WGU D443 HEALTH ASSESSMENT OA EXAM
2026/2027 | ACTUAL EXAM QUESTIONS &
VERIFIED ANSWERS WITH DETAILED
RATIONALES | EXPERT REVIEWED STUDY
GUIDE | LATEST UPDATE | INSTANT
DOWNLOAD PDF
WGU D443 HEALTH ASSESSMENT OA EXAM 2026/2027
• This study guide contains 200 expertly reviewed multiple-choice questions with
verified answers and detailed EXPERT RATIONALE to prepare you thoroughly for
the WGU D443 Health Assessment OA Exam.
• Read each question carefully, attempt your answer before revealing the correct
option, and use the EXPERT RATIONALE to reinforce your clinical reasoning and
understanding.
QUESTION 1
A nurse is performing a health history on a new patient. Which component of
the health history is the nurse collecting when asking about the patient's
smoking habits?
A. Past medical history
B. Review of systems
C. Family history
D. Functional assessment
E. Personal and social history
Correct Answer: E. Personal and social history
EXPERT RATIONALE: Personal and social history includes lifestyle habits such as
smoking, alcohol use, recreational drug use, diet, exercise, and occupation. These
factors directly influence health and are essential components of a comprehensive
health history.
,QUESTION 2
A nurse assesses a patient's skin and notes it is yellow-tinged. Which term
best describes this finding?
A. Cyanosis
B. Pallor
C. Erythema
D. Vitiligo
E. Jaundice
Correct Answer: E. Jaundice
EXPERT RATIONALE: Jaundice refers to a yellow discoloration of the skin, sclera,
and mucous membranes caused by elevated bilirubin levels, commonly associated
with liver disease, hemolysis, or bile duct obstruction.
QUESTION 3
When assessing a patient's level of consciousness, the nurse uses the Glasgow
Coma Scale (GCS). Which three areas does this scale assess?
A. Pupil reaction, motor response, verbal response
B. Eye opening, respiratory rate, verbal response
C. Eye opening, verbal response, motor response
D. Pupil reaction, eye opening, reflexes
E. Cognition, reflexes, motor response
Correct Answer: C. Eye opening, verbal response, motor response
EXPERT RATIONALE: The Glasgow Coma Scale assesses three components: eye
opening (scored 1–4), verbal response (scored 1–5), and motor response (scored 1–
6), with a maximum score of 15 indicating full consciousness.
,QUESTION 4
A nurse is auscultating a patient's heart and hears an extra sound just after
S2. What is this sound most likely?
A. S1
B. Friction rub
C. Murmur
D. S3
E. Split S2
Correct Answer: D. S3
EXPERT RATIONALE: S3 is a low-pitched sound heard just after S2 during early
diastole. It is associated with ventricular filling and is often a sign of heart failure or
volume overload in adults over 40 years of age.
QUESTION 5
During a respiratory assessment, the nurse notes that a patient's trachea is
deviated to the left. Which condition should the nurse suspect?
A. Asthma
B. Bilateral pneumonia
C. Right-sided tension pneumothorax
D. Left pleural effusion
E. Pulmonary edema
Correct Answer: C. Right-sided tension pneumothorax
EXPERT RATIONALE: A tension pneumothorax causes increased pressure in the
affected hemithorax, pushing the trachea and mediastinal structures toward the
, opposite (contralateral) side. A right-sided tension pneumothorax would deviate
the trachea to the left.
QUESTION 6
The nurse is assessing a patient's cranial nerve II (optic nerve). Which
technique is most appropriate?
A. Assessing facial sensation
B. Testing the gag reflex
C. Checking the patient's hearing
D. Testing visual acuity with a Snellen chart
E. Evaluating extraocular movements
Correct Answer: D. Testing visual acuity with a Snellen chart
EXPERT RATIONALE: Cranial nerve II (optic nerve) is responsible for vision. Testing
visual acuity using a Snellen chart is the standard method to assess the integrity of
the optic nerve.
QUESTION 7
A nurse is performing a breast assessment on a female patient. Which
position best allows for assessment of breast symmetry and skin changes?
A. Supine with arms at sides
B. Prone with arms overhead
C. Sitting upright with arms at sides, then raised overhead
D. Lateral recumbent position
E. Standing with hands on hips only
Correct Answer: C. Sitting upright with arms at sides, then raised overhead
2026/2027 | ACTUAL EXAM QUESTIONS &
VERIFIED ANSWERS WITH DETAILED
RATIONALES | EXPERT REVIEWED STUDY
GUIDE | LATEST UPDATE | INSTANT
DOWNLOAD PDF
WGU D443 HEALTH ASSESSMENT OA EXAM 2026/2027
• This study guide contains 200 expertly reviewed multiple-choice questions with
verified answers and detailed EXPERT RATIONALE to prepare you thoroughly for
the WGU D443 Health Assessment OA Exam.
• Read each question carefully, attempt your answer before revealing the correct
option, and use the EXPERT RATIONALE to reinforce your clinical reasoning and
understanding.
QUESTION 1
A nurse is performing a health history on a new patient. Which component of
the health history is the nurse collecting when asking about the patient's
smoking habits?
A. Past medical history
B. Review of systems
C. Family history
D. Functional assessment
E. Personal and social history
Correct Answer: E. Personal and social history
EXPERT RATIONALE: Personal and social history includes lifestyle habits such as
smoking, alcohol use, recreational drug use, diet, exercise, and occupation. These
factors directly influence health and are essential components of a comprehensive
health history.
,QUESTION 2
A nurse assesses a patient's skin and notes it is yellow-tinged. Which term
best describes this finding?
A. Cyanosis
B. Pallor
C. Erythema
D. Vitiligo
E. Jaundice
Correct Answer: E. Jaundice
EXPERT RATIONALE: Jaundice refers to a yellow discoloration of the skin, sclera,
and mucous membranes caused by elevated bilirubin levels, commonly associated
with liver disease, hemolysis, or bile duct obstruction.
QUESTION 3
When assessing a patient's level of consciousness, the nurse uses the Glasgow
Coma Scale (GCS). Which three areas does this scale assess?
A. Pupil reaction, motor response, verbal response
B. Eye opening, respiratory rate, verbal response
C. Eye opening, verbal response, motor response
D. Pupil reaction, eye opening, reflexes
E. Cognition, reflexes, motor response
Correct Answer: C. Eye opening, verbal response, motor response
EXPERT RATIONALE: The Glasgow Coma Scale assesses three components: eye
opening (scored 1–4), verbal response (scored 1–5), and motor response (scored 1–
6), with a maximum score of 15 indicating full consciousness.
,QUESTION 4
A nurse is auscultating a patient's heart and hears an extra sound just after
S2. What is this sound most likely?
A. S1
B. Friction rub
C. Murmur
D. S3
E. Split S2
Correct Answer: D. S3
EXPERT RATIONALE: S3 is a low-pitched sound heard just after S2 during early
diastole. It is associated with ventricular filling and is often a sign of heart failure or
volume overload in adults over 40 years of age.
QUESTION 5
During a respiratory assessment, the nurse notes that a patient's trachea is
deviated to the left. Which condition should the nurse suspect?
A. Asthma
B. Bilateral pneumonia
C. Right-sided tension pneumothorax
D. Left pleural effusion
E. Pulmonary edema
Correct Answer: C. Right-sided tension pneumothorax
EXPERT RATIONALE: A tension pneumothorax causes increased pressure in the
affected hemithorax, pushing the trachea and mediastinal structures toward the
, opposite (contralateral) side. A right-sided tension pneumothorax would deviate
the trachea to the left.
QUESTION 6
The nurse is assessing a patient's cranial nerve II (optic nerve). Which
technique is most appropriate?
A. Assessing facial sensation
B. Testing the gag reflex
C. Checking the patient's hearing
D. Testing visual acuity with a Snellen chart
E. Evaluating extraocular movements
Correct Answer: D. Testing visual acuity with a Snellen chart
EXPERT RATIONALE: Cranial nerve II (optic nerve) is responsible for vision. Testing
visual acuity using a Snellen chart is the standard method to assess the integrity of
the optic nerve.
QUESTION 7
A nurse is performing a breast assessment on a female patient. Which
position best allows for assessment of breast symmetry and skin changes?
A. Supine with arms at sides
B. Prone with arms overhead
C. Sitting upright with arms at sides, then raised overhead
D. Lateral recumbent position
E. Standing with hands on hips only
Correct Answer: C. Sitting upright with arms at sides, then raised overhead
