NSG 300 EXAM 1 - COMPREHENSIVE
HEALTH ASSESSMENT QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS
1. A nurse is conducting a health history for a new patient. Which statement by the nurse
best demonstrates the use of an open-ended question?
A. ‘Do you have a history of high blood pressure?’
B. ‘How many cigarettes do you smoke per day?’
C. ‘Are you currently taking any medications?’
D. ‘Can you describe the pain you are experiencing in your chest?’
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Open-ended questions allow the patient to provide more detail
and narrative rather than a simple yes or no answer.
2. When performing a physical assessment, in which order should the nurse typically perform
the techniques for an abdominal exam?
A. Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion, Palpation
B. Inspection, Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation
,C. Auscultation, Inspection, Palpation, Percussion
D. Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation, Inspection
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: For the abdomen, auscultation follows inspection to avoid
altering bowel sounds through percussion or palpation.
3. A patient’s blood pressure is 158/96 mmHg. According to current AHA guidelines, this is
classified as:
A. Elevated
B. Stage 2 Hypertension
C. Stage 1 Hypertension
D. Hypertensive Crisis
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Stage 2 Hypertension is defined as a systolic pressure of at least
140 or a diastolic pressure of at least 90 mmHg.
4. The nurse uses the diaphragm of the stethoscope to listen for which type of sounds?
A. Low-pitched sounds such as heart murmurs
B. High-pitched sounds such as breath sounds and normal heart sounds
C. Bruits in the carotid artery
, D. Extraneous room noise
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: The diaphragm is best for high-pitched sounds, while the bell is
used for low-pitched sounds.
5. While assessing a dark-skinned patient for inflammation, which technique should the nurse
prioritize?
A. Looking for a bluish tint to the skin
B. Checking for an ashy or gray appearance
C. Palpating the area for increased warmth and edema
D. Assessing for blanching of the skin
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: In dark-skinned patients, inflammation is better detected by
feeling for warmth and tension in the skin rather than visual color changes.
6. During a mental status exam, the nurse asks the patient to explain the proverb ‘A rolling
stone gathers no moss.’ The nurse is assessing:
A. Recent memory
B. Abstract reasoning
C. Attention span
D. Orientation
HEALTH ASSESSMENT QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS
1. A nurse is conducting a health history for a new patient. Which statement by the nurse
best demonstrates the use of an open-ended question?
A. ‘Do you have a history of high blood pressure?’
B. ‘How many cigarettes do you smoke per day?’
C. ‘Are you currently taking any medications?’
D. ‘Can you describe the pain you are experiencing in your chest?’
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Open-ended questions allow the patient to provide more detail
and narrative rather than a simple yes or no answer.
2. When performing a physical assessment, in which order should the nurse typically perform
the techniques for an abdominal exam?
A. Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion, Palpation
B. Inspection, Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation
,C. Auscultation, Inspection, Palpation, Percussion
D. Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation, Inspection
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: For the abdomen, auscultation follows inspection to avoid
altering bowel sounds through percussion or palpation.
3. A patient’s blood pressure is 158/96 mmHg. According to current AHA guidelines, this is
classified as:
A. Elevated
B. Stage 2 Hypertension
C. Stage 1 Hypertension
D. Hypertensive Crisis
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Stage 2 Hypertension is defined as a systolic pressure of at least
140 or a diastolic pressure of at least 90 mmHg.
4. The nurse uses the diaphragm of the stethoscope to listen for which type of sounds?
A. Low-pitched sounds such as heart murmurs
B. High-pitched sounds such as breath sounds and normal heart sounds
C. Bruits in the carotid artery
, D. Extraneous room noise
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: The diaphragm is best for high-pitched sounds, while the bell is
used for low-pitched sounds.
5. While assessing a dark-skinned patient for inflammation, which technique should the nurse
prioritize?
A. Looking for a bluish tint to the skin
B. Checking for an ashy or gray appearance
C. Palpating the area for increased warmth and edema
D. Assessing for blanching of the skin
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: In dark-skinned patients, inflammation is better detected by
feeling for warmth and tension in the skin rather than visual color changes.
6. During a mental status exam, the nurse asks the patient to explain the proverb ‘A rolling
stone gathers no moss.’ The nurse is assessing:
A. Recent memory
B. Abstract reasoning
C. Attention span
D. Orientation
