APEA Clinical Assessment Skills Questions and Answers Flashcards

A 58-year-old patient presents with sudden onset chest pain radiating to the jaw. Which initial assessment finding most strongly supports acute myocardial infarction?

Answer: Diaphoresis and nausea

Diaphoresis and nausea accompanying chest pain are classic autonomic symptoms of acute MI due to sympathetic activation.

During a fundoscopic exam, you note arteriovenous nicking. This finding is most consistent with which condition?

Answer: Chronic hypertension

AV nicking occurs in chronic hypertension when thickened arterial walls compress veins at crossing points.

A patient has a positive McMurray test during knee assessment. Which structure is most likely injured?

Answer: Meniscus

The McMurray test specifically evaluates meniscal integrity by reproducing pain or clicking with rotation and flexion of the knee.

When assessing a patient for appendicitis, which sign involves pain at McBurney's point with rebound tenderness?

Answer: Blumberg sign

Blumberg sign refers to rebound tenderness at McBurney's point, indicating peritoneal irritation consistent with appendicitis.

Which cranial nerve is assessed when the NP tests the patient's ability to identify familiar odors?

Answer: Cranial nerve I

The olfactory nerve (CN I) carries sensory input for smell from the nasal epithelium to the brain.

A 45-year-old presents with a thyroid nodule. Which physical exam characteristic most warrants urgent referral for possible malignancy?

Answer: Hard, fixed, non-tender nodule

A hard, fixed, non-tender thyroid nodule raises high suspicion for malignancy due to features suggesting invasion of surrounding tissue.