NSG3160 | NSG3160 Health Assessment Exam 1
Version 3 | Questions with Correct Answers and
Expert Explanation for Each Question | Galen
1. Which of the following techniques is most effective when initiating a health history
interview to encourage the patient to provide a detailed narrative?
A. Using closed-ended questions for efficiency
B. Interrupting frequently to clarify points
C. Asking multiple-choice questions
D. Utilizing open-ended questions
Correct Answer: D
Expert Explanation: Open-ended questions allow patients to express their
concerns in their own words and provide more context. This technique fosters a
collaborative relationship between the nurse and the patient during the initial
phase. Closed-ended questions are better suited for specific facts but may limit the
depth of information shared. Effective communication is a cornerstone of a
comprehensive health assessment in nursing practice. By using this approach, the
nurse can gather subjective data that might otherwise be missed.
2. A patient reports feeling ‘dizzy and lightheaded’ upon standing. Which type of
assessment data does this represent?
A. Subjective data
,B. Secondary data
C. Objective data
D. Inferred data
Correct Answer: A
Expert Explanation: Subjective data consists of information that the patient
reports and cannot be directly measured by the nurse. Symptoms like dizziness,
pain, and nausea fall into this category because they are personal experiences.
Objective data, on the other hand, includes measurable signs like blood pressure or
heart rate. The nurse must document these findings accurately to ensure a complete
health history. Understanding the difference between subjective and objective
findings is vital for clinical reasoning.
3. When assessing a patient’s pulse, the nurse notes that it is irregular and records a
rate of 92 beats per minute. This information is considered:
A. Subjective data
B. Primary narrative
C. Objective data
D. Historical data
Correct Answer: C
,Expert Explanation: Objective data is characterized by findings that are observable
and measurable by the healthcare provider. In this case, the pulse rate and rhythm
are physical findings obtained through palpation or technology. This data serves as
a factual basis for the physical assessment and diagnostic process. Unlike subjective
data, objective data is not influenced by the patient’s personal perception of the
condition. Consistent data collection ensures that clinical decisions are based on
verifiable evidence.
4. During an assessment, the nurse prioritizes which patient condition based on the
‘ABC’ framework?
A. A patient exhibiting stridor and difficulty breathing
B. A patient with a fractured ankle
C. A patient complaining of severe abdominal pain
D. A patient requesting discharge instructions
Correct Answer: A
Expert Explanation: Prioritization in nursing often follows the ABC framework,
which stands for Airway, Breathing, and Circulation. Stridor and difficulty breathing
indicate a life-threatening airway or respiratory issue that requires immediate
intervention. Pain and fractures are significant but generally rank lower in
immediate priority than respiratory distress. Discharge instructions are a low-
, priority task compared to acute physiological instability. The nurse must use clinical
reasoning to manage multiple patient needs effectively.
5. Which component of the health history includes a systematic inquiry about the
health status of each body system?
A. Chief Complaint
B. Review of Systems
C. History of Present Illness
D. Functional Assessment
Correct Answer: B
Expert Explanation: The Review of Systems (ROS) is a subjective head-to-toe
evaluation of all body systems. Its purpose is to identify symptoms the patient may
have overlooked or omitted in the history of present illness. During the ROS, the
nurse asks specific questions about each system to uncover potential health issues.
This process helps ensure that the assessment is comprehensive and that no vital
information is missed. It is important to remember that the ROS is based on patient
reports, not physical examination.
6. The nurse is interviewing a patient from a different cultural background. Which
action demonstrates cultural competence?
A. Applying common stereotypes to predict patient behavior
Version 3 | Questions with Correct Answers and
Expert Explanation for Each Question | Galen
1. Which of the following techniques is most effective when initiating a health history
interview to encourage the patient to provide a detailed narrative?
A. Using closed-ended questions for efficiency
B. Interrupting frequently to clarify points
C. Asking multiple-choice questions
D. Utilizing open-ended questions
Correct Answer: D
Expert Explanation: Open-ended questions allow patients to express their
concerns in their own words and provide more context. This technique fosters a
collaborative relationship between the nurse and the patient during the initial
phase. Closed-ended questions are better suited for specific facts but may limit the
depth of information shared. Effective communication is a cornerstone of a
comprehensive health assessment in nursing practice. By using this approach, the
nurse can gather subjective data that might otherwise be missed.
2. A patient reports feeling ‘dizzy and lightheaded’ upon standing. Which type of
assessment data does this represent?
A. Subjective data
,B. Secondary data
C. Objective data
D. Inferred data
Correct Answer: A
Expert Explanation: Subjective data consists of information that the patient
reports and cannot be directly measured by the nurse. Symptoms like dizziness,
pain, and nausea fall into this category because they are personal experiences.
Objective data, on the other hand, includes measurable signs like blood pressure or
heart rate. The nurse must document these findings accurately to ensure a complete
health history. Understanding the difference between subjective and objective
findings is vital for clinical reasoning.
3. When assessing a patient’s pulse, the nurse notes that it is irregular and records a
rate of 92 beats per minute. This information is considered:
A. Subjective data
B. Primary narrative
C. Objective data
D. Historical data
Correct Answer: C
,Expert Explanation: Objective data is characterized by findings that are observable
and measurable by the healthcare provider. In this case, the pulse rate and rhythm
are physical findings obtained through palpation or technology. This data serves as
a factual basis for the physical assessment and diagnostic process. Unlike subjective
data, objective data is not influenced by the patient’s personal perception of the
condition. Consistent data collection ensures that clinical decisions are based on
verifiable evidence.
4. During an assessment, the nurse prioritizes which patient condition based on the
‘ABC’ framework?
A. A patient exhibiting stridor and difficulty breathing
B. A patient with a fractured ankle
C. A patient complaining of severe abdominal pain
D. A patient requesting discharge instructions
Correct Answer: A
Expert Explanation: Prioritization in nursing often follows the ABC framework,
which stands for Airway, Breathing, and Circulation. Stridor and difficulty breathing
indicate a life-threatening airway or respiratory issue that requires immediate
intervention. Pain and fractures are significant but generally rank lower in
immediate priority than respiratory distress. Discharge instructions are a low-
, priority task compared to acute physiological instability. The nurse must use clinical
reasoning to manage multiple patient needs effectively.
5. Which component of the health history includes a systematic inquiry about the
health status of each body system?
A. Chief Complaint
B. Review of Systems
C. History of Present Illness
D. Functional Assessment
Correct Answer: B
Expert Explanation: The Review of Systems (ROS) is a subjective head-to-toe
evaluation of all body systems. Its purpose is to identify symptoms the patient may
have overlooked or omitted in the history of present illness. During the ROS, the
nurse asks specific questions about each system to uncover potential health issues.
This process helps ensure that the assessment is comprehensive and that no vital
information is missed. It is important to remember that the ROS is based on patient
reports, not physical examination.
6. The nurse is interviewing a patient from a different cultural background. Which
action demonstrates cultural competence?
A. Applying common stereotypes to predict patient behavior
