NUR 504 EXAM 2 – Advanced Health Assessment
(2026)
St. Thomas University (STU) – Practice Examination
Questions 1–200
SECTION 1: HEALTH HISTORY, INTERVIEWING &
GENERAL ASSESSMENT (Questions 1–25)
1. A 68-year-old male reports unintentional weight
loss of 15 lbs in 2 months. What is the priority
question?
A) “Do you have food allergies?”
B) “Have you had any change in appetite or difficulty
swallowing?”
C) “What is your favorite food?”
D) “Are you on a low-carb diet?”
Answer: B
Rationale: Dysphagia or anorexia may indicate underlying
malignancy or GI disorder; unintentional weight loss
requires ruling out serious causes first. The priority is to
,assess for potentially life-threatening conditions such as
malignancy, GI obstruction, or systemic disease.
2. Which of the following is an example of subjective
data that may be collected during a health assessment?
A) Blood pressure 142/88 mmHg
B) Patient reports "sharp pain in my chest when I breathe
deeply"
C) Heart rate 88 bpm and regular
D) Pupils equal, round, and reactive to light
Answer: B
Rationale: Subjective data consists of information
reported by the patient, including symptoms, feelings,
perceptions, and concerns. Objective data (A, C, D) are
measurable findings obtained through physical
examination, laboratory tests, or diagnostic procedures.
3. Which component is considered the most important
first step in patient assessment?
A) Physical examination
B) Diagnostic testing
,C) Health history taking
D) Laboratory investigation
Answer: C
Rationale: The health history provides the foundation for
identifying patient concerns and guides the direction and
focus of the physical examination and diagnostic testing. It
is the starting point for building a therapeutic relationship.
4. A novice nurse operates from:
A) Intuition
B) A set of defined, structured rules
C) Articles in journals
D) Advice from supervisors
Answer: B
Rationale: Novice nurses operate from a set of defined,
structured rules. The expert practitioner uses intuitive links
and pattern recognition based on extensive clinical
experience.
, 5. The patient's record, laboratory studies, objective data,
and subjective data combine to form the:
A) Database
B) Admittingdata
C) Financialstatement
D)Dischargesummary
Answer: A
Rationale: Togetherwiththepatient's recordandlaboratory
studies, theobjectiveandsubjectivedataformthedatabase,
whichserves as thefoundation forclinicaldecision-making.
6. The mnemonic "OLDCARTS" is used to:
A) Assess familyhistory
B) Characterizeapatient'ssymptom
C)Performaphysicalexamination
D)Documenta medication history
Answer: B
Rationale: OLDCARTS (Onset, Location, Duration, Character,
Aggravatingfactors, Relievingfactors, Timing, Severity) is a
systematicapproachtocharacterizing apatient's symptom
duringthehealth history.
(2026)
St. Thomas University (STU) – Practice Examination
Questions 1–200
SECTION 1: HEALTH HISTORY, INTERVIEWING &
GENERAL ASSESSMENT (Questions 1–25)
1. A 68-year-old male reports unintentional weight
loss of 15 lbs in 2 months. What is the priority
question?
A) “Do you have food allergies?”
B) “Have you had any change in appetite or difficulty
swallowing?”
C) “What is your favorite food?”
D) “Are you on a low-carb diet?”
Answer: B
Rationale: Dysphagia or anorexia may indicate underlying
malignancy or GI disorder; unintentional weight loss
requires ruling out serious causes first. The priority is to
,assess for potentially life-threatening conditions such as
malignancy, GI obstruction, or systemic disease.
2. Which of the following is an example of subjective
data that may be collected during a health assessment?
A) Blood pressure 142/88 mmHg
B) Patient reports "sharp pain in my chest when I breathe
deeply"
C) Heart rate 88 bpm and regular
D) Pupils equal, round, and reactive to light
Answer: B
Rationale: Subjective data consists of information
reported by the patient, including symptoms, feelings,
perceptions, and concerns. Objective data (A, C, D) are
measurable findings obtained through physical
examination, laboratory tests, or diagnostic procedures.
3. Which component is considered the most important
first step in patient assessment?
A) Physical examination
B) Diagnostic testing
,C) Health history taking
D) Laboratory investigation
Answer: C
Rationale: The health history provides the foundation for
identifying patient concerns and guides the direction and
focus of the physical examination and diagnostic testing. It
is the starting point for building a therapeutic relationship.
4. A novice nurse operates from:
A) Intuition
B) A set of defined, structured rules
C) Articles in journals
D) Advice from supervisors
Answer: B
Rationale: Novice nurses operate from a set of defined,
structured rules. The expert practitioner uses intuitive links
and pattern recognition based on extensive clinical
experience.
, 5. The patient's record, laboratory studies, objective data,
and subjective data combine to form the:
A) Database
B) Admittingdata
C) Financialstatement
D)Dischargesummary
Answer: A
Rationale: Togetherwiththepatient's recordandlaboratory
studies, theobjectiveandsubjectivedataformthedatabase,
whichserves as thefoundation forclinicaldecision-making.
6. The mnemonic "OLDCARTS" is used to:
A) Assess familyhistory
B) Characterizeapatient'ssymptom
C)Performaphysicalexamination
D)Documenta medication history
Answer: B
Rationale: OLDCARTS (Onset, Location, Duration, Character,
Aggravatingfactors, Relievingfactors, Timing, Severity) is a
systematicapproachtocharacterizing apatient's symptom
duringthehealth history.
