NUR 6001 — MIDTERM / EXAM 2 (HEALTH
ASSESSMENT) | QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS |
2026 UPDATE | 100% CORRECT – WPU.
Content Focus: Advanced Physical Assessment
Techniques, History Taking, Diagnostic Reasoning,
System-Based Examination, Documentation, Cultural &
Developmental Considerations
1. A comprehensive health assessment primarily aims to identify current
health status, risk factors, and early signs of disease.
Answer: Baseline health data
Establishing baseline data allows comparison over time to detect changes.
2. The most reliable source of subjective health information is the patient’s
own report.
Answer: Patient self-report
Subjective data originate from the patient’s perceptions and experiences.
3. Inspection is always the first technique used during physical examination.
Answer: Inspection precedes palpation, percussion, and auscultation
Visual assessment guides subsequent examination steps.
4. Palpation is primarily used to assess texture, temperature, moisture, and
tenderness.
Answer: Tactile characteristics of tissues
Hands-on assessment provides information not visible to the eye.
5. Percussion helps determine the density of underlying structures.
Answer: Tissue density
Different sounds indicate air, fluid, or solid masses.
, 6. Tympany heard over the abdomen indicates air-filled structures.
Answer: Presence of gas
Hollow organs containing air produce tympanic sounds.
7. Dull percussion over lung fields may indicate consolidation or fluid.
Answer: Possible pneumonia or effusion
Fluid replaces air, producing dullness.
8. Auscultation of bowel sounds should occur before palpation.
Answer: Prevent alteration of bowel activity
Palpation can stimulate or suppress bowel sounds.
9. Normal adult respiratory rate ranges from 12 to 20 breaths per minute.
Answer: 12–20 breaths per minute
Values outside this range may indicate pathology.
10.Tachycardia is defined as heart rate above 100 beats per minute in adults.
Answer: Heart rate >100 bpm
Elevated rate may reflect fever, anxiety, or cardiac issues.
11.Bradycardia refers to heart rate below 60 beats per minute.
Answer: Heart rate <60 bpm
May be normal in athletes or indicate conduction problems.
12.Blood pressure is recorded as systolic over diastolic pressure.
Answer: Peak over resting arterial pressure
Systolic reflects ventricular contraction; diastolic reflects relaxation.
13.Orthostatic hypotension is assessed by measuring BP changes with position.
Answer: Supine to standing measurements
A significant drop suggests volume depletion or autonomic dysfunction.
14.The Glasgow Coma Scale evaluates level of consciousness.
Answer: Neurological responsiveness
Assesses eye, verbal, and motor responses.
15.Pupils that are equal, round, reactive to light and accommodation are
documented as PERRLA.
ASSESSMENT) | QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS |
2026 UPDATE | 100% CORRECT – WPU.
Content Focus: Advanced Physical Assessment
Techniques, History Taking, Diagnostic Reasoning,
System-Based Examination, Documentation, Cultural &
Developmental Considerations
1. A comprehensive health assessment primarily aims to identify current
health status, risk factors, and early signs of disease.
Answer: Baseline health data
Establishing baseline data allows comparison over time to detect changes.
2. The most reliable source of subjective health information is the patient’s
own report.
Answer: Patient self-report
Subjective data originate from the patient’s perceptions and experiences.
3. Inspection is always the first technique used during physical examination.
Answer: Inspection precedes palpation, percussion, and auscultation
Visual assessment guides subsequent examination steps.
4. Palpation is primarily used to assess texture, temperature, moisture, and
tenderness.
Answer: Tactile characteristics of tissues
Hands-on assessment provides information not visible to the eye.
5. Percussion helps determine the density of underlying structures.
Answer: Tissue density
Different sounds indicate air, fluid, or solid masses.
, 6. Tympany heard over the abdomen indicates air-filled structures.
Answer: Presence of gas
Hollow organs containing air produce tympanic sounds.
7. Dull percussion over lung fields may indicate consolidation or fluid.
Answer: Possible pneumonia or effusion
Fluid replaces air, producing dullness.
8. Auscultation of bowel sounds should occur before palpation.
Answer: Prevent alteration of bowel activity
Palpation can stimulate or suppress bowel sounds.
9. Normal adult respiratory rate ranges from 12 to 20 breaths per minute.
Answer: 12–20 breaths per minute
Values outside this range may indicate pathology.
10.Tachycardia is defined as heart rate above 100 beats per minute in adults.
Answer: Heart rate >100 bpm
Elevated rate may reflect fever, anxiety, or cardiac issues.
11.Bradycardia refers to heart rate below 60 beats per minute.
Answer: Heart rate <60 bpm
May be normal in athletes or indicate conduction problems.
12.Blood pressure is recorded as systolic over diastolic pressure.
Answer: Peak over resting arterial pressure
Systolic reflects ventricular contraction; diastolic reflects relaxation.
13.Orthostatic hypotension is assessed by measuring BP changes with position.
Answer: Supine to standing measurements
A significant drop suggests volume depletion or autonomic dysfunction.
14.The Glasgow Coma Scale evaluates level of consciousness.
Answer: Neurological responsiveness
Assesses eye, verbal, and motor responses.
15.Pupils that are equal, round, reactive to light and accommodation are
documented as PERRLA.
