NSG 3160 / NSG3160 EXAM 2 – HEALTH ASSESSMENT (2026/2027
UPDATE) | VERIFIED QUESTIONS & ANSWERS WITH RATIONALE -
GALEN COLLEGE OF NURSING
1. When interviewing a toddler, which communication technique is most appropriate?
A. Use detailed medical explanations
B. Use short, simple, concrete sentences
C. Ask the child to describe all symptoms independently
D. Use only yes/no questions
Answer: B. Use short, simple, concrete sentences
Rationale: Toddlers have limited vocabulary and abstract reasoning abilities. Simple, concrete
language improves understanding and cooperation. Current NSG 3160 study materials identify
this approach as appropriate for toddlers.
2. Viewing a situation from another person's internal frame of reference is known as:
A. Sympathy
B. Reflection
C. Empathy
D. Clarification
Answer: C. Empathy
Rationale: Empathy involves understanding another person's experience from that person's
perspective. Sympathy, in contrast, involves feeling concern or sorrow for another person.
3. Which question is an example of an open-ended question?
A. “Is your pain severe?”
B. “Does your pain occur at night?”
C. “Rate your pain from 0 to 10.”
D. “Tell me about your pain.”
Answer: D. “Tell me about your pain.”
,Rationale: Open-ended questions encourage the patient to provide information in their own
words and allow the nurse to obtain a broader description of the problem. This is particularly
useful at the beginning of an interview.
4. A nurse is auscultating the lungs of an adult patient. Which technique is correct?
A. Listen to one side completely before examining the other
B. Compare corresponding areas side-to-side
C. Auscultate only the anterior chest
D. Place the stethoscope over the scapulae
Answer: B. Compare corresponding areas side-to-side
Rationale: Side-to-side comparison allows the nurse to identify differences between
corresponding lung fields. Current NSG 3160 respiratory-assessment material specifically
identifies side-to-side comparison as the appropriate method.
5. Low-pitched, soft breath sounds heard over the peripheral lung fields, with inspiration
longer than expiration, are:
A. Bronchial sounds
B. Bronchovesicular sounds
C. Vesicular sounds
D. Adventitious sounds
Answer: C. Vesicular sounds
Rationale: Vesicular breath sounds are normal over most peripheral lung tissue. They are soft
and low-pitched, with inspiration normally longer than expiration.
6. Percussion over an area of lung consolidation, such as pneumonia, is expected to produce:
A. Hyperresonance
B. Tympany
C. Dullness
D. Resonance
Answer: C. Dullness
,Rationale: Normal air-filled lung produces resonance. Consolidated or fluid-filled tissue contains
less air and therefore produces a dull percussion note. NSG 3160 respiratory materials similarly
identify dullness over areas such as pneumonia.
7. A fine tremor of the tongue when the patient protrudes it is most consistent with:
A. Hyperthyroidism
B. Diabetic ketoacidosis
C. Halitosis
D. Alcohol intoxication
Answer: A. Hyperthyroidism
Rationale: A fine tremor can occur with increased sympathetic activity associated with
hyperthyroidism. Diabetic ketoacidosis is more characteristically associated with fruity/acetone
breath, while halitosis simply refers to unpleasant breath odor.
8. Which finding should make the nurse suspect kidney inflammation?
A. Sharp pain at the costovertebral angle
B. Pain at the Angle of Louis
C. Dull pain over the sternum
D. Epigastric tenderness
Answer: A. Sharp pain at the costovertebral angle
Rationale: Costovertebral-angle tenderness can indicate renal involvement and is an important
finding when assessing a patient for possible kidney inflammation or infection. Current NSG
3160 Exam 4 material identifies CVA pain as the relevant finding.
9. A patient has suspected splenic injury after trauma to the left upper abdomen. What is the
safest assessment principle?
A. Firmly palpate the spleen repeatedly
B. Avoid palpating an enlarged spleen because of rupture risk
C. Ask the patient to perform vigorous exercise
D. Apply deep pressure over the left upper quadrant
Answer: B. Avoid palpating an enlarged spleen because of rupture risk
, Rationale: An enlarged or injured spleen can be fragile and may rupture with aggressive
palpation. Current NSG 3160 final-review material specifically emphasizes avoiding palpation
when splenic injury/enlargement is suspected.
10. Which finding is generally NOT expected as a normal age-related gastrointestinal change
in an older adult?
A. Oral dryness
B. Constipation
C. Some reduction in GI motility
D. Increased gastric acid production
Answer: D. Increased gastric acid production
Rationale: Aging is associated with several gastrointestinal changes, including decreased
secretions and motility-related problems such as constipation. Increased gastric acid production
is not considered a typical expected aging change.
11. Which action should the nurse perform first when beginning a comprehensive health
assessment?
A. Begin palpation of the abdomen
B. Establish rapport and explain the assessment
C. Auscultate the heart
D. Obtain the patient's past surgical history
Correct Answer: B. Establish rapport and explain the assessment
Rationale: Establishing rapport promotes trust and cooperation. The nurse should introduce
themselves, explain the purpose of the assessment, ensure privacy, and obtain appropriate
consent before proceeding.
12. Which finding is considered subjective data?
A. Blood pressure of 148/92 mm Hg
B. Temperature of 38.2°C
C. Patient reports feeling dizzy
D. Respiratory rate of 24/min
Correct Answer: C. Patient reports feeling dizzy
UPDATE) | VERIFIED QUESTIONS & ANSWERS WITH RATIONALE -
GALEN COLLEGE OF NURSING
1. When interviewing a toddler, which communication technique is most appropriate?
A. Use detailed medical explanations
B. Use short, simple, concrete sentences
C. Ask the child to describe all symptoms independently
D. Use only yes/no questions
Answer: B. Use short, simple, concrete sentences
Rationale: Toddlers have limited vocabulary and abstract reasoning abilities. Simple, concrete
language improves understanding and cooperation. Current NSG 3160 study materials identify
this approach as appropriate for toddlers.
2. Viewing a situation from another person's internal frame of reference is known as:
A. Sympathy
B. Reflection
C. Empathy
D. Clarification
Answer: C. Empathy
Rationale: Empathy involves understanding another person's experience from that person's
perspective. Sympathy, in contrast, involves feeling concern or sorrow for another person.
3. Which question is an example of an open-ended question?
A. “Is your pain severe?”
B. “Does your pain occur at night?”
C. “Rate your pain from 0 to 10.”
D. “Tell me about your pain.”
Answer: D. “Tell me about your pain.”
,Rationale: Open-ended questions encourage the patient to provide information in their own
words and allow the nurse to obtain a broader description of the problem. This is particularly
useful at the beginning of an interview.
4. A nurse is auscultating the lungs of an adult patient. Which technique is correct?
A. Listen to one side completely before examining the other
B. Compare corresponding areas side-to-side
C. Auscultate only the anterior chest
D. Place the stethoscope over the scapulae
Answer: B. Compare corresponding areas side-to-side
Rationale: Side-to-side comparison allows the nurse to identify differences between
corresponding lung fields. Current NSG 3160 respiratory-assessment material specifically
identifies side-to-side comparison as the appropriate method.
5. Low-pitched, soft breath sounds heard over the peripheral lung fields, with inspiration
longer than expiration, are:
A. Bronchial sounds
B. Bronchovesicular sounds
C. Vesicular sounds
D. Adventitious sounds
Answer: C. Vesicular sounds
Rationale: Vesicular breath sounds are normal over most peripheral lung tissue. They are soft
and low-pitched, with inspiration normally longer than expiration.
6. Percussion over an area of lung consolidation, such as pneumonia, is expected to produce:
A. Hyperresonance
B. Tympany
C. Dullness
D. Resonance
Answer: C. Dullness
,Rationale: Normal air-filled lung produces resonance. Consolidated or fluid-filled tissue contains
less air and therefore produces a dull percussion note. NSG 3160 respiratory materials similarly
identify dullness over areas such as pneumonia.
7. A fine tremor of the tongue when the patient protrudes it is most consistent with:
A. Hyperthyroidism
B. Diabetic ketoacidosis
C. Halitosis
D. Alcohol intoxication
Answer: A. Hyperthyroidism
Rationale: A fine tremor can occur with increased sympathetic activity associated with
hyperthyroidism. Diabetic ketoacidosis is more characteristically associated with fruity/acetone
breath, while halitosis simply refers to unpleasant breath odor.
8. Which finding should make the nurse suspect kidney inflammation?
A. Sharp pain at the costovertebral angle
B. Pain at the Angle of Louis
C. Dull pain over the sternum
D. Epigastric tenderness
Answer: A. Sharp pain at the costovertebral angle
Rationale: Costovertebral-angle tenderness can indicate renal involvement and is an important
finding when assessing a patient for possible kidney inflammation or infection. Current NSG
3160 Exam 4 material identifies CVA pain as the relevant finding.
9. A patient has suspected splenic injury after trauma to the left upper abdomen. What is the
safest assessment principle?
A. Firmly palpate the spleen repeatedly
B. Avoid palpating an enlarged spleen because of rupture risk
C. Ask the patient to perform vigorous exercise
D. Apply deep pressure over the left upper quadrant
Answer: B. Avoid palpating an enlarged spleen because of rupture risk
, Rationale: An enlarged or injured spleen can be fragile and may rupture with aggressive
palpation. Current NSG 3160 final-review material specifically emphasizes avoiding palpation
when splenic injury/enlargement is suspected.
10. Which finding is generally NOT expected as a normal age-related gastrointestinal change
in an older adult?
A. Oral dryness
B. Constipation
C. Some reduction in GI motility
D. Increased gastric acid production
Answer: D. Increased gastric acid production
Rationale: Aging is associated with several gastrointestinal changes, including decreased
secretions and motility-related problems such as constipation. Increased gastric acid production
is not considered a typical expected aging change.
11. Which action should the nurse perform first when beginning a comprehensive health
assessment?
A. Begin palpation of the abdomen
B. Establish rapport and explain the assessment
C. Auscultate the heart
D. Obtain the patient's past surgical history
Correct Answer: B. Establish rapport and explain the assessment
Rationale: Establishing rapport promotes trust and cooperation. The nurse should introduce
themselves, explain the purpose of the assessment, ensure privacy, and obtain appropriate
consent before proceeding.
12. Which finding is considered subjective data?
A. Blood pressure of 148/92 mm Hg
B. Temperature of 38.2°C
C. Patient reports feeling dizzy
D. Respiratory rate of 24/min
Correct Answer: C. Patient reports feeling dizzy
