BSN Health Assessment Exam Practice
Questions & [Verified Answers], Plus
Explained Rationales|2026 Latest Update|
Instant Download PDF
1. A nurse begins a comprehensive health assessment by asking the
patient to describe the reason for the visit in their own words. Which
component of the assessment is being performed?
A. Review of systems
B. Physical examination
C. Chief complaint
D. Functional assessment
Answer: C. Chief complaint
Rationale: The chief complaint identifies the primary reason the
patient is seeking care. It should preferably be documented using the
patient's own words when appropriate.
2. Which assessment technique involves using the hands and fingers
to determine characteristics such as texture, temperature,
tenderness, and masses?
A. Inspection
B. Palpation
C. Percussion
D. Auscultation
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,Answer: B. Palpation
Rationale: Palpation uses the hands and fingers to assess physical
characteristics such as skin temperature, tenderness, consistency,
pulses, masses, and organ enlargement.
3. A nurse is preparing to auscultate a patient's lung sounds. Which
action is most appropriate?
A. Use the bell of the stethoscope
B. Place the stethoscope over clothing
C. Ask the patient to breathe deeply through the mouth
D. Auscultate only the anterior chest
Answer: C. Ask the patient to breathe deeply through the mouth
Rationale: Deep breathing through the mouth allows the nurse to
hear breath sounds more clearly. Lung sounds should be assessed
systematically over corresponding areas of both lungs.
4. Which sequence is generally used when assessing the abdomen?
A. Palpation, percussion, inspection, auscultation
B. Inspection, auscultation, percussion, palpation
C. Auscultation, palpation, inspection, percussion
D. Inspection, palpation, auscultation, percussion
Answer: B. Inspection, auscultation, percussion, palpation
Rationale: The abdomen is assessed in this order because palpation
and percussion can alter bowel sounds. Auscultation is therefore
performed immediately after inspection.
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,5. During an interview, which question is most appropriate for
obtaining information about the patient's current illness?
A. "You don't smoke, do you?"
B. "Why did you wait so long to seek care?"
C. "Can you describe when the pain started?"
D. "You have been taking your medications, correct?"
Answer: C. "Can you describe when the pain started?"
Rationale: Open-ended, neutral questions encourage the patient to
provide detailed information without suggesting a desired answer or
expressing judgment.
6. Which finding is considered a normal adult respiratory rate?
A. 6 breaths/min
B. 12 breaths/min
C. 28 breaths/min
D. 36 breaths/min
Answer: B. 12 breaths/min
Rationale: A normal resting adult respiratory rate is commonly
approximately 12–20 breaths/min. Rates below or above this range
may require further assessment depending on the clinical context.
7. A nurse is assessing a patient's pulse. Which characteristic should
be documented?
A. Color
B. Rhythm
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, C. Reflex
D. Pupil size
Answer: B. Rhythm
Rationale: Pulse assessment includes rate, rhythm, and strength or
amplitude. Abnormal rhythm may indicate an irregular cardiac
rhythm and requires further assessment.
8. Which blood pressure reading would be considered elevated in an
adult and should prompt further assessment?
A. 88/56 mm Hg
B. 104/68 mm Hg
C. 118/76 mm Hg
D. 168/94 mm Hg
Answer: D. 168/94 mm Hg
Rationale: A blood pressure of 168/94 mm Hg is markedly elevated
and requires reassessment and clinical evaluation. Blood pressure
classification should be interpreted according to current guidelines
and the patient's overall condition.
9. The nurse notices that a patient's skin is unusually pale. Which
assessment should the nurse perform next?
A. Assess capillary refill and mucous membranes
B. Measure abdominal circumference
C. Test deep tendon reflexes
D. Assess visual acuity
Answer: A. Assess capillary refill and mucous membranes
4|Page
Questions & [Verified Answers], Plus
Explained Rationales|2026 Latest Update|
Instant Download PDF
1. A nurse begins a comprehensive health assessment by asking the
patient to describe the reason for the visit in their own words. Which
component of the assessment is being performed?
A. Review of systems
B. Physical examination
C. Chief complaint
D. Functional assessment
Answer: C. Chief complaint
Rationale: The chief complaint identifies the primary reason the
patient is seeking care. It should preferably be documented using the
patient's own words when appropriate.
2. Which assessment technique involves using the hands and fingers
to determine characteristics such as texture, temperature,
tenderness, and masses?
A. Inspection
B. Palpation
C. Percussion
D. Auscultation
1|Page
,Answer: B. Palpation
Rationale: Palpation uses the hands and fingers to assess physical
characteristics such as skin temperature, tenderness, consistency,
pulses, masses, and organ enlargement.
3. A nurse is preparing to auscultate a patient's lung sounds. Which
action is most appropriate?
A. Use the bell of the stethoscope
B. Place the stethoscope over clothing
C. Ask the patient to breathe deeply through the mouth
D. Auscultate only the anterior chest
Answer: C. Ask the patient to breathe deeply through the mouth
Rationale: Deep breathing through the mouth allows the nurse to
hear breath sounds more clearly. Lung sounds should be assessed
systematically over corresponding areas of both lungs.
4. Which sequence is generally used when assessing the abdomen?
A. Palpation, percussion, inspection, auscultation
B. Inspection, auscultation, percussion, palpation
C. Auscultation, palpation, inspection, percussion
D. Inspection, palpation, auscultation, percussion
Answer: B. Inspection, auscultation, percussion, palpation
Rationale: The abdomen is assessed in this order because palpation
and percussion can alter bowel sounds. Auscultation is therefore
performed immediately after inspection.
2|Page
,5. During an interview, which question is most appropriate for
obtaining information about the patient's current illness?
A. "You don't smoke, do you?"
B. "Why did you wait so long to seek care?"
C. "Can you describe when the pain started?"
D. "You have been taking your medications, correct?"
Answer: C. "Can you describe when the pain started?"
Rationale: Open-ended, neutral questions encourage the patient to
provide detailed information without suggesting a desired answer or
expressing judgment.
6. Which finding is considered a normal adult respiratory rate?
A. 6 breaths/min
B. 12 breaths/min
C. 28 breaths/min
D. 36 breaths/min
Answer: B. 12 breaths/min
Rationale: A normal resting adult respiratory rate is commonly
approximately 12–20 breaths/min. Rates below or above this range
may require further assessment depending on the clinical context.
7. A nurse is assessing a patient's pulse. Which characteristic should
be documented?
A. Color
B. Rhythm
3|Page
, C. Reflex
D. Pupil size
Answer: B. Rhythm
Rationale: Pulse assessment includes rate, rhythm, and strength or
amplitude. Abnormal rhythm may indicate an irregular cardiac
rhythm and requires further assessment.
8. Which blood pressure reading would be considered elevated in an
adult and should prompt further assessment?
A. 88/56 mm Hg
B. 104/68 mm Hg
C. 118/76 mm Hg
D. 168/94 mm Hg
Answer: D. 168/94 mm Hg
Rationale: A blood pressure of 168/94 mm Hg is markedly elevated
and requires reassessment and clinical evaluation. Blood pressure
classification should be interpreted according to current guidelines
and the patient's overall condition.
9. The nurse notices that a patient's skin is unusually pale. Which
assessment should the nurse perform next?
A. Assess capillary refill and mucous membranes
B. Measure abdominal circumference
C. Test deep tendon reflexes
D. Assess visual acuity
Answer: A. Assess capillary refill and mucous membranes
4|Page
