NR 509 Advanced Physical Assessment Final Exam
2026/2027 – 200 Latest Practice Q&A with
Rationales | Chamberlain Study Guide
Section 1: Clinical Reasoning and the Nursing Process (Questions 1–15)
1. An example of objective data obtained during a physical assessment includes:
A. Patient's history of allergies
B. Patient's use of medications at home
C. Last menstrual period 1 month ago
D. 2.5 cm scar on the right lower forearm
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Objective data are directly observable and measurable by the examiner. A scar
can be seen, measured, and documented, making it objective. History of allergies,
medication use, and menstrual history are subjective data obtained from the patient's verbal
report.
2. Which of the following is an example of subjective data?
A. Decreased range of motion
B. Crepitation in the left knee joint
C. Left knee has been swollen and hot for 3 days
D. Arthritis
Correct Answer: C
,Rationale: Subjective data are what the patient reports or describes. The patient's report of
swelling and heat duration is subjective. Range of motion and crepitation are objective
findings determined by the examiner, while arthritis is a medical diagnosis.
3. The nursing process is a sequential method of problem-solving that includes
which steps?
A. Assessment, treatment, planning, evaluation, discharge, and follow-up
B. Admission, assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and discharge planning
C. Admission, diagnosis, treatment, evaluation, and discharge planning
D. Assessment, diagnosis, outcome identification, planning, implementation, and evaluation
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The nursing process consists of six distinct steps: Assessment (data collection),
Diagnosis (identification of health problems), Outcome Identification (goal setting), Planning
(intervention development), Implementation (carrying out interventions), and Evaluation
(measuring outcomes). This systematic approach guides clinical reasoning.
4. What step of the nursing process includes data collection by health history,
physical examination, and interview?
A. Planning
B. Diagnosis
C. Evaluation
D. Assessment
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Assessment is the first and foundational step of the nursing process, involving
systematic data collection through health history taking, physical examination, and patient
interviewing. All subsequent steps depend on accurate assessment data.
, 5. A nursing diagnosis is best described as:
A. A determination of the etiology of a disease
B. A pattern of coping
C. An individual's perception of health
D. A clinical judgment about individual, family, or community responses to actual or potential
health problems
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: A nursing diagnosis is a clinical judgment about individual, family, or community
responses to actual or potential health problems. It is not a medical diagnosis, which
focuses on disease pathology.
6. A patient tells the FNP, "I am here because I am really worried about this pain in
my chest." The FNP's most therapeutic response is:
A. "Don't worry, it's probably just heartburn."
B. "Tell me more about the pain."
C. "You are too young to have heart problems."
D. "Let me listen to your heart first."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Open-ended questions encourage patients to express their concerns fully. "Tell
me more about the pain" allows the patient to describe the pain in their own words without
being directed by the clinician.
7. A patient avoids eye contact during the interview and answers questions with
minimal responses. Which action is most appropriate?
A. Ask the patient directly, "Are you hiding something from me?"
B. Proceed with the interview while maintaining a nonjudgmental and patient-centered
approach
C. Ask the patient to sit up straight and look directly at you
2026/2027 – 200 Latest Practice Q&A with
Rationales | Chamberlain Study Guide
Section 1: Clinical Reasoning and the Nursing Process (Questions 1–15)
1. An example of objective data obtained during a physical assessment includes:
A. Patient's history of allergies
B. Patient's use of medications at home
C. Last menstrual period 1 month ago
D. 2.5 cm scar on the right lower forearm
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Objective data are directly observable and measurable by the examiner. A scar
can be seen, measured, and documented, making it objective. History of allergies,
medication use, and menstrual history are subjective data obtained from the patient's verbal
report.
2. Which of the following is an example of subjective data?
A. Decreased range of motion
B. Crepitation in the left knee joint
C. Left knee has been swollen and hot for 3 days
D. Arthritis
Correct Answer: C
,Rationale: Subjective data are what the patient reports or describes. The patient's report of
swelling and heat duration is subjective. Range of motion and crepitation are objective
findings determined by the examiner, while arthritis is a medical diagnosis.
3. The nursing process is a sequential method of problem-solving that includes
which steps?
A. Assessment, treatment, planning, evaluation, discharge, and follow-up
B. Admission, assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and discharge planning
C. Admission, diagnosis, treatment, evaluation, and discharge planning
D. Assessment, diagnosis, outcome identification, planning, implementation, and evaluation
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The nursing process consists of six distinct steps: Assessment (data collection),
Diagnosis (identification of health problems), Outcome Identification (goal setting), Planning
(intervention development), Implementation (carrying out interventions), and Evaluation
(measuring outcomes). This systematic approach guides clinical reasoning.
4. What step of the nursing process includes data collection by health history,
physical examination, and interview?
A. Planning
B. Diagnosis
C. Evaluation
D. Assessment
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Assessment is the first and foundational step of the nursing process, involving
systematic data collection through health history taking, physical examination, and patient
interviewing. All subsequent steps depend on accurate assessment data.
, 5. A nursing diagnosis is best described as:
A. A determination of the etiology of a disease
B. A pattern of coping
C. An individual's perception of health
D. A clinical judgment about individual, family, or community responses to actual or potential
health problems
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: A nursing diagnosis is a clinical judgment about individual, family, or community
responses to actual or potential health problems. It is not a medical diagnosis, which
focuses on disease pathology.
6. A patient tells the FNP, "I am here because I am really worried about this pain in
my chest." The FNP's most therapeutic response is:
A. "Don't worry, it's probably just heartburn."
B. "Tell me more about the pain."
C. "You are too young to have heart problems."
D. "Let me listen to your heart first."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Open-ended questions encourage patients to express their concerns fully. "Tell
me more about the pain" allows the patient to describe the pain in their own words without
being directed by the clinician.
7. A patient avoids eye contact during the interview and answers questions with
minimal responses. Which action is most appropriate?
A. Ask the patient directly, "Are you hiding something from me?"
B. Proceed with the interview while maintaining a nonjudgmental and patient-centered
approach
C. Ask the patient to sit up straight and look directly at you
