NSG 121 HEALTH ASSESSMENT FINAL EXAM 2026/2027– 100
QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSWERS
Overview:
This 100-question NSG 121 Health Assessment set aligns with Herzing University’s 2026/2027
Exam 1 & 2 content. It covers foundational assessment skills: frameworks like functional, head-
to-toe, and body systems; therapeutic vs. nontherapeutic communication; and complete health
history components. Questions address general survey, vital signs, pain assessment with PQRST,
and cultural considerations affecting care. Physical exam techniques are emphasized, including
inspection, palpation, percussion, auscultation, and equipment use. System-specific content spans
HEENT, respiratory, cardiovascular, abdominal, neurological, musculoskeletal, and
integumentary assessments. Cranial nerves, reflex grading, lymph nodes, and documentation
standards are included. Each question provides A-D options, and rationales to reinforce clinical
reasoning for nursing students . Answers are highlighted in bold Green.
Unit 1: Foundations & Health History Q1–20
1. The nurse is preparing to take a health history. Which action best establishes rapport
with the patient?
A. Begin with personal questions about income
B. Introduce self, explain purpose, ensure privacy
C. Stand while patient is seated to maintain authority
D. Use medical jargon to demonstrate expertise
Rationale: Introducing self, explaining the interview, and ensuring privacy show respect
and build trust. This is the first step of the interview process.
2. Which is considered subjective data?
A. Blood pressure 132/84
B. Lung sounds clear bilaterally
C. Patient states “I have been feeling very tired”
D. Edema 2+ bilateral ankles
Rationale: Subjective = symptoms, what the patient tells you. Objective = signs, what
you observe/measure.
3. The nurse asks, “How many times do you wake up at night to urinate?” This is part of
which functional health pattern?
A. Activity-Exercise
B. Elimination
C. Sleep-Rest
D. Health Perception
Rationale: Elimination pattern includes bladder/bowel function. Sleep-Rest asks about
sleep quality, not nocturia specifically.
4. During the review of systems, the patient denies chest pain, SOB, or edema. The
nurse should:
A. Skip cardiac assessment since ROS is negative
, B. Still perform a cardiac physical exam
C. Document “cardiovascular system negative”
D. Only assess if patient is over 65
Rationale: ROS is subjective. Physical exam is objective and still required even if ROS
negative.
5. “Why do you think you got sick?” is an example of:
A. Therapeutic communication
B. Open-ended question
C. Nontherapeutic “why” question
D. Clarification
Rationale: “Why” questions can sound accusatory and cause defensiveness. Rephrase
to “What do you think caused your illness?”
6. Which statement by the nurse demonstrates empathy?
A. “Don’t worry, I’m sure it’s nothing serious.”
B. “I know exactly how you feel.”
C. “That sounds really frustrating for you.”
D. “You should have come in sooner.”
Rationale: Empathy acknowledges the patient’s feelings without false reassurance or
judgment.
7. Past medical history includes all EXCEPT:
A. Childhood illnesses
B. Surgical history
C. Allergies
D. Father’s history of MI
Rationale: Family history covers relatives. PMH is the patient’s own history.
8. COLDSPA is a mnemonic for:
A. Pain assessment
B. Symptom analysis
C. Mental status exam
D. Abdominal exam
Rationale: COLDSPA = Character, Onset, Location, Duration, Severity, Pattern,
Associated factors. Used for any symptom, not just pain.
9. When should the nurse perform a focused assessment?
A. On every patient admission
B. When patient has a specific complaint like ear pain
C. Only during annual physicals
D. At discharge
Rationale: Focused = limited to the body system related to the presenting problem.
10. Which action maintains HIPAA compliance during data collection?
A. Discussing patient in elevator
B. Closing the door and using privacy screens
C. Leaving computer screen open with patient data
D. Telling family details without patient consent
Rationale: HIPAA requires protecting patient info. Close doors, log off computers, get
consent.
QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSWERS
Overview:
This 100-question NSG 121 Health Assessment set aligns with Herzing University’s 2026/2027
Exam 1 & 2 content. It covers foundational assessment skills: frameworks like functional, head-
to-toe, and body systems; therapeutic vs. nontherapeutic communication; and complete health
history components. Questions address general survey, vital signs, pain assessment with PQRST,
and cultural considerations affecting care. Physical exam techniques are emphasized, including
inspection, palpation, percussion, auscultation, and equipment use. System-specific content spans
HEENT, respiratory, cardiovascular, abdominal, neurological, musculoskeletal, and
integumentary assessments. Cranial nerves, reflex grading, lymph nodes, and documentation
standards are included. Each question provides A-D options, and rationales to reinforce clinical
reasoning for nursing students . Answers are highlighted in bold Green.
Unit 1: Foundations & Health History Q1–20
1. The nurse is preparing to take a health history. Which action best establishes rapport
with the patient?
A. Begin with personal questions about income
B. Introduce self, explain purpose, ensure privacy
C. Stand while patient is seated to maintain authority
D. Use medical jargon to demonstrate expertise
Rationale: Introducing self, explaining the interview, and ensuring privacy show respect
and build trust. This is the first step of the interview process.
2. Which is considered subjective data?
A. Blood pressure 132/84
B. Lung sounds clear bilaterally
C. Patient states “I have been feeling very tired”
D. Edema 2+ bilateral ankles
Rationale: Subjective = symptoms, what the patient tells you. Objective = signs, what
you observe/measure.
3. The nurse asks, “How many times do you wake up at night to urinate?” This is part of
which functional health pattern?
A. Activity-Exercise
B. Elimination
C. Sleep-Rest
D. Health Perception
Rationale: Elimination pattern includes bladder/bowel function. Sleep-Rest asks about
sleep quality, not nocturia specifically.
4. During the review of systems, the patient denies chest pain, SOB, or edema. The
nurse should:
A. Skip cardiac assessment since ROS is negative
, B. Still perform a cardiac physical exam
C. Document “cardiovascular system negative”
D. Only assess if patient is over 65
Rationale: ROS is subjective. Physical exam is objective and still required even if ROS
negative.
5. “Why do you think you got sick?” is an example of:
A. Therapeutic communication
B. Open-ended question
C. Nontherapeutic “why” question
D. Clarification
Rationale: “Why” questions can sound accusatory and cause defensiveness. Rephrase
to “What do you think caused your illness?”
6. Which statement by the nurse demonstrates empathy?
A. “Don’t worry, I’m sure it’s nothing serious.”
B. “I know exactly how you feel.”
C. “That sounds really frustrating for you.”
D. “You should have come in sooner.”
Rationale: Empathy acknowledges the patient’s feelings without false reassurance or
judgment.
7. Past medical history includes all EXCEPT:
A. Childhood illnesses
B. Surgical history
C. Allergies
D. Father’s history of MI
Rationale: Family history covers relatives. PMH is the patient’s own history.
8. COLDSPA is a mnemonic for:
A. Pain assessment
B. Symptom analysis
C. Mental status exam
D. Abdominal exam
Rationale: COLDSPA = Character, Onset, Location, Duration, Severity, Pattern,
Associated factors. Used for any symptom, not just pain.
9. When should the nurse perform a focused assessment?
A. On every patient admission
B. When patient has a specific complaint like ear pain
C. Only during annual physicals
D. At discharge
Rationale: Focused = limited to the body system related to the presenting problem.
10. Which action maintains HIPAA compliance during data collection?
A. Discussing patient in elevator
B. Closing the door and using privacy screens
C. Leaving computer screen open with patient data
D. Telling family details without patient consent
Rationale: HIPAA requires protecting patient info. Close doors, log off computers, get
consent.
