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Herzing University Fundamental Concepts & Health
Assessments Newest Exam Preparation With Complete
Questions And Correct Answers With Rationales Already
Graded A+ Brand New Version!!
Question 1
Which of the following is the most accurate definition of subjective
data in a health assessment?
A) Data that can be measured and verified by the nurse
B) Information that is collected from the patient's family members
C) Information that the patient or caregiver shares verbally
D) Data that is obtained from the patient's medical record
Answer: C) Information that the patient or caregiver shares verbally
Explanation: Subjective data is comprised of the patient's perceptions,
feelings, and concerns shared during the health history interview. It
represents their personal experience and perspective, using phrases like
"my head hurts" . Objective data, by contrast, is measurable and
observable, such as vital signs or physical exam findings . Data from
family or medical records, while valuable, is considered secondary or
collateral information, not the patient's primary subjective report.
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Question 2
The nurse is performing a physical examination on a patient. Which
assessment technique should the nurse use first?
A) Palpation
B) Percussion
C) Auscultation
D) Inspection
Answer: D) Inspection
Explanation: Inspection, the visual examination of the patient, is always
the first assessment technique used. It begins with the general survey
and continues throughout the physical exam, allowing the nurse to
observe for symmetry, color, size, shape, and movement before using
other techniques that might alter findings . Palpation, percussion, and
auscultation follow in a sequence that varies depending on the system
being assessed, for example in abdominal assessments, auscultation
precedes palpation to avoid altering bowel sounds.
Question 3
A nurse is preparing to interview a patient. Which action best
demonstrates the use of therapeutic communication?
A) Asking the patient "why" they are feeling anxious
B) Using medical terminology to ensure the patient understands
C) Providing false reassurance that everything will be fine
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D) Using active listening and open-ended questions
Answer: D) Using active listening and open-ended questions
Explanation: Therapeutic communication is a patient-centered, goal-
directed approach that fosters a trusting nurse-patient relationship .
Key techniques include active listening and using open-ended questions
(e.g., "Tell me more about that") to encourage the patient to express
themselves fully . Asking "why" can sound accusatory, using medical
jargon is nontherapeutic, and false reassurance minimizes the patient's
concerns, thereby hindering communication .
Question 4
A patient is admitted to the hospital. The nurse conducts a
comprehensive, in-depth assessment at the time of admission. What
type of assessment is this?
A) Shift assessment
B) Focused assessment
C) Emergency assessment
D) Admission assessment
Answer: D) Admission assessment
Explanation: An admission assessment, also known as an initial or
comprehensive assessment, is performed when a patient enters a
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healthcare facility . It is an in-depth, head-to-toe evaluation that
establishes a baseline for the patient's overall health status, including
health history and a complete physical examination . A shift assessment
is a more focused evaluation of changes, a focused assessment is
specific to a single body system, and an emergency assessment is rapid
and aimed at identifying life-threatening issues .
Question 5
The nurse is collecting data on a patient's history of present illness.
Which mnemonic should the nurse use to guide this process?
A) PQRSTU
B) OLD CART
C) ADL
D) ABCDE
Answer: B) OLD CART
Explanation: OLD CART is the standard mnemonic used to gather
comprehensive information about a patient's presenting symptom (the
history of present illness) . It stands for Onset, Location, Duration,
Character, Associated manifestations, Relieving/Exacerbating factors,
and Treatment . While PQRSTU is used for pain assessment, ADLs refer
to activities of daily living, and ABCDE is a mnemonic for emergency
triage and skin assessment, OLD CART is specifically for the history of
present illness.
Herzing University Fundamental Concepts & Health
Assessments Newest Exam Preparation With Complete
Questions And Correct Answers With Rationales Already
Graded A+ Brand New Version!!
Question 1
Which of the following is the most accurate definition of subjective
data in a health assessment?
A) Data that can be measured and verified by the nurse
B) Information that is collected from the patient's family members
C) Information that the patient or caregiver shares verbally
D) Data that is obtained from the patient's medical record
Answer: C) Information that the patient or caregiver shares verbally
Explanation: Subjective data is comprised of the patient's perceptions,
feelings, and concerns shared during the health history interview. It
represents their personal experience and perspective, using phrases like
"my head hurts" . Objective data, by contrast, is measurable and
observable, such as vital signs or physical exam findings . Data from
family or medical records, while valuable, is considered secondary or
collateral information, not the patient's primary subjective report.
,2|Page
Question 2
The nurse is performing a physical examination on a patient. Which
assessment technique should the nurse use first?
A) Palpation
B) Percussion
C) Auscultation
D) Inspection
Answer: D) Inspection
Explanation: Inspection, the visual examination of the patient, is always
the first assessment technique used. It begins with the general survey
and continues throughout the physical exam, allowing the nurse to
observe for symmetry, color, size, shape, and movement before using
other techniques that might alter findings . Palpation, percussion, and
auscultation follow in a sequence that varies depending on the system
being assessed, for example in abdominal assessments, auscultation
precedes palpation to avoid altering bowel sounds.
Question 3
A nurse is preparing to interview a patient. Which action best
demonstrates the use of therapeutic communication?
A) Asking the patient "why" they are feeling anxious
B) Using medical terminology to ensure the patient understands
C) Providing false reassurance that everything will be fine
,3|Page
D) Using active listening and open-ended questions
Answer: D) Using active listening and open-ended questions
Explanation: Therapeutic communication is a patient-centered, goal-
directed approach that fosters a trusting nurse-patient relationship .
Key techniques include active listening and using open-ended questions
(e.g., "Tell me more about that") to encourage the patient to express
themselves fully . Asking "why" can sound accusatory, using medical
jargon is nontherapeutic, and false reassurance minimizes the patient's
concerns, thereby hindering communication .
Question 4
A patient is admitted to the hospital. The nurse conducts a
comprehensive, in-depth assessment at the time of admission. What
type of assessment is this?
A) Shift assessment
B) Focused assessment
C) Emergency assessment
D) Admission assessment
Answer: D) Admission assessment
Explanation: An admission assessment, also known as an initial or
comprehensive assessment, is performed when a patient enters a
, 4|Page
healthcare facility . It is an in-depth, head-to-toe evaluation that
establishes a baseline for the patient's overall health status, including
health history and a complete physical examination . A shift assessment
is a more focused evaluation of changes, a focused assessment is
specific to a single body system, and an emergency assessment is rapid
and aimed at identifying life-threatening issues .
Question 5
The nurse is collecting data on a patient's history of present illness.
Which mnemonic should the nurse use to guide this process?
A) PQRSTU
B) OLD CART
C) ADL
D) ABCDE
Answer: B) OLD CART
Explanation: OLD CART is the standard mnemonic used to gather
comprehensive information about a patient's presenting symptom (the
history of present illness) . It stands for Onset, Location, Duration,
Character, Associated manifestations, Relieving/Exacerbating factors,
and Treatment . While PQRSTU is used for pain assessment, ADLs refer
to activities of daily living, and ABCDE is a mnemonic for emergency
triage and skin assessment, OLD CART is specifically for the history of
present illness.
