NR 305 Health Assessment Exam 1 Study Guide 2026 |Chamberlain
College
1. Which of the following is considered subjective data?
A. The patient complains of a throbbing headache
B. The patient’s blood pressure is 140/90 mmHg
C. The nurse observes the patient grimacing
D. The patient’s heart rate is 88 beats per minute
Answer: A
Rationale: Subjective data consists of information provided by the patient that cannot be
directly observed or measured by the nurse, such as pain or feelings.
2. What is the primary purpose of the health interview?
A. To establish a therapeutic relationship and gather subjective data
B. To perform a physical examination
C. To document the patient’s insurance information
D. To prescribe medications for the patient’s symptoms
Answer: A
Rationale: The interview is a conversation with a purpose to improve the well-being of the
patient by establishing a rapport and collecting a health history.
,3. During an interview, the nurse asks, ‘Can you tell me more about your
shortness of breath?’ This is an example of:
A. A closed-ended question
B. A leading question
C. An open-ended question
D. A judgmental statement
Answer: C
Rationale: Open-ended questions encourage the patient to provide a narrative and
detailed response rather than a simple yes or no.
4. When assessing an adult’s abdomen, what is the correct sequence of physical
examination techniques?
A. Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion, Palpation
B. Auscultation, Inspection, Palpation, Percussion
C. Inspection, Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation
D. Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation, Inspection
Answer: A
Rationale: For the abdomen, auscultation is performed before percussion and palpation to
avoid altering bowel sounds.
5. Which part of the hand is best suited for assessing skin temperature?
A. The fingertips
B. The palmar surface
C. The dorsal surface (back of the hand)
D. The ulnar surface
Answer: C
Rationale: The dorsal surface of the hand is thinner and more sensitive to temperature
changes than the palms or fingertips.
, 6. The nurse is assessing a patient’s radial pulse and notes the rhythm is
irregular. What is the next best action?
A. Auscultate the apical pulse for 1 full minute
B. Check the pulse again for 15 seconds and multiply by 4
C. Document the finding as normal
D. Assess the carotid pulse for 30 seconds
Answer: A
Rationale: If a peripheral pulse is irregular, the apical pulse should be counted for a full
minute to ensure accuracy.
7. A patient’s blood pressure is 118/76 mmHg. What is the pulse pressure?
A. 118
B. 76
C. 194
D. 42
Answer: D
Rationale: Pulse pressure is the difference between the systolic and diastolic blood
pressure (118 - 76 = 42).
8. Which assessment technique involves tapping the patient’s skin with short,
sharp strokes to assess underlying structures?
A. Inspection
B. Palpation
C. Percussion
D. Auscultation
Answer: C
Rationale: Percussion produces vibrations and sounds that help determine the location,
size, and density of organs.
College
1. Which of the following is considered subjective data?
A. The patient complains of a throbbing headache
B. The patient’s blood pressure is 140/90 mmHg
C. The nurse observes the patient grimacing
D. The patient’s heart rate is 88 beats per minute
Answer: A
Rationale: Subjective data consists of information provided by the patient that cannot be
directly observed or measured by the nurse, such as pain or feelings.
2. What is the primary purpose of the health interview?
A. To establish a therapeutic relationship and gather subjective data
B. To perform a physical examination
C. To document the patient’s insurance information
D. To prescribe medications for the patient’s symptoms
Answer: A
Rationale: The interview is a conversation with a purpose to improve the well-being of the
patient by establishing a rapport and collecting a health history.
,3. During an interview, the nurse asks, ‘Can you tell me more about your
shortness of breath?’ This is an example of:
A. A closed-ended question
B. A leading question
C. An open-ended question
D. A judgmental statement
Answer: C
Rationale: Open-ended questions encourage the patient to provide a narrative and
detailed response rather than a simple yes or no.
4. When assessing an adult’s abdomen, what is the correct sequence of physical
examination techniques?
A. Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion, Palpation
B. Auscultation, Inspection, Palpation, Percussion
C. Inspection, Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation
D. Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation, Inspection
Answer: A
Rationale: For the abdomen, auscultation is performed before percussion and palpation to
avoid altering bowel sounds.
5. Which part of the hand is best suited for assessing skin temperature?
A. The fingertips
B. The palmar surface
C. The dorsal surface (back of the hand)
D. The ulnar surface
Answer: C
Rationale: The dorsal surface of the hand is thinner and more sensitive to temperature
changes than the palms or fingertips.
, 6. The nurse is assessing a patient’s radial pulse and notes the rhythm is
irregular. What is the next best action?
A. Auscultate the apical pulse for 1 full minute
B. Check the pulse again for 15 seconds and multiply by 4
C. Document the finding as normal
D. Assess the carotid pulse for 30 seconds
Answer: A
Rationale: If a peripheral pulse is irregular, the apical pulse should be counted for a full
minute to ensure accuracy.
7. A patient’s blood pressure is 118/76 mmHg. What is the pulse pressure?
A. 118
B. 76
C. 194
D. 42
Answer: D
Rationale: Pulse pressure is the difference between the systolic and diastolic blood
pressure (118 - 76 = 42).
8. Which assessment technique involves tapping the patient’s skin with short,
sharp strokes to assess underlying structures?
A. Inspection
B. Palpation
C. Percussion
D. Auscultation
Answer: C
Rationale: Percussion produces vibrations and sounds that help determine the location,
size, and density of organs.
