West Coast University - NURS 190 PA
FINAL Exam
Questions and Ansẉers with
rationales 2026\2027 update
This Exam contains:
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Questions and Ansẉers
format set of multiple-choice
Expert-Verified rationales
Verified ẉith trusted textbooks
,───────────────────────────────────────────────────────
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During a health history, a patient states, "I feel perfectly fine." Which
interviewing technique is the nurse using when replying, "Can you
tell me what you mean by 'perfectly fine'?"
A. Clarification
B. Reflection
C. Confrontation
D. Empathy
Answer: A
Rationale: Clarification is used to make a vague statement clear. The
nurse is asking the patient to explain what they mean by "perfectly
fine." Reflection involves repeating the patient's words,
confrontation points out discrepancies, and empathy involves
acknowledging feelings.
Which statement by a nurse demonstrates a non-therapeutic
communication technique?
A. "I understand how difficult this is for you."
B. "Why did you wait so long to come to the hospital?"
C. "Can you describe your pain?"
D. "What do you think caused this rash?"
Answer: B
Rationale: Asking "why" implies criticism or judgment and often
makes patients defensive. It is considered a non-therapeutic
communication technique. The other options are open-ended,
empathetic, or seeking patient perspective.
The nurse is assessing a patient's cultural background. Which
question is most appropriate to ask?
A. "Do you practice any strange cultural rituals?"
B. "What do you think is causing your illness?"
C. "Why don't your people believe in Western medicine?"
D. "Are you legal citizens?"
,Answer: B
Rationale: Asking about the patient's explanatory model ("What do
you think is causing your illness?") respects their cultural
perspective and helps bridge cultural gaps in health care. The other
options are judgmental, insensitive, or irrelevant to the health
assessment.
When documenting the results of a physical examination, the nurse
notes " pt c/o chest pain, dull aching, 4/10, located substernally."
Which part of this documentation is subjective data?
A. "Chest pain, dull aching, 4/10, located substernally"
B. "Pt c/o"
C. "Substernally"
D. "4/10"
Answer: A
Rationale: Subjective data is what the patient tells you (symptoms),
such as the presence, quality, severity, and location of pain. "Pt c/o"
is an abbreviation for the act of complaining, but the actual pain
description is the subjective data. Objective data is what the nurse
observes, measures, or tests.
A nurse is performing a general survey. Which action is included in
this assessment?
A. Auscultating the lungs
B. Observing the patient's gait as they walk into the room
C. Palpating the abdomen
D. Testing deep tendon reflexes
Answer: B
Rationale: The general survey begins the moment the nurse meets
the patient and includes observing posture, gait, hygiene, dress,
level of consciousness, and affect. Auscultation, palpation, and
reflex testing are part of the physical examination, not the general
survey.
, The nurse is measuring a patient's vital signs. The patient's
temperature is 38.5°C (101.3°F). How should the nurse classify this
finding?
A. Hypothermia
B. Normal
C. Low-grade fever
D. High fever
Answer: C
Rationale: A normal oral temperature is around 37°C (98.6°F). A
temperature between 37.2°C and 38°C is considered elevated, and
38.5°C (101.3°F) is classified as a low-grade fever. High fever is
generally considered above 39°C (102.2°F).
When assessing a patient's pulse, the nurse notes that the rhythm is
irregular. What is the nurse's next best action?
A. Document the finding and continue the assessment.
B. Count the pulse for a full 60 seconds.
C. Assess the pulse in the other arm.
D. Check the patient's blood pressure immediately.
Answer: B
Rationale: If a pulse is irregular, it must be counted for a full 60
seconds to accurately determine the rate and detect any periodicity
or deficits. Counting for 15 or 30 seconds and multiplying can lead
to inaccurate results with irregular rhythms.
A patient has a blood pressure reading of 160/100 mm Hg.
According to the latest guidelines, how is this classified?
A. Elevated
B. Stage 1 Hypertension
C. Stage 2 Hypertension
D. Hypertensive Crisis
Answer: C
Rationale: According to the American Heart Association/ACC
guidelines, Stage 2 Hypertension is defined as a systolic blood
FINAL Exam
Questions and Ansẉers with
rationales 2026\2027 update
This Exam contains:
Guarantee passing score
Questions and Ansẉers
format set of multiple-choice
Expert-Verified rationales
Verified ẉith trusted textbooks
,───────────────────────────────────────────────────────
─
During a health history, a patient states, "I feel perfectly fine." Which
interviewing technique is the nurse using when replying, "Can you
tell me what you mean by 'perfectly fine'?"
A. Clarification
B. Reflection
C. Confrontation
D. Empathy
Answer: A
Rationale: Clarification is used to make a vague statement clear. The
nurse is asking the patient to explain what they mean by "perfectly
fine." Reflection involves repeating the patient's words,
confrontation points out discrepancies, and empathy involves
acknowledging feelings.
Which statement by a nurse demonstrates a non-therapeutic
communication technique?
A. "I understand how difficult this is for you."
B. "Why did you wait so long to come to the hospital?"
C. "Can you describe your pain?"
D. "What do you think caused this rash?"
Answer: B
Rationale: Asking "why" implies criticism or judgment and often
makes patients defensive. It is considered a non-therapeutic
communication technique. The other options are open-ended,
empathetic, or seeking patient perspective.
The nurse is assessing a patient's cultural background. Which
question is most appropriate to ask?
A. "Do you practice any strange cultural rituals?"
B. "What do you think is causing your illness?"
C. "Why don't your people believe in Western medicine?"
D. "Are you legal citizens?"
,Answer: B
Rationale: Asking about the patient's explanatory model ("What do
you think is causing your illness?") respects their cultural
perspective and helps bridge cultural gaps in health care. The other
options are judgmental, insensitive, or irrelevant to the health
assessment.
When documenting the results of a physical examination, the nurse
notes " pt c/o chest pain, dull aching, 4/10, located substernally."
Which part of this documentation is subjective data?
A. "Chest pain, dull aching, 4/10, located substernally"
B. "Pt c/o"
C. "Substernally"
D. "4/10"
Answer: A
Rationale: Subjective data is what the patient tells you (symptoms),
such as the presence, quality, severity, and location of pain. "Pt c/o"
is an abbreviation for the act of complaining, but the actual pain
description is the subjective data. Objective data is what the nurse
observes, measures, or tests.
A nurse is performing a general survey. Which action is included in
this assessment?
A. Auscultating the lungs
B. Observing the patient's gait as they walk into the room
C. Palpating the abdomen
D. Testing deep tendon reflexes
Answer: B
Rationale: The general survey begins the moment the nurse meets
the patient and includes observing posture, gait, hygiene, dress,
level of consciousness, and affect. Auscultation, palpation, and
reflex testing are part of the physical examination, not the general
survey.
, The nurse is measuring a patient's vital signs. The patient's
temperature is 38.5°C (101.3°F). How should the nurse classify this
finding?
A. Hypothermia
B. Normal
C. Low-grade fever
D. High fever
Answer: C
Rationale: A normal oral temperature is around 37°C (98.6°F). A
temperature between 37.2°C and 38°C is considered elevated, and
38.5°C (101.3°F) is classified as a low-grade fever. High fever is
generally considered above 39°C (102.2°F).
When assessing a patient's pulse, the nurse notes that the rhythm is
irregular. What is the nurse's next best action?
A. Document the finding and continue the assessment.
B. Count the pulse for a full 60 seconds.
C. Assess the pulse in the other arm.
D. Check the patient's blood pressure immediately.
Answer: B
Rationale: If a pulse is irregular, it must be counted for a full 60
seconds to accurately determine the rate and detect any periodicity
or deficits. Counting for 15 or 30 seconds and multiplying can lead
to inaccurate results with irregular rhythms.
A patient has a blood pressure reading of 160/100 mm Hg.
According to the latest guidelines, how is this classified?
A. Elevated
B. Stage 1 Hypertension
C. Stage 2 Hypertension
D. Hypertensive Crisis
Answer: C
Rationale: According to the American Heart Association/ACC
guidelines, Stage 2 Hypertension is defined as a systolic blood
