UTICA COLLEGE - NUR 611 HEALTH ASSESSMENT 1 MIDTERM
EXAM | PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2026/2027 |
COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) |
EXAM PREP | COMPREHENSIVE EXAM GUIDE 2026&2027
1. A nurse is beginning a comprehensive health assessment on an adult client who
appears anxious. Which action should the nurse take first to establish an effective
therapeutic relationship?
A. Begin with questions about the client's current medications
B. Explain the purpose of the assessment and establish rapport
C. Ask the client to describe all previous illnesses
D. Immediately begin the physical examination
Answer: B
Establishing rapport and explaining the purpose of the assessment promotes trust, decreases
anxiety, and encourages accurate communication before sensitive information is collected.
2. During a health history, a client states, "I have been feeling tired lately." Which
response by the nurse best demonstrates clarification?
A. "Are you saying that you are depressed?"
B. "You should try getting more sleep."
C. "Tell me more about what you mean by feeling tired."
D. "Have you been diagnosed with anemia?"
Answer: C
Clarification encourages the client to describe the symptom in their own words without
introducing assumptions or leading the response.
3. Which component of the health history provides information about diseases and
health conditions experienced by the client's immediate family?
A. Family history
B. Social history
C. Review of systems
D. Personal and social profile
Answer: A
The family history identifies illnesses and health patterns among biologically related family
members and can reveal hereditary or familial risk factors.
4. A client reports experiencing chest discomfort. Which question should the nurse ask
to assess the characteristic of the symptom most directly?
, A. "Have you ever had hypertension?"
B. "Does anyone in your family have heart disease?"
C. "When was your last physical examination?"
D. "Can you describe what the discomfort feels like?"
Answer: D
Asking the client to describe the sensation identifies the quality or character of the symptom,
which is an important component of symptom analysis.
5. A nurse uses the OLDCARTS framework when evaluating a client's abdominal
pain. What information does the "O" primarily address?
A. Onset
B. Objective findings
C. Orientation
D. Occurrence frequency
Answer: A
In symptom assessment frameworks such as OLDCARTS, O refers to onset, including when and
how the symptom began.
6. Which finding obtained during an adult health assessment requires the nurse to
obtain additional information about the client's medication use?
A. The client reports drinking eight glasses of water daily
B. The client reports taking an over-the-counter medication every morning
C. The client reports exercising three times per week
D. The client reports eating vegetables daily
Answer: B
Regular use of over-the-counter medications can affect health status and may interact with
prescribed medications, making further assessment necessary.
7. A nurse is assessing a client's level of consciousness. Which finding indicates that the
client is alert?
A. The client responds only after repeated painful stimulation
B. The client responds appropriately to questions and environmental stimuli
C. The client opens the eyes only when spoken to loudly
D. The client withdraws from painful stimulation without verbal response
Answer: B
An alert client is awake and appropriately responsive to verbal communication and
environmental stimuli.
, 8. Which technique is most appropriate when interviewing a client about a sensitive
health concern?
A. Ask several questions rapidly to minimize discomfort
B. Use medical terminology to maintain professionalism
C. Provide privacy and use nonjudgmental communication
D. Ask the client's family to answer difficult questions
Answer: C
Privacy and nonjudgmental communication help create psychological safety and increase the
likelihood that the client will provide accurate information.
9. A client reports pain rated 8 out of 10. Which action best demonstrates appropriate
nursing assessment?
A. Document the pain score and immediately administer medication without further
assessment
B. Ask the client to identify the location, quality, timing, and aggravating factors
C. Tell the client that an 8 indicates severe pain
D. Compare the client's pain score with previous clients
Answer: B
Pain is subjective, and a comprehensive assessment should include location, quality, timing,
severity, and factors that aggravate or relieve it.
10. Which question is an example of an open-ended question during a health history?
A. "Do you smoke cigarettes?"
B. "Is the pain worse after eating?"
C. "Have you had nausea?"
D. "What concerns brought you to the clinic today?"
Answer: D
Open-ended questions encourage clients to provide detailed information rather than limiting
responses to yes or no.
11. A nurse is assessing a client's nutritional status. Which finding is most concerning
and warrants additional assessment?
A. The client eats three meals daily
B. The client drinks water with meals
C. The client reports an unintentional 10-kg weight loss over two months
D. The client reports preferring fresh foods
Answer: C
, Significant unintentional weight loss can indicate an underlying medical or nutritional
problem and requires further investigation.
12. Which assessment technique involves listening to sounds produced within the body?
A. Inspection
B. Palpation
C. Percussion
D. Auscultation
Answer: D
Auscultation uses a stethoscope or direct hearing to evaluate internal body sounds such as
heart, lung, and bowel sounds.
13. A nurse observes a client's skin before touching it. Which assessment technique is
being used?
A. Inspection
B. Palpation
C. Percussion
D. Auscultation
Answer: A
Inspection is the systematic visual examination of the client for characteristics such as color,
symmetry, shape, movement, and visible abnormalities.
14. Which sequence is generally appropriate for assessing the abdomen?
A. Palpation, percussion, inspection, auscultation
B. Inspection, auscultation, percussion, palpation
C. Auscultation, palpation, inspection, percussion
D. Percussion, inspection, palpation, auscultation
Answer: B
The abdomen is assessed using inspection, auscultation, percussion, and palpation because
palpation and percussion can alter bowel sounds.
15. A nurse lightly palpates a client's abdomen using the fingertips. What is the
primary purpose of light palpation?
A. Assess deep organ enlargement
B. Identify superficial tenderness and muscle resistance
C. Determine the size of the liver
D. Assess the kidneys directly
Answer: B
EXAM | PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2026/2027 |
COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) |
EXAM PREP | COMPREHENSIVE EXAM GUIDE 2026&2027
1. A nurse is beginning a comprehensive health assessment on an adult client who
appears anxious. Which action should the nurse take first to establish an effective
therapeutic relationship?
A. Begin with questions about the client's current medications
B. Explain the purpose of the assessment and establish rapport
C. Ask the client to describe all previous illnesses
D. Immediately begin the physical examination
Answer: B
Establishing rapport and explaining the purpose of the assessment promotes trust, decreases
anxiety, and encourages accurate communication before sensitive information is collected.
2. During a health history, a client states, "I have been feeling tired lately." Which
response by the nurse best demonstrates clarification?
A. "Are you saying that you are depressed?"
B. "You should try getting more sleep."
C. "Tell me more about what you mean by feeling tired."
D. "Have you been diagnosed with anemia?"
Answer: C
Clarification encourages the client to describe the symptom in their own words without
introducing assumptions or leading the response.
3. Which component of the health history provides information about diseases and
health conditions experienced by the client's immediate family?
A. Family history
B. Social history
C. Review of systems
D. Personal and social profile
Answer: A
The family history identifies illnesses and health patterns among biologically related family
members and can reveal hereditary or familial risk factors.
4. A client reports experiencing chest discomfort. Which question should the nurse ask
to assess the characteristic of the symptom most directly?
, A. "Have you ever had hypertension?"
B. "Does anyone in your family have heart disease?"
C. "When was your last physical examination?"
D. "Can you describe what the discomfort feels like?"
Answer: D
Asking the client to describe the sensation identifies the quality or character of the symptom,
which is an important component of symptom analysis.
5. A nurse uses the OLDCARTS framework when evaluating a client's abdominal
pain. What information does the "O" primarily address?
A. Onset
B. Objective findings
C. Orientation
D. Occurrence frequency
Answer: A
In symptom assessment frameworks such as OLDCARTS, O refers to onset, including when and
how the symptom began.
6. Which finding obtained during an adult health assessment requires the nurse to
obtain additional information about the client's medication use?
A. The client reports drinking eight glasses of water daily
B. The client reports taking an over-the-counter medication every morning
C. The client reports exercising three times per week
D. The client reports eating vegetables daily
Answer: B
Regular use of over-the-counter medications can affect health status and may interact with
prescribed medications, making further assessment necessary.
7. A nurse is assessing a client's level of consciousness. Which finding indicates that the
client is alert?
A. The client responds only after repeated painful stimulation
B. The client responds appropriately to questions and environmental stimuli
C. The client opens the eyes only when spoken to loudly
D. The client withdraws from painful stimulation without verbal response
Answer: B
An alert client is awake and appropriately responsive to verbal communication and
environmental stimuli.
, 8. Which technique is most appropriate when interviewing a client about a sensitive
health concern?
A. Ask several questions rapidly to minimize discomfort
B. Use medical terminology to maintain professionalism
C. Provide privacy and use nonjudgmental communication
D. Ask the client's family to answer difficult questions
Answer: C
Privacy and nonjudgmental communication help create psychological safety and increase the
likelihood that the client will provide accurate information.
9. A client reports pain rated 8 out of 10. Which action best demonstrates appropriate
nursing assessment?
A. Document the pain score and immediately administer medication without further
assessment
B. Ask the client to identify the location, quality, timing, and aggravating factors
C. Tell the client that an 8 indicates severe pain
D. Compare the client's pain score with previous clients
Answer: B
Pain is subjective, and a comprehensive assessment should include location, quality, timing,
severity, and factors that aggravate or relieve it.
10. Which question is an example of an open-ended question during a health history?
A. "Do you smoke cigarettes?"
B. "Is the pain worse after eating?"
C. "Have you had nausea?"
D. "What concerns brought you to the clinic today?"
Answer: D
Open-ended questions encourage clients to provide detailed information rather than limiting
responses to yes or no.
11. A nurse is assessing a client's nutritional status. Which finding is most concerning
and warrants additional assessment?
A. The client eats three meals daily
B. The client drinks water with meals
C. The client reports an unintentional 10-kg weight loss over two months
D. The client reports preferring fresh foods
Answer: C
, Significant unintentional weight loss can indicate an underlying medical or nutritional
problem and requires further investigation.
12. Which assessment technique involves listening to sounds produced within the body?
A. Inspection
B. Palpation
C. Percussion
D. Auscultation
Answer: D
Auscultation uses a stethoscope or direct hearing to evaluate internal body sounds such as
heart, lung, and bowel sounds.
13. A nurse observes a client's skin before touching it. Which assessment technique is
being used?
A. Inspection
B. Palpation
C. Percussion
D. Auscultation
Answer: A
Inspection is the systematic visual examination of the client for characteristics such as color,
symmetry, shape, movement, and visible abnormalities.
14. Which sequence is generally appropriate for assessing the abdomen?
A. Palpation, percussion, inspection, auscultation
B. Inspection, auscultation, percussion, palpation
C. Auscultation, palpation, inspection, percussion
D. Percussion, inspection, palpation, auscultation
Answer: B
The abdomen is assessed using inspection, auscultation, percussion, and palpation because
palpation and percussion can alter bowel sounds.
15. A nurse lightly palpates a client's abdomen using the fingertips. What is the
primary purpose of light palpation?
A. Assess deep organ enlargement
B. Identify superficial tenderness and muscle resistance
C. Determine the size of the liver
D. Assess the kidneys directly
Answer: B
