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# TITLE **University of South Alabama HSC 343 Health Assessment Final Exam Questions Verified and Provided with A+ Graded Answers Latest Updated 2026/2027 – Nursing Process, Subjective & Objective Data, Health History, PQRSTU Pain Assessment, Physical

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# DESCRIPTION **University of South Alabama HSC 343 Health Assessment Final Exam Questions Verified and Provided with A+ Graded Answers Latest Updated 2026/2027 | Instant Download** Prepare for the **University of South Alabama HSC 343 Health Assessment Final Exam** with this comprehensive, content-rich review resource covering high-yield health assessment terminology, nursing process concepts, therapeutic communication, cultural assessment, health history, pain assessment, physical examination techniques, neurological assessment, respiratory assessment, cardiovascular assessment, abdominal assessment, skin assessment, breast cancer risk factors, pressure ulcers, edema, lymph node assessment, and musculoskeletal examination. This resource is built directly around the **HSC 343 Health Assessment** material provided and is designed to help nursing and healthcare students quickly review definitions, assessment techniques, clinical terminology, examination sequences, and important patient assessment concepts. ## HSC 343 HEALTH ASSESSMENT CORE CONCEPTS Review fundamental health assessment terminology and clinical concepts, including: * Subjective data * Objective data * Nursing process * Nursing assessment * Nursing diagnosis * Nursing planning * Nursing implementation * Nursing evaluation * Primary prevention * Secondary prevention * Tertiary prevention * Functional ability * Caregiver strain * Clinical assessment * Comprehensive health history * Physical examination Understand the distinction between patient-reported information and measurable or observable assessment findings. ## NURSING PROCESS The material reviews all major components of the nursing process: ### Assessment Systematic collection and analysis of physical, psychological, sociocultural, economic, spiritual, and lifestyle information. ### Diagnosis Clinical nursing judgment regarding actual or potential health conditions and patient needs. ### Planning Development of measurable and achievable short-term and long-term goals. ### Implementation Carrying out the nursing plan of care. ### Evaluation Continual evaluation of patient status and effectiveness of nursing interventions, with modification of the plan when necessary. ## SUBJECTIVE AND OBJECTIVE DATA Master one of the most important health assessment distinctions: ### Subjective Data Includes information from the patient's perspective, such as: * Feelings * Perceptions * Concerns * Symptoms * Pain * Patient descriptions * Personal experiences ### Objective Data Includes observable and measurable information obtained through: * Observation * Physical examination * Vital signs * Laboratory testing * Diagnostic testing * Inspection * Auscultation * Palpation * Percussion ## HEALTH PROMOTION AND PREVENTION Review the three levels of prevention: **Primary Prevention** * Immunizations * Healthy diet * Disease prevention * Increasing resistance to disease * Eliminating disease agents **Secondary Prevention** * Early detection * Screening * Identifying disease before symptoms * Treating conditions before complications develop **Tertiary Prevention** * Rehabilitation * Treatment of symptomatic disease * Reduction of disability * Reduction of complications * Prevention of death ## CULTURAL HEALTH ASSESSMENT The resource covers cultural considerations essential to comprehensive nursing assessment. Review: * Spector's Heritage Assessment * Cultural variations * Cultural affiliations * Communication styles * Cultural restrictions * Cultural sanctions * Economics * Education * Health-related beliefs * Health practices * Kinship * Nutrition * Religion * Spirituality * Cultural assessment * Culturally sensitive nursing care ## SPIRITUALITY AND RELIGION Understand the difference between spirituality and religion. **Spirituality** involves an individual's personal life experience and search for purpose and meaning. **Religion** involves an organized system of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe. These concepts are important when performing holistic health assessments. ## THERAPEUTIC COMMUNICATION Review therapeutic communication techniques and common communication traps. ### Therapeutic Communication Includes: * Active listening * Sharing observations * Empathy * Hope * Discussing feelings * Appropriate humor * Therapeutic touch * Providing information * Silence * Clarification ### Communication Traps Know how to recognize: * False reassurance * Unwanted advice * Using authority * Avoidance language * Distancing * Medical jargon * Talking too much * Leading questions * Interrupting * Asking “why” questions ## HEALTH HISTORY Review the major components of a comprehensive health history: * Biographical data * Source of history * Reason for seeking care * Present health * History of present illness * Past health history * Family history * Review of systems * Functional activities of daily living ### Biographical Data Includes information such as: * Name * Date of birth * Address * Telephone number * Race * Ethnic origin * Current occupation * Previous occupation ### Source of History Includes identification of the person providing information and whether an interpreter was required. ### Reason for Seeking Care Focuses on signs, symptoms, and the patient's reason for seeking healthcare. ## HISTORY OF PRESENT ILLNESS Review assessment of: * Location * Character * Quality * Quantity * Severity * Timing * Setting * Aggravating factors * Relieving factors * Patient's perception ## PQRSTU PAIN ASSESSMENT Master the PQRSTU framework: * **P** — Provocative or palliative factors * **Q** — Quantity or quality * **R** — Region or radiation * **S** — Severity * **T** — Timing or onset * **U** — Understanding the patient's perception The material also addresses pain severity scales and age-appropriate pain assessment. ## PAIN ASSESSMENT ACROSS THE LIFESPAN Review: * Adult pain assessment * Older adult pain assessment * Pediatric pain assessment * Wong-Baker pain scale * Oucher Scale * Mild/moderate/severe descriptors * Pain location * Pain quality * Pain radiation * Pain severity * Pain onset and timing ## PAST HEALTH HISTORY Review important components including: * Childhood illnesses * Accidents * Injuries * Chronic illnesses * Hospitalizations * Operations * Obstetric history * Immunizations * Previous examinations * Prescription medications * OTC medications * Allergies ## FAMILY HISTORY Review assessment of: * Relative's age * Relative's health * Cause of death * Close family members * Hereditary conditions * Family disease patterns * Family tree * Genogram ## FUNCTIONAL ASSESSMENT AND ADLs Review functional assessment areas including: * Self-esteem * Activity * Exercise * Sleep * Rest * Nutrition * Elimination * Interpersonal relationships * Spiritual resources * Coping * Stress management * Personal habits * Illicit drug use * Environmental hazards * Occupational hazards * Intimate partner violence * Occupational health * Activities of daily living ## HEADACHE ASSESSMENT Review characteristics of common headache patterns: ### Tension Headache * Occipital pain * Frontal pain * Band-like tightness * Viselike pressure ### Migraine Headache * Supraorbital pain * Retro-orbital pain * Frontotemporal pain * Severe throbbing * Family history * Potential food/alcohol triggers ### Cluster Headache * Eye pain * Temporal pain * Forehead pain * Cheek pain * Excruciating pain * Episodic attacks * Potential alcohol or napping triggers ## GENERAL SURVEY Review the four major components: * Physical appearance * Body structure * Mobility * Behavior * Measurements and vital signs ## VITAL SIGNS AND BLOOD PRESSURE Review important blood pressure assessment concepts, particularly correct cuff sizing. A cuff that is too narrow can produce a falsely elevated blood pressure, while an excessively large cuff can produce a falsely low reading. Also review: * Hypertension * Hypotension * Apical pulse * Peripheral pulse assessment * Pulse amplitude * Cardiovascular assessment ## APICAL PULSE Review proper assessment of the apical pulse, including: * Location * Fifth intercostal space * Midclavicular region * Auscultation * Comparison with radial pulse * Pulse deficit concepts ## SKIN ASSESSMENT The material covers numerous dermatologic findings and lesion characteristics. Review: * Annular lesions * Polycyclic lesions * Zosterform/zosteriform lesions * Vesicles * Pustules * Wheals * Psoriasis * Pallor * Skin color * Skin abnormalities * Lesion morphology ## ABCDE SKIN CANCER ASSESSMENT Master the ABCDE approach: * **A — Asymmetry** * **B — Border irregularity** * **C — Color** * **D — Diameter** * **E — Elevation/Evolution** ## EDEMA GRADING Review the four grades of pitting edema: **1+ edema** * Mild pitting * Slight indentation **2+ edema** * Moderate pitting * Indentation subsides rapidly **3+ edema** * Deep indentation * Persists briefly * Visible swelling **4+ edema** * Very deep pitting * Indentation remains for a prolonged period * Significant swelling ## PRESSURE ULCER STAGING Review the characteristics of: * Stage 1 pressure injury * Stage 2 pressure injury * Stage 3 pressure injury * Stage 4 pressure injury Topics include: * Intact skin * Nonblanchable redness * Partial-thickness skin loss * Full-thickness tissue loss * Subcutaneous tissue involvement * Muscle exposure * Tendon exposure * Bone exposure * Necrotic tissue ## HEENT ASSESSMENT Review assessment of the head, eyes, ears, nose, throat, and related structures. Important topics include: * Tonsillitis findings * Cervical lymph nodes * Submental lymph nodes * Submandibular lymph nodes * Anterior cervical nodes * Posterior cervical nodes * PERRLA * Accommodation * Cataracts * Tympanic membrane assessment ## LYMPH NODE LOCATIONS Know the anatomical locations of: * Submental lymph nodes * Submandibular lymph nodes * Anterior cervical lymph nodes * Posterior cervical lymph nodes ## EYE ASSESSMENT Review: * PERRLA * Pupillary response * Accommodation * Cataracts * Near vision * Lens opacity ## EAR ASSESSMENT Review the correct positioning for visualization of the tympanic membrane: * Adult: pinna up and back * Small child: pinna down and back ## RESPIRATORY ASSESSMENT Review abnormal respiratory sounds and special lung assessment techniques. ### Wheezes Whistling sounds associated with narrowed or obstructed small airways. ### Rhonchi Continuous low-pitched sounds often associated with secretions or obstruction in larger airways. ### Stridor Harsh, high-pitched/vibrating sound associated with upper airway obstruction. ## SPECIAL LUNG ASSESSMENT TECHNIQUES Review: ### Whispered Pectoriloquy Assessment of whispered voice transmission through the lungs. ### Egophony Patient phonates an “E” sound while the nurse auscultates for abnormal transmission. ### Bronchophony Assessment using spoken sounds such as “ninety-nine” to evaluate transmission through lung tissue. ## CARDIOVASCULAR ASSESSMENT Review: * Systole * Diastole * Heart sounds * Peripheral pulses * Pulse amplitude * Bruits * Arterial insufficiency * Venous insufficiency * Varicose veins ### Systole Review ventricular contraction, valve closure, and blood ejection into the pulmonary artery and aorta. ### Diastole Review ventricular relaxation, ventricular filling, and semilunar valve closure. ## PERIPHERAL PULSE RATING Review the pulse grading system: * **3+** — increased/bounding * **2+** — normal * **1+** — weak * **0** — absent ## ARTERIAL AND VENOUS INSUFFICIENCY Review distinguishing features of: * Arterial insufficiency * Pallor * Capillary/color return * Venous insufficiency * Varicose veins * Valve incompetence * Extremity assessment ## ABDOMINAL ASSESSMENT Know the correct assessment sequence: **Inspection → Auscultation → Percussion → Palpation** Review the four abdominal quadrants and associated organs. ### RUQ * Liver * Gallbladder * Duodenum * Right kidney * Right adrenal gland * Portions of the colon ### LUQ * Stomach * Spleen * Pancreas * Left lobe of liver * Left kidney * Left adrenal gland * Portions of the colon ### RLQ * Cecum * Appendix * Right ovary/tube * Right ureter * Right spermatic cord ### LLQ * Descending colon * Sigmoid colon * Left ovary/tube * Left ureter * Left spermatic cord ## CHEST ASSESSMENT Review the correct sequence: **Inspection → Palpation → Percussion → Auscultation** Understand the importance of using the appropriate examination sequence for different body regions. ## MUSCULOSKELETAL ASSESSMENT Review: * Abduction * Circumduction * Dorsiflexion * Plantar flexion * Inversion * Eversion * Lordosis * Myalgia * Functional ability * Joint abnormalities * Swelling * Masses * Deformities * Symmetry of extremities ## CHEST WALL AND POSTURE FINDINGS Review: * Pectus carinatum * Pectus excavatum * Lordosis * Thoracic abnormalities * Musculoskeletal deformities ## NEUROLOGICAL ASSESSMENT Review sensory and neurological terminology including: * Graphesthesia * Stereognosis * Sensory perception * Touch discrimination * Recognition of objects and patterns through sensory input ## IMPORTANT HEALTH ASSESSMENT TERMINOLOGY Key terms covered include: * Accommodation * Abduction * Annular lesion * Bruit * Caregiver strain * Cataract * Circumduction * Dorsiflexion * Eupneic * Eversion * Functional ability * Graphesthesia * Hypertension * Hypotension * Inversion * Lordosis * Myalgia * Orthopnea * Pallor * Pectus carinatum * Pectus excavatum * Plantar flexion * Psoriasis * Pustule * Rhonchi * Stereognosis * Stridor * Vesicles * Wheals * Wheezes * Zosteriform lesions ## BREAST CANCER RISK FACTORS Review the distinction between modifiable and non-modifiable breast cancer risk factors. ### Modifiable Factors * Alcohol use * Physical activity * Postmenopausal weight gain * Dietary patterns ### Non-Modifiable Factors * Age * Sex/gender * Ethnicity * Genetic mutations ## EXAM-FOCUSED REVIEW This resource is useful for reviewing questions involving: * Health assessment terminology * Nursing process * Subjective and objective data * Prevention levels * Cultural assessment * Heritage assessment * Spirituality and religion * Therapeutic communication * Communication traps * Health history * PQRSTU * Pain assessment * Headaches * General survey * Blood pressure * Apical pulse * Skin lesions * ABCDE assessment * Edema * Pressure injuries * HEENT * Lymph nodes * PERRLA * Tympanic membranes * Respiratory sounds * Lung assessment techniques * Cardiovascular assessment * Abdominal quadrants * Musculoskeletal assessment * Neurological assessment * Functional ability * Breast cancer risk factors **Latest Updated 2026/2027 | Instant Download | Comprehensive University of South Alabama HSC 343 Health Assessment Final Exam Review**

Content preview

University of South Alabama HSC 343



Health Assessment Final Exam
Questions Verified and Provided
with A+ Graded Answers Latest
Updated 2026

Abduction moving body part away from axis


Accommodation adaption of the eye for near vision by increasing the curvature of
the lens


Annular lesion ring-like shape forming a circle. Clear in the center


Bruit blowing swooshing sound heard through the stethoscope over an area
of abnormal blood flow


Caregiver strain difficulties from assuming the role of caregiver and alterations in
the caregiver's health and wellness


Cataract opacity of the lens of the eye that develops slowly with aging and
gradually obstructs vision


Circumduction moving the arm in a circle around the shoulder


Dorsiflexion backward flexion of the hand or foot


Eupneic normal breathing


Eversion the act of turning inside out. In a foot the act of turning outward


Functional Ability the ability to perform activities of daily living


Graphesthesia the ability to detect writing on the had using only the sense of touch


Hypertension blood pressure over 140 systolic and 90 diastolic


Hypotension blood pressure under 90 systolic and 60 diastolic


Inversion to rotate the sole of the foot inward


Lordosis excessive inward curvature of the spine


Myalgia pain in a muscle or group of muscles


Orthopnea shortness of breath that occurs when lying down


Pallor an unhealthy pale appearance


Pectus carninatum a rare birth defect in which the sternum protrudes outward

, Pectus excavatum abnormality of the thoracic wall in which the sternum and ribs
grow abnormally gives a sunken in appearance


plantar flexion movement of the foot in which the foot or toes flex downward


Polycyclic lesions movement of the foot in which the foot or toes flex downward


Psoriasis skin disease marked by red, scaly, itchy, polycyclic patches


pustule small blister or pimple on the skin containing pus


Ronchi continuous low pitched rattling lung sounds that often resemble
snoring. From obstruction of secretions in large airways




Stereognosis the mental perception of three-dimensionality by the senses


Stridor harsh vibrating noise caused by an obstruction of the windpipe larynx


Vesicles fluid or air filled cavity or sac


Wheals area of skin temporarily raised, reddened, and itchy, like a mosquito bite


Wheezes whistling breath sound created by obstruction of small airways


Zosterform Lesions band-like unilateral skin lesion running along a nerve line


Subjective Data information from the patient's point of view such as feelings,
perceptions, and concerns


Objective data observable and measurable data obtained from observation, physical
examination, laboratory and diagnostic testing


Nursing process Assessment using a systemic, dynamic process to collect and analyze data about
a client. Includes physical data, psychological, sociocultural,
economic, spiritual, and life-style factors


Nursing Process Diagnosis the nurse's clinical judgement about the client's response to actual
or potential health conditions or needs. The basis of the nurse care
plan

Nursing process Planning based on the assessment and diagnosis, the nurse sets measurable
and achievable long and short term goals


Nursing Process Implementation nursing care is implemented according to the plan


Nursing Process Evaluation the patient's status and effectiveness of the care must be
continuously evaluated and adjusted


Primary Prevention attempts to avoid occurrence of a disease through eliminating
disease agents or increasing resistance to disease. Ex:
immunizations, healthy diet


Secondary Prevention Methods to detect and address an existing disease before the
appearance of symptoms. Ex: treating hypertension before CVD

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