NUR 103 EXAM 1 – NURSING STUDY GUIDE, PRACTICE QUESTIONS & EXAM
REVIEW 2026/2027
Purpose of Physical Assessment - ✔✔1. Establish patient's current condition & create a baseline.
2. Identify problems the patient may have or may develop.
3. Evaluate effectiveness of nursing interventions.
4. Monitor for changes in body function.
5. Detect specific body systems that need further assessment.
Three Levels of Physical Assessment - ✔✔1. Comprehensive health assessment
2. Focused assessment
3. Initial head-to-toe shift assessment
Comprehensive Health Assessment - ✔✔Involves an in-depth assessment of the whole person,
including the physical, mental, emotional, cultural, and spiritual aspects.
Focused Assessment - ✔✔Involves examination and interviewing regarding a specific body system.
Initial Head-To-Toe Shift Assessment - ✔✔Provides the nurse with a quick overall assessment of the
patient's condition to establish a baseline against which later can be compared to.
Order of Head to Toe Assessment - ✔✔1. Neurological
2. Cardiovascular
3. Respiratory
4. Integumentary
5. Gastrointestinal
6. Genitourinary
7. Muscular
8. Skeletal
When is a physical assessment performed? - ✔✔1. On admission
2. At the beginning of each shift
3. When the patient's condition changes
4. When evaluating effectiveness of nursing care
5. Any time things do not feel right
How often are abnormal findings reassessed? - ✔✔Every 4 hours, or sooner depending on severity.
How is objective data obtained? - ✔✔Through:
1. Inspection
2. Palpation
3. Percussion
4. Auscultation
What are signs? - ✔✔Use of the four senses to produce evidence. Findings are objective.
REVIEW 2026/2027
Purpose of Physical Assessment - ✔✔1. Establish patient's current condition & create a baseline.
2. Identify problems the patient may have or may develop.
3. Evaluate effectiveness of nursing interventions.
4. Monitor for changes in body function.
5. Detect specific body systems that need further assessment.
Three Levels of Physical Assessment - ✔✔1. Comprehensive health assessment
2. Focused assessment
3. Initial head-to-toe shift assessment
Comprehensive Health Assessment - ✔✔Involves an in-depth assessment of the whole person,
including the physical, mental, emotional, cultural, and spiritual aspects.
Focused Assessment - ✔✔Involves examination and interviewing regarding a specific body system.
Initial Head-To-Toe Shift Assessment - ✔✔Provides the nurse with a quick overall assessment of the
patient's condition to establish a baseline against which later can be compared to.
Order of Head to Toe Assessment - ✔✔1. Neurological
2. Cardiovascular
3. Respiratory
4. Integumentary
5. Gastrointestinal
6. Genitourinary
7. Muscular
8. Skeletal
When is a physical assessment performed? - ✔✔1. On admission
2. At the beginning of each shift
3. When the patient's condition changes
4. When evaluating effectiveness of nursing care
5. Any time things do not feel right
How often are abnormal findings reassessed? - ✔✔Every 4 hours, or sooner depending on severity.
How is objective data obtained? - ✔✔Through:
1. Inspection
2. Palpation
3. Percussion
4. Auscultation
What are signs? - ✔✔Use of the four senses to produce evidence. Findings are objective.
