HAT NR 303 HEALTH ASSESSMENT EXAM -
CHAMBERLAIN UNIVERSITY COMPLETE EXAM
QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSWERS | 2026–2027
LATEST UPDATE | GUARANTEED PASS | DETAILED
RATIONALES | FULL STUDY GUIDE | EXAM PREP |
PRACTICE TEST | CERTIFICATION PREPARATION
1. During a comprehensive health assessment, which action should the nurse perform first
when meeting a new patient?
A. Begin the physical examination immediately
B. Review laboratory results
C. Establish rapport and verify patient identity
D. Obtain vital signs
Correct Answer: C. Establish rapport and verify patient identity
Rationale: Establishing rapport promotes trust and communication, while verifying identity
ensures patient safety. Although vital signs and laboratory review are important, they occur after
proper identification and introduction.
2. A nurse is collecting a health history from a patient who reports intermittent headaches.
Which question is most appropriate to determine symptom characteristics?
A. "Do headaches run in your family?"
B. "Can you describe when the headaches occur and what they feel like?"
C. "Have you ever had surgery?"
D. "Do you exercise regularly?"
Correct Answer: B. "Can you describe when the headaches occur and what they feel like?"
Rationale: This open-ended question explores onset, timing, and quality of symptoms. The other
options may be relevant later but do not directly assess the presenting complaint.
3. Which communication technique encourages a patient to provide more detailed
information?
A. Asking leading questions
B. Interrupting to clarify details
C. Using medical terminology extensively
D. Using open-ended questions
Correct Answer: D. Using open-ended questions
,Rationale: Open-ended questions allow patients to elaborate on concerns in their own words.
Leading questions and interruptions may limit information gathering.
4. A patient's blood pressure reading is 146/92 mm Hg. What is the nurse's best initial
action?
A. Document the finding and notify the provider immediately
B. Reassess the blood pressure using proper technique
C. Diagnose hypertension
D. Administer antihypertensive medication
Correct Answer: B. Reassess the blood pressure using proper technique
Rationale: An elevated reading should be verified before further action. Diagnosis and treatment
require additional evaluation and provider involvement.
5. Which finding would be documented as objective data?
A. "I feel dizzy when standing."
B. "My stomach hurts after meals."
C. Pulse rate of 104 beats per minute
D. "I have trouble sleeping."
Correct Answer: C. Pulse rate of 104 beats per minute
Rationale: Objective data are measurable observations obtained by the examiner. The other
responses represent subjective information reported by the patient.
6. When obtaining a health history, which component focuses on illnesses affecting
immediate relatives?
A. Review of systems
B. Social history
C. Past medical history
D. Family history
Correct Answer: D. Family history
Rationale: Family history identifies genetic and familial disease patterns that may influence
patient risk.
7. A nurse notes a pulse deficit during assessment. What does this finding indicate?
A. The apical pulse exceeds the radial pulse
B. The radial pulse exceeds the apical pulse
, C. The pulse is irregular but equal
D. The pulse pressure is widened
Correct Answer: A. The apical pulse exceeds the radial pulse
Rationale: A pulse deficit occurs when some cardiac contractions fail to produce a palpable
peripheral pulse.
8. Which assessment finding is expected in a healthy adult?
A. Bilateral equal chest expansion
B. Asymmetric chest movement
C. Absent breath sounds at lung bases
D. Continuous wheezing
Correct Answer: A. Bilateral equal chest expansion
Rationale: Symmetrical chest expansion is a normal respiratory finding. The remaining options
suggest potential pathology.
9. A patient reports chest discomfort during exertion that resolves with rest. Which
condition is most consistent with this description?
A. Costochondritis
B. Stable angina
C. Pneumonia
D. Pericarditis
Correct Answer: B. Stable angina
Rationale: Stable angina is typically triggered by exertion and relieved by rest. Other conditions
have different clinical patterns.
10. Which pulse site is commonly used during adult cardiopulmonary resuscitation
assessment?
A. Brachial
B. Temporal
C. Carotid
D. Popliteal
Correct Answer: C. Carotid
Rationale: The carotid artery is easily accessible and centrally located, making it appropriate
for emergency pulse assessment in adults.
CHAMBERLAIN UNIVERSITY COMPLETE EXAM
QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSWERS | 2026–2027
LATEST UPDATE | GUARANTEED PASS | DETAILED
RATIONALES | FULL STUDY GUIDE | EXAM PREP |
PRACTICE TEST | CERTIFICATION PREPARATION
1. During a comprehensive health assessment, which action should the nurse perform first
when meeting a new patient?
A. Begin the physical examination immediately
B. Review laboratory results
C. Establish rapport and verify patient identity
D. Obtain vital signs
Correct Answer: C. Establish rapport and verify patient identity
Rationale: Establishing rapport promotes trust and communication, while verifying identity
ensures patient safety. Although vital signs and laboratory review are important, they occur after
proper identification and introduction.
2. A nurse is collecting a health history from a patient who reports intermittent headaches.
Which question is most appropriate to determine symptom characteristics?
A. "Do headaches run in your family?"
B. "Can you describe when the headaches occur and what they feel like?"
C. "Have you ever had surgery?"
D. "Do you exercise regularly?"
Correct Answer: B. "Can you describe when the headaches occur and what they feel like?"
Rationale: This open-ended question explores onset, timing, and quality of symptoms. The other
options may be relevant later but do not directly assess the presenting complaint.
3. Which communication technique encourages a patient to provide more detailed
information?
A. Asking leading questions
B. Interrupting to clarify details
C. Using medical terminology extensively
D. Using open-ended questions
Correct Answer: D. Using open-ended questions
,Rationale: Open-ended questions allow patients to elaborate on concerns in their own words.
Leading questions and interruptions may limit information gathering.
4. A patient's blood pressure reading is 146/92 mm Hg. What is the nurse's best initial
action?
A. Document the finding and notify the provider immediately
B. Reassess the blood pressure using proper technique
C. Diagnose hypertension
D. Administer antihypertensive medication
Correct Answer: B. Reassess the blood pressure using proper technique
Rationale: An elevated reading should be verified before further action. Diagnosis and treatment
require additional evaluation and provider involvement.
5. Which finding would be documented as objective data?
A. "I feel dizzy when standing."
B. "My stomach hurts after meals."
C. Pulse rate of 104 beats per minute
D. "I have trouble sleeping."
Correct Answer: C. Pulse rate of 104 beats per minute
Rationale: Objective data are measurable observations obtained by the examiner. The other
responses represent subjective information reported by the patient.
6. When obtaining a health history, which component focuses on illnesses affecting
immediate relatives?
A. Review of systems
B. Social history
C. Past medical history
D. Family history
Correct Answer: D. Family history
Rationale: Family history identifies genetic and familial disease patterns that may influence
patient risk.
7. A nurse notes a pulse deficit during assessment. What does this finding indicate?
A. The apical pulse exceeds the radial pulse
B. The radial pulse exceeds the apical pulse
, C. The pulse is irregular but equal
D. The pulse pressure is widened
Correct Answer: A. The apical pulse exceeds the radial pulse
Rationale: A pulse deficit occurs when some cardiac contractions fail to produce a palpable
peripheral pulse.
8. Which assessment finding is expected in a healthy adult?
A. Bilateral equal chest expansion
B. Asymmetric chest movement
C. Absent breath sounds at lung bases
D. Continuous wheezing
Correct Answer: A. Bilateral equal chest expansion
Rationale: Symmetrical chest expansion is a normal respiratory finding. The remaining options
suggest potential pathology.
9. A patient reports chest discomfort during exertion that resolves with rest. Which
condition is most consistent with this description?
A. Costochondritis
B. Stable angina
C. Pneumonia
D. Pericarditis
Correct Answer: B. Stable angina
Rationale: Stable angina is typically triggered by exertion and relieved by rest. Other conditions
have different clinical patterns.
10. Which pulse site is commonly used during adult cardiopulmonary resuscitation
assessment?
A. Brachial
B. Temporal
C. Carotid
D. Popliteal
Correct Answer: C. Carotid
Rationale: The carotid artery is easily accessible and centrally located, making it appropriate
for emergency pulse assessment in adults.
