
Rationale: The chief complaint (CC) is the patient's own words describing why they
seek care. Beginning with the CC demonstrates respect for the patient's perspective
and establishes the foundation for rapport. Past medical history, review of systems,
and social history are important but follow the CC in the interview sequence.
2: Which physical examination technique is used to assess for fluid wave in the
abdomen?
A. Inspection
B. Palpation
C. Percussion
D. Auscultation
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Palpation
Rationale: The fluid wave test (for ascites) is performed by palpation: one hand
presses firmly on the midline abdomen while the other hand taps one flank; a wave
felt on the opposite flank suggests fluid. Inspection assesses appearance; percussion
assesses density; auscultation assesses bowel sounds/bruits.
3: A 65-year-old male presents with chest pain. Which characteristic is MOST
suggestive of cardiac origin?
A. Pain worsens with deep breathing
B. Pain radiates to the left arm and jaw
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,C. Pain is relieved by changing position
D. Pain is sharp and localized
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Pain radiates to the left arm and jaw
Rationale: Cardiac pain (angina/MI) classically radiates to the left arm, jaw, neck, or
back. Pain worsening with breathing suggests pleuritic origin; positional relief
suggests musculoskeletal or pericardial causes; sharp, localized pain is atypical for
cardiac ischemia.
4: Which cranial nerve is tested by asking a patient to shrug their shoulders against
resistance?
A. CN IX (Glossopharyngeal)
B. CN X (Vagus)
C. CN XI (Spinal accessory)
D. CN XII (Hypoglossal)
CORRECT ANSWER: C. CN XI (Spinal accessory)
Rationale: CN XI innervates the sternocleidomastoid and trapezius muscles.
Shoulder shrug against resistance tests trapezius function. CN IX/X test gag reflex;
CN XII tests tongue protrusion.
5: A 45-year-old female presents with fatigue, weight gain, cold intolerance, and
dry skin. Which physical finding is MOST consistent with hypothyroidism?
A. Exophthalmos
B. Delayed deep tendon reflexes
C. Warm, moist skin
D. Tachycardia
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Delayed deep tendon reflexes
Rationale: Hypothyroidism causes delayed relaxation phase of deep tendon reflexes
("hung-up reflexes"), along with fatigue, weight gain, cold intolerance, and dry skin.
Exophthalmos, warm/moist skin, and tachycardia are signs of hyperthyroidism.
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, 6: Which assessment finding is MOST indicative of dehydration in an older adult?
A. Skin turgor on the forearm
B. Dry mucous membranes and orthostatic hypotension
C. Decreased urine output only
D. Elevated blood pressure
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Dry mucous membranes and orthostatic hypotension
Rationale: In older adults, skin turgor is less reliable due to decreased elasticity. Dry
mucous membranes, orthostatic vital signs (drop in BP/increase in HR with position
change), and altered mental status are more reliable indicators of dehydration.
7: Which technique is used to assess for Murphy's sign?
A. Percussion of the liver edge
B. Palpation of the right upper quadrant during inspiration
C. Auscultation for bowel sounds in the RUQ
D. Inspection for jaundice
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Palpation of the right upper quadrant during inspiration
Rationale: Murphy's sign tests for cholecystitis: the examiner palpates the RUQ while
the patient inspires; abrupt cessation of inspiration due to pain is a positive sign.
Percussion assesses liver size; auscultation assesses bowel sounds; inspection
assesses color.
8: A 30-year-old male presents with acute onset of severe headache, photophobia,
and neck stiffness. Which physical examination finding is MOST concerning for
meningitis?
A. Positive Babinski sign
B. Positive Kernig's sign
C. Positive Romberg test
D. Positive McMurray test
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UTA Test Questions & Answers
Page 1 of 191
,Question 1
1: Which component of the health history is most important for establishing
rapport with a new patient?
A. Past medical history
B. Chief complaint
C. Review of systems
D. Social history
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Chief complaint
Rationale: The chief complaint (CC) is the patient's own words describing why they
seek care. Beginning with the CC demonstrates respect for the patient's perspective
and establishes the foundation for rapport. Past medical history, review of systems,
and social history are important but follow the CC in the interview sequence.
2: Which physical examination technique is used to assess for fluid wave in the
abdomen?
A. Inspection
B. Palpation
C. Percussion
D. Auscultation
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Palpation
Rationale: The fluid wave test (for ascites) is performed by palpation: one hand
presses firmly on the midline abdomen while the other hand taps one flank; a wave
felt on the opposite flank suggests fluid. Inspection assesses appearance; percussion
assesses density; auscultation assesses bowel sounds/bruits.
3: A 65-year-old male presents with chest pain. Which characteristic is MOST
suggestive of cardiac origin?
A. Pain worsens with deep breathing
B. Pain radiates to the left arm and jaw
Page 2 of 191
,C. Pain is relieved by changing position
D. Pain is sharp and localized
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Pain radiates to the left arm and jaw
Rationale: Cardiac pain (angina/MI) classically radiates to the left arm, jaw, neck, or
back. Pain worsening with breathing suggests pleuritic origin; positional relief
suggests musculoskeletal or pericardial causes; sharp, localized pain is atypical for
cardiac ischemia.
4: Which cranial nerve is tested by asking a patient to shrug their shoulders against
resistance?
A. CN IX (Glossopharyngeal)
B. CN X (Vagus)
C. CN XI (Spinal accessory)
D. CN XII (Hypoglossal)
CORRECT ANSWER: C. CN XI (Spinal accessory)
Rationale: CN XI innervates the sternocleidomastoid and trapezius muscles.
Shoulder shrug against resistance tests trapezius function. CN IX/X test gag reflex;
CN XII tests tongue protrusion.
5: A 45-year-old female presents with fatigue, weight gain, cold intolerance, and
dry skin. Which physical finding is MOST consistent with hypothyroidism?
A. Exophthalmos
B. Delayed deep tendon reflexes
C. Warm, moist skin
D. Tachycardia
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Delayed deep tendon reflexes
Rationale: Hypothyroidism causes delayed relaxation phase of deep tendon reflexes
("hung-up reflexes"), along with fatigue, weight gain, cold intolerance, and dry skin.
Exophthalmos, warm/moist skin, and tachycardia are signs of hyperthyroidism.
Page 3 of 191
, 6: Which assessment finding is MOST indicative of dehydration in an older adult?
A. Skin turgor on the forearm
B. Dry mucous membranes and orthostatic hypotension
C. Decreased urine output only
D. Elevated blood pressure
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Dry mucous membranes and orthostatic hypotension
Rationale: In older adults, skin turgor is less reliable due to decreased elasticity. Dry
mucous membranes, orthostatic vital signs (drop in BP/increase in HR with position
change), and altered mental status are more reliable indicators of dehydration.
7: Which technique is used to assess for Murphy's sign?
A. Percussion of the liver edge
B. Palpation of the right upper quadrant during inspiration
C. Auscultation for bowel sounds in the RUQ
D. Inspection for jaundice
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Palpation of the right upper quadrant during inspiration
Rationale: Murphy's sign tests for cholecystitis: the examiner palpates the RUQ while
the patient inspires; abrupt cessation of inspiration due to pain is a positive sign.
Percussion assesses liver size; auscultation assesses bowel sounds; inspection
assesses color.
8: A 30-year-old male presents with acute onset of severe headache, photophobia,
and neck stiffness. Which physical examination finding is MOST concerning for
meningitis?
A. Positive Babinski sign
B. Positive Kernig's sign
C. Positive Romberg test
D. Positive McMurray test
Page 4 of 191
