Health Assessment Exam 1 Latest review of 300
real exam questions with correct verified
answers/ NSG 3160 Exam 1 Review 2026-2027/
Galen Health Assessment NSG 3160 Exam 1 Prep
During percussion, the nurse notes a drum-like quality of the sounds across the
quadrants. This type of sound indicates:
A. Constipation
B. Air-filled areas
C. Presence of a tumor
D. Presence of dense organs
B. Air-filled areas
What should the nurse do when hearing an unfamiliar sound when auscultating a
patient's heart?
A. Document the findings in the patient's record.
B. Wait 10 minutes and auscultate the sound again.
C. Ask the patient how he or she is feeling.
D. Ask another nurse to double check the finding.
D. Ask another nurse to double check the finding.
Which of these statements describes the correct technique when palpating the
patient's thorax and abdomen? Select all that apply.
A. Warm the hands first before touching the patient.
B. For deep palpation, use one long continuous palpation when assessing the liver.
C. Start with light palpation to detect surface characteristics.
D. Use the fingertips to examine skin texture, swelling, pulsation, and presence of
lumps.
E. Identify any tender areas and palpate them last.
F. Use the palms of the hands to assess temperature of the skin.
A. Warm the hands first before touching the patient.
C. Start with light palpation to detect surface characteristics.
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,D. Use the fingertips to examine skin texture, swelling, pulsation, and presence of
lumps.
E. Identify any tender areas and palpate them last.
Which action is a component of the general survey?
A. Observing the patient's body stature and nutritional status
B. Interpreting the subjective information the patient has reported
C. Measuring the patient's temperature, pulse, respirations, and blood pressure
D. Observing specific body systems while performing the physical assessment
A. Observing the patient's body stature and nutritional status
What is true when measuring a patient's weight?
A. The patient is always weighed wearing only his or her undergarments.
B. The type of scale does not matter, if the weights are similar from day to day.
C. The patient may leave on his or her jacket and shoes if these are documented
next to the weight.
D. Attempts should be made to weigh the patient at approximately the same time
of day, if a sequence of weights is necessary.
D. Attempts should be made to weigh the patient at approximately the same time
of day, if a sequence of weights is necessary.
Which assessment findings would be considered normal for an older male patient?
A. Increase in body weight from his younger years
B. Additional deposits of fat on the thighs and lower legs
C. Presence of kyphosis and flexion in the knees and hips
D. Change in overall body proportion, including a longer trunk and shorter
extremities
C. Presence of kyphosis and flexion in the knees and hips
Which of the following patients require rectal temperatures?
A. School-age child
B. Older adult
C. Comatose adult
D. Patient receiving oxygen by nasal cannula
C. Comatose adult
Which of the following is a mechanism of heat loss in the body?
A. Exercise
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,B. Radiation
C. Metabolism
D. Food digestion
B. Radiation
Body temperature is influenced by:
a. Constipation
b. Patient's emotional state
c. Diurnal cycle
d. Nocturnal cycle
c. Diurnal cycle
What is true about an older adult's body temperature?
A. The body temperature of the older adult is lower than that of a younger adult.
B. An older adult's body temperature is approximately the same as that of a young
child.
C. Body temperature depends on the type of thermometer used.
D. In the older adult, the body temperature varies widely because of less effective
heat control mechanisms.
A. The body temperature of the older adult is lower than that of a younger adult.
Which of the following is a true explanation for a patient with unexplained weight
loss of 10 pounds over the last 6 weeks:
A. Weight loss is probably the result of unhealthy eating habits.
B. Chronic diseases such as hypertension cause weight loss.
C. Unexplained weight loss often accompanies short-term illnesses.
D. Weight loss is probably the result of a mental health dysfunction.
C. Unexplained weight loss often accompanies short-term illnesses.
What should the nurse do if the patient assumes a tripod position, leaning forward
with arms braced on the chair?
A. Assume that the patient is eager and interested in participating in the interview.
B. Evaluate the patient for abdominal pain, which may be exacerbated in the sitting
position.
C. Assume that the patient is having difficulty breathing and assist him to a supine
position.
3
, D. Recognize that a tripod position is often used when a patient is having
respiratory difficulties.
D. Recognize that a tripod position is often used when a patient is having
respiratory difficulties.
Which of the following is a correct technique when taking an oral temperature with
a mercury thermometer?
A. Wait 30 minutes if the patient has ingested hot or iced liquids.
B. Leave the thermometer in place 3 to 4 minutes if the patient is afebrile.
C. Place the thermometer in front of the tongue and ask the patient to close his or
her lips.
D. Shake the mercury-in-glass thermometer down to below 36.6 C before taking
the temperature.
B. Leave the thermometer in place 3 to 4 minutes if the patient is afebrile.
Which statement is true regarding use of the Tympanic Membrane Temperature
(TMT)?
A. A tympanic temperature is more time consuming than a rectal temperature.
B. The tympanic method is more invasive and uncomfortable than the oral method.
C. The risk of cross-contamination is reduced, compared with the rectal route.
D. The tympanic membrane most accurately reflects the temperature in the
ophthalmic artery.
C. The risk of cross-contamination is reduced, compared with the rectal route.
Which of the following is a correct use of a rectal thermometer?
A. Use a lubricated blunt tip thermometer.
B. Insert the thermometer 2 to 3 inches into the rectum.
C. Leave the thermometer in place up to 8 minutes if the patient is febrile.
D. Wait 2 to 3 minutes if the patient has recently smoked a cigarette.
A. Use a lubricated blunt tip thermometer.
Which general survey patient finding is considered normal?
A. When standing, the patient's base is narrow.
B. The patient appears older than his stated age.
C. Arm span (fingertip to fingertip) is greater than the height.
D. Arm span (fingertip to fingertip) equals the patient's height.
D. Arm span (fingertip to fingertip) equals the patient's height.
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real exam questions with correct verified
answers/ NSG 3160 Exam 1 Review 2026-2027/
Galen Health Assessment NSG 3160 Exam 1 Prep
During percussion, the nurse notes a drum-like quality of the sounds across the
quadrants. This type of sound indicates:
A. Constipation
B. Air-filled areas
C. Presence of a tumor
D. Presence of dense organs
B. Air-filled areas
What should the nurse do when hearing an unfamiliar sound when auscultating a
patient's heart?
A. Document the findings in the patient's record.
B. Wait 10 minutes and auscultate the sound again.
C. Ask the patient how he or she is feeling.
D. Ask another nurse to double check the finding.
D. Ask another nurse to double check the finding.
Which of these statements describes the correct technique when palpating the
patient's thorax and abdomen? Select all that apply.
A. Warm the hands first before touching the patient.
B. For deep palpation, use one long continuous palpation when assessing the liver.
C. Start with light palpation to detect surface characteristics.
D. Use the fingertips to examine skin texture, swelling, pulsation, and presence of
lumps.
E. Identify any tender areas and palpate them last.
F. Use the palms of the hands to assess temperature of the skin.
A. Warm the hands first before touching the patient.
C. Start with light palpation to detect surface characteristics.
1
,D. Use the fingertips to examine skin texture, swelling, pulsation, and presence of
lumps.
E. Identify any tender areas and palpate them last.
Which action is a component of the general survey?
A. Observing the patient's body stature and nutritional status
B. Interpreting the subjective information the patient has reported
C. Measuring the patient's temperature, pulse, respirations, and blood pressure
D. Observing specific body systems while performing the physical assessment
A. Observing the patient's body stature and nutritional status
What is true when measuring a patient's weight?
A. The patient is always weighed wearing only his or her undergarments.
B. The type of scale does not matter, if the weights are similar from day to day.
C. The patient may leave on his or her jacket and shoes if these are documented
next to the weight.
D. Attempts should be made to weigh the patient at approximately the same time
of day, if a sequence of weights is necessary.
D. Attempts should be made to weigh the patient at approximately the same time
of day, if a sequence of weights is necessary.
Which assessment findings would be considered normal for an older male patient?
A. Increase in body weight from his younger years
B. Additional deposits of fat on the thighs and lower legs
C. Presence of kyphosis and flexion in the knees and hips
D. Change in overall body proportion, including a longer trunk and shorter
extremities
C. Presence of kyphosis and flexion in the knees and hips
Which of the following patients require rectal temperatures?
A. School-age child
B. Older adult
C. Comatose adult
D. Patient receiving oxygen by nasal cannula
C. Comatose adult
Which of the following is a mechanism of heat loss in the body?
A. Exercise
2
,B. Radiation
C. Metabolism
D. Food digestion
B. Radiation
Body temperature is influenced by:
a. Constipation
b. Patient's emotional state
c. Diurnal cycle
d. Nocturnal cycle
c. Diurnal cycle
What is true about an older adult's body temperature?
A. The body temperature of the older adult is lower than that of a younger adult.
B. An older adult's body temperature is approximately the same as that of a young
child.
C. Body temperature depends on the type of thermometer used.
D. In the older adult, the body temperature varies widely because of less effective
heat control mechanisms.
A. The body temperature of the older adult is lower than that of a younger adult.
Which of the following is a true explanation for a patient with unexplained weight
loss of 10 pounds over the last 6 weeks:
A. Weight loss is probably the result of unhealthy eating habits.
B. Chronic diseases such as hypertension cause weight loss.
C. Unexplained weight loss often accompanies short-term illnesses.
D. Weight loss is probably the result of a mental health dysfunction.
C. Unexplained weight loss often accompanies short-term illnesses.
What should the nurse do if the patient assumes a tripod position, leaning forward
with arms braced on the chair?
A. Assume that the patient is eager and interested in participating in the interview.
B. Evaluate the patient for abdominal pain, which may be exacerbated in the sitting
position.
C. Assume that the patient is having difficulty breathing and assist him to a supine
position.
3
, D. Recognize that a tripod position is often used when a patient is having
respiratory difficulties.
D. Recognize that a tripod position is often used when a patient is having
respiratory difficulties.
Which of the following is a correct technique when taking an oral temperature with
a mercury thermometer?
A. Wait 30 minutes if the patient has ingested hot or iced liquids.
B. Leave the thermometer in place 3 to 4 minutes if the patient is afebrile.
C. Place the thermometer in front of the tongue and ask the patient to close his or
her lips.
D. Shake the mercury-in-glass thermometer down to below 36.6 C before taking
the temperature.
B. Leave the thermometer in place 3 to 4 minutes if the patient is afebrile.
Which statement is true regarding use of the Tympanic Membrane Temperature
(TMT)?
A. A tympanic temperature is more time consuming than a rectal temperature.
B. The tympanic method is more invasive and uncomfortable than the oral method.
C. The risk of cross-contamination is reduced, compared with the rectal route.
D. The tympanic membrane most accurately reflects the temperature in the
ophthalmic artery.
C. The risk of cross-contamination is reduced, compared with the rectal route.
Which of the following is a correct use of a rectal thermometer?
A. Use a lubricated blunt tip thermometer.
B. Insert the thermometer 2 to 3 inches into the rectum.
C. Leave the thermometer in place up to 8 minutes if the patient is febrile.
D. Wait 2 to 3 minutes if the patient has recently smoked a cigarette.
A. Use a lubricated blunt tip thermometer.
Which general survey patient finding is considered normal?
A. When standing, the patient's base is narrow.
B. The patient appears older than his stated age.
C. Arm span (fingertip to fingertip) is greater than the height.
D. Arm span (fingertip to fingertip) equals the patient's height.
D. Arm span (fingertip to fingertip) equals the patient's height.
4
