WGU D118 OBJECTIVE ASSESSMENT (OA) STUDY GUIDE |
COMPLETE EXAM REVIEW | 2026 EDITION
1. In a nursing assessment, if a patient reports feeling dizzy and lightheaded,
what type of data is this considered, and why is it important?
Subjective data, because it reflects the patient's personal
experience and symptoms.
Objective data, as it can be observed by the nurse.
Objective data, because it can be measured with instruments.
Subjective data, but it is not important for diagnosis.
2. In which direction should abdominal percussion be performed?
Clockwise
Counterclockwise
From left to right
From top to bottom
3. To auscultate the pulmonic area, you would place your stethoscope in the
________.
second intercostal space to the right of the sternum
fifth intercostal space inferior to the left nipple
second intercostal space to the left of the sternum
fifth right intercostal space
4. Which cerebral lobe is primarily associated with higher cognitive functions
such as reasoning, problem-solving, planning, and personality expression?
, Temporal
Insular
Frontal
Occipital
Parietal
5. Describe the difference between objective data and subjective data in
nursing assessments.
Objective data is always numerical, while subjective data is always
descriptive.
Objective data is based on patient feelings, while subjective data is
based on physical observations.
Objective data is information that is observed by the nurse, while
subjective data is information reported by the patient.
Objective data is collected through interviews, while subjective data is
collected through physical exams.
6. Objective data in a nursing assessment:
Includes the patient's personal opinions and beliefs.
Is primarily gathered through patient interviews.
Can be measured or observed by a healthcare provider.
Is based on the nurse's interpretation of the patient's symptoms.
7. Describe the significance of testing visual fields by confrontation in a nursing
assessment.
Testing visual fields by confrontation evaluates the patient's depth
perception.
, Testing visual fields by confrontation is used to measure the sharpness
of vision.
Testing visual fields by confrontation helps identify any peripheral
vision loss, which can indicate underlying neurological issues.
Testing visual fields by confrontation assesses the patient's ability to
see colors accurately.
8. When assessing a patient for facial droop you should?
Have the patient smile or show his teeth.
Have the patient take a 30 minute nap.
Ask the patient to repeat a common sentence.
Ask the patient to hold out their arms and close their eyes.
9. Describe how a thrill is assessed during a physical examination and its
significance.
A thrill is assessed by observing skin color changes and indicates
dehydration.
A thrill is assessed by measuring blood pressure and indicates
hypertension.
A thrill is assessed by listening with a stethoscope and indicates
normal heart function.
A thrill is assessed by palpating the area and indicates underlying
vascular abnormalities.
10. What exam finding would be most likely in a patient in which you suspect
peritonitis with positive rebound tenderness?
, Worsening pain when deep abdominal palpatory pressure is
rapidly released
Voluntary anticipatory contraction of the abdominal wall
accompanied by a grimace
Regional abdominal tenderness with a soft abdomen
Involuntary reflex contraction of the abdominal wall during
abdominal palpation
11. The cerebellum controls which of the following:
balance
muscle tone
all of these options
coordination
12. Corneal reflex question: If a person's right facial nerve is damaged and you
test the right cornea, what happens?
Both eyes blink
Both don't blink
Right eye blinks
Only left eye blinks
13. During a physical assessment, a patient reports difficulty seeing objects
clearly. Which cranial nerve would you assess, and what specific tests would
you perform?
Cranial Nerve VIII; perform a hearing test.
Cranial Nerve V; evaluate facial sensation.
COMPLETE EXAM REVIEW | 2026 EDITION
1. In a nursing assessment, if a patient reports feeling dizzy and lightheaded,
what type of data is this considered, and why is it important?
Subjective data, because it reflects the patient's personal
experience and symptoms.
Objective data, as it can be observed by the nurse.
Objective data, because it can be measured with instruments.
Subjective data, but it is not important for diagnosis.
2. In which direction should abdominal percussion be performed?
Clockwise
Counterclockwise
From left to right
From top to bottom
3. To auscultate the pulmonic area, you would place your stethoscope in the
________.
second intercostal space to the right of the sternum
fifth intercostal space inferior to the left nipple
second intercostal space to the left of the sternum
fifth right intercostal space
4. Which cerebral lobe is primarily associated with higher cognitive functions
such as reasoning, problem-solving, planning, and personality expression?
, Temporal
Insular
Frontal
Occipital
Parietal
5. Describe the difference between objective data and subjective data in
nursing assessments.
Objective data is always numerical, while subjective data is always
descriptive.
Objective data is based on patient feelings, while subjective data is
based on physical observations.
Objective data is information that is observed by the nurse, while
subjective data is information reported by the patient.
Objective data is collected through interviews, while subjective data is
collected through physical exams.
6. Objective data in a nursing assessment:
Includes the patient's personal opinions and beliefs.
Is primarily gathered through patient interviews.
Can be measured or observed by a healthcare provider.
Is based on the nurse's interpretation of the patient's symptoms.
7. Describe the significance of testing visual fields by confrontation in a nursing
assessment.
Testing visual fields by confrontation evaluates the patient's depth
perception.
, Testing visual fields by confrontation is used to measure the sharpness
of vision.
Testing visual fields by confrontation helps identify any peripheral
vision loss, which can indicate underlying neurological issues.
Testing visual fields by confrontation assesses the patient's ability to
see colors accurately.
8. When assessing a patient for facial droop you should?
Have the patient smile or show his teeth.
Have the patient take a 30 minute nap.
Ask the patient to repeat a common sentence.
Ask the patient to hold out their arms and close their eyes.
9. Describe how a thrill is assessed during a physical examination and its
significance.
A thrill is assessed by observing skin color changes and indicates
dehydration.
A thrill is assessed by measuring blood pressure and indicates
hypertension.
A thrill is assessed by listening with a stethoscope and indicates
normal heart function.
A thrill is assessed by palpating the area and indicates underlying
vascular abnormalities.
10. What exam finding would be most likely in a patient in which you suspect
peritonitis with positive rebound tenderness?
, Worsening pain when deep abdominal palpatory pressure is
rapidly released
Voluntary anticipatory contraction of the abdominal wall
accompanied by a grimace
Regional abdominal tenderness with a soft abdomen
Involuntary reflex contraction of the abdominal wall during
abdominal palpation
11. The cerebellum controls which of the following:
balance
muscle tone
all of these options
coordination
12. Corneal reflex question: If a person's right facial nerve is damaged and you
test the right cornea, what happens?
Both eyes blink
Both don't blink
Right eye blinks
Only left eye blinks
13. During a physical assessment, a patient reports difficulty seeing objects
clearly. Which cranial nerve would you assess, and what specific tests would
you perform?
Cranial Nerve VIII; perform a hearing test.
Cranial Nerve V; evaluate facial sensation.
