NSG 521 Fundamentals/Health Assessment
ACTUAL EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2025
True or False-
Patients with an indwelling catheter do not require peri care
False (we want to limit risk of infection)
Which of the following statements about toilet training is incorrect?
1) Nightime continence occurs after daytime
2) Girls develop bladder control faster than boys
3) Children must be able to voice the desire to void prior to starting toilet training
4) Bladder control is present at 1 year of age
4)Bladder control is present at 1 year of age (We usually potty train around 2 years of age.
True or False
You can collect a sterile urine specimen from a foley catheter by draining urine from the collection bag
False (We don't want old urine sitting in the bag. Need to collect urine from the tube- clamp the tube if
there's no urine in the tube, clean the collection port, collect 10mL for UA and 3mL for urine culture,
label sterile cup with patient identifiers, time/date, and unclamp)
True or False
When performing a rectal exam the patient should be positioned in a semi-fowlers position
False (Semi-Fowlers is semi-reclined/sitting up position) Standing is best or lying on the left side
Patient may feel the urge to poop or pee during exam
You are performing a focused assessment on a patient's urinary output. Which of the following
findings does not require follow-up? Select all that apply.
1) Pain to lower back with urination
2) Urine with mucus in it
3) Discharge from the urinary meatus
4) Urine sample with a pH of 4.8
4)Urine sample with a pH of 4.8
(The pH of urine usually ranges between 4.6 and 8.2- normally 5-6)
(Normal urine specific gravity ranges from 1.005 to 1.030 (concentrated urine, ≥1.025; dilute urine,
≤1.001 to 1.010)
The nurse is assessing a patient with the following: peaked T waves, irregular rhythm on the telemetry
monitor and patient is complaining of fluttering in the chest. The nurse suspects which of the
following electrolyte disorders?
,1)Sodium
2)Calcium
3)Magnesium
4)Potassium
4)Potassium (High potassium, high T waves) (Low potassium: diuretics, N/V, laxative)
True or False-
Patients on a renal diet should eat foods high in potassium and sodium
False (On renal diet due to renal failure/dialysis)
(Patients that suffer from constipation should be on high fiber diet- beans, vegetables)
If this electrolyte imbalance isn't treated timely, prolonged effects of an elevated level could cause:
kidney stones, kidney failure, osteoporosis, confusion
Calcium
(Hypocalcemia includes: numbness and tingling of fingers, mouth, or feet; tetany; muscle cramps; and
seizures.
Hypercalcemia includes: nausea, vomiting, constipation, bone pain, excessive urination, thirst, confusion,
lethargy, and slurred speech.)
Which of the following body systems influence the acid-base balance to produce compensatory
changes for a patient experiencing metabolic acidosis?
1)Vascular/veins
2)Hepatic/liver
3)Renal/kidneys
4)Respiratory/lungs
4)Respiratory/Lungs
(Metabolic acidosis is an acidotic state in the kidneys, Lungs help compensate and vise versa)
(Respiratory acidosis is an acidotic state in the lungs, Kidneys help compensate)
True or False-
Hypervolemia is caused by prolonged nausea, vomiting and diarrhea
False
(Hypervolemia is extra fluid build up such as excess sodium/water retention)
(Hypovolemia is low fluid caused by ex. N/V)
True or False-
If a patient complains of tenderness to a quadrant of the abdomen, the nurse should not assess that
quadrant for fear of injury to the patient.
False (Save the most tender area for last of the 4 quadrants)
(Order of evaluating- 1. inspect in supine 2. auscultate (listen for up to 5 mins in every quadrant starting
in LRQ and working clockwise) 3. percuss 4. palpate
The nurse is teaching an older adult patient about changes to the GI system that occur with aging.
Which of the following should the nurse not include?
,1) Stool moves more slowly through the intestine as we age.
2) Medication absorption decreases as the kidneys and liver function slows down.
3) Drooling develops as swallowing becomes impaired.
4)Dentition does not affect the digestive process.
4) Dentition does not affect the digestive process. (IT DOES such as how much we chew)
The nurse assesses an abdominal fluid wave. She knows this is likely indicative of this
Ascites (500mL or more of fluid in the abdomen)
Positive Blumberg sign is indicative of this disease process
Appendicitis
You have a group of 4 patients. Which patient is at highest risk of developing altered bowel
elimination?
1) Patient NPO after midnight for surgical procedure
2) An elderly patient who takes a prescribed stool softener daily
3) A patient scheduled for a routine colonoscopy in two days
4) A patient who has received IV antibiotics for the last 2 weeks
4)A patient who has received IV antibiotics for the last 2 weeks (could potentially get c-diff, affects the
normal flora in our gut)
Where is the prostate gland located?
Surrounds the urethra near the bladder
What is the role of the fallopian tubes?
Carry ova from the ovaries to the uterus
True or False-
Kidneys do not help with RBC production or BP regulation
False (they do- and renin)
Define insensible fluid loss
Amount of body fluid lost daily that is not easily measured, from the respiratory system and skin (ex:
sweat). Sensible is easily measured such as urine output.
True or False-
Your hypothalamus helps manage your:
Body temperature
Blood pressure
Hunger and thirst
Sense of fullness when eating
Mood
, Sex Drive
Sleeping
True (homeostasis, body's balance system)
If a male experiences this in infancy, he is at significantly increased risk of testicular cancer later in life
Cryptorchidism
The nurse is assisting during a female client's examination of the genitalia. The client's healthcare
provider notes copious watery discharge in the vaginal introitus. Due to this finding, the nurse should
be prepared to gather supplies for which of the following?
1)Collecting a specimen of the discharge for culture
2)Administering the HPV vaccine
3)Inserting an indwelling catheter
4)Performing a pap test
1) Collecting a specimen of the discharge for culture
The patient tell the nurse she is menstruating when at the clinic for her pap smear. The nurse should
do this to accommodate for the new information
Reschedule pap smear (menstruation could alter cystology results)
True or False-
Discharge at the urethral meatus is an expected finding
False
You are assessing a patients' sexual expression who states, "I do not think I should feel sexual pleasure
from looking at prepubescent children." Which of the following conditions does this patient exhibit?
1)Masochism
2) Voyeurism
3)Pedophilia
4)Sadism
3) Pedophilia (requires reporting and follow up)
What would the nurses best action be to assess pulses in a patient with bilateral lower extremity
edema and pulses are not palpable?
Locate a doppler (clean the feet and apply US gel)
Which heart sound is also known as a ventricular gallop or early diastolic gallop?
S3
(S3 is considered normal in children and young adults and abnormal in middle-aged and older adults)
Known as Lub-Dub-Dub
The nurse is performing a routine cardiac assessment. Which technique should not be included in the
assessment?
ACTUAL EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2025
True or False-
Patients with an indwelling catheter do not require peri care
False (we want to limit risk of infection)
Which of the following statements about toilet training is incorrect?
1) Nightime continence occurs after daytime
2) Girls develop bladder control faster than boys
3) Children must be able to voice the desire to void prior to starting toilet training
4) Bladder control is present at 1 year of age
4)Bladder control is present at 1 year of age (We usually potty train around 2 years of age.
True or False
You can collect a sterile urine specimen from a foley catheter by draining urine from the collection bag
False (We don't want old urine sitting in the bag. Need to collect urine from the tube- clamp the tube if
there's no urine in the tube, clean the collection port, collect 10mL for UA and 3mL for urine culture,
label sterile cup with patient identifiers, time/date, and unclamp)
True or False
When performing a rectal exam the patient should be positioned in a semi-fowlers position
False (Semi-Fowlers is semi-reclined/sitting up position) Standing is best or lying on the left side
Patient may feel the urge to poop or pee during exam
You are performing a focused assessment on a patient's urinary output. Which of the following
findings does not require follow-up? Select all that apply.
1) Pain to lower back with urination
2) Urine with mucus in it
3) Discharge from the urinary meatus
4) Urine sample with a pH of 4.8
4)Urine sample with a pH of 4.8
(The pH of urine usually ranges between 4.6 and 8.2- normally 5-6)
(Normal urine specific gravity ranges from 1.005 to 1.030 (concentrated urine, ≥1.025; dilute urine,
≤1.001 to 1.010)
The nurse is assessing a patient with the following: peaked T waves, irregular rhythm on the telemetry
monitor and patient is complaining of fluttering in the chest. The nurse suspects which of the
following electrolyte disorders?
,1)Sodium
2)Calcium
3)Magnesium
4)Potassium
4)Potassium (High potassium, high T waves) (Low potassium: diuretics, N/V, laxative)
True or False-
Patients on a renal diet should eat foods high in potassium and sodium
False (On renal diet due to renal failure/dialysis)
(Patients that suffer from constipation should be on high fiber diet- beans, vegetables)
If this electrolyte imbalance isn't treated timely, prolonged effects of an elevated level could cause:
kidney stones, kidney failure, osteoporosis, confusion
Calcium
(Hypocalcemia includes: numbness and tingling of fingers, mouth, or feet; tetany; muscle cramps; and
seizures.
Hypercalcemia includes: nausea, vomiting, constipation, bone pain, excessive urination, thirst, confusion,
lethargy, and slurred speech.)
Which of the following body systems influence the acid-base balance to produce compensatory
changes for a patient experiencing metabolic acidosis?
1)Vascular/veins
2)Hepatic/liver
3)Renal/kidneys
4)Respiratory/lungs
4)Respiratory/Lungs
(Metabolic acidosis is an acidotic state in the kidneys, Lungs help compensate and vise versa)
(Respiratory acidosis is an acidotic state in the lungs, Kidneys help compensate)
True or False-
Hypervolemia is caused by prolonged nausea, vomiting and diarrhea
False
(Hypervolemia is extra fluid build up such as excess sodium/water retention)
(Hypovolemia is low fluid caused by ex. N/V)
True or False-
If a patient complains of tenderness to a quadrant of the abdomen, the nurse should not assess that
quadrant for fear of injury to the patient.
False (Save the most tender area for last of the 4 quadrants)
(Order of evaluating- 1. inspect in supine 2. auscultate (listen for up to 5 mins in every quadrant starting
in LRQ and working clockwise) 3. percuss 4. palpate
The nurse is teaching an older adult patient about changes to the GI system that occur with aging.
Which of the following should the nurse not include?
,1) Stool moves more slowly through the intestine as we age.
2) Medication absorption decreases as the kidneys and liver function slows down.
3) Drooling develops as swallowing becomes impaired.
4)Dentition does not affect the digestive process.
4) Dentition does not affect the digestive process. (IT DOES such as how much we chew)
The nurse assesses an abdominal fluid wave. She knows this is likely indicative of this
Ascites (500mL or more of fluid in the abdomen)
Positive Blumberg sign is indicative of this disease process
Appendicitis
You have a group of 4 patients. Which patient is at highest risk of developing altered bowel
elimination?
1) Patient NPO after midnight for surgical procedure
2) An elderly patient who takes a prescribed stool softener daily
3) A patient scheduled for a routine colonoscopy in two days
4) A patient who has received IV antibiotics for the last 2 weeks
4)A patient who has received IV antibiotics for the last 2 weeks (could potentially get c-diff, affects the
normal flora in our gut)
Where is the prostate gland located?
Surrounds the urethra near the bladder
What is the role of the fallopian tubes?
Carry ova from the ovaries to the uterus
True or False-
Kidneys do not help with RBC production or BP regulation
False (they do- and renin)
Define insensible fluid loss
Amount of body fluid lost daily that is not easily measured, from the respiratory system and skin (ex:
sweat). Sensible is easily measured such as urine output.
True or False-
Your hypothalamus helps manage your:
Body temperature
Blood pressure
Hunger and thirst
Sense of fullness when eating
Mood
, Sex Drive
Sleeping
True (homeostasis, body's balance system)
If a male experiences this in infancy, he is at significantly increased risk of testicular cancer later in life
Cryptorchidism
The nurse is assisting during a female client's examination of the genitalia. The client's healthcare
provider notes copious watery discharge in the vaginal introitus. Due to this finding, the nurse should
be prepared to gather supplies for which of the following?
1)Collecting a specimen of the discharge for culture
2)Administering the HPV vaccine
3)Inserting an indwelling catheter
4)Performing a pap test
1) Collecting a specimen of the discharge for culture
The patient tell the nurse she is menstruating when at the clinic for her pap smear. The nurse should
do this to accommodate for the new information
Reschedule pap smear (menstruation could alter cystology results)
True or False-
Discharge at the urethral meatus is an expected finding
False
You are assessing a patients' sexual expression who states, "I do not think I should feel sexual pleasure
from looking at prepubescent children." Which of the following conditions does this patient exhibit?
1)Masochism
2) Voyeurism
3)Pedophilia
4)Sadism
3) Pedophilia (requires reporting and follow up)
What would the nurses best action be to assess pulses in a patient with bilateral lower extremity
edema and pulses are not palpable?
Locate a doppler (clean the feet and apply US gel)
Which heart sound is also known as a ventricular gallop or early diastolic gallop?
S3
(S3 is considered normal in children and young adults and abnormal in middle-aged and older adults)
Known as Lub-Dub-Dub
The nurse is performing a routine cardiac assessment. Which technique should not be included in the
assessment?
