NSG 3160 HEALTH ASSESSMENT
EXAM 1 Questions and Answers
Purpose of a health assessment - Answer--To collect and analyze subjective + objective data
to form a complete picture of a patient's health and guide nursing judgment.
Six steps of the nursing process - Answer--Assessment, Diagnosis, Outcome Identification,
Planning, Implementation, Evaluation.
Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) - Answer--Integration of best current research, clinical
expertise, patient preferences, and accurate assessment data.
Five steps of EBP - Answer--Ask, Acquire, Appraise, Apply, Assess.
Complete (Total Health) database - Answer--Database gathered on admission for baseline
data.
Emergency database - Answer--Database used in urgent, life-threatening situations.
Order of priority according to ABCs - Answer--Airway → Breathing → Circulation (then
Disability & Exposure).
Holistic health model - Answer--Approach recognizing mind, body, spirit, and environment
interact to affect health.
First-level priority problem example - Answer--Obstructed airway or absent respirations.
Outdated interventions - Answer--They increase risk for harm; EBP ensures safety and
effectiveness.
Culture - Answer--A learned, shared set of values, beliefs, and norms guiding a group's
thinking and behavior.
Acculturation vs. Assimilation - Answer--Acculturation = adapting while retaining identity;
Assimilation = full adoption of dominant culture.
Three major illness-causation models - Answer--Biomedical (disease = germs), Naturalistic
(balance of hot/cold or yin/yang), Magicoreligious (supernatural forces).
Examples of traditional healers - Answer--Curandero (Hispanic), Shaman (Native American),
Herbalist (Asian), Braucher (Amish).
, Traditional objects for health protection - Answer--Amulets or charms (e.g., evil-eye bracelet,
St. Christopher medal, jade pendant).
Five elements of cultural competence - Answer--Cultural Awareness, Knowledge, Skill,
Encounters, Desire.
Interpreter requirement - Answer--Whenever language barriers exist; use a certified medical
interpreter, not family.
Exploring a patient's health beliefs - Answer--Ask open-ended, respectful questions such as
'What do you think caused your illness?'
Primary purpose of the interview - Answer--To collect subjective data and establish rapport
for accurate assessment.
Three phases of the interview - Answer--Introduction, Working, Closing.
Communication techniques that build rapport - Answer--Active listening, empathy, reflection,
clarification, silence, summarizing.
Behaviors to avoid during an interview - Answer--False reassurance, interrupting, using
medical jargon, leading or 'why' questions.
Type of question encouraging narrative responses - Answer--Open-ended question (e.g.,
'Tell me what brings you in today.').
Phase where nurse summarizes findings - Answer--Closing phase.
Most common nonverbal sign of anxiety - Answer--Fidgeting hands or restless movements.
Communicating with an older adult - Answer--Speak clearly, allow extra response time, avoid
elderspeak.
Best action when a patient becomes emotional - Answer--Pause, remain present, offer
tissue, allow expression of feelings.
Action if a patient makes inappropriate remarks - Answer--Set firm, professional boundaries
and redirect the conversation.
Purpose of the complete health history - Answer--To collect subjective data that provides a
detailed picture of a person's past and present health and health-promotion practices.
Sections of the health history - Answer--Biographical data, Source of history, Reason for
seeking care, HPI (PQRSTU), Past health, Family history, Review of systems, Functional
assessment.
Source of history - Answer--Identifies who provides the information and how reliable they are
(e.g., patient, family member).
EXAM 1 Questions and Answers
Purpose of a health assessment - Answer--To collect and analyze subjective + objective data
to form a complete picture of a patient's health and guide nursing judgment.
Six steps of the nursing process - Answer--Assessment, Diagnosis, Outcome Identification,
Planning, Implementation, Evaluation.
Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) - Answer--Integration of best current research, clinical
expertise, patient preferences, and accurate assessment data.
Five steps of EBP - Answer--Ask, Acquire, Appraise, Apply, Assess.
Complete (Total Health) database - Answer--Database gathered on admission for baseline
data.
Emergency database - Answer--Database used in urgent, life-threatening situations.
Order of priority according to ABCs - Answer--Airway → Breathing → Circulation (then
Disability & Exposure).
Holistic health model - Answer--Approach recognizing mind, body, spirit, and environment
interact to affect health.
First-level priority problem example - Answer--Obstructed airway or absent respirations.
Outdated interventions - Answer--They increase risk for harm; EBP ensures safety and
effectiveness.
Culture - Answer--A learned, shared set of values, beliefs, and norms guiding a group's
thinking and behavior.
Acculturation vs. Assimilation - Answer--Acculturation = adapting while retaining identity;
Assimilation = full adoption of dominant culture.
Three major illness-causation models - Answer--Biomedical (disease = germs), Naturalistic
(balance of hot/cold or yin/yang), Magicoreligious (supernatural forces).
Examples of traditional healers - Answer--Curandero (Hispanic), Shaman (Native American),
Herbalist (Asian), Braucher (Amish).
, Traditional objects for health protection - Answer--Amulets or charms (e.g., evil-eye bracelet,
St. Christopher medal, jade pendant).
Five elements of cultural competence - Answer--Cultural Awareness, Knowledge, Skill,
Encounters, Desire.
Interpreter requirement - Answer--Whenever language barriers exist; use a certified medical
interpreter, not family.
Exploring a patient's health beliefs - Answer--Ask open-ended, respectful questions such as
'What do you think caused your illness?'
Primary purpose of the interview - Answer--To collect subjective data and establish rapport
for accurate assessment.
Three phases of the interview - Answer--Introduction, Working, Closing.
Communication techniques that build rapport - Answer--Active listening, empathy, reflection,
clarification, silence, summarizing.
Behaviors to avoid during an interview - Answer--False reassurance, interrupting, using
medical jargon, leading or 'why' questions.
Type of question encouraging narrative responses - Answer--Open-ended question (e.g.,
'Tell me what brings you in today.').
Phase where nurse summarizes findings - Answer--Closing phase.
Most common nonverbal sign of anxiety - Answer--Fidgeting hands or restless movements.
Communicating with an older adult - Answer--Speak clearly, allow extra response time, avoid
elderspeak.
Best action when a patient becomes emotional - Answer--Pause, remain present, offer
tissue, allow expression of feelings.
Action if a patient makes inappropriate remarks - Answer--Set firm, professional boundaries
and redirect the conversation.
Purpose of the complete health history - Answer--To collect subjective data that provides a
detailed picture of a person's past and present health and health-promotion practices.
Sections of the health history - Answer--Biographical data, Source of history, Reason for
seeking care, HPI (PQRSTU), Past health, Family history, Review of systems, Functional
assessment.
Source of history - Answer--Identifies who provides the information and how reliable they are
(e.g., patient, family member).
