1
Physical Examination and Health Assessment
9th Edition Test Bank, Carolyn Jarvis,
2026/2027 Nursing Exam Practice Questions
with Complete Chapters 1–31.
UNIT 1: ASSESSMENT OF THE WHOLE PERSON
Chapter 1: Evidence-Based Assessment
Q1. A nurse is conducting a health assessment on a 45-year-old patient who presents with
vague abdominal discomfort. The nurse reviews current clinical practice guidelines before the
examination. Which statement best describes the purpose of evidence-based assessment in this
scenario?
A. To ensure the nurse follows institutional protocols without deviation
B. To integrate the best current research evidence with clinical expertise and patient preferences
[CORRECT]
C. To eliminate the need for clinical judgment in patient care decisions
D. To standardize all patient assessments regardless of individual variation
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Evidence-based assessment, as defined by Jarvis, involves integrating the best
available research evidence with clinical expertise and patient values/preferences. Option A is
incorrect because evidence-based practice allows for adaptation to individual patient needs.
Option C is incorrect because clinical judgment remains essential; evidence informs rather than
replaces judgment. Option D is incorrect because evidence-based practice emphasizes
individualized care, not standardization.
, 2
Q2. A nurse is preparing to assess a new patient in the emergency department. Which actions
demonstrate the application of evidence-based assessment principles? (Select all that apply)
A. Reviewing current literature on assessment techniques for the patient's presenting complaint
[CORRECT]
B. Relying solely on assessment techniques learned in nursing school 10 years ago
C. Consulting clinical practice guidelines for the patient's age group [CORRECT]
D. Considering the patient's cultural beliefs about health and illness [CORRECT]
E. Using only the assessment tools available on the unit without evaluating their validity
Correct Answers: A, C, D
Rationale: Evidence-based assessment requires staying current with literature (A), using
validated clinical guidelines (C), and incorporating patient preferences and cultural
considerations (D). Option B is incorrect because evidence-based practice requires ongoing
education and updates. Option E is incorrect because nurses must evaluate the validity and
reliability of assessment tools rather than using them uncritically.
Q3. When performing an evidence-based health assessment, the nurse recognizes that
subjective data includes which of the following?
A. Blood pressure measurement of 142/88 mmHg
B. Observation of labored breathing at 24 breaths per minute
C. Patient's statement of "crushing chest pain" [CORRECT]
D. Palpation of an enlarged liver edge 3 cm below the costal margin
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Subjective data consists of information perceived only by the affected person, such
as symptoms, feelings, and perceptions (Jarvis, Chapter 1). The patient's statement of chest pain
is subjective data. Options A, B, and D represent objective data—observable, measurable
findings obtained through physical examination or diagnostic testing.
, 3
Q4. A nursing student asks the clinical instructor about the primary purpose of the health
assessment. Which response best reflects the Jarvis textbook definition?
A. "The primary purpose is to identify pathology and diagnose disease."
B. "Health assessment establishes the database about the patient's health status, including both
normal and abnormal findings." [CORRECT]
C. "The main goal is to complete the electronic health record efficiently."
D. "Assessment is primarily performed to satisfy insurance documentation requirements."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: According to Jarvis, the purpose of health assessment is to establish a database
about the patient's health status, including both normal and abnormal findings, to identify
patient needs and plan appropriate care. Option A is too narrow; assessment includes more than
pathology identification. Options C and D represent administrative functions rather than the
clinical purpose of assessment.
Q5. A nurse is organizing data collected during a health assessment. Which organizational
framework best supports evidence-based practice and clinical decision-making?
A. Organizing data alphabetically by body system
B. Using a problem-oriented approach that clusters data by identified health problems
[CORRECT]
C. Recording data in the sequence it was collected without organization
D. Separating subjective data from objective data without integration
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The problem-oriented approach organizes assessment data by specific health
problems or functional patterns, supporting evidence-based clinical reasoning and care planning
(Jarvis). While data should be documented sequentially during collection, the final organization
by problem facilitates analysis. Option A is inefficient for clinical reasoning. Option C lacks
organization necessary for analysis. Option D separates data types without the integration
needed for holistic understanding.
, 4
Q6. Which finding would the nurse identify as a cue rather than an inference during health
assessment?
A. The patient has poor circulation based on cold extremities
B. The patient appears anxious because of rapid speech
C. The patient's blood pressure is 168/94 mmHg [CORRECT]
D. The patient is noncompliant with the treatment regimen
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A cue is a direct, observable, and measurable piece of data, such as a blood pressure
reading of 168/94 mmHg. An inference involves interpretation or judgment based on cues.
Options A, B, and D represent inferences—interpretations of observed data rather than the raw
data itself. The blood pressure value is objective, measurable data without interpretation.
Q7. A nurse is conducting a comprehensive health assessment. Which action demonstrates the
principle of holism as described by Jarvis?
A. Focusing exclusively on the patient's presenting complaint of headache
B. Assessing the patient's physical, psychological, social, and spiritual dimensions [CORRECT]
C. Performing only a physical examination without interviewing the patient
D. Documenting findings without considering the patient's cultural background
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Holism in health assessment, as defined by Jarvis, involves viewing the patient as a
whole person with interacting physical, psychological, social, cultural, developmental, and
spiritual dimensions. Option A is reductionistic rather than holistic. Option C omits essential
subjective data collection. Option D ignores the cultural dimension of the whole person.
Physical Examination and Health Assessment
9th Edition Test Bank, Carolyn Jarvis,
2026/2027 Nursing Exam Practice Questions
with Complete Chapters 1–31.
UNIT 1: ASSESSMENT OF THE WHOLE PERSON
Chapter 1: Evidence-Based Assessment
Q1. A nurse is conducting a health assessment on a 45-year-old patient who presents with
vague abdominal discomfort. The nurse reviews current clinical practice guidelines before the
examination. Which statement best describes the purpose of evidence-based assessment in this
scenario?
A. To ensure the nurse follows institutional protocols without deviation
B. To integrate the best current research evidence with clinical expertise and patient preferences
[CORRECT]
C. To eliminate the need for clinical judgment in patient care decisions
D. To standardize all patient assessments regardless of individual variation
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Evidence-based assessment, as defined by Jarvis, involves integrating the best
available research evidence with clinical expertise and patient values/preferences. Option A is
incorrect because evidence-based practice allows for adaptation to individual patient needs.
Option C is incorrect because clinical judgment remains essential; evidence informs rather than
replaces judgment. Option D is incorrect because evidence-based practice emphasizes
individualized care, not standardization.
, 2
Q2. A nurse is preparing to assess a new patient in the emergency department. Which actions
demonstrate the application of evidence-based assessment principles? (Select all that apply)
A. Reviewing current literature on assessment techniques for the patient's presenting complaint
[CORRECT]
B. Relying solely on assessment techniques learned in nursing school 10 years ago
C. Consulting clinical practice guidelines for the patient's age group [CORRECT]
D. Considering the patient's cultural beliefs about health and illness [CORRECT]
E. Using only the assessment tools available on the unit without evaluating their validity
Correct Answers: A, C, D
Rationale: Evidence-based assessment requires staying current with literature (A), using
validated clinical guidelines (C), and incorporating patient preferences and cultural
considerations (D). Option B is incorrect because evidence-based practice requires ongoing
education and updates. Option E is incorrect because nurses must evaluate the validity and
reliability of assessment tools rather than using them uncritically.
Q3. When performing an evidence-based health assessment, the nurse recognizes that
subjective data includes which of the following?
A. Blood pressure measurement of 142/88 mmHg
B. Observation of labored breathing at 24 breaths per minute
C. Patient's statement of "crushing chest pain" [CORRECT]
D. Palpation of an enlarged liver edge 3 cm below the costal margin
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Subjective data consists of information perceived only by the affected person, such
as symptoms, feelings, and perceptions (Jarvis, Chapter 1). The patient's statement of chest pain
is subjective data. Options A, B, and D represent objective data—observable, measurable
findings obtained through physical examination or diagnostic testing.
, 3
Q4. A nursing student asks the clinical instructor about the primary purpose of the health
assessment. Which response best reflects the Jarvis textbook definition?
A. "The primary purpose is to identify pathology and diagnose disease."
B. "Health assessment establishes the database about the patient's health status, including both
normal and abnormal findings." [CORRECT]
C. "The main goal is to complete the electronic health record efficiently."
D. "Assessment is primarily performed to satisfy insurance documentation requirements."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: According to Jarvis, the purpose of health assessment is to establish a database
about the patient's health status, including both normal and abnormal findings, to identify
patient needs and plan appropriate care. Option A is too narrow; assessment includes more than
pathology identification. Options C and D represent administrative functions rather than the
clinical purpose of assessment.
Q5. A nurse is organizing data collected during a health assessment. Which organizational
framework best supports evidence-based practice and clinical decision-making?
A. Organizing data alphabetically by body system
B. Using a problem-oriented approach that clusters data by identified health problems
[CORRECT]
C. Recording data in the sequence it was collected without organization
D. Separating subjective data from objective data without integration
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The problem-oriented approach organizes assessment data by specific health
problems or functional patterns, supporting evidence-based clinical reasoning and care planning
(Jarvis). While data should be documented sequentially during collection, the final organization
by problem facilitates analysis. Option A is inefficient for clinical reasoning. Option C lacks
organization necessary for analysis. Option D separates data types without the integration
needed for holistic understanding.
, 4
Q6. Which finding would the nurse identify as a cue rather than an inference during health
assessment?
A. The patient has poor circulation based on cold extremities
B. The patient appears anxious because of rapid speech
C. The patient's blood pressure is 168/94 mmHg [CORRECT]
D. The patient is noncompliant with the treatment regimen
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A cue is a direct, observable, and measurable piece of data, such as a blood pressure
reading of 168/94 mmHg. An inference involves interpretation or judgment based on cues.
Options A, B, and D represent inferences—interpretations of observed data rather than the raw
data itself. The blood pressure value is objective, measurable data without interpretation.
Q7. A nurse is conducting a comprehensive health assessment. Which action demonstrates the
principle of holism as described by Jarvis?
A. Focusing exclusively on the patient's presenting complaint of headache
B. Assessing the patient's physical, psychological, social, and spiritual dimensions [CORRECT]
C. Performing only a physical examination without interviewing the patient
D. Documenting findings without considering the patient's cultural background
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Holism in health assessment, as defined by Jarvis, involves viewing the patient as a
whole person with interacting physical, psychological, social, cultural, developmental, and
spiritual dimensions. Option A is reductionistic rather than holistic. Option C omits essential
subjective data collection. Option D ignores the cultural dimension of the whole person.
