NURSG 125 EXAM 1 :HEALTH ASSESSMENT I -
SAMUEL MERRIT UNIVERSITY |ACTUAL
QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSWERS|BRAND NEW
2026-2027 UPDATE|GRADED A+
Question 1
Which of the following is an open ended question?
a. What brought you in today?
b. Where does it hurt?
c. Have you been checking your blood pressure?
d. When was the last time you were seen by
a doctor?
CORRECT ANSWER
Answer:A. It is the only choice that would invite a paragraph for an answer rather than a
short statement.
Question 2
Which of the following is the most basic function and therefore should be tested first
in an assessment of mental status?
a.Behavior
b. Consciousness
c. Judgment
d. Language
CORRECT ANSWER
1
,Answer: B. According to your textbook, consciousness is the most fundamental of these
particular characteristics; therefore, it would be tested first.
Question 3
Which of the following is not a significant contributor to the assessment of mental status?
a.Known illness or health problem
b. Current medications known to affect mood or cognition
c. Racial background
d. Personal history; current stress, social habits, sleep habits, drug and alcohol use
CORRECT ANSWER
Answer: C. The other choices are all elements of the interview that contribute to
interpretation of the findings of the examination.
Question 4
Correct order of physical examination skills:
CORRECT ANSWER
Inspection, Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation
Question 5
NCLEX question
The nurse is preparing to percuss the abdomen of a patient. The purpose of the percussion
is to assess the underlying tissue:
A) turgor.
2
, B)texture.
C)density.
D)consistency.
CORRECT ANSWER
ANSWER: C
Percussion yields a sound that depicts the location, size, and density of the underlying
organ. Turgor and texture are assessed with palpation.
Question 6
NCLEX question
The nurse is reviewing percussion techniques with a newly graduated nurse. Which
technique, if used by the new nurse, indicates that more review is needed? The nurse:
A)percusses once over each area.
B)lifts the striking finger off quickly after each stroke.
C)strikes with the finger tip, not the finger pad.
D)uses the wrist to make the strikes, not the arm.
CORRECT ANSWER
ANSWER: A
For percussion, the nurse should percuss two times over each location. The striking finger
should be lifted off quickly because a resting finger damps off vibrations. The tip of the
striking finger should make contact, not the pad of the finger. The wrist must be relaxed,
and it is used to make the strikes, not the arm
Question 7
NCLEX question
3
SAMUEL MERRIT UNIVERSITY |ACTUAL
QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSWERS|BRAND NEW
2026-2027 UPDATE|GRADED A+
Question 1
Which of the following is an open ended question?
a. What brought you in today?
b. Where does it hurt?
c. Have you been checking your blood pressure?
d. When was the last time you were seen by
a doctor?
CORRECT ANSWER
Answer:A. It is the only choice that would invite a paragraph for an answer rather than a
short statement.
Question 2
Which of the following is the most basic function and therefore should be tested first
in an assessment of mental status?
a.Behavior
b. Consciousness
c. Judgment
d. Language
CORRECT ANSWER
1
,Answer: B. According to your textbook, consciousness is the most fundamental of these
particular characteristics; therefore, it would be tested first.
Question 3
Which of the following is not a significant contributor to the assessment of mental status?
a.Known illness or health problem
b. Current medications known to affect mood or cognition
c. Racial background
d. Personal history; current stress, social habits, sleep habits, drug and alcohol use
CORRECT ANSWER
Answer: C. The other choices are all elements of the interview that contribute to
interpretation of the findings of the examination.
Question 4
Correct order of physical examination skills:
CORRECT ANSWER
Inspection, Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation
Question 5
NCLEX question
The nurse is preparing to percuss the abdomen of a patient. The purpose of the percussion
is to assess the underlying tissue:
A) turgor.
2
, B)texture.
C)density.
D)consistency.
CORRECT ANSWER
ANSWER: C
Percussion yields a sound that depicts the location, size, and density of the underlying
organ. Turgor and texture are assessed with palpation.
Question 6
NCLEX question
The nurse is reviewing percussion techniques with a newly graduated nurse. Which
technique, if used by the new nurse, indicates that more review is needed? The nurse:
A)percusses once over each area.
B)lifts the striking finger off quickly after each stroke.
C)strikes with the finger tip, not the finger pad.
D)uses the wrist to make the strikes, not the arm.
CORRECT ANSWER
ANSWER: A
For percussion, the nurse should percuss two times over each location. The striking finger
should be lifted off quickly because a resting finger damps off vibrations. The tip of the
striking finger should make contact, not the pad of the finger. The wrist must be relaxed,
and it is used to make the strikes, not the arm
Question 7
NCLEX question
3
