NSG 3160 Health Assessment Exam 1 Galen
College 2026/2027 – Q&A with Detailed
Rationales (Pass Guaranteed)
A nurse is preparing to conduct a comprehensive health assessment for a newly
admitted client. Which action should the nurse perform first?
A. Auscultate the client's lung sounds.
B. Review the client's laboratory results.
C. Establish rapport and explain the purpose of the assessment.
D. Begin palpating the client's abdomen.
Answer: C. Establish rapport and explain the purpose of the assessment.
Rationale: Establishing rapport promotes trust, cooperation, and effective
communication. Explaining the purpose of the assessment helps the client
understand the process and encourages accurate disclosure of health information.
Which statement best describes the primary purpose of a comprehensive health
assessment?
A. To identify the client's medical diagnosis without further testing.
B. To collect subjective and objective data about the client's health status.
C. To determine which medications the client should discontinue.
D. To replace the need for diagnostic laboratory testing.
Answer: B. To collect subjective and objective data about the client's health status.
Rationale: A comprehensive health assessment gathers subjective information,
such as symptoms and health concerns, and objective information, such as vital
,signs and physical findings. These data support clinical judgment, care planning,
and identification of health risks.
Which finding is an example of subjective data?
A. Blood pressure of 128/78 mmHg.
B. Respiratory rate of 18 breaths/min.
C. A 2-cm wound on the client's forearm.
D. The client's statement, "I feel dizzy when I stand up."
Answer: D. The client's statement, "I feel dizzy when I stand up."
Rationale: Subjective data consist of information reported by the client or another
source, such as pain, dizziness, fatigue, or nausea. Objective data are measurable or
observable findings obtained during the assessment.
A nurse documents that a client has a temperature of 38.2°C (100.8°F). How
should this finding be classified?
A. Subjective data.
B. Objective data.
C. Historical data only.
D. A psychosocial assessment finding.
Answer: B. Objective data.
Rationale: Temperature is a measurable physiological finding obtained using a
thermometer. Because it can be measured and independently verified, it is
objective data.
Which interviewing technique encourages a client to provide the most detailed
description of a health concern?
A. Asking leading questions.
B. Using closed-ended questions exclusively.
,C. Asking open-ended questions.
D. Interrupting to clarify every statement.
Answer: C. Asking open-ended questions.
Rationale: Open-ended questions allow clients to describe symptoms and concerns
in their own words. For example, asking "Can you tell me more about your
headaches?" encourages a fuller response than a question requiring only a yes-or-
no Answer.
A client states, "I've had chest discomfort for two days." Which follow-up question
best assesses the location and characteristics of the symptom?
A. "You are not having a heart attack, are you?"
B. "Can you describe the discomfort and show me where you feel it?"
C. "Why did you wait two days to seek care?"
D. "Do you usually worry about your health?"
Answer: B. "Can you describe the discomfort and show me where you feel it?"
Rationale: This open-ended, nonjudgmental question explores the symptom's
characteristics and location. Chest discomfort also requires prompt assessment of
associated symptoms, severity, onset, and potential emergency warning signs.
Which action demonstrates appropriate use of the inspection technique during a
physical examination?
A. Listening to bowel sounds with a stethoscope.
B. Tapping the chest to assess underlying structures.
C. Observing the skin for color changes and lesions.
D. Applying pressure to assess abdominal tenderness.
Answer: C. Observing the skin for color changes and lesions.
, Rationale: Inspection involves systematic observation of the client's appearance,
skin, movement, symmetry, and other visible characteristics. Auscultation involves
listening, percussion involves tapping, and palpation involves using touch.
Which sequence should the nurse generally follow when performing a routine
physical examination?
A. Palpation, inspection, auscultation, percussion.
B. Inspection, palpation, percussion, auscultation.
C. Auscultation, percussion, inspection, palpation.
D. Percussion, auscultation, palpation, inspection.
Answer: B. Inspection, palpation, percussion, auscultation.
Rationale: The usual examination sequence is inspection, palpation, percussion,
and auscultation. An important exception is the abdominal examination, in which
auscultation occurs before palpation and percussion because touching the abdomen
can alter bowel sounds.
When assessing the abdomen, why should the nurse auscultate bowel sounds
before performing palpation?
A. Palpation permanently eliminates bowel sounds.
B. Palpation may stimulate or alter bowel activity.
C. Auscultation is only possible before the client eats.
D. Palpation causes all abdominal organs to become enlarged.
Answer: B. Palpation may stimulate or alter bowel activity.
Rationale: Manipulation of the abdomen may change bowel activity and affect the
assessment findings. Therefore, the abdominal examination generally follows
inspection, auscultation, percussion, and palpation.
Which statement by the nurse best demonstrates therapeutic communication?
A. "You shouldn't be concerned about that symptom."
College 2026/2027 – Q&A with Detailed
Rationales (Pass Guaranteed)
A nurse is preparing to conduct a comprehensive health assessment for a newly
admitted client. Which action should the nurse perform first?
A. Auscultate the client's lung sounds.
B. Review the client's laboratory results.
C. Establish rapport and explain the purpose of the assessment.
D. Begin palpating the client's abdomen.
Answer: C. Establish rapport and explain the purpose of the assessment.
Rationale: Establishing rapport promotes trust, cooperation, and effective
communication. Explaining the purpose of the assessment helps the client
understand the process and encourages accurate disclosure of health information.
Which statement best describes the primary purpose of a comprehensive health
assessment?
A. To identify the client's medical diagnosis without further testing.
B. To collect subjective and objective data about the client's health status.
C. To determine which medications the client should discontinue.
D. To replace the need for diagnostic laboratory testing.
Answer: B. To collect subjective and objective data about the client's health status.
Rationale: A comprehensive health assessment gathers subjective information,
such as symptoms and health concerns, and objective information, such as vital
,signs and physical findings. These data support clinical judgment, care planning,
and identification of health risks.
Which finding is an example of subjective data?
A. Blood pressure of 128/78 mmHg.
B. Respiratory rate of 18 breaths/min.
C. A 2-cm wound on the client's forearm.
D. The client's statement, "I feel dizzy when I stand up."
Answer: D. The client's statement, "I feel dizzy when I stand up."
Rationale: Subjective data consist of information reported by the client or another
source, such as pain, dizziness, fatigue, or nausea. Objective data are measurable or
observable findings obtained during the assessment.
A nurse documents that a client has a temperature of 38.2°C (100.8°F). How
should this finding be classified?
A. Subjective data.
B. Objective data.
C. Historical data only.
D. A psychosocial assessment finding.
Answer: B. Objective data.
Rationale: Temperature is a measurable physiological finding obtained using a
thermometer. Because it can be measured and independently verified, it is
objective data.
Which interviewing technique encourages a client to provide the most detailed
description of a health concern?
A. Asking leading questions.
B. Using closed-ended questions exclusively.
,C. Asking open-ended questions.
D. Interrupting to clarify every statement.
Answer: C. Asking open-ended questions.
Rationale: Open-ended questions allow clients to describe symptoms and concerns
in their own words. For example, asking "Can you tell me more about your
headaches?" encourages a fuller response than a question requiring only a yes-or-
no Answer.
A client states, "I've had chest discomfort for two days." Which follow-up question
best assesses the location and characteristics of the symptom?
A. "You are not having a heart attack, are you?"
B. "Can you describe the discomfort and show me where you feel it?"
C. "Why did you wait two days to seek care?"
D. "Do you usually worry about your health?"
Answer: B. "Can you describe the discomfort and show me where you feel it?"
Rationale: This open-ended, nonjudgmental question explores the symptom's
characteristics and location. Chest discomfort also requires prompt assessment of
associated symptoms, severity, onset, and potential emergency warning signs.
Which action demonstrates appropriate use of the inspection technique during a
physical examination?
A. Listening to bowel sounds with a stethoscope.
B. Tapping the chest to assess underlying structures.
C. Observing the skin for color changes and lesions.
D. Applying pressure to assess abdominal tenderness.
Answer: C. Observing the skin for color changes and lesions.
, Rationale: Inspection involves systematic observation of the client's appearance,
skin, movement, symmetry, and other visible characteristics. Auscultation involves
listening, percussion involves tapping, and palpation involves using touch.
Which sequence should the nurse generally follow when performing a routine
physical examination?
A. Palpation, inspection, auscultation, percussion.
B. Inspection, palpation, percussion, auscultation.
C. Auscultation, percussion, inspection, palpation.
D. Percussion, auscultation, palpation, inspection.
Answer: B. Inspection, palpation, percussion, auscultation.
Rationale: The usual examination sequence is inspection, palpation, percussion,
and auscultation. An important exception is the abdominal examination, in which
auscultation occurs before palpation and percussion because touching the abdomen
can alter bowel sounds.
When assessing the abdomen, why should the nurse auscultate bowel sounds
before performing palpation?
A. Palpation permanently eliminates bowel sounds.
B. Palpation may stimulate or alter bowel activity.
C. Auscultation is only possible before the client eats.
D. Palpation causes all abdominal organs to become enlarged.
Answer: B. Palpation may stimulate or alter bowel activity.
Rationale: Manipulation of the abdomen may change bowel activity and affect the
assessment findings. Therefore, the abdominal examination generally follows
inspection, auscultation, percussion, and palpation.
Which statement by the nurse best demonstrates therapeutic communication?
A. "You shouldn't be concerned about that symptom."
