,Galen NSG 3160 Exam 2 | Health Assessment (2026)
Actual Q&A PDF
1. Which of the following best describes the primary purpose of a health assessment?
A) To establish a medical diagnosis independently
B) To collect information that identifies actual or potential health problems
C) To determine insurance eligibility for reimbursement
D) To replace diagnostic laboratory testing
Correct Answer: To collect information that identifies actual or potential health problems
Rationale: Health assessment is the first step of the nursing process and focuses on gathering
subjective and objective data to identify health needs, not to make a medical diagnosis. It
guides nursing care planning and is not used for insurance purposes or as a substitute for
diagnostic testing.
2. What is the primary function of the general survey during a health assessment?
A) To measure vital signs only
B) To observe overall appearance, posture, hygiene, and level of consciousness
C) To auscultate heart and lung sounds
D) To palpate the abdomen for tenderness
Correct Answer: To observe overall appearance, posture, hygiene, and level of
consciousness
Rationale: The general survey is a global observation of the patient’s appearance, body
habitus, posture, hygiene, skin color, and signs of distress. Vital signs are part of the survey
but are not its sole component. Auscultation and palpation are focused examination
techniques performed later.
,3. According to the ABC&T framework for mental status assessment, what does the “C”
represent?
A) Cleanliness
B) Cognition
C) Culture
D) Communication
Correct Answer: Cognition
Rationale: The ABC&T mnemonic stands for Appearance, Behavior, Cognition, and
Thought processes. Cognition encompasses orientation, memory, attention, and calculation.
The other options are not part of this standard mental status framework.
4. A nurse is assessing a patient’s recent memory. Which question is most appropriate?
A) “What did you eat for breakfast this morning?”
B) “What was the name of your first grade teacher?”
C) “Can you count backward from 20 by threes?”
D) “Do you know why you are in the hospital?”
Correct Answer: “What did you eat for breakfast this morning?”
Rationale: Recent memory is assessed by asking about events from minutes to days ago,
such as meals eaten earlier that day. Asking about a first‑grade teacher tests remote memory,
counting backward assesses attention and calculation, and orientation to place tests
orientation rather than memory.
5. Which finding is considered subjective data?
A) Blood pressure of 142/88 mmHg
B) Temperature of 38.2°C
C) Patient reports feeling short of breath
D) Respiratory rate of 24/min
, Correct Answer: Patient reports feeling short of breath
Rationale: Subjective data are symptoms or experiences reported by the patient and cannot
be directly measured by the examiner. Vital signs and observed respiratory rate are objective
findings. Shortness of breath is a sensation the patient describes.
6. In the context of a health history interview, which communication technique involves
restating the patient’s main idea in different words?
A) Reflection
B) Paraphrasing
C) Confrontation
D) Clarification
Correct Answer: Paraphrasing
Rationale: Paraphrasing restates the patient’s message to confirm understanding and
encourage further discussion. Reflection involves repeating the patient’s exact words or
feelings, confrontation points out inconsistencies, and clarification asks for more detail.
7. Which behavior by the nurse can interfere with effective interviewing?
A) Maintaining appropriate eye contact
B) Using active listening
C) Repeatedly interrupting the patient
D) Asking clarifying questions
Correct Answer: Repeatedly interrupting the patient
Rationale: Frequent interruptions prevent patients from fully expressing their concerns and
can damage rapport. Eye contact, active listening, and clarifying questions are therapeutic
communication techniques that facilitate the interview.
Actual Q&A PDF
1. Which of the following best describes the primary purpose of a health assessment?
A) To establish a medical diagnosis independently
B) To collect information that identifies actual or potential health problems
C) To determine insurance eligibility for reimbursement
D) To replace diagnostic laboratory testing
Correct Answer: To collect information that identifies actual or potential health problems
Rationale: Health assessment is the first step of the nursing process and focuses on gathering
subjective and objective data to identify health needs, not to make a medical diagnosis. It
guides nursing care planning and is not used for insurance purposes or as a substitute for
diagnostic testing.
2. What is the primary function of the general survey during a health assessment?
A) To measure vital signs only
B) To observe overall appearance, posture, hygiene, and level of consciousness
C) To auscultate heart and lung sounds
D) To palpate the abdomen for tenderness
Correct Answer: To observe overall appearance, posture, hygiene, and level of
consciousness
Rationale: The general survey is a global observation of the patient’s appearance, body
habitus, posture, hygiene, skin color, and signs of distress. Vital signs are part of the survey
but are not its sole component. Auscultation and palpation are focused examination
techniques performed later.
,3. According to the ABC&T framework for mental status assessment, what does the “C”
represent?
A) Cleanliness
B) Cognition
C) Culture
D) Communication
Correct Answer: Cognition
Rationale: The ABC&T mnemonic stands for Appearance, Behavior, Cognition, and
Thought processes. Cognition encompasses orientation, memory, attention, and calculation.
The other options are not part of this standard mental status framework.
4. A nurse is assessing a patient’s recent memory. Which question is most appropriate?
A) “What did you eat for breakfast this morning?”
B) “What was the name of your first grade teacher?”
C) “Can you count backward from 20 by threes?”
D) “Do you know why you are in the hospital?”
Correct Answer: “What did you eat for breakfast this morning?”
Rationale: Recent memory is assessed by asking about events from minutes to days ago,
such as meals eaten earlier that day. Asking about a first‑grade teacher tests remote memory,
counting backward assesses attention and calculation, and orientation to place tests
orientation rather than memory.
5. Which finding is considered subjective data?
A) Blood pressure of 142/88 mmHg
B) Temperature of 38.2°C
C) Patient reports feeling short of breath
D) Respiratory rate of 24/min
, Correct Answer: Patient reports feeling short of breath
Rationale: Subjective data are symptoms or experiences reported by the patient and cannot
be directly measured by the examiner. Vital signs and observed respiratory rate are objective
findings. Shortness of breath is a sensation the patient describes.
6. In the context of a health history interview, which communication technique involves
restating the patient’s main idea in different words?
A) Reflection
B) Paraphrasing
C) Confrontation
D) Clarification
Correct Answer: Paraphrasing
Rationale: Paraphrasing restates the patient’s message to confirm understanding and
encourage further discussion. Reflection involves repeating the patient’s exact words or
feelings, confrontation points out inconsistencies, and clarification asks for more detail.
7. Which behavior by the nurse can interfere with effective interviewing?
A) Maintaining appropriate eye contact
B) Using active listening
C) Repeatedly interrupting the patient
D) Asking clarifying questions
Correct Answer: Repeatedly interrupting the patient
Rationale: Frequent interruptions prevent patients from fully expressing their concerns and
can damage rapport. Eye contact, active listening, and clarifying questions are therapeutic
communication techniques that facilitate the interview.
