Wilkes University NSG 211 Physical Assessment Midterm Exam (pdf)
| 2026/2027 | Physical Assessment Q&A | Health Assessment
1. Which component of the nursing process involves collecting subjective
and objective data to establish a baseline for patient care?
A) Planning
B) Implementation
C) Assessment
D) Evaluation
Correct Answer: Assessment
Rationale: The nursing process is a systematic framework. Assessment is the
first step and involves gathering comprehensive data about the patient's
health status. Planning involves setting goals, implementation is carrying out
the plan, and evaluation measures the effectiveness of the care.
2. A nurse is preparing to conduct a health history interview. Which action
best establishes a therapeutic environment for the patient?
A) Standing over the patient while asking questions
B) Conducting the interview in a noisy, busy hallway
C) Sitting at eye level with the patient in a private room
D) Using medical jargon to convey professionalism
Correct Answer: Sitting at eye level with the patient in a private room
Rationale: A therapeutic environment promotes open communication. Sitting
at eye level reduces intimidation, and a private room ensures confidentiality.
Standing over the patient can be perceived as threatening, and using
medical jargon can confuse the patient.
,3. According to the NCLEX-RN test plan, which category of client needs
encompasses the nurse's role in providing and directing nursing care that
enhances the care delivery setting?
A) Health Promotion and Maintenance
B) Psychosocial Integrity
C) Physiological Integrity
D) Safe and Effective Care Environment
Correct Answer: Safe and Effective Care Environment
Rationale: The Safe and Effective Care Environment category includes
Management of Care and Safety/Infection Control. This involves protecting
clients and healthcare personnel. The other options address different aspects
of client care.
4. During the health history, a patient reports chest pain that occurs with
exertion and is relieved by rest. This information is considered:
A) Objective data
B) Subjective data
C) A sign
D) A laboratory finding
Correct Answer: Subjective data
Rationale: Subjective data are the patient's verbal descriptions of their health
problems, including symptoms like pain. Objective data are measurable and
observable, such as vital signs. Chest pain is a symptom reported by the
patient.
,5. A nursing student is learning about infection control. Which type of
precaution is used for a patient with a known infection that can be
transmitted through sneezing and coughing?
A) Standard precautions
B) Contact precautions
C) Droplet precautions
D) Airborne precautions
Correct Answer: Droplet precautions
Rationale: Droplet precautions are used for infections transmitted via large
respiratory droplets generated by coughing, sneezing, or talking. Contact
precautions are for skin-to-skin transmission, and airborne precautions are
for small particles that remain suspended in the air.
6. What is the primary purpose of validating data collected during a physical
assessment?
A) To ensure the data is complete and accurate
B) To make a nursing diagnosis
C) To develop a care plan
D) To evaluate the effectiveness of interventions
Correct Answer: To ensure the data is complete and accurate
Rationale: Validation is the process of confirming or verifying that the
subjective and objective data you have gathered is reliable and accurate.
This step is crucial before moving on to analysis and diagnosis in the nursing
process.
, 7. A nurse is assessing a patient's pain. Which question is most effective for
obtaining subjective data about the pain's quality?
A) "Where is your pain located?"
B) "On a scale of 0 to 10, what is your pain level?"
C) "Can you describe what the pain feels like?"
D) "Does anything make the pain worse?"
Correct Answer: "Can you describe what the pain feels like?"
Rationale: Quality refers to the descriptive characteristics of the pain, such
as sharp, dull, burning, or aching. Asking the patient to describe the feeling
directly addresses quality, while location, intensity, and aggravating factors
address other dimensions.
8. A nurse is performing hand hygiene. Which statement is correct regarding
the use of alcohol-based hand sanitizer?
A) It is more effective than soap and water for visibly soiled hands
B) It can be used when hands are not visibly soiled
C) It is less accessible than soap and water
D) It is more harmful to the skin than soap and water
Correct Answer: It can be used when hands are not visibly soiled
Rationale: Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are recommended when hands are
not visibly soiled. They are more accessible, save time, and are less
damaging to the skin. Soap and water should be used when hands are visibly
dirty or contaminated with blood or body fluids.
9. The nurse is conducting a general survey during the physical examination.
Which of the following is a key component of this initial assessment?
| 2026/2027 | Physical Assessment Q&A | Health Assessment
1. Which component of the nursing process involves collecting subjective
and objective data to establish a baseline for patient care?
A) Planning
B) Implementation
C) Assessment
D) Evaluation
Correct Answer: Assessment
Rationale: The nursing process is a systematic framework. Assessment is the
first step and involves gathering comprehensive data about the patient's
health status. Planning involves setting goals, implementation is carrying out
the plan, and evaluation measures the effectiveness of the care.
2. A nurse is preparing to conduct a health history interview. Which action
best establishes a therapeutic environment for the patient?
A) Standing over the patient while asking questions
B) Conducting the interview in a noisy, busy hallway
C) Sitting at eye level with the patient in a private room
D) Using medical jargon to convey professionalism
Correct Answer: Sitting at eye level with the patient in a private room
Rationale: A therapeutic environment promotes open communication. Sitting
at eye level reduces intimidation, and a private room ensures confidentiality.
Standing over the patient can be perceived as threatening, and using
medical jargon can confuse the patient.
,3. According to the NCLEX-RN test plan, which category of client needs
encompasses the nurse's role in providing and directing nursing care that
enhances the care delivery setting?
A) Health Promotion and Maintenance
B) Psychosocial Integrity
C) Physiological Integrity
D) Safe and Effective Care Environment
Correct Answer: Safe and Effective Care Environment
Rationale: The Safe and Effective Care Environment category includes
Management of Care and Safety/Infection Control. This involves protecting
clients and healthcare personnel. The other options address different aspects
of client care.
4. During the health history, a patient reports chest pain that occurs with
exertion and is relieved by rest. This information is considered:
A) Objective data
B) Subjective data
C) A sign
D) A laboratory finding
Correct Answer: Subjective data
Rationale: Subjective data are the patient's verbal descriptions of their health
problems, including symptoms like pain. Objective data are measurable and
observable, such as vital signs. Chest pain is a symptom reported by the
patient.
,5. A nursing student is learning about infection control. Which type of
precaution is used for a patient with a known infection that can be
transmitted through sneezing and coughing?
A) Standard precautions
B) Contact precautions
C) Droplet precautions
D) Airborne precautions
Correct Answer: Droplet precautions
Rationale: Droplet precautions are used for infections transmitted via large
respiratory droplets generated by coughing, sneezing, or talking. Contact
precautions are for skin-to-skin transmission, and airborne precautions are
for small particles that remain suspended in the air.
6. What is the primary purpose of validating data collected during a physical
assessment?
A) To ensure the data is complete and accurate
B) To make a nursing diagnosis
C) To develop a care plan
D) To evaluate the effectiveness of interventions
Correct Answer: To ensure the data is complete and accurate
Rationale: Validation is the process of confirming or verifying that the
subjective and objective data you have gathered is reliable and accurate.
This step is crucial before moving on to analysis and diagnosis in the nursing
process.
, 7. A nurse is assessing a patient's pain. Which question is most effective for
obtaining subjective data about the pain's quality?
A) "Where is your pain located?"
B) "On a scale of 0 to 10, what is your pain level?"
C) "Can you describe what the pain feels like?"
D) "Does anything make the pain worse?"
Correct Answer: "Can you describe what the pain feels like?"
Rationale: Quality refers to the descriptive characteristics of the pain, such
as sharp, dull, burning, or aching. Asking the patient to describe the feeling
directly addresses quality, while location, intensity, and aggravating factors
address other dimensions.
8. A nurse is performing hand hygiene. Which statement is correct regarding
the use of alcohol-based hand sanitizer?
A) It is more effective than soap and water for visibly soiled hands
B) It can be used when hands are not visibly soiled
C) It is less accessible than soap and water
D) It is more harmful to the skin than soap and water
Correct Answer: It can be used when hands are not visibly soiled
Rationale: Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are recommended when hands are
not visibly soiled. They are more accessible, save time, and are less
damaging to the skin. Soap and water should be used when hands are visibly
dirty or contaminated with blood or body fluids.
9. The nurse is conducting a general survey during the physical examination.
Which of the following is a key component of this initial assessment?
