WGU D443 Health Assessment OA Practice Exam
2026: Best Questions with Answers and Full Coverage
Guide | pdf
Overview Coverage
The WGU D443 Health Assessment OA Practice Exam is designed to help nursing students
prepare for the objective assessment covering foundational nursing assessment skills. It focuses
on developing competency in patient data collection, physical examination techniques, and
clinical judgment.
The exam content includes essential areas such as health history collection, vital signs
interpretation, head-to-toe assessment procedures, neurological and respiratory evaluation,
cardiovascular and gastrointestinal assessments, and documentation of subjective and objective
data.
Students are also tested on key assessment techniques including inspection, palpation,
percussion, and auscultation, along with cranial nerve function, pain assessment, and recognition
of abnormal clinical findings. The course emphasizes safe, accurate, and systematic patient
evaluation aligned with nursing standards.
1.
Which component of the nursing health assessment includes gathering subjective
information from the patient interview process?
A. Physical examination
B. Diagnostic imaging
C. Health history interview
D. Laboratory testing
C. Health history interview
Subjective data is collected directly from patient reports during interviews.
2.
,During a head-to-toe physical assessment, what is the primary purpose of inspection as a
technique?
A. Palpating organs for tenderness
B. Listening to lung sounds
C. Observing physical appearance and behavior
D. Percussing body cavities
C. Observing physical appearance and behavior
Inspection uses visual observation to identify abnormalities.
3.
Which vital sign measurement is most directly influenced by cardiac output and vascular
resistance changes?
A. Temperature
B. Respiratory rate
C. Blood pressure
D. Oxygen saturation
C. Blood pressure
Blood pressure reflects cardiac output and systemic vascular resistance.
4.
When performing auscultation, what is the most important nursing action to ensure accurate
sound interpretation?
A. Apply firm palpation first
B. Use warm hands for comfort
C. Minimize environmental noise and distractions
D. Ask patient to hold breath permanently
C. Minimize environmental noise and distractions
Clear environment improves accuracy of sound assessment.
5.
Which cranial nerve is primarily responsible for facial expressions and motor movement of
facial muscles?
A. Trigeminal nerve (V)
, B. Facial nerve (VII)
C. Vagus nerve (X)
D. Hypoglossal nerve (XII)
B. Facial nerve (VII)
Facial nerve controls motor function of facial expressions.
6.
What is the primary purpose of palpation during a physical health assessment examination?
A. Measuring oxygen levels
B. Detecting texture, temperature, and tenderness
C. Listening to bowel sounds
D. Observing patient posture
B. Detecting texture, temperature, and tenderness
Palpation uses touch to assess underlying structures.
7.
Which assessment technique involves tapping body surfaces to evaluate underlying
structures?
A. Inspection
B. Percussion
C. Auscultation
D. Palpation
B. Percussion
Percussion produces sounds that reveal organ density.
8.
What is the normal adult respiratory rate range typically expected during health
assessment?
A. 5–10 breaths per minute
B. 10–20 breaths per minute
C. 20–30 breaths per minute
D. 30–40 breaths per minute
2026: Best Questions with Answers and Full Coverage
Guide | pdf
Overview Coverage
The WGU D443 Health Assessment OA Practice Exam is designed to help nursing students
prepare for the objective assessment covering foundational nursing assessment skills. It focuses
on developing competency in patient data collection, physical examination techniques, and
clinical judgment.
The exam content includes essential areas such as health history collection, vital signs
interpretation, head-to-toe assessment procedures, neurological and respiratory evaluation,
cardiovascular and gastrointestinal assessments, and documentation of subjective and objective
data.
Students are also tested on key assessment techniques including inspection, palpation,
percussion, and auscultation, along with cranial nerve function, pain assessment, and recognition
of abnormal clinical findings. The course emphasizes safe, accurate, and systematic patient
evaluation aligned with nursing standards.
1.
Which component of the nursing health assessment includes gathering subjective
information from the patient interview process?
A. Physical examination
B. Diagnostic imaging
C. Health history interview
D. Laboratory testing
C. Health history interview
Subjective data is collected directly from patient reports during interviews.
2.
,During a head-to-toe physical assessment, what is the primary purpose of inspection as a
technique?
A. Palpating organs for tenderness
B. Listening to lung sounds
C. Observing physical appearance and behavior
D. Percussing body cavities
C. Observing physical appearance and behavior
Inspection uses visual observation to identify abnormalities.
3.
Which vital sign measurement is most directly influenced by cardiac output and vascular
resistance changes?
A. Temperature
B. Respiratory rate
C. Blood pressure
D. Oxygen saturation
C. Blood pressure
Blood pressure reflects cardiac output and systemic vascular resistance.
4.
When performing auscultation, what is the most important nursing action to ensure accurate
sound interpretation?
A. Apply firm palpation first
B. Use warm hands for comfort
C. Minimize environmental noise and distractions
D. Ask patient to hold breath permanently
C. Minimize environmental noise and distractions
Clear environment improves accuracy of sound assessment.
5.
Which cranial nerve is primarily responsible for facial expressions and motor movement of
facial muscles?
A. Trigeminal nerve (V)
, B. Facial nerve (VII)
C. Vagus nerve (X)
D. Hypoglossal nerve (XII)
B. Facial nerve (VII)
Facial nerve controls motor function of facial expressions.
6.
What is the primary purpose of palpation during a physical health assessment examination?
A. Measuring oxygen levels
B. Detecting texture, temperature, and tenderness
C. Listening to bowel sounds
D. Observing patient posture
B. Detecting texture, temperature, and tenderness
Palpation uses touch to assess underlying structures.
7.
Which assessment technique involves tapping body surfaces to evaluate underlying
structures?
A. Inspection
B. Percussion
C. Auscultation
D. Palpation
B. Percussion
Percussion produces sounds that reveal organ density.
8.
What is the normal adult respiratory rate range typically expected during health
assessment?
A. 5–10 breaths per minute
B. 10–20 breaths per minute
C. 20–30 breaths per minute
D. 30–40 breaths per minute
