Health Assessment Final Exam
Questions with Actual Detailed
Answers 2025-2026 Updated.
A nurse on a postsurgical unit is admitting a client following the client's cholecystectomy (gall
bladder removal). What is the overall purpose of assessment for this client? - Answer Making
clinical judgments
A client has presented to the emergency department (ED) with complaints of abdominal pain.
Which member of the care team would most likely be responsible for collecting the subjective
data on the client during the initial comprehensive assessment? - Answer ED nurse
The nurse has completed an initial assessment of a newly admitted client and is applying the
nursing process to plan the client's care. What principle should the nurse apply when using the
nursing process? - Answer It is ongoing and continuous.
The nurse who provides care at an ambulatory clinic is preparing to meet a client and perform a
comprehensive health assessment. Which of the following actions should the nurse perform
first? - Answer Review the client's medical record.
Which of the following client situations would the nurse interpret as requiring an emergency
assessment? - Answer A client who overdosed on acetaminophen
In response to a client's query, the nurse is explaining the differences between the physician's
medical exam and the comprehensive health assessment performed by the nurse. The nurse
should describe the fact that the nursing assessment focuses on which aspect of the client's
situation? - Answer Effect of health on functional status
After teaching a group of students about the phases of the nursing process, the instructor
determines that the teaching was successful when the students identify which phase as being
foundational to all other phases? - Answer Assessment
The nurse has completed the comprehensive health assessment of a client who has been
admitted for the treatment of community-acquired pneumonia. Following the completion of
this assessment, the nurse periodically performs a partial assessment primarily for which
reason? - Answer Reassess previously detected problems
The nurse is working in an ambulatory care clinic that is located in a busy, inner-city
neighborhood. Which client would the nurse determine to be in most need of an emergency
assessment? - Answer A 45-year-old man with chest pain and diaphoresis for 1 hour
,A nurse has completed gathering some basic data about a client who has multiple health
problems that stem from heavy alcohol use. The nurse has then reflected on her personal
feelings about the client and his circumstances. The nurse does this primarily to accomplish
which of the following? - Answer Avoid biases and judgments
The nurse is collecting data from a client who has recently been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes
and who will begin an educational program. The nurse is collecting subjective and objective
data. Which of the following would the nurse categorize as objective data? - Answer
Appearance
An older adult client has been admitted to the hospital with failure to thrive resulting from
complications of diabetes. Which of the following would the nurse implement in response to a
collaborative problem? - Answer Measure the client's blood glucose four times daily.
The nurse at a busy primary care clinic is analyzing the data obtained from the following clients.
For which clients would the nurse most likely expect to facilitate a referral? - Answer A 50-
year-old client newly diagnosed with diabetes
An instructor is reviewing the evolution of the nurse's role in health assessment. The instructor
determines that the teaching was successful when the students identify which of the following
as the major method used by nurses early in the history of the profession? - Answer Natural
senses
When describing the expansion of the depth and scope of nursing assessment over the past
several decades, which of the following would the nurse identify as being the primary force? -
Answer Technology
A group of nurses are reviewing information about the potential opportunities for nurses who
have advanced assessment skills. When discussing phenomena that have contributed to these
increased opportunities, what should the nurses identify? - Answer Expansion of health care
networks
A nurse has documented the findings of a comprehensive assessment of a new client. What is
the primary rationale that the nurse should identify for accurate and thorough documentation?
- Answer Assuring valid conclusions from analyzed data
A nurse has received a report on a client who will soon be admitted to the medical unit from the
emergency department. When preparing for the assessment phase of the nursing process,
which of the following should the nurse do first? - Answer Collect subjective data.
,A community health nurse is assessing an older adult client in the client's home. When the
nurse is gathering subjective data, which of the following would the nurse identify? - Answer
The client's feelings of happiness
A nurse on the hospital's subacute medical unit is planning to perform a client's focused
assessment. Which of the following statements should inform the nurse's practice? - Answer
The focused assessment addresses a particular client problem.
A nurse is completing an assessment that will involve gathering subjective and objective data.
Which of the following assessment techniques will best allow the nurse to collect objective
data? - Answer Inspection
The nurse is performing a health assessment on a community-dwelling client who is recovering
from hip replacement surgery. Which of the following actions should the nurse prioritize during
assessment? - Answer Interpret the information about the client in context.
A client comes to the health care provider's office for a visit. The client has been seen in this
office on occasion for the past 5 years and arrives today complaining of a fever and sore throat.
Which type of assessment would the nurse most likely perform? - Answer Focused
assessment
A nurse has assessed a client who was admitted to the medical unit to treat acute complications
of type 1 diabetes. During the assessment, the client admitted that his blood sugar monitoring
when he is at home is ìa bit sporadic.î How should the nurse best respond to this assessment
finding? - Answer Identify a nursing diagnosis of Ineffective Health Maintenance.
The nurse is utilizing the Health Belief Model in the care of a client whose type 1 diabetes is
inadequately controlled. When implementing this model, the nurse should begin by assessing
which of the following? - Answer The client's motivation for change
A nurse will complete an initial comprehensive assessment of a 60-year-old client who is new to
the clinic. What goal should the nurse identify for this type of assessment? - Answer
Establish a baseline for the comparison of future health changes.
A nurse who provides care in a hospital setting is creating a plan of nursing care for a client who
has a diagnosis of chronic renal failure. The nurse's plan specifies frequent ongoing
assessments. The frequency of these nursing assessments should be primarily determined by
what variable? - Answer The client's acuity
A client who is new to the facility has a recent history of chronic pain that is attributed to
fibromyalgia. The nurse has reviewed the available health records and suspects that pain
, management will be a major focus of nursing care. How can the nurse best validate this
assumption? - Answer Ask the client about the most recent experiences of pain.
A nurse is preparing to assess an adult client's body temperature. At which time of the day
would the nurse expect to obtain the lowest body temperature? - Answer Early morning
The nurse is preparing to assess a client's vital signs. Which vital sign should the nurse assess
first? - Answer Temperature
A nurse is reviewing a colleague's documentation of a client assessment. The nurse reads that
the client's radial pulse was 2+. How should the nurse interpret this assessment finding? -
Answer The client's radial pulse occluded with moderate pressure.
The nurse is conducting an assessment of an older adult client who has a diagnosis of chronic
heart failure. How can the nurse best assess the effects of the client's stroke volume? - Answer
Calculate the difference between the diastolic and systolic pressures.
A nurse obtains the blood pressure of a client who is uncharacteristically fatigued and who is
lying in bed rather than sitting in a chair. The nurse should interpret the client's blood pressure
reading in light of what principle? - Answer The client's blood pressure will be slightly lower
than standing readings.
The nurse is completing an initial assessment of a client who is new to the ambulatory clinic.
Before assessing the client's blood pressure, a nurse asks him what his usual blood pressure is.
The nurse bases this action primarily on what rationale? - Answer It indicates the client's
involvement in his health care.
The nurse has begun a client's assessment and is applying the blood pressure cuff on a client's
arm. Which action would be most appropriate? - Answer The cuff is placed about 1 inch
above the antecubital area.
Which of the following would be most important for the nurse to do when assessing a client's
blood pressure? - Answer Inflate the cuff 30 mm Hg above where the radial pulse
disappears.
The nurse is auscultating a client's blood pressure and identifies the portion of the blood
pressure cycle reflecting the break in sounds occurring between the first and second sounds.
This is known as which of the following? - Answer Auscultatory gap
When assessing an older adult client with osteoporotic thinning and vertebral collapse, which of
the following findings would the nurse expect to identify? - Answer Kyphosis
Questions with Actual Detailed
Answers 2025-2026 Updated.
A nurse on a postsurgical unit is admitting a client following the client's cholecystectomy (gall
bladder removal). What is the overall purpose of assessment for this client? - Answer Making
clinical judgments
A client has presented to the emergency department (ED) with complaints of abdominal pain.
Which member of the care team would most likely be responsible for collecting the subjective
data on the client during the initial comprehensive assessment? - Answer ED nurse
The nurse has completed an initial assessment of a newly admitted client and is applying the
nursing process to plan the client's care. What principle should the nurse apply when using the
nursing process? - Answer It is ongoing and continuous.
The nurse who provides care at an ambulatory clinic is preparing to meet a client and perform a
comprehensive health assessment. Which of the following actions should the nurse perform
first? - Answer Review the client's medical record.
Which of the following client situations would the nurse interpret as requiring an emergency
assessment? - Answer A client who overdosed on acetaminophen
In response to a client's query, the nurse is explaining the differences between the physician's
medical exam and the comprehensive health assessment performed by the nurse. The nurse
should describe the fact that the nursing assessment focuses on which aspect of the client's
situation? - Answer Effect of health on functional status
After teaching a group of students about the phases of the nursing process, the instructor
determines that the teaching was successful when the students identify which phase as being
foundational to all other phases? - Answer Assessment
The nurse has completed the comprehensive health assessment of a client who has been
admitted for the treatment of community-acquired pneumonia. Following the completion of
this assessment, the nurse periodically performs a partial assessment primarily for which
reason? - Answer Reassess previously detected problems
The nurse is working in an ambulatory care clinic that is located in a busy, inner-city
neighborhood. Which client would the nurse determine to be in most need of an emergency
assessment? - Answer A 45-year-old man with chest pain and diaphoresis for 1 hour
,A nurse has completed gathering some basic data about a client who has multiple health
problems that stem from heavy alcohol use. The nurse has then reflected on her personal
feelings about the client and his circumstances. The nurse does this primarily to accomplish
which of the following? - Answer Avoid biases and judgments
The nurse is collecting data from a client who has recently been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes
and who will begin an educational program. The nurse is collecting subjective and objective
data. Which of the following would the nurse categorize as objective data? - Answer
Appearance
An older adult client has been admitted to the hospital with failure to thrive resulting from
complications of diabetes. Which of the following would the nurse implement in response to a
collaborative problem? - Answer Measure the client's blood glucose four times daily.
The nurse at a busy primary care clinic is analyzing the data obtained from the following clients.
For which clients would the nurse most likely expect to facilitate a referral? - Answer A 50-
year-old client newly diagnosed with diabetes
An instructor is reviewing the evolution of the nurse's role in health assessment. The instructor
determines that the teaching was successful when the students identify which of the following
as the major method used by nurses early in the history of the profession? - Answer Natural
senses
When describing the expansion of the depth and scope of nursing assessment over the past
several decades, which of the following would the nurse identify as being the primary force? -
Answer Technology
A group of nurses are reviewing information about the potential opportunities for nurses who
have advanced assessment skills. When discussing phenomena that have contributed to these
increased opportunities, what should the nurses identify? - Answer Expansion of health care
networks
A nurse has documented the findings of a comprehensive assessment of a new client. What is
the primary rationale that the nurse should identify for accurate and thorough documentation?
- Answer Assuring valid conclusions from analyzed data
A nurse has received a report on a client who will soon be admitted to the medical unit from the
emergency department. When preparing for the assessment phase of the nursing process,
which of the following should the nurse do first? - Answer Collect subjective data.
,A community health nurse is assessing an older adult client in the client's home. When the
nurse is gathering subjective data, which of the following would the nurse identify? - Answer
The client's feelings of happiness
A nurse on the hospital's subacute medical unit is planning to perform a client's focused
assessment. Which of the following statements should inform the nurse's practice? - Answer
The focused assessment addresses a particular client problem.
A nurse is completing an assessment that will involve gathering subjective and objective data.
Which of the following assessment techniques will best allow the nurse to collect objective
data? - Answer Inspection
The nurse is performing a health assessment on a community-dwelling client who is recovering
from hip replacement surgery. Which of the following actions should the nurse prioritize during
assessment? - Answer Interpret the information about the client in context.
A client comes to the health care provider's office for a visit. The client has been seen in this
office on occasion for the past 5 years and arrives today complaining of a fever and sore throat.
Which type of assessment would the nurse most likely perform? - Answer Focused
assessment
A nurse has assessed a client who was admitted to the medical unit to treat acute complications
of type 1 diabetes. During the assessment, the client admitted that his blood sugar monitoring
when he is at home is ìa bit sporadic.î How should the nurse best respond to this assessment
finding? - Answer Identify a nursing diagnosis of Ineffective Health Maintenance.
The nurse is utilizing the Health Belief Model in the care of a client whose type 1 diabetes is
inadequately controlled. When implementing this model, the nurse should begin by assessing
which of the following? - Answer The client's motivation for change
A nurse will complete an initial comprehensive assessment of a 60-year-old client who is new to
the clinic. What goal should the nurse identify for this type of assessment? - Answer
Establish a baseline for the comparison of future health changes.
A nurse who provides care in a hospital setting is creating a plan of nursing care for a client who
has a diagnosis of chronic renal failure. The nurse's plan specifies frequent ongoing
assessments. The frequency of these nursing assessments should be primarily determined by
what variable? - Answer The client's acuity
A client who is new to the facility has a recent history of chronic pain that is attributed to
fibromyalgia. The nurse has reviewed the available health records and suspects that pain
, management will be a major focus of nursing care. How can the nurse best validate this
assumption? - Answer Ask the client about the most recent experiences of pain.
A nurse is preparing to assess an adult client's body temperature. At which time of the day
would the nurse expect to obtain the lowest body temperature? - Answer Early morning
The nurse is preparing to assess a client's vital signs. Which vital sign should the nurse assess
first? - Answer Temperature
A nurse is reviewing a colleague's documentation of a client assessment. The nurse reads that
the client's radial pulse was 2+. How should the nurse interpret this assessment finding? -
Answer The client's radial pulse occluded with moderate pressure.
The nurse is conducting an assessment of an older adult client who has a diagnosis of chronic
heart failure. How can the nurse best assess the effects of the client's stroke volume? - Answer
Calculate the difference between the diastolic and systolic pressures.
A nurse obtains the blood pressure of a client who is uncharacteristically fatigued and who is
lying in bed rather than sitting in a chair. The nurse should interpret the client's blood pressure
reading in light of what principle? - Answer The client's blood pressure will be slightly lower
than standing readings.
The nurse is completing an initial assessment of a client who is new to the ambulatory clinic.
Before assessing the client's blood pressure, a nurse asks him what his usual blood pressure is.
The nurse bases this action primarily on what rationale? - Answer It indicates the client's
involvement in his health care.
The nurse has begun a client's assessment and is applying the blood pressure cuff on a client's
arm. Which action would be most appropriate? - Answer The cuff is placed about 1 inch
above the antecubital area.
Which of the following would be most important for the nurse to do when assessing a client's
blood pressure? - Answer Inflate the cuff 30 mm Hg above where the radial pulse
disappears.
The nurse is auscultating a client's blood pressure and identifies the portion of the blood
pressure cycle reflecting the break in sounds occurring between the first and second sounds.
This is known as which of the following? - Answer Auscultatory gap
When assessing an older adult client with osteoporotic thinning and vertebral collapse, which of
the following findings would the nurse expect to identify? - Answer Kyphosis
