NSG 6020 HEALTH ASSESSMENT
MIDTERM EXAM PRACTICE
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2026
1. Which component of the nursing process involves the systematic collection of subjective
and objective data?
A. Diagnosis
B. Planning
C. Assessment
D. Implementation
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Assessment is the first step of the nursing process, involving the
collection of both subjective data (what the patient says) and objective data (what the
nurse observes).
2. In which order should the physical examination of the abdomen be performed?
A. Percussion, Auscultation, Inspection, Palpation
B. Inspection, Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation
C. Auscultation, Inspection, Palpation, Percussion
,D. Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion, Palpation
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: For the abdomen, auscultation is performed before percussion
and palpation to avoid altering bowel sounds.
3. When assessing a patient’s blood pressure, a cuff that is too small will likely result in:
A. A falsely low reading
B. An inability to hear Korotkoff sounds
C. No change in the reading
D. A falsely high reading
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Using a blood pressure cuff that is too narrow or too small for
the patient’s arm circumference results in a falsely elevated blood pressure reading.
4. A patient reports a ‘ringing’ sensation in their ears. The nurse documents this finding as:
A. Vertigo
B. Tinnitus
C. Syncope
D. Otalgia
Answer: B
, Conceptual Explanation: Tinnitus is the perception of noise or ringing in the ears, often a
symptom of an underlying condition like age-related hearing loss or ear injury.
5. Which cranial nerve is responsible for visual acuity?
A. CN I
B. CN III
C. CN II
D. CN IV
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Cranial Nerve II (Optic nerve) is responsible for vision and
visual acuity, typically tested using a Snellen chart.
6. During an assessment of the skin, the nurse notes a lesion that is flat, non-palpable, and
less than 1 cm in diameter. This is a:
A. Papule
B. Vesicle
C. Pustule
D. Macule
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: A macule is a flat, circumscribed area of color change that is less
than 1 cm in diameter, such as a freckle.
MIDTERM EXAM PRACTICE
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2026
1. Which component of the nursing process involves the systematic collection of subjective
and objective data?
A. Diagnosis
B. Planning
C. Assessment
D. Implementation
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Assessment is the first step of the nursing process, involving the
collection of both subjective data (what the patient says) and objective data (what the
nurse observes).
2. In which order should the physical examination of the abdomen be performed?
A. Percussion, Auscultation, Inspection, Palpation
B. Inspection, Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation
C. Auscultation, Inspection, Palpation, Percussion
,D. Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion, Palpation
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: For the abdomen, auscultation is performed before percussion
and palpation to avoid altering bowel sounds.
3. When assessing a patient’s blood pressure, a cuff that is too small will likely result in:
A. A falsely low reading
B. An inability to hear Korotkoff sounds
C. No change in the reading
D. A falsely high reading
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Using a blood pressure cuff that is too narrow or too small for
the patient’s arm circumference results in a falsely elevated blood pressure reading.
4. A patient reports a ‘ringing’ sensation in their ears. The nurse documents this finding as:
A. Vertigo
B. Tinnitus
C. Syncope
D. Otalgia
Answer: B
, Conceptual Explanation: Tinnitus is the perception of noise or ringing in the ears, often a
symptom of an underlying condition like age-related hearing loss or ear injury.
5. Which cranial nerve is responsible for visual acuity?
A. CN I
B. CN III
C. CN II
D. CN IV
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Cranial Nerve II (Optic nerve) is responsible for vision and
visual acuity, typically tested using a Snellen chart.
6. During an assessment of the skin, the nurse notes a lesion that is flat, non-palpable, and
less than 1 cm in diameter. This is a:
A. Papule
B. Vesicle
C. Pustule
D. Macule
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: A macule is a flat, circumscribed area of color change that is less
than 1 cm in diameter, such as a freckle.
