NSG 6020 MIDTERM EXAM: HEALTH
ASSESSMENT QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
1. Which of the following components is considered subjective data in a health history?
A. Blood pressure reading
B. Heart rate recorded by a nurse
C. Patient’s report of chest pain
D. Presence of a skin rash
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Subjective data consists of information provided by the patient
that cannot be directly observed or measured by the examiner, such as symptoms and
feelings.
2. What is the primary purpose of the ‘Review of Systems’ (ROS) during a health history?
A. To perform a physical examination of each body system
B. To verify objective findings
C. To document the patient’s chief complaint only
D. To identify past and present health of each body system
,Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: The ROS is a series of questions about each body system to
uncover symptoms the patient may have overlooked or omitted in the history of present
illness.
3. In the SOAP note format, where should the physical exam findings be documented?
A. O (Objective)
B. S (Subjective)
C. A (Assessment)
D. P (Plan)
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: The Objective section includes measurable data, such as physical
exam findings, vital signs, and laboratory results.
4. When assessing the skin, what does the ‘E’ stand for in the ABCDE rule for melanoma?
A. Erythema
B. Elevation
C. Edema
D. Evolving
Answer: D
, Conceptual Explanation: The ABCDE rule stands for Asymmetry, Border irregularity,
Color variation, Diameter >6mm, and Evolving (changes in size, shape, or color).
5. Which technique is the correct order for assessing the abdomen?
A. Inspection, Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation
B. Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion, Palpation
C. Inspection, Percussion, Palpation, Auscultation
D. Auscultation, Inspection, Palpation, Percussion
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Auscultation is performed before percussion and palpation to
avoid stimulating bowel sounds that might lead to an inaccurate assessment.
6. What is the most appropriate action for a nurse when a patient’s visual acuity is 20/40
using a Snellen chart?
A. Inform the patient they have perfect vision
B. Explain that the patient sees at 40 feet what a normal person sees at 20 feet
C. Explain that the patient sees at 20 feet what a normal person sees at 40 feet
D. Refer the patient for emergency surgery
Answer: C
ASSESSMENT QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
1. Which of the following components is considered subjective data in a health history?
A. Blood pressure reading
B. Heart rate recorded by a nurse
C. Patient’s report of chest pain
D. Presence of a skin rash
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Subjective data consists of information provided by the patient
that cannot be directly observed or measured by the examiner, such as symptoms and
feelings.
2. What is the primary purpose of the ‘Review of Systems’ (ROS) during a health history?
A. To perform a physical examination of each body system
B. To verify objective findings
C. To document the patient’s chief complaint only
D. To identify past and present health of each body system
,Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: The ROS is a series of questions about each body system to
uncover symptoms the patient may have overlooked or omitted in the history of present
illness.
3. In the SOAP note format, where should the physical exam findings be documented?
A. O (Objective)
B. S (Subjective)
C. A (Assessment)
D. P (Plan)
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: The Objective section includes measurable data, such as physical
exam findings, vital signs, and laboratory results.
4. When assessing the skin, what does the ‘E’ stand for in the ABCDE rule for melanoma?
A. Erythema
B. Elevation
C. Edema
D. Evolving
Answer: D
, Conceptual Explanation: The ABCDE rule stands for Asymmetry, Border irregularity,
Color variation, Diameter >6mm, and Evolving (changes in size, shape, or color).
5. Which technique is the correct order for assessing the abdomen?
A. Inspection, Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation
B. Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion, Palpation
C. Inspection, Percussion, Palpation, Auscultation
D. Auscultation, Inspection, Palpation, Percussion
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Auscultation is performed before percussion and palpation to
avoid stimulating bowel sounds that might lead to an inaccurate assessment.
6. What is the most appropriate action for a nurse when a patient’s visual acuity is 20/40
using a Snellen chart?
A. Inform the patient they have perfect vision
B. Explain that the patient sees at 40 feet what a normal person sees at 20 feet
C. Explain that the patient sees at 20 feet what a normal person sees at 40 feet
D. Refer the patient for emergency surgery
Answer: C
