PHYSICAL ASSESSMENT EXAM 1
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2026
VERIFIED.
What is the difference in subjective and objective data? - ANS subjective- what the person
says about herself or himself during history taking
Objective- what you as the health professional observe during the examination
What is Diagnostic reasoning? - ANS The process of analyzing health data and drawing
conclusions to identify diagnosis
What are the four major components of deductive reasoning? - ANS 1) attending to initially
available cues 2) formulating diagnostic hypothesis 3) gathering data relative to the tentative
hypothesis 4) evaluating each hypothesis with the new data collected, thus arriving at a final
diagnosis
What are the six phases in nursing process? - ANS assessment, diagnosis, outcome
identification, planning, implementation, evaluation
What are the main objectives in "assessment"? - ANS Collect data (health history), use
evidence-based assessment techniques, and document relevant data
,What are the main objectives in "diagnosis"? - ANS Compare clinical findings with normal
and abnormal variation and developmental events, Interpret data (make and test hypothesis),
validate diagnosis, document diagnosis
What are the main objectives in "outcome identification"? - ANS Individualize to the person,
culturally appropriate, realistic and measurable, and include a timeline
What are the main objectives in "planning"? - ANS Establish priorities, develop and set
timeline for outcomes, identify interventions, Integrate evidence-based trends and research,
and document plan of care
What are the main objectives in "implementation"? - ANS Implement in a safe and timely
manner, use evidence- based interventions, collaborate with colleagues, coordinate care
delivery, provide health teaching and promotion, and document implementation and any
modification
What are the main objectives in "evaluation"? - ANS Progress towards outcomes, conduct
systematic, ongoing criterion-based evaluation, include patient and significant others, use
ongoing assessment to revise diagnosis, outcomes, plan, and disseminate results to patient and
family
What are examples of first-level priority problems? - ANS life-threatening, emergent, and
immediate. Example: establishing an airway or supporting breathing. "ABC plus V" A-airway, B-
breathing problems, C-cardiac/ circulation problems, V- vital sign concerns
What are examples of second- level priority problems? - ANS Next in urgency. Example: risks
of infection, get blood drawn for labs, in case there is another problem to address, mental
status change
What are examples of third-level priority problems? - ANS Important to the patient's health
but can be addressed after more urgent health problems are addressed. Example: changing bed
sheets that are somewhat dirty
,What are examples of collaborative problems? - ANS The approach to treatment involves
multiple disciplines. Example: Patient with alcohol-use disorder presents to the hospital for
unrelated surgery and experiences sudden alcohol withdrawal symptoms
What are the two steps for identifying immediate priorities? - ANS 1) make a complete list of
current medications, medical problems, allergies, and reason for seeking care 2) Determine the
relationships among the problems
What is evidence-based practice? (EBP) - ANS Systematic approach to practice that
emphasizes the use of best evidence in combination with the clinician's experience, as well as
the patient's preferences and values, to make decisions about care and treatment
What are the four types of data to collect? - ANS Complete (total health) database- complete
health history and a full physical examination, Focused or problem-centered database- for short
term problem and is more focused than the complete database, Follow-up database- evaluate
any identified problem, Emergency database- urgent, rapid collection of crucial information
What is holistic health? - ANS Consideration of the whole person. Views the mind, body, and
spirit as independent and functioning as a whole within the environment
What are the principles of critical thinking? - ANS Proceed though sequential steps from
novice to expert- incorporation of experience provides foundation for development of clinical
practice, Utilize a multidimensional thinking approach to interpret data- use an organized,
systematic assessment format, Validate and confirm findings based on a non judgmental
interpretation of data- check and corroborate accuracy and reliability of data, Cluster data
information to support evidence as well as rule out inconsistent clinical findings in terms of
differential diagnosis- distinguish relevant signs and symptoms
How often should you assess patients? - ANS Interval of assessment varies with illness and
wellness plans
What is included in routine periodic- examination? - ANS Screening history for dietary intake,
physical activity, tobacco/alcohol/drug use, and sexual practices. Counseling for injury
prevention, substance use, sexual behavior, diet and exercise, and dental health. Immuzations.
Chemo prophylaxis for multivitamin with folic acid for females capable of or planning pregnancy
, When should assessment intervals take place for well people? - ANS Annual routine physical
examination cannot be recommended for all persons because health priorities vary among
individuals, age groups, and risk categories
Are age- specific charts useful for periodic health examination? - ANS Age specific charts are
a positive way to approach health assessment. It defines lifetime schedule of health care,
organized into packages for four specific age groups. It focuses on major risk factors specific for
each age group based on lifestyle, health needs, and problems
What is acculturation? - ANS The process of social and psychological exchanges that take
place when there are ongoing encounters between individuals of different cultures, with
subsequent changes in either or both groups.
What are the three different beliefs about causes of illness? - ANS Biomedical- assumes that
all events in life have a cause and effect, that the human body functions more or less
mechanically, that all life can be reduced or divided into smaller parts, and that all of reality can
be observed and measured.
Naturalistic- Holistic perspective, found in people who believe that human life is only one aspect
of nature and a part of the general order of the cosmos.
Magicoreligious- That the world is an arena in which supernatural forces dominate.
(voodoo/witchcraft)
Why is washing your hands so important? - ANS It is the single most important step to
decrease microorganism transmission. Foam in and Foam out is a good step to remember but it
will not replace hand washing for C. Difficile and E. Coli
When should you was your hands? - ANS Before and after physical contact with each patient,
after inadvertent contact with blood, body fluids, secretions, and excretions, after contact with
any equipment contaminated with body fluids, and after removing gloves
When should you wear gloves? - ANS When potential exists for contact with any body fluids,
like blood, mucous membranes, drainage, and open skin lesions
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2026
VERIFIED.
What is the difference in subjective and objective data? - ANS subjective- what the person
says about herself or himself during history taking
Objective- what you as the health professional observe during the examination
What is Diagnostic reasoning? - ANS The process of analyzing health data and drawing
conclusions to identify diagnosis
What are the four major components of deductive reasoning? - ANS 1) attending to initially
available cues 2) formulating diagnostic hypothesis 3) gathering data relative to the tentative
hypothesis 4) evaluating each hypothesis with the new data collected, thus arriving at a final
diagnosis
What are the six phases in nursing process? - ANS assessment, diagnosis, outcome
identification, planning, implementation, evaluation
What are the main objectives in "assessment"? - ANS Collect data (health history), use
evidence-based assessment techniques, and document relevant data
,What are the main objectives in "diagnosis"? - ANS Compare clinical findings with normal
and abnormal variation and developmental events, Interpret data (make and test hypothesis),
validate diagnosis, document diagnosis
What are the main objectives in "outcome identification"? - ANS Individualize to the person,
culturally appropriate, realistic and measurable, and include a timeline
What are the main objectives in "planning"? - ANS Establish priorities, develop and set
timeline for outcomes, identify interventions, Integrate evidence-based trends and research,
and document plan of care
What are the main objectives in "implementation"? - ANS Implement in a safe and timely
manner, use evidence- based interventions, collaborate with colleagues, coordinate care
delivery, provide health teaching and promotion, and document implementation and any
modification
What are the main objectives in "evaluation"? - ANS Progress towards outcomes, conduct
systematic, ongoing criterion-based evaluation, include patient and significant others, use
ongoing assessment to revise diagnosis, outcomes, plan, and disseminate results to patient and
family
What are examples of first-level priority problems? - ANS life-threatening, emergent, and
immediate. Example: establishing an airway or supporting breathing. "ABC plus V" A-airway, B-
breathing problems, C-cardiac/ circulation problems, V- vital sign concerns
What are examples of second- level priority problems? - ANS Next in urgency. Example: risks
of infection, get blood drawn for labs, in case there is another problem to address, mental
status change
What are examples of third-level priority problems? - ANS Important to the patient's health
but can be addressed after more urgent health problems are addressed. Example: changing bed
sheets that are somewhat dirty
,What are examples of collaborative problems? - ANS The approach to treatment involves
multiple disciplines. Example: Patient with alcohol-use disorder presents to the hospital for
unrelated surgery and experiences sudden alcohol withdrawal symptoms
What are the two steps for identifying immediate priorities? - ANS 1) make a complete list of
current medications, medical problems, allergies, and reason for seeking care 2) Determine the
relationships among the problems
What is evidence-based practice? (EBP) - ANS Systematic approach to practice that
emphasizes the use of best evidence in combination with the clinician's experience, as well as
the patient's preferences and values, to make decisions about care and treatment
What are the four types of data to collect? - ANS Complete (total health) database- complete
health history and a full physical examination, Focused or problem-centered database- for short
term problem and is more focused than the complete database, Follow-up database- evaluate
any identified problem, Emergency database- urgent, rapid collection of crucial information
What is holistic health? - ANS Consideration of the whole person. Views the mind, body, and
spirit as independent and functioning as a whole within the environment
What are the principles of critical thinking? - ANS Proceed though sequential steps from
novice to expert- incorporation of experience provides foundation for development of clinical
practice, Utilize a multidimensional thinking approach to interpret data- use an organized,
systematic assessment format, Validate and confirm findings based on a non judgmental
interpretation of data- check and corroborate accuracy and reliability of data, Cluster data
information to support evidence as well as rule out inconsistent clinical findings in terms of
differential diagnosis- distinguish relevant signs and symptoms
How often should you assess patients? - ANS Interval of assessment varies with illness and
wellness plans
What is included in routine periodic- examination? - ANS Screening history for dietary intake,
physical activity, tobacco/alcohol/drug use, and sexual practices. Counseling for injury
prevention, substance use, sexual behavior, diet and exercise, and dental health. Immuzations.
Chemo prophylaxis for multivitamin with folic acid for females capable of or planning pregnancy
, When should assessment intervals take place for well people? - ANS Annual routine physical
examination cannot be recommended for all persons because health priorities vary among
individuals, age groups, and risk categories
Are age- specific charts useful for periodic health examination? - ANS Age specific charts are
a positive way to approach health assessment. It defines lifetime schedule of health care,
organized into packages for four specific age groups. It focuses on major risk factors specific for
each age group based on lifestyle, health needs, and problems
What is acculturation? - ANS The process of social and psychological exchanges that take
place when there are ongoing encounters between individuals of different cultures, with
subsequent changes in either or both groups.
What are the three different beliefs about causes of illness? - ANS Biomedical- assumes that
all events in life have a cause and effect, that the human body functions more or less
mechanically, that all life can be reduced or divided into smaller parts, and that all of reality can
be observed and measured.
Naturalistic- Holistic perspective, found in people who believe that human life is only one aspect
of nature and a part of the general order of the cosmos.
Magicoreligious- That the world is an arena in which supernatural forces dominate.
(voodoo/witchcraft)
Why is washing your hands so important? - ANS It is the single most important step to
decrease microorganism transmission. Foam in and Foam out is a good step to remember but it
will not replace hand washing for C. Difficile and E. Coli
When should you was your hands? - ANS Before and after physical contact with each patient,
after inadvertent contact with blood, body fluids, secretions, and excretions, after contact with
any equipment contaminated with body fluids, and after removing gloves
When should you wear gloves? - ANS When potential exists for contact with any body fluids,
like blood, mucous membranes, drainage, and open skin lesions
