GALEN COLLEGE OF NURSING
NUR 504 Exam 1
Practice Question Bank
Health Assessment — NCLEX-Style Practice Questions with Rationales
Comprehensive Review: Health History, Physical Examination, Documentation
& SOAP
Edition 1 · July 2026
Table of Contents
1. Instructions for Use 2
2. Practice Questions with Answers & Rationales 2
NUR 504 · Galen College of Nursing Page 1
,NUR 504 EXAM 1 PRACTICE GUIDE INSTRUCTIONS & PRACTICE QUESTIONS
How to Use This Guide
Read each stem, choose your answer, then check the rationale directly below it. The correct
option is marked, and each wrong option is explained so you understand why it's wrong — not
just that it is.
Category: Health Assessment — History, Physical Exam, & Documentation
1 Which of the following is an example of subjective data that may be collected
during a health assessment?
A Height and weight
B A patient's recall of his or her past health conditions
C Results from an abdominal CT scan
D Complete blood count
Why B is correct: Subjective data includes information reported by the patient, such as
their recall of past health conditions.
A — Height and weight are objective, measurable data.
C — CT scan results are objective diagnostic data.
D — Complete blood count is objective laboratory data.
, 2 Which of the following is true regarding the data taken in a health history?
A Most health history data are objective and measurable.
B Objective data are error-free, quantifiable data.
C Subjective data, being inherently less accurate, are of less value than objective data.
D A successful individualized plan of care must incorporate subjective data.
Why D is correct: Subjective data is essential for creating an individualized plan of care.
A — Health history data are primarily subjective.
B — Objective data can still contain errors.
C — Subjective data is equally valuable in patient care.
3 What do Coulehan and Block define as "listening to the total communication… and
letting the patient know that you are really hearing"?
A Cultural competence
B Patience
C Empathy
D Top-tier communication
Why C is correct: Empathy is defined as listening to the total communication and letting
the patient know you are really hearing them.
A — Cultural competence is understanding and respecting cultural differences.
B — Patience is important but not the definition.
D — This is not a defined term in the context.
NUR 504 Exam 1
Practice Question Bank
Health Assessment — NCLEX-Style Practice Questions with Rationales
Comprehensive Review: Health History, Physical Examination, Documentation
& SOAP
Edition 1 · July 2026
Table of Contents
1. Instructions for Use 2
2. Practice Questions with Answers & Rationales 2
NUR 504 · Galen College of Nursing Page 1
,NUR 504 EXAM 1 PRACTICE GUIDE INSTRUCTIONS & PRACTICE QUESTIONS
How to Use This Guide
Read each stem, choose your answer, then check the rationale directly below it. The correct
option is marked, and each wrong option is explained so you understand why it's wrong — not
just that it is.
Category: Health Assessment — History, Physical Exam, & Documentation
1 Which of the following is an example of subjective data that may be collected
during a health assessment?
A Height and weight
B A patient's recall of his or her past health conditions
C Results from an abdominal CT scan
D Complete blood count
Why B is correct: Subjective data includes information reported by the patient, such as
their recall of past health conditions.
A — Height and weight are objective, measurable data.
C — CT scan results are objective diagnostic data.
D — Complete blood count is objective laboratory data.
, 2 Which of the following is true regarding the data taken in a health history?
A Most health history data are objective and measurable.
B Objective data are error-free, quantifiable data.
C Subjective data, being inherently less accurate, are of less value than objective data.
D A successful individualized plan of care must incorporate subjective data.
Why D is correct: Subjective data is essential for creating an individualized plan of care.
A — Health history data are primarily subjective.
B — Objective data can still contain errors.
C — Subjective data is equally valuable in patient care.
3 What do Coulehan and Block define as "listening to the total communication… and
letting the patient know that you are really hearing"?
A Cultural competence
B Patience
C Empathy
D Top-tier communication
Why C is correct: Empathy is defined as listening to the total communication and letting
the patient know you are really hearing them.
A — Cultural competence is understanding and respecting cultural differences.
B — Patience is important but not the definition.
D — This is not a defined term in the context.
