,South University NSG 3009 Exam 1 | Principles of
Assessment (2026) Q&A
1. What is the primary purpose of the health assessment in nursing practice?
A) To diagnose medical diseases and prescribe treatments
B) To collect subjective and objective data to make a clinical judgment about the client's health
state
C) To determine the client's insurance coverage and billing information
D) To replace the need for a comprehensive physical examination by the provider
Correct Answer: To collect subjective and objective data to make a clinical judgment about
the client's health state
Rationale: The primary purpose of health assessment is to collect subjective and objective data
about a client's health state, which serves as the foundation for clinical judgment, nursing
diagnosis, and the development of a plan of care. While data collected during assessment may
contribute to medical diagnosis, that is not the primary purpose. Health assessment is distinct
from insurance verification and does not replace the provider's examination.
2. Which statement best describes the difference between subjective and objective data?
A) Subjective data are measurable, while objective data are what the client reports.
B) Subjective data are what the client reports, while objective data are measurable or observable.
C) Subjective data are always more accurate than objective data.
D) Objective data are only obtained through laboratory tests.
Correct Answer: Subjective data are what the client reports, while objective data are
measurable or observable.
,Rationale: Subjective data include information the client reports, such as feelings, perceptions,
and symptoms. Objective data are measurable or observable findings obtained through physical
examination, observation, and diagnostic testing. Subjective data are not inherently more or less
accurate than objective data, and objective data include physical examination findings, not just
laboratory results.
3. A nurse is conducting a health interview with a client. Which type of question is most
appropriate for encouraging the client to share detailed information?
A) "Do you have pain?"
B) "How would you describe the pain you are experiencing?"
C) "You don't have any other symptoms, do you?"
D) "Is your pain sharp or dull?"
Correct Answer: "How would you describe the pain you are experiencing?"
Rationale: Open-ended questions such as "How would you describe the pain?" encourage the
client to provide detailed, descriptive information in their own words. Closed-ended questions
like "Do you have pain?" and "Is your pain sharp or dull?" limit the client's response. Leading
questions such as "You don't have any other symptoms, do you?" can bias the client's response.
4. When preparing the physical setting for a health interview, at what distance from the client
should the nurse sit?
A) 1 to 2 feet
B) 4 to 5 feet
C) 8 to 10 feet
D) As close as possible to the client
Correct Answer: 4 to 5 feet
, Rationale: The nurse should conduct the interview at eye level and at a distance of 4 to 5 feet
from the client to promote comfort and effective communication. Sitting too close (1 to 2 feet)
may invade the client's personal space. Sitting too far away (8 to 10 feet) may hinder
communication and make the client feel disconnected.
5. According to the yin/yang theory of health, what is the state of optimal health?
A) The absence of disease
B) A state of perfect balance among all aspects of the person
C) A positive state of total well-being
D) Optimal functioning of the human body
Correct Answer: A state of perfect balance among all aspects of the person
Rationale: The yin/yang theory of health holds that health exists when all aspects of the person
are in perfect balance, and illness occurs when this balance is disrupted. The absence of disease
is the biomedical model's view of health. A positive state of total well-being and optimal
functioning of the human body are components of other health theories.
6. Which theory of illness is based on the belief that microscopic organisms such as bacteria and
viruses are responsible for specific disease conditions?
A) Biomedical theory
B) Naturalistic theory
C) Magico-religious theory
D) Holistic theory
Correct Answer: Biomedical theory
Rationale: The biomedical or scientific theory holds that illness is caused by specific
microorganisms such as bacteria and viruses, and that health is the absence of disease. The
Assessment (2026) Q&A
1. What is the primary purpose of the health assessment in nursing practice?
A) To diagnose medical diseases and prescribe treatments
B) To collect subjective and objective data to make a clinical judgment about the client's health
state
C) To determine the client's insurance coverage and billing information
D) To replace the need for a comprehensive physical examination by the provider
Correct Answer: To collect subjective and objective data to make a clinical judgment about
the client's health state
Rationale: The primary purpose of health assessment is to collect subjective and objective data
about a client's health state, which serves as the foundation for clinical judgment, nursing
diagnosis, and the development of a plan of care. While data collected during assessment may
contribute to medical diagnosis, that is not the primary purpose. Health assessment is distinct
from insurance verification and does not replace the provider's examination.
2. Which statement best describes the difference between subjective and objective data?
A) Subjective data are measurable, while objective data are what the client reports.
B) Subjective data are what the client reports, while objective data are measurable or observable.
C) Subjective data are always more accurate than objective data.
D) Objective data are only obtained through laboratory tests.
Correct Answer: Subjective data are what the client reports, while objective data are
measurable or observable.
,Rationale: Subjective data include information the client reports, such as feelings, perceptions,
and symptoms. Objective data are measurable or observable findings obtained through physical
examination, observation, and diagnostic testing. Subjective data are not inherently more or less
accurate than objective data, and objective data include physical examination findings, not just
laboratory results.
3. A nurse is conducting a health interview with a client. Which type of question is most
appropriate for encouraging the client to share detailed information?
A) "Do you have pain?"
B) "How would you describe the pain you are experiencing?"
C) "You don't have any other symptoms, do you?"
D) "Is your pain sharp or dull?"
Correct Answer: "How would you describe the pain you are experiencing?"
Rationale: Open-ended questions such as "How would you describe the pain?" encourage the
client to provide detailed, descriptive information in their own words. Closed-ended questions
like "Do you have pain?" and "Is your pain sharp or dull?" limit the client's response. Leading
questions such as "You don't have any other symptoms, do you?" can bias the client's response.
4. When preparing the physical setting for a health interview, at what distance from the client
should the nurse sit?
A) 1 to 2 feet
B) 4 to 5 feet
C) 8 to 10 feet
D) As close as possible to the client
Correct Answer: 4 to 5 feet
, Rationale: The nurse should conduct the interview at eye level and at a distance of 4 to 5 feet
from the client to promote comfort and effective communication. Sitting too close (1 to 2 feet)
may invade the client's personal space. Sitting too far away (8 to 10 feet) may hinder
communication and make the client feel disconnected.
5. According to the yin/yang theory of health, what is the state of optimal health?
A) The absence of disease
B) A state of perfect balance among all aspects of the person
C) A positive state of total well-being
D) Optimal functioning of the human body
Correct Answer: A state of perfect balance among all aspects of the person
Rationale: The yin/yang theory of health holds that health exists when all aspects of the person
are in perfect balance, and illness occurs when this balance is disrupted. The absence of disease
is the biomedical model's view of health. A positive state of total well-being and optimal
functioning of the human body are components of other health theories.
6. Which theory of illness is based on the belief that microscopic organisms such as bacteria and
viruses are responsible for specific disease conditions?
A) Biomedical theory
B) Naturalistic theory
C) Magico-religious theory
D) Holistic theory
Correct Answer: Biomedical theory
Rationale: The biomedical or scientific theory holds that illness is caused by specific
microorganisms such as bacteria and viruses, and that health is the absence of disease. The
