NURS 202 HEALTH ASSESSMENT
MIDTERM PRACTICE EXAM 1
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
(VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES
2025 MARYVILLE UNIVERSITY
1. What is the first step in the nursing health assessment process?
a. Inspection
b. Data collection
c. Palpation
d. Auscultation
Rationale: Data collection, including subjective and objective data, is
always the initial phase of any health assessment.
2. Which part of the hand is best used to assess temperature?
a. Fingertips
b. Palm
, c. Dorsal surface of the hand
d. Thumb pad
Rationale: The dorsal surface of the hand is more sensitive to
temperature differences.
3. Which statement is an example of objective data?
a. The patient complains of nausea.
b. The patient feels dizzy.
c. The patient’s heart rate is 88 bpm.
d. The patient states she feels cold.
Rationale: Objective data is measurable and observable, like heart
rate.
4. When percussing over the liver, what sound should be expected?
a. Tympany
b. Resonance
c. Dullness
d. Hyperresonance
Rationale: A dull sound is expected over solid organs like the liver.
5. What is the normal range for adult respiratory rate?
a. 8–16 breaths/min
b. 12–20 breaths/min
c. 16–24 breaths/min
d. 10–30 breaths/min
Rationale: Normal adult respiration rate is 12–20 breaths per minute.
, 6. Which of the following best describes a macule?
a. Flat, circumscribed, and less than 1 cm
b. Raised, firm, and greater than 1 cm
c. Fluid-filled and superficial
d. Irregular, elevated lesion
Rationale: A macule is a flat skin lesion that is less than 1 cm in
diameter.
7. What is the purpose of the general survey in health assessment?
a. Evaluate the respiratory system
b. Focus on cardiovascular function
c. Provide an overall impression of the patient’s health
d. Assess neurological function
Rationale: The general survey gives the initial overall impression of
the patient’s status.
8. A patient’s pupil constricts in response to light. What term describes
this response?
a. Direct light reflex
b. Consensual reflex
c. Accommodation
d. Pupillary convergence
Rationale: The direct light reflex is the pupil constriction in the eye
exposed to light.
MIDTERM PRACTICE EXAM 1
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
(VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES
2025 MARYVILLE UNIVERSITY
1. What is the first step in the nursing health assessment process?
a. Inspection
b. Data collection
c. Palpation
d. Auscultation
Rationale: Data collection, including subjective and objective data, is
always the initial phase of any health assessment.
2. Which part of the hand is best used to assess temperature?
a. Fingertips
b. Palm
, c. Dorsal surface of the hand
d. Thumb pad
Rationale: The dorsal surface of the hand is more sensitive to
temperature differences.
3. Which statement is an example of objective data?
a. The patient complains of nausea.
b. The patient feels dizzy.
c. The patient’s heart rate is 88 bpm.
d. The patient states she feels cold.
Rationale: Objective data is measurable and observable, like heart
rate.
4. When percussing over the liver, what sound should be expected?
a. Tympany
b. Resonance
c. Dullness
d. Hyperresonance
Rationale: A dull sound is expected over solid organs like the liver.
5. What is the normal range for adult respiratory rate?
a. 8–16 breaths/min
b. 12–20 breaths/min
c. 16–24 breaths/min
d. 10–30 breaths/min
Rationale: Normal adult respiration rate is 12–20 breaths per minute.
, 6. Which of the following best describes a macule?
a. Flat, circumscribed, and less than 1 cm
b. Raised, firm, and greater than 1 cm
c. Fluid-filled and superficial
d. Irregular, elevated lesion
Rationale: A macule is a flat skin lesion that is less than 1 cm in
diameter.
7. What is the purpose of the general survey in health assessment?
a. Evaluate the respiratory system
b. Focus on cardiovascular function
c. Provide an overall impression of the patient’s health
d. Assess neurological function
Rationale: The general survey gives the initial overall impression of
the patient’s status.
8. A patient’s pupil constricts in response to light. What term describes
this response?
a. Direct light reflex
b. Consensual reflex
c. Accommodation
d. Pupillary convergence
Rationale: The direct light reflex is the pupil constriction in the eye
exposed to light.
