NUR 143 Nursing Health Assessment: Systematic Patient Evaluation,
Subjective and Objective Data Collection, Diagnostics Interpretation,
Vital Signs, Physical Examination Techniques, Inspection, Palpation,
Percussion, Auscultation, Functional Health Assessment, Biographical
Data, Health History, Psychosocial and Lifestyle Factors, Cultural
Considerations, Equipment Usage, Reflex Testing, Ophthalmoscope,
Otoscope, Snellen Chart, Vaginal Speculum, Percussion Hammers,
Tuning Forks, Patient Positions (Standing, Sitting, Supine, Dorsal
Recumbent, Sims, Prone, Lithotomy, Knee-Chest), Emergency
Assessments, Focused and Ongoing Partial Assessments,
Comprehensive Assessment, Infection Control, IPPA Technique,
Nursing Roles, Patient Communication and Education Exam Questions
Verified and Provided with Complete A+ Graded Rationales Latest
Updated 2026
What is a health assessment?
Health assessment is the systematic examination of the patient for objective data to assess the
patient's condition and to aid the nurse in planning care.
How does a nurse conduct a health assessment objectively and subjectively?
To conduct the objective component of the examination, the nurse uses techniques of
inspection, auscultation, palpation, and percussion. Subjective data is also obtained from the
patient and other sources.
,What is the difference between subjective and objective data?
Subjective is what the patient tells you. (I feel tired)
Objective is something that can be measured, or something that is real concrete data. (Blood
pressure is 125/70)
What are Diagnostics? Give examples.
Diagnostics provide scientific data which is reviewed to determine the state of the individual's
previous or present health status. Nurses must be able to correctly interpret this scientific data
while caring for their patients
Vital signs or blood tests are some examples.
When doing a health assessment, what are some things a nurse should be doing when talking to
the patient?
Establish nurse-patient relationship (Build trust)
Gather data about patient's general health
Identify patient strengths
Identify actual or potential health problems
Establish the base for the nursing process
What are the 4 types of health assessment?
, Comprehensive.
Ongoing partial,
Focused,
Emergency
Describe a comprehensive health assessment.
Upon admission to facility and includes the health history and complete physical. Provides the
baseline for comparison. (Thorough)
Describe an ongoing partial health assessment.
Conducted at regular intervals such as each hospital shift. Done to monitor effectiveness of
interventions.
Describe a focused health assessment.
A focused health assessment is used to assess a specific problem. Example is a patient
complaining of abdominal pain.
Describe an emergency health assessment.
A rapid focused assessment . Done to determine potentially fatal situation.
What are the 2 components of health assessment?
health history and physical assessment
Subjective and Objective Data Collection, Diagnostics Interpretation,
Vital Signs, Physical Examination Techniques, Inspection, Palpation,
Percussion, Auscultation, Functional Health Assessment, Biographical
Data, Health History, Psychosocial and Lifestyle Factors, Cultural
Considerations, Equipment Usage, Reflex Testing, Ophthalmoscope,
Otoscope, Snellen Chart, Vaginal Speculum, Percussion Hammers,
Tuning Forks, Patient Positions (Standing, Sitting, Supine, Dorsal
Recumbent, Sims, Prone, Lithotomy, Knee-Chest), Emergency
Assessments, Focused and Ongoing Partial Assessments,
Comprehensive Assessment, Infection Control, IPPA Technique,
Nursing Roles, Patient Communication and Education Exam Questions
Verified and Provided with Complete A+ Graded Rationales Latest
Updated 2026
What is a health assessment?
Health assessment is the systematic examination of the patient for objective data to assess the
patient's condition and to aid the nurse in planning care.
How does a nurse conduct a health assessment objectively and subjectively?
To conduct the objective component of the examination, the nurse uses techniques of
inspection, auscultation, palpation, and percussion. Subjective data is also obtained from the
patient and other sources.
,What is the difference between subjective and objective data?
Subjective is what the patient tells you. (I feel tired)
Objective is something that can be measured, or something that is real concrete data. (Blood
pressure is 125/70)
What are Diagnostics? Give examples.
Diagnostics provide scientific data which is reviewed to determine the state of the individual's
previous or present health status. Nurses must be able to correctly interpret this scientific data
while caring for their patients
Vital signs or blood tests are some examples.
When doing a health assessment, what are some things a nurse should be doing when talking to
the patient?
Establish nurse-patient relationship (Build trust)
Gather data about patient's general health
Identify patient strengths
Identify actual or potential health problems
Establish the base for the nursing process
What are the 4 types of health assessment?
, Comprehensive.
Ongoing partial,
Focused,
Emergency
Describe a comprehensive health assessment.
Upon admission to facility and includes the health history and complete physical. Provides the
baseline for comparison. (Thorough)
Describe an ongoing partial health assessment.
Conducted at regular intervals such as each hospital shift. Done to monitor effectiveness of
interventions.
Describe a focused health assessment.
A focused health assessment is used to assess a specific problem. Example is a patient
complaining of abdominal pain.
Describe an emergency health assessment.
A rapid focused assessment . Done to determine potentially fatal situation.
What are the 2 components of health assessment?
health history and physical assessment
