Questions and Answers
1. Which of the following is subjective data?
A. Blood pressure 120/80
B. Patient states “I feel dizzy”
C. Respiratory rate 18/min
D. Skin warm to touch
Rationale: Subjective data is what the patient reports, not what the nurse observes
or measures.
2. The first step in the nursing process is:
A. Planning
B. Assessment
C. Implementation
D. Evaluation
Rationale: Assessment provides the foundation for all subsequent steps.
3. When performing a physical exam, the correct sequence is:
A. Palpation → Inspection → Percussion → Auscultation
B. Inspection → Palpation → Percussion → Auscultation
C. Percussion → Palpation → Inspection → Auscultation
D. Auscultation → Percussion → Palpation → Inspection
Rationale: Always begin with inspection, then palpation, percussion, and
auscultation.
4. Which pain assessment tool uses Provocation, Quality, Region, Severity, Timing?
A. OLDCART
B. PQRST
C. CAGE
D. SBAR
Rationale: PQRST is a systematic pain assessment framework.
5. A patient’s chief complaint is best documented as:
A. “Patient reports chest pain for 2 hours”
B. “Chest pain noted”
C. “Possible myocardial infarction”
D. “Patient appears uncomfortable”
Rationale: Chief complaint is the patient’s own words.
6. Which vital sign is most sensitive to early hypoxia?
A. Blood pressure
B. Pulse
C. Respiratory rate
D. Temperature
Rationale: Respiratory rate changes first in response to oxygen deprivation.
, 7. The normal adult pulse range is:
A. 40–60 bpm
B. 60–100 bpm
C. 80–120 bpm
D. 100–140 bpm
Rationale: Normal adult resting pulse is 60–100 beats per minute.
8. Which communication technique is therapeutic?
A. Giving advice
B. Using silence
C. Changing the subject
D. False reassurance
Rationale: Silence allows patients to reflect and express themselves.
9. Which is objective data?
A. Patient says “I have nausea”
B. Vomiting observed
C. Patient reports headache
D. Patient states “I feel weak”
Rationale: Objective data is observable/measurable.
10. The review of systems is part of:
A. Physical exam
B. Health history
C. Nursing diagnosis
D. Plan of care
Rationale: ROS is a systematic review of subjective symptoms.
11. Which cultural assessment question is most appropriate?
A. “Do you believe in God?”
B. “Are there health practices important to you?”
C. “Do you eat spicy food?”
D. “Do you celebrate holidays?”
Rationale: Open-ended, respectful questions elicit meaningful cultural data.
12. The best site to assess central circulation in adults:
A. Radial pulse
B. Carotid pulse
C. Brachial pulse
D. Femoral pulse
Rationale: Carotid pulse reflects central circulation.
13. Which documentation is most accurate?
A. “Patient seems anxious”
B. “Patient pacing room, wringing hands”
C. “Patient is nervous”