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PHYSICAL EXAMINATION AND HEALTH ASSESSMENT, 8TH
EDITION (JARVIS) EXAM LATEST VERSION QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS 2026 EDITION
PHYSICAL EXAMINATION AND HEALTH ASSESSMENT, 8TH EDITION (JARVIS)
EXAMINATION
250 Questions with Rationales
SECTION 1: THE NURSE'S ROLE IN HEALTH ASSESSMENT (Questions 1-25)
Question 1
A nurse is performing a physical assessment on a newly admitted patient. What is
the primary purpose of this assessment?
A) To establish a nurse-patient relationship
B) To gather data to make clinical judgments
C) To administer medications
D) To complete admission paperwork
Rationale: The correct answer is B. The primary purpose of a health assessment is to
gather data to make clinical judgments. The assessment provides baseline data,
identifies actual or potential health problems, and guides the planning of care.
Question 2
What is the difference between a comprehensive health history and a focused
health history?
A) A comprehensive history is taken by a physician; a focused history is taken by a nurse
B) A comprehensive history covers all body systems; a focused history addresses
specific problems
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C) A comprehensive history is done only on admission; a focused history is done daily
D) A comprehensive history includes physical examination; a focused history does not
Rationale: The correct answer is B. A comprehensive health history includes all aspects
of the patient's health status and is typically obtained during initial visits. A focused
health history addresses specific problems or body systems relevant to the patient's
chief complaint.
Question 3
Which of the following is an example of objective data in health assessment?
A) The patient reports a headache
B) The patient states they feel nauseated
C) The nurse observes the patient's skin is pale and diaphoretic
D) The patient complains of chest pain
Rationale: The correct answer is C. Objective data are observable and measurable
findings obtained through physical examination, observation, and diagnostic tests. Skin
pallor and diaphoresis are objective findings. Patient reports of symptoms like
headache, nausea, and chest pain are subjective data.
Question 4
The nurse is preparing to assess a patient who is anxious and in pain. Which
approach is most appropriate to obtain accurate assessment data?
A) Proceed quickly to minimize discomfort
B) Use closed-ended questions to speed the interview
C) Address the patient's pain and anxiety before proceeding
D) Ask a family member to provide the history
Rationale: The correct answer is C. Addressing the patient's pain and anxiety before
proceeding is the most appropriate approach. Pain and anxiety can interfere with the
patient's ability to provide accurate information and may affect physical examination
findings. The nurse should manage pain and provide comfort measures before
continuing the assessment.
Question 5
When taking a health history, which of the following is the most reliable source of
information?
A) Family members
B) The patient's medical records
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C) The patient
D) Previous healthcare providers
Rationale: The correct answer is C. The patient is the most reliable source of health
history information. Patients can provide first-hand accounts of their symptoms,
medical history, and current health status. When the patient is unable to provide
information, family members and medical records become important secondary
sources.
SECTION 2: CULTURAL COMPETENCE IN HEALTH ASSESSMENT (Questions 6-15)
Question 6
When assessing a patient from a different cultural background, what is the most
important action for the nurse to take?
A) Use a standardized assessment tool
B) Ask the patient to explain their cultural beliefs
C) Recognize and respect cultural differences
D) Treat all patients the same regardless of culture
Rationale: The correct answer is C. Recognizing and respecting cultural differences is
essential for providing culturally competent care. The nurse should be aware of how
culture influences health beliefs, practices, and communication styles and adapt the
assessment accordingly.
Question 7
Which of the following is an example of a cultural consideration in health
assessment?
A) The patient's preference for a same-gender provider
B) The patient's use of herbal remedies
C) The patient's beliefs about illness causation
D) All of the above
Rationale: The correct answer is D. Cultural considerations in health assessment
include preferences for same-gender providers, use of complementary and alternative
therapies, and beliefs about illness causation. These factors can influence the patient's
health behaviors and responses to treatment.
SECTION 3: THE INTERVIEW AND HEALTH HISTORY (Questions 8-45)
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Question 8
Which of the following is an example of an open-ended question?
A) "Do you have any pain?"
B) "When did the pain start?"
C) "Tell me about your pain."
D) "Is the pain sharp or dull?"
Rationale: The correct answer is C. Open-ended questions encourage the patient to
provide a narrative response. "Tell me about your pain" allows the patient to describe
the pain in their own words. The other options are closed-ended questions that elicit
specific, short responses.
Question 9
The nurse is conducting a health history interview. Which action demonstrates
active listening?
A) Interrupting the patient to clarify information
B) Making eye contact and nodding
C) Taking notes while the patient speaks
D) Asking the patient to repeat information
Rationale: The correct answer is B. Active listening involves focusing on the patient,
making eye contact, and using nonverbal cues like nodding to indicate attentiveness.
While taking notes is appropriate, it should not interfere with making eye contact and
attending to the patient.
Question 10
What is the purpose of the review of systems (ROS) in a health history?
A) To identify the patient's chief complaint
B) To evaluate the patient's past medical history
C) To collect data about the patient's current health status
D) To document the patient's family history
Rationale: The correct answer is C. The review of systems is a systematic method of
collecting data about the patient's current health status by asking questions about each
body system. It helps identify potential problems that may not have been mentioned in
the chief complaint.
PHYSICAL EXAMINATION AND HEALTH ASSESSMENT, 8TH
EDITION (JARVIS) EXAM LATEST VERSION QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS 2026 EDITION
PHYSICAL EXAMINATION AND HEALTH ASSESSMENT, 8TH EDITION (JARVIS)
EXAMINATION
250 Questions with Rationales
SECTION 1: THE NURSE'S ROLE IN HEALTH ASSESSMENT (Questions 1-25)
Question 1
A nurse is performing a physical assessment on a newly admitted patient. What is
the primary purpose of this assessment?
A) To establish a nurse-patient relationship
B) To gather data to make clinical judgments
C) To administer medications
D) To complete admission paperwork
Rationale: The correct answer is B. The primary purpose of a health assessment is to
gather data to make clinical judgments. The assessment provides baseline data,
identifies actual or potential health problems, and guides the planning of care.
Question 2
What is the difference between a comprehensive health history and a focused
health history?
A) A comprehensive history is taken by a physician; a focused history is taken by a nurse
B) A comprehensive history covers all body systems; a focused history addresses
specific problems
, Page 2 of 75
C) A comprehensive history is done only on admission; a focused history is done daily
D) A comprehensive history includes physical examination; a focused history does not
Rationale: The correct answer is B. A comprehensive health history includes all aspects
of the patient's health status and is typically obtained during initial visits. A focused
health history addresses specific problems or body systems relevant to the patient's
chief complaint.
Question 3
Which of the following is an example of objective data in health assessment?
A) The patient reports a headache
B) The patient states they feel nauseated
C) The nurse observes the patient's skin is pale and diaphoretic
D) The patient complains of chest pain
Rationale: The correct answer is C. Objective data are observable and measurable
findings obtained through physical examination, observation, and diagnostic tests. Skin
pallor and diaphoresis are objective findings. Patient reports of symptoms like
headache, nausea, and chest pain are subjective data.
Question 4
The nurse is preparing to assess a patient who is anxious and in pain. Which
approach is most appropriate to obtain accurate assessment data?
A) Proceed quickly to minimize discomfort
B) Use closed-ended questions to speed the interview
C) Address the patient's pain and anxiety before proceeding
D) Ask a family member to provide the history
Rationale: The correct answer is C. Addressing the patient's pain and anxiety before
proceeding is the most appropriate approach. Pain and anxiety can interfere with the
patient's ability to provide accurate information and may affect physical examination
findings. The nurse should manage pain and provide comfort measures before
continuing the assessment.
Question 5
When taking a health history, which of the following is the most reliable source of
information?
A) Family members
B) The patient's medical records
, Page 3 of 75
C) The patient
D) Previous healthcare providers
Rationale: The correct answer is C. The patient is the most reliable source of health
history information. Patients can provide first-hand accounts of their symptoms,
medical history, and current health status. When the patient is unable to provide
information, family members and medical records become important secondary
sources.
SECTION 2: CULTURAL COMPETENCE IN HEALTH ASSESSMENT (Questions 6-15)
Question 6
When assessing a patient from a different cultural background, what is the most
important action for the nurse to take?
A) Use a standardized assessment tool
B) Ask the patient to explain their cultural beliefs
C) Recognize and respect cultural differences
D) Treat all patients the same regardless of culture
Rationale: The correct answer is C. Recognizing and respecting cultural differences is
essential for providing culturally competent care. The nurse should be aware of how
culture influences health beliefs, practices, and communication styles and adapt the
assessment accordingly.
Question 7
Which of the following is an example of a cultural consideration in health
assessment?
A) The patient's preference for a same-gender provider
B) The patient's use of herbal remedies
C) The patient's beliefs about illness causation
D) All of the above
Rationale: The correct answer is D. Cultural considerations in health assessment
include preferences for same-gender providers, use of complementary and alternative
therapies, and beliefs about illness causation. These factors can influence the patient's
health behaviors and responses to treatment.
SECTION 3: THE INTERVIEW AND HEALTH HISTORY (Questions 8-45)
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Question 8
Which of the following is an example of an open-ended question?
A) "Do you have any pain?"
B) "When did the pain start?"
C) "Tell me about your pain."
D) "Is the pain sharp or dull?"
Rationale: The correct answer is C. Open-ended questions encourage the patient to
provide a narrative response. "Tell me about your pain" allows the patient to describe
the pain in their own words. The other options are closed-ended questions that elicit
specific, short responses.
Question 9
The nurse is conducting a health history interview. Which action demonstrates
active listening?
A) Interrupting the patient to clarify information
B) Making eye contact and nodding
C) Taking notes while the patient speaks
D) Asking the patient to repeat information
Rationale: The correct answer is B. Active listening involves focusing on the patient,
making eye contact, and using nonverbal cues like nodding to indicate attentiveness.
While taking notes is appropriate, it should not interfere with making eye contact and
attending to the patient.
Question 10
What is the purpose of the review of systems (ROS) in a health history?
A) To identify the patient's chief complaint
B) To evaluate the patient's past medical history
C) To collect data about the patient's current health status
D) To document the patient's family history
Rationale: The correct answer is C. The review of systems is a systematic method of
collecting data about the patient's current health status by asking questions about each
body system. It helps identify potential problems that may not have been mentioned in
the chief complaint.
