Advanced Physical Assessment Exam Questions and Answers

180+ Questions and Answers

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Master the skills required for accurate clinical evaluation with this expertly crafted Advanced Physical Assessment Practice Exam. Designed for nursing students, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and other healthcare professionals, this resource features high-level Advanced Physical Assessment Exam Questions and Answers tailored to reflect real clinical scenarios and advanced diagnostic reasoning.

This comprehensive exam covers critical areas including comprehensive health history collection, head-to-toe physical examinations, diagnostic interpretation, assessment of all major body systems, and age-specific variations in assessment. You’ll also explore advanced techniques for evaluating cardiovascular, respiratory, neurological, gastrointestinal, and musculoskeletal systems, as well as specialized assessments in women’s health, geriatrics, and pediatrics.

Each question is scenario-based to test your ability to apply theoretical knowledge to clinical practice. You’ll be challenged to analyze symptoms, differentiate normal from abnormal findings, prioritize patient needs, and interpret diagnostic results—skills essential for advanced practice and clinical decision-making.

All Advanced Physical Assessment Exam Questions and Answers are paired with clear, concise explanations that reinforce clinical reasoning, highlight assessment best practices, and identify common pitfalls. These explanations help you strengthen both conceptual understanding and procedural accuracy.

This practice exam is ideal for those preparing for advanced health assessment courses, board certification exams (such as FNP, AGNP, or PA-C), or clinical skill evaluations. Whether you are a student in an advanced nursing program or a practicing clinician refreshing your skills, this resource supports deep learning and performance under pressure.

Stay current with evidence-based assessment standards and improve your confidence in performing complex physical exams across diverse populations. By practicing with high-quality, clinically relevant questions, you will be well-equipped to make accurate assessments and deliver effective, patient-centered care.

Sample Questions and Answers

Which cranial nerve is responsible for the sense of smell?

  1. Cranial Nerve I
  2. Cranial Nerve II
  3. Cranial Nerve III
  4. Cranial Nerve IV

Answer: A. Cranial Nerve I

During auscultation of the lungs, which sound is considered normal over most of the lung fields?

  1. Bronchial
  2. Vesicular
  3. Bronchovesicular
  4. Adventitious

Answer: B. Vesicular

What does a positive Murphy’s sign indicate?

  1. Appendicitis
  2. Cholecystitis
  3. Pancreatitis
  4. Hepatitis

Answer: B. Cholecystitis

Which heart sound is associated with the closure of the mitral and tricuspid valves?

  1. S1
  2. S2
  3. S3
  4. S4

Answer: A. S1

In the assessment of the abdomen, which sequence is correct?

  1. Inspection, Percussion, Palpation, Auscultation
  2. Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion, Palpation
  3. Auscultation, Inspection, Percussion, Palpation
  4. Percussion, Inspection, Auscultation, Palpation

Answer: B. Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion, Palpation

What does the Romberg test assess?

  1. Coordination
  2. Balance
  3. Muscle strength
  4. Reflexes

Answer: B. Balance

Which of the following is a sign of increased intracranial pressure?

  1. Bradycardia
  2. Hypotension
  3. Tachypnea
  4. Hyperthermia

Answer: A. Bradycardia

What is the normal range for adult respiratory rate?

  1. 8-12 breaths per minute
  2. 12-20 breaths per minute
  3. 20-24 breaths per minute
  4. 24-28 breaths per minute

Answer: B. 12-20 breaths per minute

Which lymph nodes are located anterior to the ear?

  1. Preauricular
  2. Postauricular
  3. Occipital
  4. Submandibular

Answer: A. Preauricular

What does a capillary refill time greater than 2 seconds indicate?

  1. Normal circulation
  2. Dehydration
  3. Peripheral vascular disease
  4. Hypothermia

Answer: C. Peripheral vascular disease

Which cranial nerve is tested by assessing the gag reflex?

  1. Cranial Nerve VII
  2. Cranial Nerve IX
  3. Cranial Nerve X
  4. Cranial Nerve XII

Answer: B. Cranial Nerve IX

What is the term for difficulty swallowing?

  1. Dysphasia
  2. Dysphagia
  3. Aphasia
  4. Apraxia

Answer: B. Dysphagia

Which heart sound is often described as a “ventricular gallop”?

  1. S1
  2. S2
  3. S3
  4. S4

Answer: C. S3

What does the presence of wheezes during lung auscultation suggest?

  1. Fluid in the alveoli
  2. Narrowed airways
  3. Collapsed alveoli
  4. Pleural friction

Answer: B. Narrowed airways

Which test is used to assess for carpal tunnel syndrome?

  1. Tinel’s sign
  2. Phalen’s test
  3. Allen’s test
  4. Finkelstein’s test

Answer: B. Phalen’s test

What is the normal range for adult heart rate?

  1. 40-60 beats per minute
  2. 60-100 beats per minute
  3. 100-120 beats per minute
  4. 120-140 beats per minute

Answer: B. 60-100 beats per minute

Which cranial nerve controls tongue movement?

  1. Cranial Nerve IX
  2. Cranial Nerve X
  3. Cranial Nerve XI
  4. Cranial Nerve XII

Answer: D. Cranial Nerve XII

 

Which cranial nerve is tested when the patient shrugs their shoulders against resistance?

  1. Cranial Nerve VII
  2. Cranial Nerve IX
  3. Cranial Nerve XI
  4. Cranial Nerve XII

Answer: C. Cranial Nerve XI

What does dullness to percussion in the lung fields typically indicate?

  1. Air trapping
  2. Fluid or mass
  3. Normal finding
  4. Hyperinflation

Answer: B. Fluid or mass

Which condition is characterized by pinpoint pupils?

  1. Opioid overdose
  2. Alcohol intoxication
  3. Cocaine use
  4. Brain injury

Answer: A. Opioid overdose

When performing an otoscopic exam, which structure is commonly visualized?

  1. Tympanic membrane
  2. Cochlea
  3. Semicircular canals
  4. Eustachian tube

Answer: A. Tympanic membrane

Which test is used to evaluate the patency of the radial and ulnar arteries?

  1. Phalen’s test
  2. Tinel’s sign
  3. Allen’s test
  4. Finkelstein’s test

Answer: C. Allen’s test

What is the first step in the physical examination of the heart?

  1. Percussion
  2. Inspection
  3. Auscultation
  4. Palpation

Answer: B. Inspection

What is the term for involuntary, rhythmic, oscillating movements of the eyes?

  1. Nystagmus
  2. Strabismus
  3. Ptosis
  4. Diplopia

Answer: A. Nystagmus

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