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NURS 251 Health Assessment & Physical Examination
Comprehensive Study Guide Examination 120 Questions with
Detailed Rationales
Weber, J. R., & Kelley, J. H. (2024). Health Assessment in Nursing (7th
ed.). Wolters Kluwer.*
**ISBN:** 978-1-9751-8066-7
SECTION 1: HEALTH HISTORY AND GENERAL ASSESSMENT
(Questions 1-15)
1. What type of data does a health history collect?
A) Objective data from physical examination
B) Subjective data — the client's personal story and perception of
health
C) Laboratory and diagnostic test results
D) Vital signs measurements
Correct Answer: B) Subjective data — the client's personal story and
perception of health
Rationale: A health history collects subjective data directly from the
client, representing their personal story, perceptions, and experiences
of health and illness. This forms the foundation of the nursing
assessment process .
---
, 2
2. What is the main purpose of a health history?
A) To document vital signs
B) To obtain a complete picture of the client's health status and guide
care
C) To order laboratory tests
D) To determine insurance coverage
Correct Answer: B) To obtain a complete picture of the client's health
status and guide care
*Rationale: The primary purpose of a health history is to develop a
comprehensive understanding of the client's health status, which then
guides clinical decision-making, care planning, and individualized
interventions.
---
3. What does biographical data in a health history include?**
A) Only medical diagnoses
B) Name, age, gender, race, marital status, occupation, and contact
information
C) Only insurance information
D) Only previous hospitalizations
Correct Answer: B) Name, age, gender, race, marital status,
occupation, and contact information
, 3
Rationale: Biographical data establishes the client's identity and
provides demographic context that may influence health risks, access
to care, and culturally appropriate interventions.
---
4. How should the reason for seeking care be documented?
A) In medical terminology
B) In the patient's own words (quoted)
C) As a diagnosis
D) As a list of symptoms
Correct Answer: B) In the patient's own words (quoted)**
Rationale: The chief complaint should be documented using the
patient's exact words to preserve their perspective and ensure
accurate representation of their concerns. Example: "My back hurts."
---
5. What should be included with the chief complaint?
A) Only the symptom itself
B) Duration of the illness or injury
C) Family history
D) Social history
, 4
Correct Answer: B) Duration of the illness or injury
*Rationale: The chief complaint should include both the symptom and
its duration, providing a timeframe for the problem and establishing
its acuity or chronicity.
---
6. How should the History of Present Illness (HPI) be documented?**
A) Randomly, as symptoms are remembered
B) Chronologically, from symptom onset to the present time
C) In order of severity
D) Alphabetically by symptom
Correct Answer: B) Chronologically, from symptom onset to the
present time**
Rationale: The HPI should be organized chronologically to provide a
clear narrative of the illness progression, helping clinicians understand
the evolution of symptoms and their impact on the patient .*
NURS 251 Health Assessment & Physical Examination
Comprehensive Study Guide Examination 120 Questions with
Detailed Rationales
Weber, J. R., & Kelley, J. H. (2024). Health Assessment in Nursing (7th
ed.). Wolters Kluwer.*
**ISBN:** 978-1-9751-8066-7
SECTION 1: HEALTH HISTORY AND GENERAL ASSESSMENT
(Questions 1-15)
1. What type of data does a health history collect?
A) Objective data from physical examination
B) Subjective data — the client's personal story and perception of
health
C) Laboratory and diagnostic test results
D) Vital signs measurements
Correct Answer: B) Subjective data — the client's personal story and
perception of health
Rationale: A health history collects subjective data directly from the
client, representing their personal story, perceptions, and experiences
of health and illness. This forms the foundation of the nursing
assessment process .
---
, 2
2. What is the main purpose of a health history?
A) To document vital signs
B) To obtain a complete picture of the client's health status and guide
care
C) To order laboratory tests
D) To determine insurance coverage
Correct Answer: B) To obtain a complete picture of the client's health
status and guide care
*Rationale: The primary purpose of a health history is to develop a
comprehensive understanding of the client's health status, which then
guides clinical decision-making, care planning, and individualized
interventions.
---
3. What does biographical data in a health history include?**
A) Only medical diagnoses
B) Name, age, gender, race, marital status, occupation, and contact
information
C) Only insurance information
D) Only previous hospitalizations
Correct Answer: B) Name, age, gender, race, marital status,
occupation, and contact information
, 3
Rationale: Biographical data establishes the client's identity and
provides demographic context that may influence health risks, access
to care, and culturally appropriate interventions.
---
4. How should the reason for seeking care be documented?
A) In medical terminology
B) In the patient's own words (quoted)
C) As a diagnosis
D) As a list of symptoms
Correct Answer: B) In the patient's own words (quoted)**
Rationale: The chief complaint should be documented using the
patient's exact words to preserve their perspective and ensure
accurate representation of their concerns. Example: "My back hurts."
---
5. What should be included with the chief complaint?
A) Only the symptom itself
B) Duration of the illness or injury
C) Family history
D) Social history
, 4
Correct Answer: B) Duration of the illness or injury
*Rationale: The chief complaint should include both the symptom and
its duration, providing a timeframe for the problem and establishing
its acuity or chronicity.
---
6. How should the History of Present Illness (HPI) be documented?**
A) Randomly, as symptoms are remembered
B) Chronologically, from symptom onset to the present time
C) In order of severity
D) Alphabetically by symptom
Correct Answer: B) Chronologically, from symptom onset to the
present time**
Rationale: The HPI should be organized chronologically to provide a
clear narrative of the illness progression, helping clinicians understand
the evolution of symptoms and their impact on the patient .*
