Lifespan (2026) Q&A
1. Which of the following best describes the purpose of a nursing health assessment?
A) To diagnose medical conditions and prescribe appropriate treatments
B) To collect holistic subjective and objective data to determine a client's overall level of
functioning
C) To complete mandatory paperwork required for hospital admission
D) To perform only physical examination techniques without interviewing
Correct Answer: To collect holistic subjective and objective data to determine a client's
overall level of functioning
Rationale: The purpose of a nursing health assessment is to collect holistic subjective and
objective data to determine a client's overall level of functioning in order to make a
professional clinical judgment. The nurse collects physiologic, psychological, sociocultural,
developmental, and spiritual data about the client. This distinguishes nursing assessment
from purely medical assessment, which focuses more narrowly on disease identification.
2. What is the correct sequence of the five steps of the nursing process?
A) Assessment, Planning, Diagnosis, Implementation, Evaluation
B) Diagnosis, Assessment, Planning, Implementation, Evaluation
C) Assessment, Diagnosis, Planning, Implementation, Evaluation
D) Planning, Assessment, Diagnosis, Implementation, Evaluation
Correct Answer: Assessment, Diagnosis, Planning, Implementation, Evaluation
Rationale: The nursing process follows the sequence ADPIE: Assessment (collecting objective
and subjective data), Diagnosis (analyzing the data to make a nursing judgment), Planning
(developing a plan and outcome criteria), Implementation (carrying out the plan), and
,Evaluation (determining how well the plan worked and revising). This systematic framework
guides clinical decision-making in nursing practice.
3. According to the ANA Standard 1, what is the registered nurse's responsibility regarding
assessment?
A) To diagnose medical conditions independently based on assessment findings
B) To collect comprehensive data pertinent to the patient's health or situation
C) To prescribe medications based on assessment findings
D) To delegate all data collection to unlicensed assistive personnel
Correct Answer: To collect comprehensive data pertinent to the patient's health or situation
Rationale: ANA Standard 1 states that "the registered nurse collects comprehensive data
pertinent to the patient's health or situation." The nurse collects data in a systematic and
ongoing process involving the patient, family, other healthcare providers, and environment.
The nurse does not independently diagnose medical conditions or prescribe medications.
4. Which type of nursing assessment is performed when a client presents with a specific
health concern and a comprehensive database already exists?
A) Initial comprehensive assessment
B) Ongoing or partial assessment
C) Focused or problem-oriented assessment
D) Emergency assessment
Correct Answer: Focused or problem-oriented assessment
Rationale: A focused or problem-oriented assessment is performed when a comprehensive
database exists for a client who comes to the healthcare agency with a specific health
concern. It consists of a thorough assessment of a particular client problem and does not
cover areas not related to the problem. It does not replace the comprehensive health
assessment.
,5. What is the correct order of the four phases of a patient interview?
A) Introductory, Working, Pre-Introduction, Summary
B) Pre-Introduction, Introductory, Working, Summary
C) Working, Introductory, Pre-Introduction, Summary
D) Pre-Introduction, Working, Introductory, Summary
Correct Answer: Pre-Introduction, Introductory, Working, Summary
Rationale: The four phases of an interview occur in this specific order: Pre-Introduction
(reviewing the health record), Introductory (explaining the purpose and HIPAA, providing
privacy, and developing trust), Working (collecting biographical data, history of present
concern, past health and family history, review of systems), and Summary (validating client
information and collaborating to identify problems and goals).
6. Which of the following is an example of subjective data?
A) Blood pressure reading of 142/88 mmHg
B) Patient reports "My pain is a 7 on a scale of 0 to 10"
C) Temperature of 100.8°F
D) Heart rate of 96 beats per minute
Correct Answer: Patient reports "My pain is a 7 on a scale of 0 to 10"
Rationale: Subjective data consists of symptoms and information reported by the patient,
such as pain ratings. Blood pressure, temperature, and heart rate are objective data because
they are measured or observed by the nurse. Pain is considered subjective because only the
patient can accurately report their pain experience.
7. Which of the following best describes objective data in health assessment?
A) Information reported by the patient about their symptoms
, B) Data gathered by physical examination and observation
C) The patient's perception of their own health status
D) Information about the patient's family history
Correct Answer: Data gathered by physical examination and observation
Rationale: Objective data consists of information that is measured or observed by the nurse,
including data gathered by physical examination. This includes vital signs, inspection
findings, palpation results, percussion sounds, and auscultation findings. Subjective data, in
contrast, is the client's perception of their own health.
8. What is the primary difference between a holistic nursing assessment and a physical
medical assessment?
A) A holistic assessment focuses only on the patient's physical health status
B) A holistic assessment collects physiologic, psychological, sociocultural, developmental,
and spiritual data
C) A physical medical assessment includes subjective data about the patient's perceptions
D) There is no meaningful difference between the two types of assessment
Correct Answer: A holistic assessment collects physiologic, psychological, sociocultural,
developmental, and spiritual data
Rationale: A holistic nursing assessment uses both subjective and objective data to create a
comprehensive picture, collecting physiologic, psychological, sociocultural, developmental,
and spiritual data about the client. A physical medical assessment primarily focuses on
objective, measurable data with less emphasis on psychological or sociocultural factors.
9. During which phase of the interview does the nurse collect biographical data and history
of present concern?
A) Pre-Introduction phase
B) Introductory phase