NU 518 Health Assessment Exam 1 (2026) Questions and Answers |
USA
1. Which of the following is considered objective data?
A. A patient’s report of a headache
B. The patient’s description of chest pain
C. A blood pressure reading of 120/80 mmHg
D. The patient stating they feel nauseous
Answer: C
Rationale: Objective data is what the health professional observes by inspecting, palpating,
percussing, and auscultating during the physical examination. Blood pressure is a
measurable sign.
2. When conducting an interview, which technique is best for encouraging the
patient to tell their story?
A. Asking yes/no questions
B. Using open-ended questions
C. Completing the physical exam first
D. Interrupting the patient to clarify facts
Answer: B
Rationale: Open-ended questions ask for narrative information and allow the patient to
express themselves fully, which is essential in the health history phase.
,3. A patient complains of pain in their right knee. Using the PQRST mnemonic,
what does ‘Q’ represent?
A. Quantity
B. Quickness
C. Quelling factors
D. Quality
Answer: D
Rationale: In PQRST, Q stands for Quality or Quantity. It asks the patient to describe the
sensation (e.g., sharp, dull, stabbing, aching).
4. During the general survey, the nurse notices the patient’s gait is
uncoordinated. This is an assessment of:
A. Mobility
B. Body structure
C. Physical appearance
D. Behavior
Answer: A
Rationale: Mobility covers gait and range of motion. Uncoordinated movement directly
relates to how the patient moves.
5. Which is the correct technique for palpating the skin for temperature?
A. Using the fingertips
B. Using the palmar surface of the hand
C. Using the dorsal surface of the hand
D. Using the ulnar edge of the hand
Answer: C
Rationale: The dorsal (back) surface of the hands is used for assessing temperature
because the skin is thinner there than on the palms.
, 6. An adult patient has a BMI of 27. How would the nurse categorize this result?
A. Underweight
B. Normal weight
C. Obese
D. Overweight
Answer: D
Rationale: A BMI between 25.0 and 29.9 is categorized as overweight. Under 18.5 is
underweight, 18.5-24.9 is normal, and 30 or above is obese.
7. When assessing an elderly patient’s skin turgor, where is the most reliable
place to check?
A. Back of the hand
B. The forehead
C. The abdomen
D. Under the clavicle
Answer: D
Rationale: In older adults, the skin on the back of the hand loses elasticity, making it
unreliable. The area under the clavicle or the sternum is more accurate.
8. A lesion that is flat, circumscribed, and less than 1 cm is called a:
A. Papule
B. Macule
C. Nodule
D. Vesicle
Answer: B
Rationale: A macule is solely a color change, flat and circumscribed, and less than 1 cm
(e.g., freckles).
USA
1. Which of the following is considered objective data?
A. A patient’s report of a headache
B. The patient’s description of chest pain
C. A blood pressure reading of 120/80 mmHg
D. The patient stating they feel nauseous
Answer: C
Rationale: Objective data is what the health professional observes by inspecting, palpating,
percussing, and auscultating during the physical examination. Blood pressure is a
measurable sign.
2. When conducting an interview, which technique is best for encouraging the
patient to tell their story?
A. Asking yes/no questions
B. Using open-ended questions
C. Completing the physical exam first
D. Interrupting the patient to clarify facts
Answer: B
Rationale: Open-ended questions ask for narrative information and allow the patient to
express themselves fully, which is essential in the health history phase.
,3. A patient complains of pain in their right knee. Using the PQRST mnemonic,
what does ‘Q’ represent?
A. Quantity
B. Quickness
C. Quelling factors
D. Quality
Answer: D
Rationale: In PQRST, Q stands for Quality or Quantity. It asks the patient to describe the
sensation (e.g., sharp, dull, stabbing, aching).
4. During the general survey, the nurse notices the patient’s gait is
uncoordinated. This is an assessment of:
A. Mobility
B. Body structure
C. Physical appearance
D. Behavior
Answer: A
Rationale: Mobility covers gait and range of motion. Uncoordinated movement directly
relates to how the patient moves.
5. Which is the correct technique for palpating the skin for temperature?
A. Using the fingertips
B. Using the palmar surface of the hand
C. Using the dorsal surface of the hand
D. Using the ulnar edge of the hand
Answer: C
Rationale: The dorsal (back) surface of the hands is used for assessing temperature
because the skin is thinner there than on the palms.
, 6. An adult patient has a BMI of 27. How would the nurse categorize this result?
A. Underweight
B. Normal weight
C. Obese
D. Overweight
Answer: D
Rationale: A BMI between 25.0 and 29.9 is categorized as overweight. Under 18.5 is
underweight, 18.5-24.9 is normal, and 30 or above is obese.
7. When assessing an elderly patient’s skin turgor, where is the most reliable
place to check?
A. Back of the hand
B. The forehead
C. The abdomen
D. Under the clavicle
Answer: D
Rationale: In older adults, the skin on the back of the hand loses elasticity, making it
unreliable. The area under the clavicle or the sternum is more accurate.
8. A lesion that is flat, circumscribed, and less than 1 cm is called a:
A. Papule
B. Macule
C. Nodule
D. Vesicle
Answer: B
Rationale: A macule is solely a color change, flat and circumscribed, and less than 1 cm
(e.g., freckles).
