Galen College NSG 3160 Exam 2 (pdf) | 2026/2027 | Health Assess
Q&A | Health Assessment
1. A nurse is assessing a patient's mental status. Which of the following best
defines mental status?
A) The patient's emotional state only
B) The patient's cognitive and emotional function
C) The patient's general intelligence
D) The patient's perception of reality
Correct Answer: The patient's cognitive and emotional function
Rationale: Mental status is defined as a person's emotional and cognitive
function. It encompasses a broad range of mental abilities, including
orientation, memory, mood, and thought processes.
2. A patient is brought to the emergency department after a motor vehicle
accident and is found to have a head injury. Which of the following findings
would be of most concern to the nurse?
A) Patient with chronic dementia who is oriented to person only
B) Patient who does not remember what was happening before or during the
injury
C) Patient reporting a headache with no external abnormalities
D) Patient reporting generalized weakness
Correct Answer: Patient who does not remember what was happening before
or during the injury
Rationale: Retrograde amnesia (not remembering events before or during an
injury) is a significant red flag in head trauma and may indicate a more
,severe brain injury. It suggests potential damage to the temporal lobe or
other structures responsible for memory consolidation.
3. A patient reports having a head injury and admits to alcohol intake. Which
of the following statements would concern the nurse the most?
A) "I was being goofy and tripped."
B) "My legs feel unsteady."
C) "I am having trouble focusing."
D) "It is hard to swallow when taking a drink."
Correct Answer: "It is hard to swallow when taking a drink."
Rationale: Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia) is a critical finding that can
indicate a brainstem injury or increased intracranial pressure, potentially
compromising the patient's airway. This is a priority concern following the
ABCs (Airway, Breathing, Circulation).
4. The nurse is assessing a patient's level of consciousness. The patient
responds only to persistent shaking or painful stimuli. Which term best
describes this finding?
A) Lethargic
B) Obtunded
C) Stupor
D) Comatose
Correct Answer: Obtunded
Rationale: Obtunded describes a patient who is difficult to arouse and
requires constant stimulation to stay awake. Stupor refers to a patient who
can be aroused only by vigorous and repeated stimulation, while comatose
,means no response to pain or external stimuli. Lethargic indicates
drowsiness but easy arousal.
5. A patient is found to have expressive aphasia. The nurse understands that
this is also known as:
A) Broca's aphasia
B) Global aphasia
C) Wernicke's aphasia
D) Receptive aphasia
Correct Answer: Broca's aphasia
Rationale: Expressive aphasia (Broca's aphasia) is characterized by difficulty
producing speech, although the patient understands language. Wernicke's
aphasia (receptive aphasia) involves difficulty understanding language.
6. The nurse is assessing a patient's mental status and uses the CAGE
questionnaire. This tool is used to screen for which condition?
A) Dementia
B) Depression
C) Alcohol use disorder
D) Anxiety
Correct Answer: Alcohol use disorder
Rationale: The CAGE questionnaire (Cut down, Annoyed, Guilty, Eye-opener)
is a widely used screening tool for alcohol use disorders. It is a quick,
effective method to identify patients who may have a problem with alcohol.
, 7. A patient is being assessed for depression using the PHQ-9. A score of 5-9
on this tool indicates:
A) Minimal symptoms
B) Moderate symptoms
C) Severe symptoms
D) No depression
Correct Answer: Minimal symptoms
Rationale: The PHQ-9 (Patient Health Questionnaire-9) is a depression
screening tool. A score of 5-9 indicates minimal symptoms of depression.
8. A nurse is assessing a patient's pain. Which of the following is the most
reliable indicator of pain?
A) The patient's vital signs
B) The patient's self-report
C) The nurse's observation of non-verbal cues
D) The patient's medical diagnosis
Correct Answer: The patient's self-report
Rationale: Pain is a subjective experience. The patient's self-report is the
most reliable indicator of pain. Vital signs and observation can provide
additional clues, but they are not always reliable, especially in chronic pain.
9. A nurse is assessing a patient's pain using the PQRST mnemonic. What
does the "P" stand for?
A) Pattern
B) Pain scale
Q&A | Health Assessment
1. A nurse is assessing a patient's mental status. Which of the following best
defines mental status?
A) The patient's emotional state only
B) The patient's cognitive and emotional function
C) The patient's general intelligence
D) The patient's perception of reality
Correct Answer: The patient's cognitive and emotional function
Rationale: Mental status is defined as a person's emotional and cognitive
function. It encompasses a broad range of mental abilities, including
orientation, memory, mood, and thought processes.
2. A patient is brought to the emergency department after a motor vehicle
accident and is found to have a head injury. Which of the following findings
would be of most concern to the nurse?
A) Patient with chronic dementia who is oriented to person only
B) Patient who does not remember what was happening before or during the
injury
C) Patient reporting a headache with no external abnormalities
D) Patient reporting generalized weakness
Correct Answer: Patient who does not remember what was happening before
or during the injury
Rationale: Retrograde amnesia (not remembering events before or during an
injury) is a significant red flag in head trauma and may indicate a more
,severe brain injury. It suggests potential damage to the temporal lobe or
other structures responsible for memory consolidation.
3. A patient reports having a head injury and admits to alcohol intake. Which
of the following statements would concern the nurse the most?
A) "I was being goofy and tripped."
B) "My legs feel unsteady."
C) "I am having trouble focusing."
D) "It is hard to swallow when taking a drink."
Correct Answer: "It is hard to swallow when taking a drink."
Rationale: Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia) is a critical finding that can
indicate a brainstem injury or increased intracranial pressure, potentially
compromising the patient's airway. This is a priority concern following the
ABCs (Airway, Breathing, Circulation).
4. The nurse is assessing a patient's level of consciousness. The patient
responds only to persistent shaking or painful stimuli. Which term best
describes this finding?
A) Lethargic
B) Obtunded
C) Stupor
D) Comatose
Correct Answer: Obtunded
Rationale: Obtunded describes a patient who is difficult to arouse and
requires constant stimulation to stay awake. Stupor refers to a patient who
can be aroused only by vigorous and repeated stimulation, while comatose
,means no response to pain or external stimuli. Lethargic indicates
drowsiness but easy arousal.
5. A patient is found to have expressive aphasia. The nurse understands that
this is also known as:
A) Broca's aphasia
B) Global aphasia
C) Wernicke's aphasia
D) Receptive aphasia
Correct Answer: Broca's aphasia
Rationale: Expressive aphasia (Broca's aphasia) is characterized by difficulty
producing speech, although the patient understands language. Wernicke's
aphasia (receptive aphasia) involves difficulty understanding language.
6. The nurse is assessing a patient's mental status and uses the CAGE
questionnaire. This tool is used to screen for which condition?
A) Dementia
B) Depression
C) Alcohol use disorder
D) Anxiety
Correct Answer: Alcohol use disorder
Rationale: The CAGE questionnaire (Cut down, Annoyed, Guilty, Eye-opener)
is a widely used screening tool for alcohol use disorders. It is a quick,
effective method to identify patients who may have a problem with alcohol.
, 7. A patient is being assessed for depression using the PHQ-9. A score of 5-9
on this tool indicates:
A) Minimal symptoms
B) Moderate symptoms
C) Severe symptoms
D) No depression
Correct Answer: Minimal symptoms
Rationale: The PHQ-9 (Patient Health Questionnaire-9) is a depression
screening tool. A score of 5-9 indicates minimal symptoms of depression.
8. A nurse is assessing a patient's pain. Which of the following is the most
reliable indicator of pain?
A) The patient's vital signs
B) The patient's self-report
C) The nurse's observation of non-verbal cues
D) The patient's medical diagnosis
Correct Answer: The patient's self-report
Rationale: Pain is a subjective experience. The patient's self-report is the
most reliable indicator of pain. Vital signs and observation can provide
additional clues, but they are not always reliable, especially in chronic pain.
9. A nurse is assessing a patient's pain using the PQRST mnemonic. What
does the "P" stand for?
A) Pattern
B) Pain scale
