NSG 3160 / NSG3160 EXAM 2 – HEALTH ASSESSMENT (2026 UPDATE)
VERIFIED QUESTIONS & ANSWERS WITH RATIONALE GALEN COLLEGE
OF NURSING
SECTION 1: ASSESSMENT TECHNIQUES AND GENERAL SURVEY
(Questions 1–20)
QUESTION 1
A nurse is preparing to perform a physical assessment on a client. Which of the
following is the correct order of assessment techniques?
A) Inspection, palpation, percussion, auscultation
B) Palpation, percussion, inspection, auscultation
C) Auscultation, inspection, palpation, percussion
D) Percussion, auscultation, palpation, inspection
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct order for assessment techniques is inspection,
palpation, percussion, and auscultation (I-P-P-A). This sequence prevents
altering the client's physical findings. For example, palpation of the
abdomen before auscultation can increase bowel sounds. Inspection is always
performed first because it does not require touching the client. Auscultation
is performed last in the abdominal assessment to avoid altering bowel sounds
but is performed after inspection for other systems.
QUESTION 2
A nurse is performing a general survey on a newly admitted client. Which of
the following is included in the general survey?
A) Vital signs and pain assessment
B) Overall appearance, behavior, and mobility
C) Medical history and surgical history
D) Laboratory results and diagnostic findings
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The general survey is the overall observation of the client and
includes appearance, behavior, mobility, and body structure. It is performed
beginning at the initial encounter. Vital signs are part of the assessment but
,are not specifically the general survey. Medical and surgical history are part
of the health history. Laboratory results are not part of the general survey.
The general survey provides a "first impression" of the client's overall
health status.
QUESTION 3
A nurse is assessing a client's gait. Which of the following findings would
be considered abnormal?
A) Smooth, coordinated movement with arms swinging
B) Slight forward lean with a wide base of support
C) Symmetrical stride length and rhythm
D) Ability to turn quickly without losing balance
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A normal gait is smooth, coordinated, with symmetrical stride
length, rhythm, and arm swing. A forward lean with a wide base of support is
abnormal and may indicate neurologic or musculoskeletal issues. The client
should be able to turn quickly without balance loss. Shuffling, unsteadiness,
or asymmetry may indicate a problem.
QUESTION 4
A nurse is assessing a client's level of consciousness. Which of the following
is the most reliable indicator of a change in level of consciousness?
A) Orientation to time, place, and person
B) Response to verbal stimuli
C) Pupillary response to light
D) Glasgow Coma Scale score
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) is the most reliable and objective
indicator of level of consciousness. It evaluates eye opening, verbal
response, and motor response. Orientation is a component of consciousness but
may be intact while consciousness is impaired. Response to verbal stimuli
is one component. Pupillary response indicates brainstem function. A change
in GCS of 2 or more points requires prompt evaluation.
,QUESTION 5
A nurse is assessing a client's posture. Which of the following findings would
be considered abnormal?
A) Symmetrical shoulder height
B) Curvature of the spine with lateral deviation
C) Head centered over the spine
D) Arms hanging symmetrically
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Normal posture includes symmetrical shoulders, centered head, and
symmetrical arms. Lateral deviation of the spine (scoliosis) is abnormal and
may indicate structural or functional issues. Scoliosis can affect mobility
and may cause pain. Kyphosis (excessive forward curvature) and lordosis
(excessive inward curvature) are also abnormal.
QUESTION 6
A nurse is assessing a client's nutritional status. Which of the following
findings would indicate malnutrition?
A) Body mass index (BMI) of 22
B) Pale conjunctiva and dry, brittle hair
C) Moist skin and intact mucous membranes
D) Strong nail beds and shiny hair
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Pale conjunctiva, dry, brittle hair, and poor nail quality indicate
poor nutritional status. A BMI of 22 is within the normal range (18.5-24.9).
Moist skin, intact mucous membranes, strong nails, and shiny hair indicate
adequate nutrition. Nutritional assessment includes history, physical
examination, and laboratory findings.
QUESTION 7
A nurse is assessing a client's mood and affect. Which of the following
findings would indicate a normal affect?
A) Flat expression with no emotional response
B) Wide range of emotions appropriate to the situation
, C) Inappropriate laughter or crying
D) Irritability and agitation
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Normal affect is a wide range of emotions that are appropriate to
the situation. Flat affect (no emotional response) is abnormal. Inappropriate
affect (laughing at sad news) is abnormal. Irritability and agitation may
indicate underlying issues. Assessment of mood and affect is important for
mental health and overall well-being.
QUESTION 8
A nurse is assessing a client's speech. Which of the following findings would
be considered abnormal?
A) Clear articulation and coherent thoughts
B) Moderate rate with appropriate pauses
C) Circumstantial speech with excessive detail
D) Tone that matches the content
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Normal speech includes clear articulation, coherent thoughts,
moderate rate, and appropriate tone. Circumstantial speech (speaking with
excessive detail before reaching the point) is abnormal. Other abnormalities
include flight of ideas, pressured speech, and thought blocking. Speech
assessment is important for identifying neurologic or psychiatric conditions.
QUESTION 9
A nurse is assessing a client's hygiene and grooming. Which of the following
findings would be a concern?
A) Clean, neat clothing with appropriate fit
B) Uncombed hair and body odor
C) Shoes that are appropriate for the activity
D) Perfume or cologne used appropriately
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Uncombed hair and body odor may indicate an inability to perform
self-care. Clean clothing, appropriate shoes, and appropriate use of fragrance
VERIFIED QUESTIONS & ANSWERS WITH RATIONALE GALEN COLLEGE
OF NURSING
SECTION 1: ASSESSMENT TECHNIQUES AND GENERAL SURVEY
(Questions 1–20)
QUESTION 1
A nurse is preparing to perform a physical assessment on a client. Which of the
following is the correct order of assessment techniques?
A) Inspection, palpation, percussion, auscultation
B) Palpation, percussion, inspection, auscultation
C) Auscultation, inspection, palpation, percussion
D) Percussion, auscultation, palpation, inspection
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct order for assessment techniques is inspection,
palpation, percussion, and auscultation (I-P-P-A). This sequence prevents
altering the client's physical findings. For example, palpation of the
abdomen before auscultation can increase bowel sounds. Inspection is always
performed first because it does not require touching the client. Auscultation
is performed last in the abdominal assessment to avoid altering bowel sounds
but is performed after inspection for other systems.
QUESTION 2
A nurse is performing a general survey on a newly admitted client. Which of
the following is included in the general survey?
A) Vital signs and pain assessment
B) Overall appearance, behavior, and mobility
C) Medical history and surgical history
D) Laboratory results and diagnostic findings
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The general survey is the overall observation of the client and
includes appearance, behavior, mobility, and body structure. It is performed
beginning at the initial encounter. Vital signs are part of the assessment but
,are not specifically the general survey. Medical and surgical history are part
of the health history. Laboratory results are not part of the general survey.
The general survey provides a "first impression" of the client's overall
health status.
QUESTION 3
A nurse is assessing a client's gait. Which of the following findings would
be considered abnormal?
A) Smooth, coordinated movement with arms swinging
B) Slight forward lean with a wide base of support
C) Symmetrical stride length and rhythm
D) Ability to turn quickly without losing balance
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A normal gait is smooth, coordinated, with symmetrical stride
length, rhythm, and arm swing. A forward lean with a wide base of support is
abnormal and may indicate neurologic or musculoskeletal issues. The client
should be able to turn quickly without balance loss. Shuffling, unsteadiness,
or asymmetry may indicate a problem.
QUESTION 4
A nurse is assessing a client's level of consciousness. Which of the following
is the most reliable indicator of a change in level of consciousness?
A) Orientation to time, place, and person
B) Response to verbal stimuli
C) Pupillary response to light
D) Glasgow Coma Scale score
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) is the most reliable and objective
indicator of level of consciousness. It evaluates eye opening, verbal
response, and motor response. Orientation is a component of consciousness but
may be intact while consciousness is impaired. Response to verbal stimuli
is one component. Pupillary response indicates brainstem function. A change
in GCS of 2 or more points requires prompt evaluation.
,QUESTION 5
A nurse is assessing a client's posture. Which of the following findings would
be considered abnormal?
A) Symmetrical shoulder height
B) Curvature of the spine with lateral deviation
C) Head centered over the spine
D) Arms hanging symmetrically
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Normal posture includes symmetrical shoulders, centered head, and
symmetrical arms. Lateral deviation of the spine (scoliosis) is abnormal and
may indicate structural or functional issues. Scoliosis can affect mobility
and may cause pain. Kyphosis (excessive forward curvature) and lordosis
(excessive inward curvature) are also abnormal.
QUESTION 6
A nurse is assessing a client's nutritional status. Which of the following
findings would indicate malnutrition?
A) Body mass index (BMI) of 22
B) Pale conjunctiva and dry, brittle hair
C) Moist skin and intact mucous membranes
D) Strong nail beds and shiny hair
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Pale conjunctiva, dry, brittle hair, and poor nail quality indicate
poor nutritional status. A BMI of 22 is within the normal range (18.5-24.9).
Moist skin, intact mucous membranes, strong nails, and shiny hair indicate
adequate nutrition. Nutritional assessment includes history, physical
examination, and laboratory findings.
QUESTION 7
A nurse is assessing a client's mood and affect. Which of the following
findings would indicate a normal affect?
A) Flat expression with no emotional response
B) Wide range of emotions appropriate to the situation
, C) Inappropriate laughter or crying
D) Irritability and agitation
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Normal affect is a wide range of emotions that are appropriate to
the situation. Flat affect (no emotional response) is abnormal. Inappropriate
affect (laughing at sad news) is abnormal. Irritability and agitation may
indicate underlying issues. Assessment of mood and affect is important for
mental health and overall well-being.
QUESTION 8
A nurse is assessing a client's speech. Which of the following findings would
be considered abnormal?
A) Clear articulation and coherent thoughts
B) Moderate rate with appropriate pauses
C) Circumstantial speech with excessive detail
D) Tone that matches the content
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Normal speech includes clear articulation, coherent thoughts,
moderate rate, and appropriate tone. Circumstantial speech (speaking with
excessive detail before reaching the point) is abnormal. Other abnormalities
include flight of ideas, pressured speech, and thought blocking. Speech
assessment is important for identifying neurologic or psychiatric conditions.
QUESTION 9
A nurse is assessing a client's hygiene and grooming. Which of the following
findings would be a concern?
A) Clean, neat clothing with appropriate fit
B) Uncombed hair and body odor
C) Shoes that are appropriate for the activity
D) Perfume or cologne used appropriately
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Uncombed hair and body odor may indicate an inability to perform
self-care. Clean clothing, appropriate shoes, and appropriate use of fragrance
