GALEN COLLEGE OF NURSING · SCHOOL OF NURSING
NUR 504 Final Exam
Practice Question Bank
Health Assessment — NCLEX-Style Practice Questions with Rationales
Topic Focus: Comprehensive Health Assessment Review
Edition 1 · September 2026
Table of Contents
1. Instructions for Use 2
2. Practice Questions with Answers & Rationales — Health Assessment 2
NUR 504 · Galen College of Nursing Page 1
,NUR 504 FINAL EXAM PRACTICE GUIDE INSTRUCTIONS & PRACTICE QUESTIONS
How to Use This Guide
Read each stem, choose your answer, then check the rationale directly below it. The correct
option is marked, and each wrong option is explained so you understand why it's wrong — not
just that it is.
Category: Health Assessment — Comprehensive Review
1 Which of the following is an example of subjective data that may be collected during
a health assessment?
A Height and weight
B A patient's recall of his or her past health conditions
C Results from an abdominal CT scan
D Complete blood count
Why B is correct: Subjective data includes information that the patient reports, such as
recall of past health conditions.
A — Height and weight are objective, measurable data.
C — CT scan results are objective data.
D — CBC results are objective data.
,2 Which of the following is true regarding the data taken in a health history?
A Most health history data are objective and measurable.
B Objective data are error-free, quantifiable data.
C Subjective data, being inherently less accurate, are of less value than objective data.
D A successful individualized plan of care must incorporate subjective data.
Why D is correct: A successful individualized plan of care must incorporate subjective data,
which provides the patient's perspective and experience.
A — Most health history data are subjective, not objective.
B — Objective data can contain errors.
C — Subjective data are essential and equally valuable.
3 What do Coulehan and Block define as "listening to the total communication . . . and
letting the patient know that you are really hearing"?
A Cultural competence
B Patience
C Empathy
D Top-tier communication
Why C is correct: Empathy is defined as listening to the total communication and letting
the patient know that you are really hearing them.
A — Cultural competence is the ability to understand and respect cultural differences.
B — Patience is important but not the definition provided.
D — Top-tier communication is not the term used.
, 4 The provider is preparing to take a health history for a new patient. He takes the
patient to a private room and asks the patient to don a hospital gown. After
stepping outside to give the patient sufficient time to change, he then comes back in
and asks permission to conduct the history. He sits next to the patient at eye level,
discreetly observes the patient for any sensory deficits, and asks the patient if he
may take brief notes of the conversation. During the conversation, he gives the
patient time to answer questions fully. He makes sure that his questions do not
contain technical terms and quietly observes the patient's nonverbal behaviors
throughout. Which mistake did the provider make?
A He should have allowed the patient to remain fully clothed in their own clothing for
their comfort.
B He should not have omitted technical terminology.
C He should have seated himself behind a desk for professional distance.
D He should have conducted the history before the patient changed.
Why A is correct: Patients should be allowed to remain fully clothed during the history-
taking portion of the visit.
B — Avoiding technical terminology is appropriate.
C — Sitting at eye level without barriers is appropriate.
D — The patient should be comfortable and not rushed to change.
5 Which of the following is true of both comprehensive and focused health histories?
A They both include identifying data.
B They both include a social history.
C They both include a family history.
D They are both conducted in emergency situations.
Why A is correct: Both comprehensive and focused health histories include identifying data
such as name, age, gender, and date of birth.
B — Social history may not be included in a focused history.
C — Family history may not be included in a focused history.
D — Comprehensive histories are not conducted in emergency situations.
NUR 504 Final Exam
Practice Question Bank
Health Assessment — NCLEX-Style Practice Questions with Rationales
Topic Focus: Comprehensive Health Assessment Review
Edition 1 · September 2026
Table of Contents
1. Instructions for Use 2
2. Practice Questions with Answers & Rationales — Health Assessment 2
NUR 504 · Galen College of Nursing Page 1
,NUR 504 FINAL EXAM PRACTICE GUIDE INSTRUCTIONS & PRACTICE QUESTIONS
How to Use This Guide
Read each stem, choose your answer, then check the rationale directly below it. The correct
option is marked, and each wrong option is explained so you understand why it's wrong — not
just that it is.
Category: Health Assessment — Comprehensive Review
1 Which of the following is an example of subjective data that may be collected during
a health assessment?
A Height and weight
B A patient's recall of his or her past health conditions
C Results from an abdominal CT scan
D Complete blood count
Why B is correct: Subjective data includes information that the patient reports, such as
recall of past health conditions.
A — Height and weight are objective, measurable data.
C — CT scan results are objective data.
D — CBC results are objective data.
,2 Which of the following is true regarding the data taken in a health history?
A Most health history data are objective and measurable.
B Objective data are error-free, quantifiable data.
C Subjective data, being inherently less accurate, are of less value than objective data.
D A successful individualized plan of care must incorporate subjective data.
Why D is correct: A successful individualized plan of care must incorporate subjective data,
which provides the patient's perspective and experience.
A — Most health history data are subjective, not objective.
B — Objective data can contain errors.
C — Subjective data are essential and equally valuable.
3 What do Coulehan and Block define as "listening to the total communication . . . and
letting the patient know that you are really hearing"?
A Cultural competence
B Patience
C Empathy
D Top-tier communication
Why C is correct: Empathy is defined as listening to the total communication and letting
the patient know that you are really hearing them.
A — Cultural competence is the ability to understand and respect cultural differences.
B — Patience is important but not the definition provided.
D — Top-tier communication is not the term used.
, 4 The provider is preparing to take a health history for a new patient. He takes the
patient to a private room and asks the patient to don a hospital gown. After
stepping outside to give the patient sufficient time to change, he then comes back in
and asks permission to conduct the history. He sits next to the patient at eye level,
discreetly observes the patient for any sensory deficits, and asks the patient if he
may take brief notes of the conversation. During the conversation, he gives the
patient time to answer questions fully. He makes sure that his questions do not
contain technical terms and quietly observes the patient's nonverbal behaviors
throughout. Which mistake did the provider make?
A He should have allowed the patient to remain fully clothed in their own clothing for
their comfort.
B He should not have omitted technical terminology.
C He should have seated himself behind a desk for professional distance.
D He should have conducted the history before the patient changed.
Why A is correct: Patients should be allowed to remain fully clothed during the history-
taking portion of the visit.
B — Avoiding technical terminology is appropriate.
C — Sitting at eye level without barriers is appropriate.
D — The patient should be comfortable and not rushed to change.
5 Which of the following is true of both comprehensive and focused health histories?
A They both include identifying data.
B They both include a social history.
C They both include a family history.
D They are both conducted in emergency situations.
Why A is correct: Both comprehensive and focused health histories include identifying data
such as name, age, gender, and date of birth.
B — Social history may not be included in a focused history.
C — Family history may not be included in a focused history.
D — Comprehensive histories are not conducted in emergency situations.
