NUR 101/NUR101 Exam 1 V3 | Health Assessment
Q&A with Rationale | Fortis College
1. During a physical examination, the nurse should use which part of the hand to best assess
for skin temperature?
A. Palmar surface of the hand
B. Ulnar surface of the hand
C. Dorsal surface of the hand
D. Fingertips
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The dorsal surface of the hand is thin and sensitive to temperature changes.
The palmar surface is better for vibrations, and the fingertips are best for fine tactile
discrimination. Utilizing the correct part of the hand ensures accurate clinical findings
during the assessment.
2. Which of the following data would the nurse consider to be objective data?
A. The nurse observes a 2cm lesion on the left forearm.
B. The patient states they feel dizzy when standing.
C. The patient reports a pain level of 8/10.
D. The patient says they are allergic to penicillin.
Correct Answer: A
,Explanation: Objective data is information that is observed, heard, felt, or measured by the
healthcare provider. Subjective data consists of information provided by the patient, such
as symptoms or personal history. Observations like skin lesions are verifiable facts that
form the basis of the physical assessment.
3. The nurse is preparing to assess a patient’s abdomen. In which order should the physical
assessment techniques be performed?
A. Auscultation, Inspection, Palpation, Percussion
B. Inspection, Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation
C. Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion, Palpation
D. Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation, Inspection
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: For the abdominal assessment, auscultation follows inspection to prevent
altering bowel sounds. Palpation and percussion can stimulate peristalsis or cause pain,
which would lead to inaccurate auscultation findings. Following this specific sequence
ensures the reliability of the clinical data collected.
4. When conducting an initial interview, the nurse asks, ‘Can you tell me more about your
chest pain?’ This is an example of which communication technique?
A. Open-ended question
B. Reflecting
C. Closed-ended question
, D. Summarizing
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Open-ended questions allow the patient to provide detailed descriptions and
narrative information rather than simple ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answers. This technique is essential
for gathering a thorough health history and building rapport. It encourages the patient to
express their concerns in their own words.
5. A nurse is assessing a patient’s radial pulse and finds it to be irregular. What is the most
appropriate next action?
A. Assess the apical pulse for one full minute.
B. Re-assess the radial pulse for 30 seconds and multiply by 2.
C. Document the findings and notify the provider.
D. Check the pulse in the opposite arm.
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: When a peripheral pulse is irregular, the apical pulse must be counted for a
full 60 seconds to ensure accuracy. This allows the nurse to identify the true heart rate and
rhythm. Accuracy in vital sign measurement is critical for determining the patient’s
cardiovascular stability.
6. The nurse is using the ‘PQRST’ mnemonic to assess a patient’s pain. What does the ‘Q’
represent?
A. Quantity
Q&A with Rationale | Fortis College
1. During a physical examination, the nurse should use which part of the hand to best assess
for skin temperature?
A. Palmar surface of the hand
B. Ulnar surface of the hand
C. Dorsal surface of the hand
D. Fingertips
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The dorsal surface of the hand is thin and sensitive to temperature changes.
The palmar surface is better for vibrations, and the fingertips are best for fine tactile
discrimination. Utilizing the correct part of the hand ensures accurate clinical findings
during the assessment.
2. Which of the following data would the nurse consider to be objective data?
A. The nurse observes a 2cm lesion on the left forearm.
B. The patient states they feel dizzy when standing.
C. The patient reports a pain level of 8/10.
D. The patient says they are allergic to penicillin.
Correct Answer: A
,Explanation: Objective data is information that is observed, heard, felt, or measured by the
healthcare provider. Subjective data consists of information provided by the patient, such
as symptoms or personal history. Observations like skin lesions are verifiable facts that
form the basis of the physical assessment.
3. The nurse is preparing to assess a patient’s abdomen. In which order should the physical
assessment techniques be performed?
A. Auscultation, Inspection, Palpation, Percussion
B. Inspection, Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation
C. Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion, Palpation
D. Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation, Inspection
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: For the abdominal assessment, auscultation follows inspection to prevent
altering bowel sounds. Palpation and percussion can stimulate peristalsis or cause pain,
which would lead to inaccurate auscultation findings. Following this specific sequence
ensures the reliability of the clinical data collected.
4. When conducting an initial interview, the nurse asks, ‘Can you tell me more about your
chest pain?’ This is an example of which communication technique?
A. Open-ended question
B. Reflecting
C. Closed-ended question
, D. Summarizing
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Open-ended questions allow the patient to provide detailed descriptions and
narrative information rather than simple ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answers. This technique is essential
for gathering a thorough health history and building rapport. It encourages the patient to
express their concerns in their own words.
5. A nurse is assessing a patient’s radial pulse and finds it to be irregular. What is the most
appropriate next action?
A. Assess the apical pulse for one full minute.
B. Re-assess the radial pulse for 30 seconds and multiply by 2.
C. Document the findings and notify the provider.
D. Check the pulse in the opposite arm.
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: When a peripheral pulse is irregular, the apical pulse must be counted for a
full 60 seconds to ensure accuracy. This allows the nurse to identify the true heart rate and
rhythm. Accuracy in vital sign measurement is critical for determining the patient’s
cardiovascular stability.
6. The nurse is using the ‘PQRST’ mnemonic to assess a patient’s pain. What does the ‘Q’
represent?
A. Quantity
