NR 305 Health Assessment Exam 9 Study Guide 2026 |Chamberlain
College
1. When conducting a health assessment, which of the following is considered
subjective data?
A. A patient’s blood pressure of 140/90 mmHg
B. The presence of edema in the lower extremities
C. A patient’s report of a throbbing headache
D. A visible skin rash on the patient’s forearm
Answer: C
Rationale: Subjective data are what the patient says or feels, such as pain or symptoms.
Objective data are observable or measurable findings by the nurse.
2. What is the correct sequence for assessing the abdomen?
A. Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation, Inspection
B. Inspection, Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation
C. Auscultation, Inspection, Palpation, Percussion
D. Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion, Palpation
Answer: D
Rationale: Auscultation is performed before percussion and palpation in the abdominal
assessment to avoid stimulating bowel sounds and causing false findings.
,3. When assessing skin turgor in an elderly patient, where is the most reliable
location to check?
A. The back of the hand
B. Over the sternum or below the clavicle
C. The forearm
D. The abdomen
Answer: B
Rationale: In older adults, skin on the hands and arms loses elasticity; the sternum or
clavicle area provides a more accurate assessment of hydration status.
4. Which heart sound is caused by the closure of the atrioventricular (mitral and
tricuspid) valves?
A. S3
B. S2
C. S1
D. S4
Answer: C
Rationale: S1, the ‘lub’ sound, marks the beginning of systole and is caused by the closure
of the AV valves.
5. A nurse observes a patient’s fingernails and notes the angle of the nail base is
180 degrees. This finding is known as:
A. Clubbing
B. Paronychia
C. Koilonychia
D. Beau’s lines
Answer: A
Rationale: Clubbing occurs when the nail base angle exceeds 160 degrees (often reaching
180 or more), usually due to chronic hypoxia.
, 6. Which cranial nerve is responsible for visual acuity?
A. Cranial Nerve I
B. Cranial Nerve III
C. Cranial Nerve II
D. Cranial Nerve IV
Answer: C
Rationale: Cranial Nerve II (Optic) is responsible for vision and is tested using a Snellen
chart.
7. While auscultating the lungs, the nurse hears low-pitched, bubbling sounds
that clear with coughing. These are:
A. Wheezes
B. Coarse crackles
C. Pleural friction rubs
D. Stridor
Answer: B
Rationale: Coarse crackles are discontinuous, moist, low-pitched sounds caused by airflow
through mucus, which may change or clear after coughing.
8. To assess for jaundice in a dark-skinned patient, the nurse should inspect the:
A. Palms of the hands
B. Sclera and hard palate
C. Abdomen
D. Nail beds
Answer: B
Rationale: Jaundice is best observed in the sclera and the hard palate in individuals with
darker skin tones.
College
1. When conducting a health assessment, which of the following is considered
subjective data?
A. A patient’s blood pressure of 140/90 mmHg
B. The presence of edema in the lower extremities
C. A patient’s report of a throbbing headache
D. A visible skin rash on the patient’s forearm
Answer: C
Rationale: Subjective data are what the patient says or feels, such as pain or symptoms.
Objective data are observable or measurable findings by the nurse.
2. What is the correct sequence for assessing the abdomen?
A. Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation, Inspection
B. Inspection, Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation
C. Auscultation, Inspection, Palpation, Percussion
D. Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion, Palpation
Answer: D
Rationale: Auscultation is performed before percussion and palpation in the abdominal
assessment to avoid stimulating bowel sounds and causing false findings.
,3. When assessing skin turgor in an elderly patient, where is the most reliable
location to check?
A. The back of the hand
B. Over the sternum or below the clavicle
C. The forearm
D. The abdomen
Answer: B
Rationale: In older adults, skin on the hands and arms loses elasticity; the sternum or
clavicle area provides a more accurate assessment of hydration status.
4. Which heart sound is caused by the closure of the atrioventricular (mitral and
tricuspid) valves?
A. S3
B. S2
C. S1
D. S4
Answer: C
Rationale: S1, the ‘lub’ sound, marks the beginning of systole and is caused by the closure
of the AV valves.
5. A nurse observes a patient’s fingernails and notes the angle of the nail base is
180 degrees. This finding is known as:
A. Clubbing
B. Paronychia
C. Koilonychia
D. Beau’s lines
Answer: A
Rationale: Clubbing occurs when the nail base angle exceeds 160 degrees (often reaching
180 or more), usually due to chronic hypoxia.
, 6. Which cranial nerve is responsible for visual acuity?
A. Cranial Nerve I
B. Cranial Nerve III
C. Cranial Nerve II
D. Cranial Nerve IV
Answer: C
Rationale: Cranial Nerve II (Optic) is responsible for vision and is tested using a Snellen
chart.
7. While auscultating the lungs, the nurse hears low-pitched, bubbling sounds
that clear with coughing. These are:
A. Wheezes
B. Coarse crackles
C. Pleural friction rubs
D. Stridor
Answer: B
Rationale: Coarse crackles are discontinuous, moist, low-pitched sounds caused by airflow
through mucus, which may change or clear after coughing.
8. To assess for jaundice in a dark-skinned patient, the nurse should inspect the:
A. Palms of the hands
B. Sclera and hard palate
C. Abdomen
D. Nail beds
Answer: B
Rationale: Jaundice is best observed in the sclera and the hard palate in individuals with
darker skin tones.
