NSG 3160 Health Assessment Exam 2 Success Guide 2026 |
Practice Questions & Verified Answers | Graded A+ Galen
College of Nursing
1. Why is asking a patient 'How do you feel today?' important in assessing their
affect during a mental status examination?
It assesses the patient's cognitive function.
It helps the nurse understand the patient's physical symptoms.
It determines the patient's medication adherence.
It allows the nurse to gauge the patient's emotional state and mood.
2. A 45-year-old woman is at the clinic for a mental status assessment. Which
describes the expecting findings on the Four Unrelated Words Test?
Invents four unrelated words within 5 minutes
Recalls four unrelated words after a 30-minute delay
Recalls four unrelated words after a 60-minute delay
Invents four unrelated words within 30 seconds
3. A family member of a patient with possible Alzheimer disease asks the nurse
the purpose of the Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE). Which response by the
nurse is appropriate and most accurate?
The MMSE aids in differentiating acute delirium from chronic
dementia.
The MMSE determines the choice of the most appropriate treatment.
The MMSE is useful in determining the degree of mental
impairment.
The MMSE establishes the diagnosis of Alzheimer's Disease
,4. Describe the significance of monitoring level of consciousness in patients
after neurosurgery.
Monitoring level of consciousness only assesses the patient's memory
and recall abilities.
Monitoring level of consciousness helps to detect changes in brain
function and assess for potential complications such as increased
intracranial pressure.
Monitoring level of consciousness is primarily for evaluating
emotional stability post-surgery.
Monitoring level of consciousness is not necessary if vital signs are
stable.
5. Discuss how aging affects mental status assessments, particularly in terms of
response time and general knowledge.
Response time is unaffected by age, but general knowledge declines
significantly.
Aging may lead to a slight increase in response time, but it does not
necessarily result in a decline in general knowledge or cognitive
abilities.
Aging causes significant declines in both response time and general
knowledge.
Elderly individuals will always respond faster than younger individuals
during assessments.
6. Words Test, the nurse would be concerned if she could not ___ four unrelated
words __ _.
Invent; within 5 minutes
Recall; after a 60-minute delay
, Invent; within 30 seconds
Recall; after a 30-minute delay
7. The nurse is performing a mental status examination. Which statement is true
regarding the assessment of mental status?
Mental status assessment diagnoses specific psychiatric disorders.
Mental status can be assessed directly, just like other systems of the
body (e.g., cardiac and breath sounds).
Mental status functioning is inferred through assessment of an
individual's behaviors.
Mental disorders occur in response to everyday life stressors.
8. The nurse is caring for a patient who has just had neurosurgery for a brain
aneurysm. What should the nurse include in the hourly neurological
rechecks?
Level of consciousness, motor function, pupillary response, and vital
signs
Assessment of CNs I-XII, motor function, and sensory function.
Detailed mental status assessment, deep tendon reflexes, sensory
function, and gag reflex.
Deep tendon reflexes, vital signs, and coordinated movements.
9. If a nurse observes a patient exhibiting a positive Romberg sign during an
assessment, what should be the next step in the nursing process?
Documenting the finding as normal
Discharging the patient from care
Further neurological assessment
, Reassuring the patient that they are fine
10. Interpret the significance of a patient being oriented to place and person
but uncertain of the date after a stay in intensive care.
This shows that the patient is confused and unable to recognize their
surroundings.
This indicates that while the patient has regained some cognitive
function, they may still be experiencing residual effects from their
critical illness.
This means the patient is likely experiencing severe cognitive decline.
This suggests that the patient is fully recovered and has no cognitive
impairments.
11. Why is it important for a nurse to ask about the current level of pain when
assessing a patient?
To assess the effectiveness of previous treatments.
To determine the cause of the pain.
To understand the patient's emotional response to pain.
To establish a baseline for pain management and treatment.
12. If a nurse observes a positive Babinski sign in an adult patient during a
neurological examination, what should be the next step in the assessment
process?
Reassess the reflexes in the lower extremities only.
Further neurological evaluation to assess for potential underlying
conditions
Document the finding as a normal response and move on.
Practice Questions & Verified Answers | Graded A+ Galen
College of Nursing
1. Why is asking a patient 'How do you feel today?' important in assessing their
affect during a mental status examination?
It assesses the patient's cognitive function.
It helps the nurse understand the patient's physical symptoms.
It determines the patient's medication adherence.
It allows the nurse to gauge the patient's emotional state and mood.
2. A 45-year-old woman is at the clinic for a mental status assessment. Which
describes the expecting findings on the Four Unrelated Words Test?
Invents four unrelated words within 5 minutes
Recalls four unrelated words after a 30-minute delay
Recalls four unrelated words after a 60-minute delay
Invents four unrelated words within 30 seconds
3. A family member of a patient with possible Alzheimer disease asks the nurse
the purpose of the Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE). Which response by the
nurse is appropriate and most accurate?
The MMSE aids in differentiating acute delirium from chronic
dementia.
The MMSE determines the choice of the most appropriate treatment.
The MMSE is useful in determining the degree of mental
impairment.
The MMSE establishes the diagnosis of Alzheimer's Disease
,4. Describe the significance of monitoring level of consciousness in patients
after neurosurgery.
Monitoring level of consciousness only assesses the patient's memory
and recall abilities.
Monitoring level of consciousness helps to detect changes in brain
function and assess for potential complications such as increased
intracranial pressure.
Monitoring level of consciousness is primarily for evaluating
emotional stability post-surgery.
Monitoring level of consciousness is not necessary if vital signs are
stable.
5. Discuss how aging affects mental status assessments, particularly in terms of
response time and general knowledge.
Response time is unaffected by age, but general knowledge declines
significantly.
Aging may lead to a slight increase in response time, but it does not
necessarily result in a decline in general knowledge or cognitive
abilities.
Aging causes significant declines in both response time and general
knowledge.
Elderly individuals will always respond faster than younger individuals
during assessments.
6. Words Test, the nurse would be concerned if she could not ___ four unrelated
words __ _.
Invent; within 5 minutes
Recall; after a 60-minute delay
, Invent; within 30 seconds
Recall; after a 30-minute delay
7. The nurse is performing a mental status examination. Which statement is true
regarding the assessment of mental status?
Mental status assessment diagnoses specific psychiatric disorders.
Mental status can be assessed directly, just like other systems of the
body (e.g., cardiac and breath sounds).
Mental status functioning is inferred through assessment of an
individual's behaviors.
Mental disorders occur in response to everyday life stressors.
8. The nurse is caring for a patient who has just had neurosurgery for a brain
aneurysm. What should the nurse include in the hourly neurological
rechecks?
Level of consciousness, motor function, pupillary response, and vital
signs
Assessment of CNs I-XII, motor function, and sensory function.
Detailed mental status assessment, deep tendon reflexes, sensory
function, and gag reflex.
Deep tendon reflexes, vital signs, and coordinated movements.
9. If a nurse observes a patient exhibiting a positive Romberg sign during an
assessment, what should be the next step in the nursing process?
Documenting the finding as normal
Discharging the patient from care
Further neurological assessment
, Reassuring the patient that they are fine
10. Interpret the significance of a patient being oriented to place and person
but uncertain of the date after a stay in intensive care.
This shows that the patient is confused and unable to recognize their
surroundings.
This indicates that while the patient has regained some cognitive
function, they may still be experiencing residual effects from their
critical illness.
This means the patient is likely experiencing severe cognitive decline.
This suggests that the patient is fully recovered and has no cognitive
impairments.
11. Why is it important for a nurse to ask about the current level of pain when
assessing a patient?
To assess the effectiveness of previous treatments.
To determine the cause of the pain.
To understand the patient's emotional response to pain.
To establish a baseline for pain management and treatment.
12. If a nurse observes a positive Babinski sign in an adult patient during a
neurological examination, what should be the next step in the assessment
process?
Reassess the reflexes in the lower extremities only.
Further neurological evaluation to assess for potential underlying
conditions
Document the finding as a normal response and move on.
