,West Coast NURS 120 Comprehensive Final Exam | Intro Med-
Surg Nursing (2026) Q&A
1. A nurse is reviewing the components of a health assessment. Which of the following best
describes the purpose of the health history?
A) To gather subjective data about the patient's health status
B) To obtain objective data through physical examination
C) To perform diagnostic laboratory tests
D) To prescribe medications for the patient
Correct Answer: To gather subjective data about the patient's health status
Rationale: The health history is a component of the health assessment that gathers
subjective data, including the patient's chief complaint, history of present illness, past health
history, family history, and psychosocial history. Objective data is obtained through the
physical examination. Diagnostic tests and prescribing medications are not components of
the health history.
2. During a patient-centered interview, the nurse asks the patient to describe their reason for
seeking care. This information is documented as the:
A) Biographical data
B) Chief complaint
C) History of present illness
D) Past health history
,Correct Answer: Chief complaint
Rationale: The chief complaint is the patient's reason for seeking care, stated in the patient's
own words. Biographical data includes identifying information, history of present illness
provides a detailed account of the current problem, and past health history covers previous
illnesses and surgeries.
3. A nurse is reviewing the phases of the nursing process. Which phase involves the nurse
analyzing assessment data to identify patient problems?
A) Assessment
B) Diagnosis
C) Planning
D) Evaluation
Correct Answer: Diagnosis
Rationale: The diagnosis phase of the nursing process involves analyzing the assessment
data to identify the patient's health problems, risks, and strengths. Assessment is data
collection, planning involves setting goals, and evaluation involves determining whether goals
have been met.
4. Which of the following is a component of the planning phase of the nursing process?
A) Collecting patient data
B) Setting patient-centered goals
C) Administering medications
D) Evaluating patient outcomes
, Correct Answer: Setting patient-centered goals
Rationale: The planning phase involves setting patient-centered goals and expected
outcomes, as well as selecting nursing interventions. Collecting data is assessment,
administering medications is implementation, and evaluating outcomes is evaluation.
5. A nurse is implementing a plan of care. Which of the following is an example of a nursing
intervention?
A) Administering a prescribed medication
B) Performing a physical assessment
C) Documenting patient care
D) All of the above
Correct Answer: All of the above
Rationale: Nursing interventions include administering medications, performing
assessments, documenting care, educating patients, and providing emotional support. All of
these are essential components of nursing practice.
6. Which of the following is a component of the evaluation phase of the nursing process?
A) Measuring the patient's progress toward achieving goals
B) Collecting patient data
C) Formulating a nursing diagnosis
D) Selecting nursing interventions
Surg Nursing (2026) Q&A
1. A nurse is reviewing the components of a health assessment. Which of the following best
describes the purpose of the health history?
A) To gather subjective data about the patient's health status
B) To obtain objective data through physical examination
C) To perform diagnostic laboratory tests
D) To prescribe medications for the patient
Correct Answer: To gather subjective data about the patient's health status
Rationale: The health history is a component of the health assessment that gathers
subjective data, including the patient's chief complaint, history of present illness, past health
history, family history, and psychosocial history. Objective data is obtained through the
physical examination. Diagnostic tests and prescribing medications are not components of
the health history.
2. During a patient-centered interview, the nurse asks the patient to describe their reason for
seeking care. This information is documented as the:
A) Biographical data
B) Chief complaint
C) History of present illness
D) Past health history
,Correct Answer: Chief complaint
Rationale: The chief complaint is the patient's reason for seeking care, stated in the patient's
own words. Biographical data includes identifying information, history of present illness
provides a detailed account of the current problem, and past health history covers previous
illnesses and surgeries.
3. A nurse is reviewing the phases of the nursing process. Which phase involves the nurse
analyzing assessment data to identify patient problems?
A) Assessment
B) Diagnosis
C) Planning
D) Evaluation
Correct Answer: Diagnosis
Rationale: The diagnosis phase of the nursing process involves analyzing the assessment
data to identify the patient's health problems, risks, and strengths. Assessment is data
collection, planning involves setting goals, and evaluation involves determining whether goals
have been met.
4. Which of the following is a component of the planning phase of the nursing process?
A) Collecting patient data
B) Setting patient-centered goals
C) Administering medications
D) Evaluating patient outcomes
, Correct Answer: Setting patient-centered goals
Rationale: The planning phase involves setting patient-centered goals and expected
outcomes, as well as selecting nursing interventions. Collecting data is assessment,
administering medications is implementation, and evaluating outcomes is evaluation.
5. A nurse is implementing a plan of care. Which of the following is an example of a nursing
intervention?
A) Administering a prescribed medication
B) Performing a physical assessment
C) Documenting patient care
D) All of the above
Correct Answer: All of the above
Rationale: Nursing interventions include administering medications, performing
assessments, documenting care, educating patients, and providing emotional support. All of
these are essential components of nursing practice.
6. Which of the following is a component of the evaluation phase of the nursing process?
A) Measuring the patient's progress toward achieving goals
B) Collecting patient data
C) Formulating a nursing diagnosis
D) Selecting nursing interventions
