NSG 3160 Health Assessment Exam 1
150 Practice Questions with Answers & Detailed Rationales
Galen College of Nursing | 2026/2027 Edition
Instructions
This comprehensive test bank contains 150 multiple-choice questions covering key concepts for
NSG 3160 Health Assessment Exam 1 at Galen College of Nursing. Questions are organized
by topic area and include verified correct answers with detailed rationales based on course
materials and health assessment textbooks .
SECTION 1: INTRODUCTION TO HEALTH ASSESSMENT (Questions 1-25)
Question 1
A patient admitted to the hospital with asthma has the following problems identified based on an
admission health history and physical assessment. Which problem is a first-level priority?
A) Ineffective self-health management
B) Impaired gas exchange
C) Readiness for enhanced spiritual well-being
D) Risk for infection
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: First-level priority problems are emergent, life-threatening, and immediate. Impaired
gas exchange is an emergent and immediate problem. Third-level priority problems (like
ineffective self-health management) are important but can be addressed after more urgent
health problems. Second-level priority problems (like risk for infection) require prompt
intervention to forestall further deterioration .
Question 2
Which of the following is an example of subjective data?
A) Blood glucose 126 mg/dL
,B) Pain rated at 7 out of 10
C) Heart rate of 76 bpm
D) Bruising on lower leg
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Subjective data is what the patient says about himself or herself during history taking.
Pain rating is subjective—it is the patient's perception and report. Objective data is what the
health professional observes by inspecting, percussing, palpating, and auscultating during the
physical examination .
Question 3
Which of the following is an example of objective data?
A) A sore throat
B) An earache
C) Alert and oriented
D) Dizziness
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Objective data is what the health professional observes; level of consciousness and
orientation are observations. Sore throat, earache, and dizziness are subjective
data—symptoms reported by the patient .
Question 4
A nurse in a clinic is interviewing a client who will undergo diagnostic testing. The nurse should
ask about a client's potential allergies during which phase of the nursing process?
A) Implementation
B) Assessment
C) Planning
D) Evaluation
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Assessment is the first phase of the nursing process and involves collecting
comprehensive data about the patient, including allergies. This data collection is essential
before any interventions or diagnostic procedures .
,Question 5
A nurse precepting a student nurse asks, "What's the most important step in the critical-thinking
process?"
A) Clustering subjective and objective data
B) Analyzing health data
C) Using evidence-based assessment techniques
D) Prioritizing health concerns
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Evidence-based techniques are supported by research showing effectiveness of the
technique that provides the safest and most current techniques to promote the health of
patients. While clustering, analyzing, and prioritizing are all steps in critical thinking, using
evidence-based techniques is foundational to the entire process .
Question 6
What type of database is most appropriate for an individual who is admitted to a long-term care
facility?
A) Focused
B) Complete
C) Emergency
D) Follow-up
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A complete database includes a complete health history and a full physical
examination; it describes the current and past health state and forms a baseline against which
all future changes can be measured. This is essential for admission to a long-term care facility .
Question 7
What type of database is most appropriate when the rapid collection of data is required and
often compiled concurrently with lifesaving measures?
A) Complete
B) Focused
C) Follow-up
, D) Emergency
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: An emergency database includes the rapid collection of data often obtained
concurrently with lifesaving measures. A focused database is for a limited or short-term
problem. A follow-up database is used to evaluate the statuses of identified problems at regular
intervals .
Question 8
Which of the following statements regarding language barriers and health care is true?
A) English proficiency is associated with a lower quality of care
B) Patients with language barriers have a decreased risk for nonadherence to medication
regimens
C) Standards have been identified that are important to eliminate health disparities
D) LEP is associated with a higher quality of care
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The National Standards for Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services in
Health Care are important to implement in order to improve quality of care and eliminate health
disparities. LEP (Limited English Proficiency) is associated with lower quality of care. Patients
with language barriers have an increased risk for nonadherence .
Question 9
Spirituality is defined as:
A) A social group that claims to possess variable traits
B) Participating in religious services on a regular basis
C) The process of being raised within a culture
D) A personal effort to find meaning and purpose in life
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Spirituality is a personal effort to find purpose and meaning in life. Religion refers to
an organized system of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe.
Socialization is the process of being raised within a culture .
150 Practice Questions with Answers & Detailed Rationales
Galen College of Nursing | 2026/2027 Edition
Instructions
This comprehensive test bank contains 150 multiple-choice questions covering key concepts for
NSG 3160 Health Assessment Exam 1 at Galen College of Nursing. Questions are organized
by topic area and include verified correct answers with detailed rationales based on course
materials and health assessment textbooks .
SECTION 1: INTRODUCTION TO HEALTH ASSESSMENT (Questions 1-25)
Question 1
A patient admitted to the hospital with asthma has the following problems identified based on an
admission health history and physical assessment. Which problem is a first-level priority?
A) Ineffective self-health management
B) Impaired gas exchange
C) Readiness for enhanced spiritual well-being
D) Risk for infection
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: First-level priority problems are emergent, life-threatening, and immediate. Impaired
gas exchange is an emergent and immediate problem. Third-level priority problems (like
ineffective self-health management) are important but can be addressed after more urgent
health problems. Second-level priority problems (like risk for infection) require prompt
intervention to forestall further deterioration .
Question 2
Which of the following is an example of subjective data?
A) Blood glucose 126 mg/dL
,B) Pain rated at 7 out of 10
C) Heart rate of 76 bpm
D) Bruising on lower leg
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Subjective data is what the patient says about himself or herself during history taking.
Pain rating is subjective—it is the patient's perception and report. Objective data is what the
health professional observes by inspecting, percussing, palpating, and auscultating during the
physical examination .
Question 3
Which of the following is an example of objective data?
A) A sore throat
B) An earache
C) Alert and oriented
D) Dizziness
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Objective data is what the health professional observes; level of consciousness and
orientation are observations. Sore throat, earache, and dizziness are subjective
data—symptoms reported by the patient .
Question 4
A nurse in a clinic is interviewing a client who will undergo diagnostic testing. The nurse should
ask about a client's potential allergies during which phase of the nursing process?
A) Implementation
B) Assessment
C) Planning
D) Evaluation
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Assessment is the first phase of the nursing process and involves collecting
comprehensive data about the patient, including allergies. This data collection is essential
before any interventions or diagnostic procedures .
,Question 5
A nurse precepting a student nurse asks, "What's the most important step in the critical-thinking
process?"
A) Clustering subjective and objective data
B) Analyzing health data
C) Using evidence-based assessment techniques
D) Prioritizing health concerns
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Evidence-based techniques are supported by research showing effectiveness of the
technique that provides the safest and most current techniques to promote the health of
patients. While clustering, analyzing, and prioritizing are all steps in critical thinking, using
evidence-based techniques is foundational to the entire process .
Question 6
What type of database is most appropriate for an individual who is admitted to a long-term care
facility?
A) Focused
B) Complete
C) Emergency
D) Follow-up
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A complete database includes a complete health history and a full physical
examination; it describes the current and past health state and forms a baseline against which
all future changes can be measured. This is essential for admission to a long-term care facility .
Question 7
What type of database is most appropriate when the rapid collection of data is required and
often compiled concurrently with lifesaving measures?
A) Complete
B) Focused
C) Follow-up
, D) Emergency
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: An emergency database includes the rapid collection of data often obtained
concurrently with lifesaving measures. A focused database is for a limited or short-term
problem. A follow-up database is used to evaluate the statuses of identified problems at regular
intervals .
Question 8
Which of the following statements regarding language barriers and health care is true?
A) English proficiency is associated with a lower quality of care
B) Patients with language barriers have a decreased risk for nonadherence to medication
regimens
C) Standards have been identified that are important to eliminate health disparities
D) LEP is associated with a higher quality of care
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The National Standards for Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services in
Health Care are important to implement in order to improve quality of care and eliminate health
disparities. LEP (Limited English Proficiency) is associated with lower quality of care. Patients
with language barriers have an increased risk for nonadherence .
Question 9
Spirituality is defined as:
A) A social group that claims to possess variable traits
B) Participating in religious services on a regular basis
C) The process of being raised within a culture
D) A personal effort to find meaning and purpose in life
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Spirituality is a personal effort to find purpose and meaning in life. Religion refers to
an organized system of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe.
Socialization is the process of being raised within a culture .
