NURS 6512 FINAL EXAM SAMPLE QUESTIONS

NURS 6512 Final Exam Review (Week 7 to 11)

Week 7: Assessment of the Heart, Lungs, and Peripheral Vascular System

This week deals with the cardiovascular and respiratory systems. Start by revising your notes on the anatomy and physiology of the two systems. Your primary source should be Seidel’s Guide to Physical Examination by Ball et al. (2023). Review the structure of the heart by identifying the major blood vessels that supply it, as well as its major valves and chambers. This information will come in handy when auscultating heart sounds. Familiarize yourself with the process of breathing and the mechanism of gas exchange in the alveoli.

You can utilize the resources offered in class to help you identify normal and abnormal heart and lung sounds. You can also list the normal and abnormal assessment findings of the two systems on a table to act as a reference when performing the assessments and help you memorize the information for prompt recall during the examination. You should also be conversant about the correct assessment technique of these two systems, which involves inspection, auscultation, palpation, and percussion, all discussed in Seidel’s guide by Ball et al. (2023). You should also ensure that you correctly identify the landmarks on the chest where the stethoscope is placed when auscultating for lung and heart sounds.

Week 8: Assessment of the Musculoskeletal System

By the end of the week, you will be required to be conversant in conducting an accurate assessment of the musculoskeletal system. You should be able to differentiate between normal and abnormal findings from the assessment. To help you classify these findings, you can create a table or a chart to list abnormal findings in one column and normal findings in the other for easy reference when revising for your examinations. You should remind yourself of the basic anatomy of the major bones of the body and different joints.

You should be conversant with types of joints such as cartilaginous, fibrous and synovial joints. You should also be knowledgeable about the different types of movements these joints make, such as flexion, extension, abduction, adduction, and rotation. Then, you should review the techniques used in the assessment of the musculoskeletal system, such as how to perform inspection, palpation, range of motion (ROM) testing, and strength testing by referring to Seidel’s guide by Ball et al. (2023). Revise the different diagnostic tests used to diagnose musculoskeletal disorders, such as the X-ray, CT-Scan, and MRI.

Focus on the common presentation of musculoskeletal disorders, with specific attention on musculoskeletal pain. Consider what essential history you should acquire from a patient presenting to the hospital with different signs and symptoms related to the musculoskeletal system. You should identify the common musculoskeletal conditions, their presentation and management. You should be able to identify various instruments used in assessing the musculoskeletal system, such as the goniometer, reflex hammer, and skin calipers, and their correct use.

Week 9: Assessment of Cognition and the Neurologic System

This week will entail the assessment of an individual’s cognition and the neurologic system. You will be required to identify normal and abnormal neurological symptoms by the end of the week. You should start by reviewing your notes on the anatomy and physiology of the neurological system so that you can be conversant with how it normally functions, which will help you to identify any pathologies. Go through the different parts of the brain and their functions. You should review resources on the components of neurological assessment, such as motor function, cranial nerve function, mental status examination (MSE), and reflexes (Ball et al., 2023).

Review the commonest neurological conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, stroke, and multiple sclerosis. Read more about the risk factors of the conditions, the signs and symptoms, and their nursing and medical management. You can make use of flashcards to help you memorize information on each of them. You should be able to explain why patients develop common symptoms like headaches, dizziness, seizures, weakness, numbness, and changes in vision or speech when suffering from neurological illnesses.

You should review notes on the head-to-toe examination, focusing on neurological function, and be able to explain the current use of the reflex hammer, tuning fork, and monofilament for specific assessments. You should be able to identify different imaging studies, such as CT scans, MRI, and electrophysiological tests like EMG. You should be able to document the findings obtained from the assessment accurately.

Week 10: Special Examinations—Breast, Genital, Prostate, and Rectal

The assessment of these systems may make some of the patients uncomfortable. Therefore, you will be required to review the resources on therapeutic communication and cultural competency so that you can help keep the patient calm throughout the examination. You should be able to explain the importance of these special examinations, which are usually used to identify abnormalities, diagnose conditions, and provide preventive care in sensitive areas of the body.

You should review the correct procedure for performing breast examinations to check for any lumps, discharges from the nipples, or any changes in the texture of the skin surrounding the breasts. Additionally, you should identify the populations of women who are advised to perform regular mammograms, especially women over the age of 40 years. You should review the correct procedure for conducting genital examinations in men and women and the instruments used.

Study about the Digital Rectal Examination (DRE) and how to interpret its findings when examining the prostate gland in males. You should also be able to explain the role of regular screening for men who are over 50 years old and those at risk of developing prostate cancer. Ensure that you identify educational points that you can utilize when providing health education to patients. You should identify the indications of a rectal examination, such as in patients with hemorrhoids, fissures, or masses.

Week 11: Final Exam

Week 11 provides you with an opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills that you have learned in this course in preparing for your exams. You should ensure that you have reviewed all the course materials well, paying attention to areas you did not understand well. Inquire about the exam format, and if possible, get past examination papers to familiarize yourself with the type of questions you expect in the exam.

Confirm that all your assignments have been submitted before the due dates. You can do a course evaluation to provide your instructors with crucial information that can be used to better the course in the future. You should take time to reflect on areas that you are confident about and those that require growth. Evaluate whether you achieved the goals you had set for the course; identify what went well during the course and what you could have done better.

If you have any questions about the course, you can seek support from your peers and instructors. Since you will be busy during the examination period, ensure that you prioritize your health. Ensure that you eat well and take regular, adequate rest. If you follow the aforementioned steps, you will be in an excellent position to succeed in your examinations, which will help you stage the stage for future professional development in your chosen career.

References
Ball, J. W., Dains, J. E., Flynn, J. A., Solomon, B. S., & Stewart, R. W. (2023). Seidel’s guide to physical examination: An interprofessional approach (10th ed.). St. Louis, MO: Elsevier Mosby. https://evolve.elsevier.com/cs/product/9780323761833

NURS 6512 FINAL EXAM SAMPLE QUESTIONS

1. Costovertebral angle tenderness should be assessed whenever you suspect the patient may have: – Polynephritis
2. In older adults, overflow fecal incontinence is commonly due to: -Fecal impaction
3. A 1 month old boy has been vomiting for 2 weeks. How is this symptom of GERD and pyloric stenosis further differentiated in this child’s assessment? – The infant has regurgitation with pyloric stenosis
4. Auscultation of borborygmi is associated with: – Gastroenteritis, early intestinal obstruction, or hunger
5. When auscultating the abdomen, which finding would indicate collateral circulation between the portal and systemic venous systems? – Venous hum
6. Conversion of fat-soluble wastes to water-soluble material for renal excretion is a function of the: – Liver
7. The major function of the large intestine is: -Water absorption
8. Which structure is located in the hypogastric region of the abdomen? –Ileum, bladder, and pregnant uterus
9. A 45 year old man relates a several week history of severe intermittent abdominal burning sensations. He relates that the pain is relieved with small amounts of food. Before starting the physical examination, you review his laboratory work, anticipating a (n): -Positive Helicobacter pylori result
10. You are caring for a patient with trigeminal neuralgia. During the assessment, the patient would describe the pain as: – Burning or shocklike
11. Your 85 year old patient is complaining of right knee pain. She has a history of osteoarthritis for which she is given anti-inflammatory medication. To assess her right knee pain, you should ask her if: – The pain gets better when she sits
12. A 5 year old is complaining of nondescriptive “belly pain.” Your next action should be to ask him to: – Point to the area of pain
13. The perception of pain: – Is variable and is affected by emotions, and cultural background
14. Patients presenting with ascites, jaundice, cutaneous spider veins, and nonpalpable liver exhibit signs of: – Cirrhosis
15. A patient presents to the emergency department after a motor vehicle accident. The patient sustained blunt trauma to the abdomen and complains of pain in the upper left quadrant that radiates to the left shoulder. What organ is most likely injured? – Spleen
16. Imaging studies reveal that a patient has dilation of the renal pelvis from an obstruction in the ureter, what condition will be documented in this patient’s health record? – Hydronephrosis
17. Visible intestinal peristalsis may indicate: – Intestinal obstruction
18. Infants born weighing less than 1500g are at higher risk for: – Necrotizing enterocolitis
19. Which of the following factors is not known to affect patient compliance with his or her treatment regimen? – The patient’s age and social status
20. One of the most important aspects to consider in the orthopedic screening examination is: – Symmetry
21. The sequence of the physical examination should be individualized to: – Minimize the number of times the patient has to change positions to conserve the patient’s energy
22. As you greet the patient, which examination technique is first implemented? – Inspection
23. Which of the following is most likely to enhance examiner reliability? – The examiner attempts to qualify data
24. A 7 year old boy is brought to your office with a chief complaint of possible fracture to his left third finger. He jammed it while playing basketball 2 days ago. The mother states that she really does not think it is broken because he can move it. What is your best response? – This is common misconception, and the finger may be broken. An x-ray is indicated.
25. A patient presenting for the first time with typical low back pain should receive which of the following diagnostic tests? – None of the above. X-ray is not indicated because lumbar pain is usually musculoskeletal etiology.
26. Skeletal changes in older adults are the result of: -Increased bone resorption
27. A positive straight leg raise test usually indicates: – Lumbar nerve root irritation
28. What technique is performed at every infant examination during the first year of life to detect hip dislocation? – Barlow-Ortolani maneuvers
29. Expected normal findings during inspection of spinal alignment include: – Convex lumbar curve
30. Temporalis and masseter muscles are evaluated by: – Having the patient clench his or her teeth
31. When palpating joints, crepitus may be caused when: – Irregular bony surfaces rub together
32. A 3 year old is brought to the clinic complaining of a painful right elbow. He is holding the right arm slightly flexed and pronated and refuses to move it. the mother states that symptoms started right after his older brother had been swinging him around by his arms. This presentation supports a diagnosis of: – Radial head subluxation
33. Light skin and thin body habitus are risk factors for: – Osteoporosis
34. Risk factors for sports-related injuries include: – Failure to warm up before activity
35. Injuries to long bones and joints are more likely to result in fractures than in sprains until: – Adolescence
36. Ligaments are stronger than bone until: – Adolescence
37. The family history for a patient with joint pain should include information about siblings with: -Genetic disorders
38. The Thomas test is used to detect: – Flexion contractures of the hip
39. A goniometer is used to assess: – Range of motion
40. During a football game, a player was struck on the lateral side of the left leg while his feet were firmly planted. He is complaining of left knee pain. To examine the left knee you should initially perform the ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­________ test. – Valgus stress
41. You note that a child has a positive Gower Sign. You know that this indicates generalized: – Muscle weakness
42. The dowager hump is: – The hallmark of osteoporosis
43. What temporary disorder may be experienced by pregnant women during the third trimester because of fluid retention? –Carpal tunnel syndrome
44. A common finding in markedly obese and pregnant women is: – Lordosis
45. A 45-year-old laborer presents with low back pain, stating that the pain comes from the right buttock and shoots down and across the right anterior thigh, down the shin to the ankle. Which examination finding is considered more indicative of nerve root compression?A 45 year old laborer presents with low back pain, stating that the pain comes from the right buttock and shoots down and across the right anterior thigh, down the shin to the ankle. Which examination finding is considered more indicative of nerve root compression? – Positive straight leg raise result
46. Mrs. Bower is a 57 year old patient who comes in for an office visit. Which of the following disorders is known to be hereditary? – Huntington chorea
47. Testing of cranial nerve ­­­­________ is not routinely performed unless a problem is suspected. – I
48. The patient is able to rapidly touch each finger to his thumb in rapid sequence. What does this finding mean? – The patient has appropriate cerebellar function
49. Which question asked by the examiner may hellp to determine prevention strategies for seizures that a patient is experiencing? – “Are there any factors or activities that seem to start the seizures?”
50. A patient has a complaint of dizziness. The patient makes the following statement: “I sometimes feel as if the whole room is spinning.” What type of neurologic dysfunction should the examiner suspect? – Inner ear dysfunction affecting the acoustic nerve
51. The examiner asks the patient to close her eyes, then places a vibrating tuning fork on the patient’s ankle and asks her to indicate what is felt. What is being assessed? – Peripheral nerve sensory function
52. Which of the following findings should an examiner consider a normal finding if associated with pregnancy? – Acroparesthesia
53. Jack is a 52 year old obese man with a history of poorly controlled diabetes. He also smokes. Based on the above data, the examiner should recognize that Jack has several risk factors for: – Cerebrovascular accident
54. Mrs. Jones is a 24 year old patient who presents to your office 2 days postpartum. She complains that she is experiencing foot drop. Which of the following problems should the examiner consider? – Lumbosacral plexopathy
55. The examiner is assessing deep tendon reflex response in a 12 year old boy. The response is an expected reflex response. Which of the following scores should be documented? – 2+
56. A 68 year old patient presents to your office for follow-up. He tells you, “I have a hard time finding the right words when I am talking;” he also is experiencing numbness. On examination, you note postural instability. This symptom may be: – A late symptom of Parkinson’s disease
57. Motor maturation proceeds in an orderly progression from: – Head to toe
58. The thalamus is the major integration center for perception of: – Pain
59. The examiner should be concerned about neurologic competence if a social smile cannot be elicited by the time a child is ________old. – 3 months
60. Normal changes of the aging brain include: – Diminished perception of touch. — this is by process of elimination/educated guess. I could not find direct information addressing this in Seidel
61. When interviewing a 70 year old female clinic patient, she tells you that she takes ginkgo biloba and St. John’s Wort. You make a short note to check for results of the: -Mini-mental state examination
62. The area of body surface innervated by a particular spinal nerve is called a: – Dermatome
63. If a patient cannot shrug the shoulders against resistance, which cranial nerve (CN) requires further evaluation? – CN XI, spinal accessory