UTA NURS 3320 Exam 1
Review
EXAM 2026 COMPLETE
EXAM QUESTIONS AND
ACCURATE ANSWERS
| ALREADY PASSED!!
Course: NURS 3320 Holistic Health Assessment Across the Lifespan Institution: University of
Texas at Arlington (UTA) Academic Term: Spring/Fall 2026 Document Type: Comprehensive
Exam Analysis & Clinical Simulation Exam Status: VERIFIED / PASSED
Prepared By: Senior Clinical Curriculum Specialist & NCLEX Preparation Analyst Date:
December 12, 2025
TABLE OF CONTENTS
I. PREFACE: THE ARCHITECTURE OF HOLISTIC ASSESSMENT
● Scope of Practice & Course Syllabus Alignment
● The Nursing Process as a Diagnostic Framework
● Strategic Approach to Exam 1: Blueprint Analysis
II. MODULE A: FOUNDATIONS OF HEALTH ASSESSMENT (Questions 1-10)
● Clinical Competency: Interviewing Techniques & Therapeutic Communication
● Clinical Competency: The Complete Health History & Genetic Mapping
● Clinical Competency: Cultural Humility & Health Belief Systems
III. MODULE B: GENERAL SURVEY, VITAL SIGNS & HEMODYNAMICS (Questions 11-25)
● Clinical Competency: General Survey & Physical Appearance
● Clinical Competency: Thermoregulation & Temperature Assessment
● Clinical Competency: Cardiovascular Physiology & Pulse Assessment
● Clinical Competency: Respiratory Mechanics & Assessment
● Clinical Competency: Hemodynamics: Blood Pressure Physics & Errors
● Clinical Competency: The Neurophysiology of Pain (The 5th Vital Sign)
IV. MODULE C: MENTAL STATUS & NEUROCOGNITIVE SCREENING (Questions 26-35)
, ● Clinical Competency: The ABCT Framework
● Clinical Competency: Differentiating Delirium, Dementia, and Depression
● Clinical Competency: Screening for Safety: Suicide & Domestic Violence
V. MODULE D: INTEGUMENTARY SYSTEM: SKIN, HAIR, & NAILS (Questions 36-45)
● Clinical Competency: Dermatological Morphology & Lesion Analysis
● Clinical Competency: Oncology Screening (ABCDE Rule)
● Clinical Competency: Pressure Injury Staging & Prevention
● Clinical Competency: Appendages: Hair and Nail Pathologies
VI. MODULE E: HEAD, EYES, EARS, NOSE, & THROAT (HEENT) (Questions 46-55)
● Clinical Competency: Cranial Nerve Integrity & Head Assessment
● Clinical Competency: Ophthalmic Assessment: Acuity & Internal Structures
● Clinical Competency: Otologic Assessment: Auditory Acuity & Canal Inspection
● Clinical Competency: Nasal & Oropharyngeal Assessment
I. PREFACE: THE ARCHITECTURE
OF HOLISTIC ASSESSMENT
Scope of Practice & Course Syllabus Alignment
The NURS 3320 Holistic Health Assessment Across the Lifespan course at the University of
Texas at Arlington represents a critical threshold in nursing education. It transitions the student
from basic didactic knowledge to the application of clinical skills required for safe practice. As
outlined in the course catalog and syllabus, this course emphasizes the "theory and practice of
holistic health assessment of individuals and families across the life span with emphasis on
normal findings". The curriculum is designed not merely to teach the mechanics of a physical
exam, but to integrate the "nutritional, physical, psychosocial, cultural, and spiritual dimensions"
into a comprehensive data set that drives the Nursing Process.
The exam blueprint for 2026 focuses heavily on the differentiation between normal physiological
variance and pathological deviation. Students must demonstrate competency in "interpreting
and analyzing normal and abnormal assessment findings". This exam review has been
constructed to mirror the rigorous standards of the actual assessment, which typically consists
of 60 questions to be completed in 90 minutes. We have distilled this into 55 high-yield clinical
scenarios that cover the entirety of the Unit 1 Blueprint: General Survey, Interviewing, Vital
Signs, Mental Status, Skin, Hair, Nails, and HEENT.
The Nursing Process as a Diagnostic Framework
The underlying logic of every question in this exam is the Nursing Process (Assessment,
Diagnosis, Planning, Implementation, Evaluation). Exam 1 is uniquely focused on the first
phase: Assessment.
● Subjective Data Collection: The art of the interview, ensuring data reliability, and
understanding the patient's narrative.
● Objective Data Collection: The science of inspection, palpation, percussion, and
auscultation.
● Clinical Judgment: The synthesis of these data points to identify "First-Level Priority
, Problems" (Airway, Breathing, Circulation) versus "Second-Level" (Pain, Infection) and
"Third-Level" (Knowledge Deficit) priorities.
The following comprehensive review analyzes 55 verified exam items. Each item is
deconstructed with an "Elite Clinical Rationale" that bridges the gap between textbook theory
(Weber & Kelley, Jarvis) and bedside application, ensuring not just rote memorization but deep
conceptual mastery.
II. MODULE A: FOUNDATIONS OF
HEALTH ASSESSMENT
This module evaluates the candidate's ability to establish a therapeutic relationship, navigate
complex cultural landscapes, and gather a robust health history.
Question 1: The Interview Phase - Facilitation
Clinical Scenario: A nurse is conducting an admission interview with a 54-year-old female
patient presenting with abdominal pain. The patient pauses mid-sentence, looking down at her
hands, and appears hesitant to continue. The nurse nods slowly and says, "Mmm-hmm, go on."
Question: This interaction is an example of which therapeutic communication technique?
Correct Answer: Facilitation.
Elite Clinical Rationale & Analysis: Communication is the primary tool of the assessment
phase. Facilitation (also known as "general leads") is a technique used to encourage the
patient to say more without the nurse controlling the direction of the conversation.
● Mechanism: By using minimal verbal cues ("Go on," "I'm listening," "And then?") or
non-verbal cues (nodding, maintaining eye contact), the nurse signals to the patient that
they are interested and that the patient has the floor. This is critical in the "Working
Phase" of the interview where data gathering is paramount.
● Contrast with Distractors:
○ Reflection: Echoing the patient's words (e.g., Patient: "I'm worried." Nurse: "You are
worried?").
○ Empathy: Naming a feeling (e.g., "It must be hard to wait for results.").
○ Clarification: Asking for specifics when data is confusing.
● Clinical Value: Facilitation reduces the power differential between nurse and patient,
fostering a sense of partnership. In NURS 3320, mastering these subtle cues is essential
for accurate data collection.
Question 2: Health History - The Genogram
Clinical Scenario: During a comprehensive health history, the nurse constructs a genogram for
a patient with a history of cardiovascular disease. The patient asks why the nurse needs
information about his deceased grandfather. Question: Which response by the nurse best
explains the purpose of the genogram? Correct Answer: "The genogram helps us identify
genetic patterns and family history of diseases, which allows us to assess your specific health
risks and plan preventive care."
Elite Clinical Rationale & Analysis: The Genogram (or family tree) is a standard tool in
holistic assessment used to visualize hereditary patterns.
Review
EXAM 2026 COMPLETE
EXAM QUESTIONS AND
ACCURATE ANSWERS
| ALREADY PASSED!!
Course: NURS 3320 Holistic Health Assessment Across the Lifespan Institution: University of
Texas at Arlington (UTA) Academic Term: Spring/Fall 2026 Document Type: Comprehensive
Exam Analysis & Clinical Simulation Exam Status: VERIFIED / PASSED
Prepared By: Senior Clinical Curriculum Specialist & NCLEX Preparation Analyst Date:
December 12, 2025
TABLE OF CONTENTS
I. PREFACE: THE ARCHITECTURE OF HOLISTIC ASSESSMENT
● Scope of Practice & Course Syllabus Alignment
● The Nursing Process as a Diagnostic Framework
● Strategic Approach to Exam 1: Blueprint Analysis
II. MODULE A: FOUNDATIONS OF HEALTH ASSESSMENT (Questions 1-10)
● Clinical Competency: Interviewing Techniques & Therapeutic Communication
● Clinical Competency: The Complete Health History & Genetic Mapping
● Clinical Competency: Cultural Humility & Health Belief Systems
III. MODULE B: GENERAL SURVEY, VITAL SIGNS & HEMODYNAMICS (Questions 11-25)
● Clinical Competency: General Survey & Physical Appearance
● Clinical Competency: Thermoregulation & Temperature Assessment
● Clinical Competency: Cardiovascular Physiology & Pulse Assessment
● Clinical Competency: Respiratory Mechanics & Assessment
● Clinical Competency: Hemodynamics: Blood Pressure Physics & Errors
● Clinical Competency: The Neurophysiology of Pain (The 5th Vital Sign)
IV. MODULE C: MENTAL STATUS & NEUROCOGNITIVE SCREENING (Questions 26-35)
, ● Clinical Competency: The ABCT Framework
● Clinical Competency: Differentiating Delirium, Dementia, and Depression
● Clinical Competency: Screening for Safety: Suicide & Domestic Violence
V. MODULE D: INTEGUMENTARY SYSTEM: SKIN, HAIR, & NAILS (Questions 36-45)
● Clinical Competency: Dermatological Morphology & Lesion Analysis
● Clinical Competency: Oncology Screening (ABCDE Rule)
● Clinical Competency: Pressure Injury Staging & Prevention
● Clinical Competency: Appendages: Hair and Nail Pathologies
VI. MODULE E: HEAD, EYES, EARS, NOSE, & THROAT (HEENT) (Questions 46-55)
● Clinical Competency: Cranial Nerve Integrity & Head Assessment
● Clinical Competency: Ophthalmic Assessment: Acuity & Internal Structures
● Clinical Competency: Otologic Assessment: Auditory Acuity & Canal Inspection
● Clinical Competency: Nasal & Oropharyngeal Assessment
I. PREFACE: THE ARCHITECTURE
OF HOLISTIC ASSESSMENT
Scope of Practice & Course Syllabus Alignment
The NURS 3320 Holistic Health Assessment Across the Lifespan course at the University of
Texas at Arlington represents a critical threshold in nursing education. It transitions the student
from basic didactic knowledge to the application of clinical skills required for safe practice. As
outlined in the course catalog and syllabus, this course emphasizes the "theory and practice of
holistic health assessment of individuals and families across the life span with emphasis on
normal findings". The curriculum is designed not merely to teach the mechanics of a physical
exam, but to integrate the "nutritional, physical, psychosocial, cultural, and spiritual dimensions"
into a comprehensive data set that drives the Nursing Process.
The exam blueprint for 2026 focuses heavily on the differentiation between normal physiological
variance and pathological deviation. Students must demonstrate competency in "interpreting
and analyzing normal and abnormal assessment findings". This exam review has been
constructed to mirror the rigorous standards of the actual assessment, which typically consists
of 60 questions to be completed in 90 minutes. We have distilled this into 55 high-yield clinical
scenarios that cover the entirety of the Unit 1 Blueprint: General Survey, Interviewing, Vital
Signs, Mental Status, Skin, Hair, Nails, and HEENT.
The Nursing Process as a Diagnostic Framework
The underlying logic of every question in this exam is the Nursing Process (Assessment,
Diagnosis, Planning, Implementation, Evaluation). Exam 1 is uniquely focused on the first
phase: Assessment.
● Subjective Data Collection: The art of the interview, ensuring data reliability, and
understanding the patient's narrative.
● Objective Data Collection: The science of inspection, palpation, percussion, and
auscultation.
● Clinical Judgment: The synthesis of these data points to identify "First-Level Priority
, Problems" (Airway, Breathing, Circulation) versus "Second-Level" (Pain, Infection) and
"Third-Level" (Knowledge Deficit) priorities.
The following comprehensive review analyzes 55 verified exam items. Each item is
deconstructed with an "Elite Clinical Rationale" that bridges the gap between textbook theory
(Weber & Kelley, Jarvis) and bedside application, ensuring not just rote memorization but deep
conceptual mastery.
II. MODULE A: FOUNDATIONS OF
HEALTH ASSESSMENT
This module evaluates the candidate's ability to establish a therapeutic relationship, navigate
complex cultural landscapes, and gather a robust health history.
Question 1: The Interview Phase - Facilitation
Clinical Scenario: A nurse is conducting an admission interview with a 54-year-old female
patient presenting with abdominal pain. The patient pauses mid-sentence, looking down at her
hands, and appears hesitant to continue. The nurse nods slowly and says, "Mmm-hmm, go on."
Question: This interaction is an example of which therapeutic communication technique?
Correct Answer: Facilitation.
Elite Clinical Rationale & Analysis: Communication is the primary tool of the assessment
phase. Facilitation (also known as "general leads") is a technique used to encourage the
patient to say more without the nurse controlling the direction of the conversation.
● Mechanism: By using minimal verbal cues ("Go on," "I'm listening," "And then?") or
non-verbal cues (nodding, maintaining eye contact), the nurse signals to the patient that
they are interested and that the patient has the floor. This is critical in the "Working
Phase" of the interview where data gathering is paramount.
● Contrast with Distractors:
○ Reflection: Echoing the patient's words (e.g., Patient: "I'm worried." Nurse: "You are
worried?").
○ Empathy: Naming a feeling (e.g., "It must be hard to wait for results.").
○ Clarification: Asking for specifics when data is confusing.
● Clinical Value: Facilitation reduces the power differential between nurse and patient,
fostering a sense of partnership. In NURS 3320, mastering these subtle cues is essential
for accurate data collection.
Question 2: Health History - The Genogram
Clinical Scenario: During a comprehensive health history, the nurse constructs a genogram for
a patient with a history of cardiovascular disease. The patient asks why the nurse needs
information about his deceased grandfather. Question: Which response by the nurse best
explains the purpose of the genogram? Correct Answer: "The genogram helps us identify
genetic patterns and family history of diseases, which allows us to assess your specific health
risks and plan preventive care."
Elite Clinical Rationale & Analysis: The Genogram (or family tree) is a standard tool in
holistic assessment used to visualize hereditary patterns.
