NSG 320 Exam 1: (Latest 2026/2027 Update) Nursing Process, Physical
Assessment, Vital Signs, & Pain | Q&A | Grade A | 100% Correct (Verified
Answers) – Nursing Program
Subject: NSG 320 – Medical-Surgical Nursing / Health Assessment
Source: NSG 320 Exam 1 Blueprint 2026/2027 Format: Q&A Guide with Rationale | Verified Grade A
1. What are the steps of the nursing process?
Correct Answer: Assessment, Analysis/Diagnosis, Planning, Implementation, Evaluation (ADPIE)
1. Assessment: collect subjective/objective data. Diagnosis: analyze data to identify problems.
2. Planning: set goals and interventions. Implementation: perform interventions. Evaluation: assess outcomes.
3. Cyclical process; revise plan based on evaluation.
2. What is the definition of a general survey?
Correct Answer: Initial observation of the patient's overall presentation and behaviors at first contact; covers
general health state and obvious physical characteristics
1. Begins when you first encounter the person (before touching).
2. Includes appearance, behavior, body structure, mobility, speech, and mood.
3. Provides baseline and guides focused assessment.
3. What is the normal adult temperature range?
Correct Answer: 98.6°F (37°C) – range varies 97-99°F
1. Fever >100.4°F (38°C); hypothermia <95°F (35°C).
2. Influenced by time of day (morning lower), age, activity, hormones, environment.
3. Measurement sites: oral, axillary (lowest), rectal (highest), tympanic, temporal.
4. What is the normal adult pulse rate range?
Correct Answer: 60-100 bpm
1. Tachycardia >100 bpm (causes: fever, pain, hypovolemia, hypoxia, exercise, medications).
2. Bradycardia <60 bpm (causes: hypothermia, beta-blockers, athletes, sleep).
3. Assess rate (bpm), rhythm (regular/irregular), strength (bounding/weak).
5. What is the normal adult respiratory rate range?
Correct Answer: 12-20 breaths per minute
1. Tachypnea >20/min (pain, fever, shock, pulmonary disease).
2. Bradypnea <12/min (drugs, metabolic disorder, head injury, sleep).
3. Respiratory rate is the earliest indicator of patient deterioration.
6. What is the normal adult blood pressure range?
Correct Answer: 120/80 mmHg (normal)
1. Hypotension: systolic <90 mmHg (blood loss, dehydration, shock).
2. Elevated BP: 120-129/<80; Stage 1 HTN: 130-139/80-89; Stage 2: ≥140/90.
3. Hypertensive crisis: >180 and/or >120 (requires immediate treatment).
Assessment, Vital Signs, & Pain | Q&A | Grade A | 100% Correct (Verified
Answers) – Nursing Program
Subject: NSG 320 – Medical-Surgical Nursing / Health Assessment
Source: NSG 320 Exam 1 Blueprint 2026/2027 Format: Q&A Guide with Rationale | Verified Grade A
1. What are the steps of the nursing process?
Correct Answer: Assessment, Analysis/Diagnosis, Planning, Implementation, Evaluation (ADPIE)
1. Assessment: collect subjective/objective data. Diagnosis: analyze data to identify problems.
2. Planning: set goals and interventions. Implementation: perform interventions. Evaluation: assess outcomes.
3. Cyclical process; revise plan based on evaluation.
2. What is the definition of a general survey?
Correct Answer: Initial observation of the patient's overall presentation and behaviors at first contact; covers
general health state and obvious physical characteristics
1. Begins when you first encounter the person (before touching).
2. Includes appearance, behavior, body structure, mobility, speech, and mood.
3. Provides baseline and guides focused assessment.
3. What is the normal adult temperature range?
Correct Answer: 98.6°F (37°C) – range varies 97-99°F
1. Fever >100.4°F (38°C); hypothermia <95°F (35°C).
2. Influenced by time of day (morning lower), age, activity, hormones, environment.
3. Measurement sites: oral, axillary (lowest), rectal (highest), tympanic, temporal.
4. What is the normal adult pulse rate range?
Correct Answer: 60-100 bpm
1. Tachycardia >100 bpm (causes: fever, pain, hypovolemia, hypoxia, exercise, medications).
2. Bradycardia <60 bpm (causes: hypothermia, beta-blockers, athletes, sleep).
3. Assess rate (bpm), rhythm (regular/irregular), strength (bounding/weak).
5. What is the normal adult respiratory rate range?
Correct Answer: 12-20 breaths per minute
1. Tachypnea >20/min (pain, fever, shock, pulmonary disease).
2. Bradypnea <12/min (drugs, metabolic disorder, head injury, sleep).
3. Respiratory rate is the earliest indicator of patient deterioration.
6. What is the normal adult blood pressure range?
Correct Answer: 120/80 mmHg (normal)
1. Hypotension: systolic <90 mmHg (blood loss, dehydration, shock).
2. Elevated BP: 120-129/<80; Stage 1 HTN: 130-139/80-89; Stage 2: ≥140/90.
3. Hypertensive crisis: >180 and/or >120 (requires immediate treatment).
