Which set of physical exam findings is contradictory?

The chosen answer highlights a set of findings that are inconsistent with one another. In a neurologic assessment, the pupillary reaction is an important indicator of neurological function. The notation of "PERRL" means pupils are equal and round, which is typically a normal finding. However, the addition of "pupils non-reactive with anisocoria" presents a contradiction because having pupils that are non-reactive suggests significant neurological impairment or damage. Anisocoria, which is the presence of unequal pupil sizes, also raises concerns about potential neurologic pathology.

In contrast, the other choices reflect findings that are generally consistent and typical for a patient. "Cranial nerves grossly intact" suggests normal neurological function, while "heart sounds regular" and "clear to auscultation" indicate that the cardiovascular and respiratory systems are functioning normally, respectively. These findings do not present contradictions and signify stable conditions in the systems they pertain to. Therefore, the contradictory nature of the findings related to the pupils makes that option the outlier.