Galen NSG 3160 Exam 1 – Health Assessment Comprehensive… 2026 Update • Verified Answers
✓ VERIFIED • 2026 UPDATE • 100% ACCURATE
Galen NSG 3160 Exam 1 – Health Assessment
Comprehensive Quiz 2026 UPDATE
Actual Exam Questions & Verified Answers
with Detailed Rationales
Document Type: Exam (Elaborations)
Academic Year:
Total Questions: 50 Multiple Choice
Includes: Correct Answers + Full Rationales
Status: Verified & Updated for 2026
Exam (Elaborations) • Actual Questions & Rationales Page 1
,Galen NSG 3160 Exam 1 – Health Assessment Comprehensive… 2026 Update • Verified Answers
Questions & Verified Answers
1. A nurse is conducting a health history. Which of the following is considered subjective data?
A. Blood pressure of 140/90 mmHg
B. Patient reporting a dull ache in the lower back
C. Pitting edema noted in the lower extremities
D. Hyperactive bowel sounds in all quadrants
Answer: B
Rationale: Subjective data consists of information provided by the patient that cannot be directly observed by
the nurse, such as pain or feelings. Exam questions often test the ability to distinguish this concept from closely
related distractors, making a clear rationale essential for mastery. Applying this knowledge in clinical settings
supports safe, evidence-based practice and improves patient outcomes.
2. When assessing the abdomen, what is the correct sequence of physical examination
techniques?
A. Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion, Palpation
B. Inspection, Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation
C. Auscultation, Inspection, Palpation, Percussion
D. Percussion, Auscultation, Inspection, Palpation
Answer: A
Rationale: For the abdomen, auscultation is performed before percussion and palpation to avoid altering bowel
sounds. Applying this knowledge in clinical settings supports safe, evidence-based practice and improves
patient outcomes. This is an important clinical concept because selecting the correct answer (A) requires
understanding both the pathophysiology and the practical nursing implications.
3. Which part of the hand is best suited for assessing skin temperature during a physical
exam?
A. Dorsal surface (back) of the hand
B. Fingertips
C. Ulnar surface of the hand
D. Palmar surface of the hand
Answer: A
Rationale: The dorsal surface of the hand is thinner and more sensitive to temperature changes. Applying this
knowledge in clinical settings supports safe, evidence-based practice and improves patient outcomes. This is
an important clinical concept because selecting the correct answer (A) requires understanding both the
pathophysiology and the practical nursing implications.
Exam (Elaborations) • Actual Questions & Rationales Page 2
, Galen NSG 3160 Exam 1 – Health Assessment Comprehensive… 2026 Update • Verified Answers
4. A patient presents with a ‘swishing’ sound heard over the carotid artery. The nurse
recognizes this as:
A. A thrill
B. A bruit
C. A murmur
D. Crepitus
Answer: B
Rationale: A bruit is a vascular sound resembling a heart murmur, often heard over partially obstructed
arteries. Recognizing this principle allows the nurse to prioritize care, anticipate complications, and provide
accurate patient education. Exam questions often test the ability to distinguish this concept from closely related
distractors, making a clear rationale essential for mastery.
5. During a respiratory assessment, the nurse hears low-pitched, snoring sounds that clear
with coughing. These are documented as:
A. Fine crackles
B. Wheezes
C. Pleural friction rub
D. Rhonchi
Answer: D
Rationale: Rhonchi are low-pitched, continuous sounds caused by secretions in large airways and often clear
with a cough. Exam questions often test the ability to distinguish this concept from closely related distractors,
making a clear rationale essential for mastery. Applying this knowledge in clinical settings supports safe,
evidence-based practice and improves patient outcomes.
6. The nurse is using the ‘PQRST’ acronym to assess pain. What does the ‘Q’ represent?
A. Quickness of onset
B. Quantity or Quality
C. Quelling factors
D. Quadrant location
Answer: B
Rationale: Q stands for Quality (what does it feel like?) or Quantity (severity). Recognizing this principle allows
the nurse to prioritize care, anticipate complications, and provide accurate patient education. Exam questions
often test the ability to distinguish this concept from closely related distractors, making a clear rationale
essential for mastery.
Exam (Elaborations) • Actual Questions & Rationales Page 3
✓ VERIFIED • 2026 UPDATE • 100% ACCURATE
Galen NSG 3160 Exam 1 – Health Assessment
Comprehensive Quiz 2026 UPDATE
Actual Exam Questions & Verified Answers
with Detailed Rationales
Document Type: Exam (Elaborations)
Academic Year:
Total Questions: 50 Multiple Choice
Includes: Correct Answers + Full Rationales
Status: Verified & Updated for 2026
Exam (Elaborations) • Actual Questions & Rationales Page 1
,Galen NSG 3160 Exam 1 – Health Assessment Comprehensive… 2026 Update • Verified Answers
Questions & Verified Answers
1. A nurse is conducting a health history. Which of the following is considered subjective data?
A. Blood pressure of 140/90 mmHg
B. Patient reporting a dull ache in the lower back
C. Pitting edema noted in the lower extremities
D. Hyperactive bowel sounds in all quadrants
Answer: B
Rationale: Subjective data consists of information provided by the patient that cannot be directly observed by
the nurse, such as pain or feelings. Exam questions often test the ability to distinguish this concept from closely
related distractors, making a clear rationale essential for mastery. Applying this knowledge in clinical settings
supports safe, evidence-based practice and improves patient outcomes.
2. When assessing the abdomen, what is the correct sequence of physical examination
techniques?
A. Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion, Palpation
B. Inspection, Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation
C. Auscultation, Inspection, Palpation, Percussion
D. Percussion, Auscultation, Inspection, Palpation
Answer: A
Rationale: For the abdomen, auscultation is performed before percussion and palpation to avoid altering bowel
sounds. Applying this knowledge in clinical settings supports safe, evidence-based practice and improves
patient outcomes. This is an important clinical concept because selecting the correct answer (A) requires
understanding both the pathophysiology and the practical nursing implications.
3. Which part of the hand is best suited for assessing skin temperature during a physical
exam?
A. Dorsal surface (back) of the hand
B. Fingertips
C. Ulnar surface of the hand
D. Palmar surface of the hand
Answer: A
Rationale: The dorsal surface of the hand is thinner and more sensitive to temperature changes. Applying this
knowledge in clinical settings supports safe, evidence-based practice and improves patient outcomes. This is
an important clinical concept because selecting the correct answer (A) requires understanding both the
pathophysiology and the practical nursing implications.
Exam (Elaborations) • Actual Questions & Rationales Page 2
, Galen NSG 3160 Exam 1 – Health Assessment Comprehensive… 2026 Update • Verified Answers
4. A patient presents with a ‘swishing’ sound heard over the carotid artery. The nurse
recognizes this as:
A. A thrill
B. A bruit
C. A murmur
D. Crepitus
Answer: B
Rationale: A bruit is a vascular sound resembling a heart murmur, often heard over partially obstructed
arteries. Recognizing this principle allows the nurse to prioritize care, anticipate complications, and provide
accurate patient education. Exam questions often test the ability to distinguish this concept from closely related
distractors, making a clear rationale essential for mastery.
5. During a respiratory assessment, the nurse hears low-pitched, snoring sounds that clear
with coughing. These are documented as:
A. Fine crackles
B. Wheezes
C. Pleural friction rub
D. Rhonchi
Answer: D
Rationale: Rhonchi are low-pitched, continuous sounds caused by secretions in large airways and often clear
with a cough. Exam questions often test the ability to distinguish this concept from closely related distractors,
making a clear rationale essential for mastery. Applying this knowledge in clinical settings supports safe,
evidence-based practice and improves patient outcomes.
6. The nurse is using the ‘PQRST’ acronym to assess pain. What does the ‘Q’ represent?
A. Quickness of onset
B. Quantity or Quality
C. Quelling factors
D. Quadrant location
Answer: B
Rationale: Q stands for Quality (what does it feel like?) or Quantity (severity). Recognizing this principle allows
the nurse to prioritize care, anticipate complications, and provide accurate patient education. Exam questions
often test the ability to distinguish this concept from closely related distractors, making a clear rationale
essential for mastery.
Exam (Elaborations) • Actual Questions & Rationales Page 3
