Walden NURS 3010 Health Assessment
Midterm Exam Practice Examination
2026–2027 Comprehensive Question
Practice Test with Answers & Rationales
Free Pdf Access
NURS 3020 Health Assessment Midterm
Practice Examination
1.
A nurse begins a health assessment by asking the patient, “What brings you to the clinic
today?” This question primarily obtains:
A. Objective data
B. The chief concern
C. Secondary diagnosis
D. Review of systems
Answer: B
Rationale: The opening question allows the patient to describe the chief concern or reason for
seeking care in their own words.
2.
Which finding is considered subjective data?
A. Blood pressure of 148/88 mmHg
B. Temperature of 38.2°C
C. Patient reports feeling dizzy
D. Respiratory rate of 24/min
,Answer: C
Rationale: Subjective data are symptoms reported by the patient. Vital signs are objective
findings that can be measured or observed.
3.
Which finding represents objective data?
A. “My chest feels tight.”
B. “I have been tired for three weeks.”
C. “My pain is 7 out of 10.”
D. Bilateral wheezing is heard on auscultation.
Answer: D
Rationale: Objective data are observable or measurable findings obtained by the healthcare
professional.
4.
During an interview, which action best demonstrates therapeutic communication?
A. Interrupting frequently to save time
B. Asking several questions simultaneously
C. Maintaining appropriate eye contact and active listening
D. Changing the subject when the patient becomes emotional
Answer: C
Rationale: Active listening, appropriate eye contact, and attentive behavior encourage
communication and help establish trust.
5.
Which question is open-ended?
A. “Do you smoke?”
B. “Is your pain severe?”
C. “Have you experienced nausea?”
D. “Tell me more about the pain you have been experiencing.”
Answer: D
Rationale: Open-ended questions encourage the patient to provide detailed information rather
than a simple yes/no response.
,6.
A patient says, “I have been feeling terrible lately.” Which response is most appropriate?
A. “You shouldn't feel that way.”
B. “Tell me more about what has been troubling you.”
C. “Are you taking your medications?”
D. “Everyone feels that way sometimes.”
Answer: B
Rationale: This response encourages the patient to elaborate without making assumptions or
minimizing the concern.
7.
Which technique is most appropriate when assessing a patient's pain?
A. Ask the patient to describe the pain using their own words.
B. Assume the pain is proportional to the physical finding.
C. Ask only about the location.
D. Avoid asking about pain until the physical examination is complete.
Answer: A
Rationale: Pain is subjective. The nurse should assess characteristics such as location, quality,
severity, timing, aggravating factors, and relieving factors.
8.
The PQRST mnemonic is commonly used to assess:
A. Nutritional status
B. Pain or other symptoms
C. Mental status
D. Skin integrity
Answer: B
Rationale: PQRST helps organize symptom assessment, including provoking/palliating factors,
quality, region/radiation, severity, and timing.
9.
, Which is an example of a health history rather than a physical examination finding?
A. Heart rate of 88/min
B. Clear bilateral breath sounds
C. Previous appendectomy
D. Abdominal tenderness
Answer: C
Rationale: Previous surgery is historical information obtained from the patient's health history.
10.
When obtaining demographic information, the nurse should recognize that it primarily
provides:
A. A complete diagnosis
B. Basic identifying and background information
C. Objective evidence of disease
D. Laboratory confirmation
Answer: B
Rationale: Demographic information includes basic information such as age, sex, occupation,
and other relevant background characteristics.
General Survey & Vital Signs
11.
The nurse's initial general survey should include assessment of the patient's:
A. Appearance, behavior, posture, and mobility
B. Serum electrolytes
C. Liver enzymes
D. Urinalysis
Answer: A
Rationale: The general survey begins as soon as the nurse encounters the patient and includes
overall appearance, level of consciousness, posture, mobility, and behavior.
12.
A patient appears pale, fatigued, and poorly groomed. These observations are primarily part of
the:
Midterm Exam Practice Examination
2026–2027 Comprehensive Question
Practice Test with Answers & Rationales
Free Pdf Access
NURS 3020 Health Assessment Midterm
Practice Examination
1.
A nurse begins a health assessment by asking the patient, “What brings you to the clinic
today?” This question primarily obtains:
A. Objective data
B. The chief concern
C. Secondary diagnosis
D. Review of systems
Answer: B
Rationale: The opening question allows the patient to describe the chief concern or reason for
seeking care in their own words.
2.
Which finding is considered subjective data?
A. Blood pressure of 148/88 mmHg
B. Temperature of 38.2°C
C. Patient reports feeling dizzy
D. Respiratory rate of 24/min
,Answer: C
Rationale: Subjective data are symptoms reported by the patient. Vital signs are objective
findings that can be measured or observed.
3.
Which finding represents objective data?
A. “My chest feels tight.”
B. “I have been tired for three weeks.”
C. “My pain is 7 out of 10.”
D. Bilateral wheezing is heard on auscultation.
Answer: D
Rationale: Objective data are observable or measurable findings obtained by the healthcare
professional.
4.
During an interview, which action best demonstrates therapeutic communication?
A. Interrupting frequently to save time
B. Asking several questions simultaneously
C. Maintaining appropriate eye contact and active listening
D. Changing the subject when the patient becomes emotional
Answer: C
Rationale: Active listening, appropriate eye contact, and attentive behavior encourage
communication and help establish trust.
5.
Which question is open-ended?
A. “Do you smoke?”
B. “Is your pain severe?”
C. “Have you experienced nausea?”
D. “Tell me more about the pain you have been experiencing.”
Answer: D
Rationale: Open-ended questions encourage the patient to provide detailed information rather
than a simple yes/no response.
,6.
A patient says, “I have been feeling terrible lately.” Which response is most appropriate?
A. “You shouldn't feel that way.”
B. “Tell me more about what has been troubling you.”
C. “Are you taking your medications?”
D. “Everyone feels that way sometimes.”
Answer: B
Rationale: This response encourages the patient to elaborate without making assumptions or
minimizing the concern.
7.
Which technique is most appropriate when assessing a patient's pain?
A. Ask the patient to describe the pain using their own words.
B. Assume the pain is proportional to the physical finding.
C. Ask only about the location.
D. Avoid asking about pain until the physical examination is complete.
Answer: A
Rationale: Pain is subjective. The nurse should assess characteristics such as location, quality,
severity, timing, aggravating factors, and relieving factors.
8.
The PQRST mnemonic is commonly used to assess:
A. Nutritional status
B. Pain or other symptoms
C. Mental status
D. Skin integrity
Answer: B
Rationale: PQRST helps organize symptom assessment, including provoking/palliating factors,
quality, region/radiation, severity, and timing.
9.
, Which is an example of a health history rather than a physical examination finding?
A. Heart rate of 88/min
B. Clear bilateral breath sounds
C. Previous appendectomy
D. Abdominal tenderness
Answer: C
Rationale: Previous surgery is historical information obtained from the patient's health history.
10.
When obtaining demographic information, the nurse should recognize that it primarily
provides:
A. A complete diagnosis
B. Basic identifying and background information
C. Objective evidence of disease
D. Laboratory confirmation
Answer: B
Rationale: Demographic information includes basic information such as age, sex, occupation,
and other relevant background characteristics.
General Survey & Vital Signs
11.
The nurse's initial general survey should include assessment of the patient's:
A. Appearance, behavior, posture, and mobility
B. Serum electrolytes
C. Liver enzymes
D. Urinalysis
Answer: A
Rationale: The general survey begins as soon as the nurse encounters the patient and includes
overall appearance, level of consciousness, posture, mobility, and behavior.
12.
A patient appears pale, fatigued, and poorly groomed. These observations are primarily part of
the:
