NUR 1215 – HEALTH ASSESSMENT EXAM 1 PRACTICE TEST QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
Core Domains
Vital Signs Assessment and Normal Ranges
Physical Examination Techniques (Inspection, Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation)
General Survey and Health History Collection
Anatomy and Physiology Fundamentals
Nursing Ethics and Professional Standards
Regulatory and Legal Compliance (HIPAA, Documentation)
Head-to-Toe Assessment Procedures
Critical Thinking and Clinical Decision-Making
Introduction
This practice exam is designed to prepare nursing students for the NUR 1215 Health Assessment Exam 1 by
evaluating foundational knowledge and applied skills essential for competent clinical practice. The
assessment covers core domains including vital signs measurement, physical examination techniques, general
survey procedures, health history collection, and ethical/legal considerations in nursing. Questions are
presented in multiple-choice and scenario-based formats that emphasize real-world application, critical
thinking, and decision-making abilities. Success on this exam demonstrates readiness to perform
comprehensive health assessments and make informed clinical judgments in diverse patient care settings.
,SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
Question 1
The nurse is measuring a patient's blood pressure. Which technique demonstrates proper auscultation practice?
A. Inflate the cuff to 200 mmHg immediately
B. Place the stethoscope diaphragm over the brachial artery
C. Deflate the cuff at 5 mmHg per second
D. Listen for the first sound (Korotkoff phase I) as the systolic reading
🟢 D. Listen for the first sound (Korotkoff phase I) as the systolic reading
🔴 RATIONALE: The systolic blood pressure is recorded when the first Korotkoff sound (Phase I) is heard,
representing the initial turbulent blood flow through the compressed artery. Option A is incorrect because the
cuff should be inflated to 30 mmHg above the expected systolic pressure. Option B is incorrect because the bell,
not diaphragm, is used for low-frequency sounds like blood pressure. Option C is incorrect because the
recommended deflation rate is 2-3 mmHg per second.
Question 2
A patient's temperature is recorded as 38.5°C (101.3°F). What does this finding indicate?
,A. Normal body temperature
B. Hypothermia
C. Fever (pyrexia)
D. Hyperthermia from external heat
🟢 C. Fever (pyrexia)
🔴 RATIONALE: A temperature of 38.5°C (101.3°F) exceeds the normal range of 36.1-37.2°C (97-99°F) and
indicates fever, which is typically caused by infection or inflammatory processes. Hypothermia is defined as
temperature below 35°C. Hyperthermia refers to elevated temperature from external heat exposure or inability
to dissipate heat, not the same as fever mediated by pyrogens.
Question 3
During a physical examination, the nurse uses which technique first when assessing the abdomen?
A. Palpation
B. Percussion
C. Inspection
D. Auscultation
🟢 C. Inspection
, 🔴 RATIONALE: Inspection is always the first technique used in physical assessment, including abdominal
examination, as it allows the nurse to observe contour, symmetry, skin color, and movement without disturbing
the patient. The standard order for abdominal assessment is inspection, auscultation, percussion, then
palpation (different from other body regions where palpation comes before auscultation) to avoid altering bowel
sounds.
Question 4
Which of the following is the normal adult pulse rate range?
A. 40-60 beats per minute
B. 60-100 beats per minute
C. 80-120 beats per minute
D. 100-140 beats per minute
🟢 B. 60-100 beats per minute
🔴 RATIONALE: The normal resting pulse rate for adults is 60-100 beats per minute. Rates below 60 indicate
bradycardia, while rates above 100 indicate tachycardia. Option A represents bradycardic range, and options C
and D represent tachycardic ranges that are not normal for resting adults.
ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
Core Domains
Vital Signs Assessment and Normal Ranges
Physical Examination Techniques (Inspection, Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation)
General Survey and Health History Collection
Anatomy and Physiology Fundamentals
Nursing Ethics and Professional Standards
Regulatory and Legal Compliance (HIPAA, Documentation)
Head-to-Toe Assessment Procedures
Critical Thinking and Clinical Decision-Making
Introduction
This practice exam is designed to prepare nursing students for the NUR 1215 Health Assessment Exam 1 by
evaluating foundational knowledge and applied skills essential for competent clinical practice. The
assessment covers core domains including vital signs measurement, physical examination techniques, general
survey procedures, health history collection, and ethical/legal considerations in nursing. Questions are
presented in multiple-choice and scenario-based formats that emphasize real-world application, critical
thinking, and decision-making abilities. Success on this exam demonstrates readiness to perform
comprehensive health assessments and make informed clinical judgments in diverse patient care settings.
,SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
Question 1
The nurse is measuring a patient's blood pressure. Which technique demonstrates proper auscultation practice?
A. Inflate the cuff to 200 mmHg immediately
B. Place the stethoscope diaphragm over the brachial artery
C. Deflate the cuff at 5 mmHg per second
D. Listen for the first sound (Korotkoff phase I) as the systolic reading
🟢 D. Listen for the first sound (Korotkoff phase I) as the systolic reading
🔴 RATIONALE: The systolic blood pressure is recorded when the first Korotkoff sound (Phase I) is heard,
representing the initial turbulent blood flow through the compressed artery. Option A is incorrect because the
cuff should be inflated to 30 mmHg above the expected systolic pressure. Option B is incorrect because the bell,
not diaphragm, is used for low-frequency sounds like blood pressure. Option C is incorrect because the
recommended deflation rate is 2-3 mmHg per second.
Question 2
A patient's temperature is recorded as 38.5°C (101.3°F). What does this finding indicate?
,A. Normal body temperature
B. Hypothermia
C. Fever (pyrexia)
D. Hyperthermia from external heat
🟢 C. Fever (pyrexia)
🔴 RATIONALE: A temperature of 38.5°C (101.3°F) exceeds the normal range of 36.1-37.2°C (97-99°F) and
indicates fever, which is typically caused by infection or inflammatory processes. Hypothermia is defined as
temperature below 35°C. Hyperthermia refers to elevated temperature from external heat exposure or inability
to dissipate heat, not the same as fever mediated by pyrogens.
Question 3
During a physical examination, the nurse uses which technique first when assessing the abdomen?
A. Palpation
B. Percussion
C. Inspection
D. Auscultation
🟢 C. Inspection
, 🔴 RATIONALE: Inspection is always the first technique used in physical assessment, including abdominal
examination, as it allows the nurse to observe contour, symmetry, skin color, and movement without disturbing
the patient. The standard order for abdominal assessment is inspection, auscultation, percussion, then
palpation (different from other body regions where palpation comes before auscultation) to avoid altering bowel
sounds.
Question 4
Which of the following is the normal adult pulse rate range?
A. 40-60 beats per minute
B. 60-100 beats per minute
C. 80-120 beats per minute
D. 100-140 beats per minute
🟢 B. 60-100 beats per minute
🔴 RATIONALE: The normal resting pulse rate for adults is 60-100 beats per minute. Rates below 60 indicate
bradycardia, while rates above 100 indicate tachycardia. Option A represents bradycardic range, and options C
and D represent tachycardic ranges that are not normal for resting adults.
