Latest ATI Health Assessment Proctored Exam Preparation
Guide 2026 | Complete Nursing Assessment Review Covering
Physical Examination Techniques, Patient Interviewing,
Assessment Skills, Clinical Judgment & NCLEX-Style Practice
Questions
1. Which of the following is the first step in the nursing health assessment
process?
• A. Physical examination
• B. Collection of subjective data (health history)
• C. Documentation
• D. Analysis of data
Answer: B
Rationale: The nursing process begins with assessment. Subjective data collection
(interview/health history) is the initial step, followed by objective data (physical
exam). Analysis and documentation follow afterward.
2. A nurse is performing a comprehensive health assessment on an adult client.
Which action should the nurse take first?
• A. Measure vital signs
• B. Establish a therapeutic relationship and explain the purpose of the
assessment
• C. Perform a head-to-toe physical examination
• D. Review laboratory results
Answer: B
Rationale: Establishing rapport and explaining the process reduces anxiety,
promotes cooperation, and sets the stage for accurate data collection.
,3. Which of the following is an example of subjective data?
• A. Blood pressure 120/80 mmHg
• B. "I feel nauseated and dizzy."
• C. Heart rate 88 beats per minute
• D. Lungs clear to auscultation
Answer: B
Rationale: Subjective data are the client's verbal description of symptoms,
sensations, or concerns. Objective data are measurable and observable (vital
signs, physical exam findings).
4. A nurse notes that a client's skin is warm to the touch. This is an example of:
• A. Subjective data
• B. Objective data
• C. Secondary data
• D. Interpreted data
Answer: B
Rationale: Objective data are collected through observation, palpation,
percussion, and auscultation. The nurse's finding is an objective measurement.
5. During the interview, the nurse asks, "What brought you to the hospital
today?" This is an example of:
• A. Direct question
• B. Open-ended question
• C. Closed-ended question
• D. Leading question
,Answer: B
Rationale: Open-ended questions encourage the client to elaborate and provide a
narrative, rather than a one-word answer.
6. The nurse asks, "You don't smoke, do you?" This is an example of:
• A. Open-ended question
• B. Leading question
• C. Clarifying question
• D. Reflective question
Answer: B
Rationale: Leading questions suggest the expected answer and can bias the
response; they are not therapeutic.
7. Which of the following is a component of the health history?
• A. Past medical history
• B. Physical examination findings
• C. Laboratory results
• D. Diagnostic imaging
Answer: A
Rationale: The health history includes: chief complaint, history of present illness,
past medical history, family history, social history, and review of systems.
8. A nurse is conducting a health history interview. Which question is an
example of an open-ended question?
• A. "Do you have any chest pain?"
• B. "Are you taking any medications?"
, • C. "Tell me about the pain you have been experiencing."
• D. "Have you had a fever in the past 24 hours?"
Answer: C
Rationale: Open-ended questions allow the patient to narrate their story and
provide rich, detailed information. Closed-ended questions (A, B, D) elicit a
"yes/no" or brief factual response.
9. A nurse is preparing to conduct a health history interview. Which of the
following is most important to establish first?
• A. The patient's insurance information
• B. A quiet, private environment
• C. The patient's chief complaint
• D. The patient's family history
Answer: B
Rationale: Establishing rapport and ensuring a private, quiet environment is
essential before beginning the interview. This promotes trust and allows the
patient to share sensitive information.
10. A nurse is introducing herself to a client as the first step of a comprehensive
physical examination. Which strategies should the nurse use? (Select all that
apply)
• A. Address the client with the appropriate title and her last name
• B. Use a mix of open- and close-ended questions
• C. Reduce environmental noise
• D. Have the client complete a health history form
• E. Perform the general survey before the examination
Guide 2026 | Complete Nursing Assessment Review Covering
Physical Examination Techniques, Patient Interviewing,
Assessment Skills, Clinical Judgment & NCLEX-Style Practice
Questions
1. Which of the following is the first step in the nursing health assessment
process?
• A. Physical examination
• B. Collection of subjective data (health history)
• C. Documentation
• D. Analysis of data
Answer: B
Rationale: The nursing process begins with assessment. Subjective data collection
(interview/health history) is the initial step, followed by objective data (physical
exam). Analysis and documentation follow afterward.
2. A nurse is performing a comprehensive health assessment on an adult client.
Which action should the nurse take first?
• A. Measure vital signs
• B. Establish a therapeutic relationship and explain the purpose of the
assessment
• C. Perform a head-to-toe physical examination
• D. Review laboratory results
Answer: B
Rationale: Establishing rapport and explaining the process reduces anxiety,
promotes cooperation, and sets the stage for accurate data collection.
,3. Which of the following is an example of subjective data?
• A. Blood pressure 120/80 mmHg
• B. "I feel nauseated and dizzy."
• C. Heart rate 88 beats per minute
• D. Lungs clear to auscultation
Answer: B
Rationale: Subjective data are the client's verbal description of symptoms,
sensations, or concerns. Objective data are measurable and observable (vital
signs, physical exam findings).
4. A nurse notes that a client's skin is warm to the touch. This is an example of:
• A. Subjective data
• B. Objective data
• C. Secondary data
• D. Interpreted data
Answer: B
Rationale: Objective data are collected through observation, palpation,
percussion, and auscultation. The nurse's finding is an objective measurement.
5. During the interview, the nurse asks, "What brought you to the hospital
today?" This is an example of:
• A. Direct question
• B. Open-ended question
• C. Closed-ended question
• D. Leading question
,Answer: B
Rationale: Open-ended questions encourage the client to elaborate and provide a
narrative, rather than a one-word answer.
6. The nurse asks, "You don't smoke, do you?" This is an example of:
• A. Open-ended question
• B. Leading question
• C. Clarifying question
• D. Reflective question
Answer: B
Rationale: Leading questions suggest the expected answer and can bias the
response; they are not therapeutic.
7. Which of the following is a component of the health history?
• A. Past medical history
• B. Physical examination findings
• C. Laboratory results
• D. Diagnostic imaging
Answer: A
Rationale: The health history includes: chief complaint, history of present illness,
past medical history, family history, social history, and review of systems.
8. A nurse is conducting a health history interview. Which question is an
example of an open-ended question?
• A. "Do you have any chest pain?"
• B. "Are you taking any medications?"
, • C. "Tell me about the pain you have been experiencing."
• D. "Have you had a fever in the past 24 hours?"
Answer: C
Rationale: Open-ended questions allow the patient to narrate their story and
provide rich, detailed information. Closed-ended questions (A, B, D) elicit a
"yes/no" or brief factual response.
9. A nurse is preparing to conduct a health history interview. Which of the
following is most important to establish first?
• A. The patient's insurance information
• B. A quiet, private environment
• C. The patient's chief complaint
• D. The patient's family history
Answer: B
Rationale: Establishing rapport and ensuring a private, quiet environment is
essential before beginning the interview. This promotes trust and allows the
patient to share sensitive information.
10. A nurse is introducing herself to a client as the first step of a comprehensive
physical examination. Which strategies should the nurse use? (Select all that
apply)
• A. Address the client with the appropriate title and her last name
• B. Use a mix of open- and close-ended questions
• C. Reduce environmental noise
• D. Have the client complete a health history form
• E. Perform the general survey before the examination
