NUR 101/NUR101 Exam 1 V1 | Health Assessment
Q&A with Rationale | Fortis College
1. A nurse is conducting a health history for a new client. Which of the following is an
example of subjective data?
A. The client’s blood pressure is 142/90 mmHg.
B. The client states, ‘I have had a dull ache in my stomach for three days.’
C. The nurse notes the client is grimacing and holding their side.
D. The nurse observes a small laceration on the client’s right forearm.
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Subjective data consists of information provided by the client that cannot be
directly observed or measured by the nurse. This includes the client’s symptoms, feelings,
and perceptions of their own health status. In contrast, objective data is observable and
measurable, such as vital signs or physical findings noticed during an examination.
2. When initiating the physical examination of a patient, which technique should the nurse
perform first?
A. Palpation
B. Auscultation
C. Percussion
D. Inspection
,Correct Answer: D
Explanation: Inspection is the first step of the physical assessment process and involves a
deliberate, purposeful observation of the patient. This technique begins the moment the
nurse meets the patient and provides a baseline for further examination. It is essential to
perform inspection before other techniques to avoid altering findings, particularly in
abdominal assessments.
3. A nurse is assessing a client’s pain using the PQRST mnemonic. Which question assesses
the ‘Quality’ of the pain?
A. ‘What does the pain feel like—is it sharp, dull, or burning?’
B. ‘Where exactly is the pain located?’
C. ‘On a scale of 0 to 10, how would you rate your pain?’
D. ‘What makes the pain feel better or worse?’
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: The ‘Quality’ component of the PQRST pain assessment tool focuses on the
descriptive characteristics of the pain sensation. By asking the patient to describe the
feeling of the pain, the nurse gains insight into the possible underlying cause. This
qualitative information is critical for differentiating between types of pain, such as
neuropathic or somatic pain.
, 4. During an interview, the nurse says, ‘Tell me more about the shortness of breath you
mentioned.’ This is an example of which communication technique?
A. A closed-ended question
B. An open-ended question
C. A leading question
D. A summary statement
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Open-ended questions are designed to encourage the client to provide a
narrative or descriptive response rather than a simple ‘yes’ or ‘no.’ This technique is
fundamental in health assessments as it allows the patient to elaborate on their symptoms
and feelings. Using open-ended prompts facilitates a more comprehensive data collection
and builds therapeutic rapport.
5. The nurse is preparing to measure a client’s blood pressure. Which action by the nurse
would result in a falsely high blood pressure reading?
A. Using a blood pressure cuff that is too narrow for the client’s arm.
B. Placing the client’s arm at the level of the heart.
C. Deflating the cuff at a rate of 2 to 3 mmHg per second.
D. Having the client sit quietly for five minutes before the measurement.
Correct Answer: A
Q&A with Rationale | Fortis College
1. A nurse is conducting a health history for a new client. Which of the following is an
example of subjective data?
A. The client’s blood pressure is 142/90 mmHg.
B. The client states, ‘I have had a dull ache in my stomach for three days.’
C. The nurse notes the client is grimacing and holding their side.
D. The nurse observes a small laceration on the client’s right forearm.
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Subjective data consists of information provided by the client that cannot be
directly observed or measured by the nurse. This includes the client’s symptoms, feelings,
and perceptions of their own health status. In contrast, objective data is observable and
measurable, such as vital signs or physical findings noticed during an examination.
2. When initiating the physical examination of a patient, which technique should the nurse
perform first?
A. Palpation
B. Auscultation
C. Percussion
D. Inspection
,Correct Answer: D
Explanation: Inspection is the first step of the physical assessment process and involves a
deliberate, purposeful observation of the patient. This technique begins the moment the
nurse meets the patient and provides a baseline for further examination. It is essential to
perform inspection before other techniques to avoid altering findings, particularly in
abdominal assessments.
3. A nurse is assessing a client’s pain using the PQRST mnemonic. Which question assesses
the ‘Quality’ of the pain?
A. ‘What does the pain feel like—is it sharp, dull, or burning?’
B. ‘Where exactly is the pain located?’
C. ‘On a scale of 0 to 10, how would you rate your pain?’
D. ‘What makes the pain feel better or worse?’
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: The ‘Quality’ component of the PQRST pain assessment tool focuses on the
descriptive characteristics of the pain sensation. By asking the patient to describe the
feeling of the pain, the nurse gains insight into the possible underlying cause. This
qualitative information is critical for differentiating between types of pain, such as
neuropathic or somatic pain.
, 4. During an interview, the nurse says, ‘Tell me more about the shortness of breath you
mentioned.’ This is an example of which communication technique?
A. A closed-ended question
B. An open-ended question
C. A leading question
D. A summary statement
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Open-ended questions are designed to encourage the client to provide a
narrative or descriptive response rather than a simple ‘yes’ or ‘no.’ This technique is
fundamental in health assessments as it allows the patient to elaborate on their symptoms
and feelings. Using open-ended prompts facilitates a more comprehensive data collection
and builds therapeutic rapport.
5. The nurse is preparing to measure a client’s blood pressure. Which action by the nurse
would result in a falsely high blood pressure reading?
A. Using a blood pressure cuff that is too narrow for the client’s arm.
B. Placing the client’s arm at the level of the heart.
C. Deflating the cuff at a rate of 2 to 3 mmHg per second.
D. Having the client sit quietly for five minutes before the measurement.
Correct Answer: A
