GALEN COLLEGE OF NURSING · SCHOOL OF NURSING
NUR 504 Exam 1
Practice Question Bank
Health Assessment — NCLEX-Style Practice Questions with Rationales
Topic Focus: Health History, Physical Examination, Documentation &
Assessment
Edition 1 · September 2026
Table of Contents
1. Instructions for Use 2
2. Practice Questions with Answers & Rationales — Health Assessment 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 — Comprehensive Review
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 that the patient reports, such as
recall of past health conditions. Objective data includes measurable findings like height,
weight, and lab results.
A — Height and weight are objective, measurable data.
C — CT scan results are objective data.
D — Complete blood count results are objective 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: A successful individualized plan of care must incorporate subjective data,
which provides the patient's perspective and experience of their health.
A — Most health history data are subjective, not objective.
B — Objective data can contain errors and are not inherently error-free.
C — Subjective data are essential and equally valuable as objective data.
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 that you are really hearing them.
A — Cultural competence is the ability to understand and respect cultural differences.
B — Patience is important but not the definition provided.
D — Top-tier communication is not the term used.
NUR 504 Exam 1
Practice Question Bank
Health Assessment — NCLEX-Style Practice Questions with Rationales
Topic Focus: Health History, Physical Examination, Documentation &
Assessment
Edition 1 · September 2026
Table of Contents
1. Instructions for Use 2
2. Practice Questions with Answers & Rationales — Health Assessment 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 — Comprehensive Review
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 that the patient reports, such as
recall of past health conditions. Objective data includes measurable findings like height,
weight, and lab results.
A — Height and weight are objective, measurable data.
C — CT scan results are objective data.
D — Complete blood count results are objective 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: A successful individualized plan of care must incorporate subjective data,
which provides the patient's perspective and experience of their health.
A — Most health history data are subjective, not objective.
B — Objective data can contain errors and are not inherently error-free.
C — Subjective data are essential and equally valuable as objective data.
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 that you are really hearing them.
A — Cultural competence is the ability to understand and respect cultural differences.
B — Patience is important but not the definition provided.
D — Top-tier communication is not the term used.
