Health Assessment – Actual
Questions & Answers (WPU)
This NUR/NURS 6001 Advanced Nursing Assessment course, Exam 1
typically tests foundational clinical skills like the nursing process, types
of assessments (comprehensive vs. episodic), interviewing
techniques, and baseline physical examination methods.
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Q1. In the six-stage infection cycle as presented, which stage immediately
follows the reservoir? [Multiple Choice]
A) Portal of exit
B) Infectious agent
C) Means of transmission
D) Susceptible host
Answer: Portal of exit
Explanation: Following the reservoir in the six-stage infection cycle comes the portal of exit —
the route by which the organism leaves its reservoir (for example respiratory or gastrointestinal
tracts). The other choices are different stages: 'Infectious agent' is the first stage (preceding
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, reservoir), 'Means of transmission' comes after portal of exit, and 'Susceptible host' is the final
stage. Understanding the order clarifies where interventions (like barrier precautions) can break
transmission.
Q2. What is the role of the evaluation phase in ADPIE and how does it affect the
other phases? [Short Answer]
Answer: Evaluation determines how effective nursing interventions were and informs
revision of assessment, diagnosis, and planning; it closes the loop so each ADPIE phase
influences the others.
Explanation: This question focuses on the evaluation phase of ADPIE. The answer should show
that evaluation measures outcomes, reveals whether goals were met, and guides changes to
diagnoses or plans—demonstrating the iterative nature of the nursing process.
Q3. What is the purpose of a comprehensive assessment and how does it guide
nursing care planning? [Short Answer]
Answer: A comprehensive assessment is a complete initial evaluation that establishes
baseline data across all body systems and preventive health needs; it gives a full picture
for problem identification and care planning.
Explanation: This question tests understanding of the purpose and scope of a comprehensive
assessment. A complete answer explains that it is an initial, time-consuming exam covering all
aspects of health to create baseline data used for later comparison, problem identification, and
planning care.
Q4. Explain the key difference between a nursing diagnosis and a medical
diagnosis and why that distinction matters for care planning. [Short Answer]
Answer: A nursing diagnosis focuses on the patient’s actual or potential human
responses (psychosocial or functional issues), while a medical diagnosis identifies the
disease process and directs medical treatment.
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, Explanation: This question isolates the conceptual difference between nursing and medical
diagnoses. The explanation should clarify that nursing diagnoses guide nursing interventions
aimed at patient responses and outcomes, whereas medical diagnoses identify pathophysiology
requiring medical therapies.
Q5. Why is the COLDERR mnemonic useful in pain assessment and what does it
help clinicians determine? [Short Answer]
Answer: COLDERR ensures a systematic history of pain by prompting description of
characteristics, onset, location, duration, exacerbating/relieving factors, and radiation,
which helps differentiate pain types and guide targeted interventions.
Explanation: This question targets the purpose of the COLDERR mnemonic. A good response
explains that it provides a structured way to capture clinically relevant details about pain so
clinicians can assess severity, cause, and appropriate treatments rather than relying on vague
descriptions.
Q6. Which sequence correctly represents the ADPIE nursing process? [Multiple
Choice]
A) Assessment → Nursing diagnosis → Planning care → Implementing → Evaluating
B) Assessment → Planning care → Nursing diagnosis → Implementing → Evaluating
C) Nursing diagnosis → Assessment → Planning care → Implementing → Evaluating
D) Assessment → Nursing diagnosis → Implementing → Planning care → Evaluating
Answer: Assessment → Nursing diagnosis → Planning care → Implementing →
Evaluating
Explanation: ADPIE is the standard nursing process sequence: start with assessment, form
nursing diagnoses, plan care, implement interventions, and then evaluate outcomes. This order
ensures patient needs are identified before planning and action, with evaluation closing the loop.
The distractors reorder steps incorrectly: one places implementation before planning, one swaps
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, diagnosis and assessment, and one omits evaluation; each disrupts the logical problem‑solving
flow ADPIE provides.
Q7. In an emergency assessment using the ABCDE approach, which element is
addressed first? [Multiple Choice]
A) Airway
B) Breathing
C) Circulation
D) Disability
Answer: Airway
Explanation: In the ABCDE priority sequence for emergency assessment, the first element is
airway — ensuring the airway is clear is the immediate priority because it enables oxygen to
reach the lungs. The other choices are later steps: breathing follows airway (addressing
ventilation), circulation comes after breathing (addressing perfusion), and disability (neurologic
status) is assessed subsequently. Acting on airway first prevents hypoxia and guides the
remainder of the emergency intervention.
Q8. Why does emergency assessment use a rapid, prioritized approach and what
is its main clinical goal? [Short Answer]
Answer: Emergency assessment rapidly identifies and treats life‑threatening conditions
using the ABCDE priority sequence so immediate threats to airway, breathing, and
circulation are addressed first.
Explanation: This asks why emergency assessment is structured differently. The explanation
should say it is time‑critical and uses a prioritized approach (ABCDE) to quickly detect and
stabilize the most critical physiologic problems before detailed assessment.
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