HEALTH ASSESSMENT EXAM 1 REVIEW
100 MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS
ANSWERS AND RATIONALES
100 Multiple-Choice Practice Questions
1. What is the primary purpose of a comprehensive
health assessment?
A. To establish a medical diagnosis
B. To prescribe medications
C. To collect information about the patient's health status
D. To determine insurance eligibility
CorreCt Answer: C. To collect information about the
patient's health status
rAtionAle: A health assessment systematically
gathers subjective and objective information that helps
identify health concerns and guide nursing care.
2. Which finding is considered subjective data?
A. Blood pressure of 142/86 mmHg
B. Temperature of 38.1°C
C. Patient reports feeling nauseated
D. Respiratory rate of 22 breaths/minute
CorreCt Answer: C. Patient reports feeling nauseated
,rAtionAle: Subjective data are symptoms or
experiences reported by the patient and cannot be
directly measured by the nurse.
3. Which finding is objective data?
A. "I feel short of breath."
B. "My pain is sharp."
C. "I feel tired."
D. Oxygen saturation of 91%
CorreCt Answer: D. Oxygen saturation of 91%
rAtionAle: Objective data are observable or
measurable findings obtained through examination,
observation, or diagnostic equipment.
4. Which question is open-ended?
A. "Do you have a headache?"
B. "Are you taking medication?"
C. "Tell me about the symptoms that brought you here."
D. "Is the pain constant?"
CorreCt Answer: C. "Tell me about the symptoms that
brought you here."
rAtionAle: Open-ended questions encourage patients
to describe their concerns in their own words and
provide more detailed information.
,5. Which communication technique is most therapeutic?
A. Interrupting frequently
B. Asking several questions at once
C. Active listening
D. Changing the subject when the patient becomes emotional
CorreCt Answer: C. Active listening
rAtionAle: Active listening demonstrates attention
and encourages patients to communicate their concerns
openly.
6. Which response demonstrates empathy?
A. "Everything will be fine."
B. "You shouldn't worry."
C. "I understand exactly how you feel."
D. "It sounds like this situation has been very difficult for you."
CorreCt Answer: D. "It sounds like this situation has
been very difficult for you."
rAtionAle: Empathy acknowledges the patient's
feelings without making assumptions about
experiencing exactly the same situation.
7. Which behavior can interfere with effective
communication?
, A. Maintaining appropriate eye contact
B. Sitting at the patient's level
C. Frequently interrupting the patient
D. Using attentive silence
CorreCt Answer: C. Frequently interrupting the patient
rAtionAle: Interrupting can prevent the patient from
completing thoughts and may cause important
information to be missed.
8. What is the primary purpose of therapeutic silence?
A. To end the interview
B. To allow the patient time to think and respond
C. To discourage communication
D. To demonstrate authority
CorreCt Answer: B. To allow the patient time to think
and respond
rAtionAle: Silence gives patients time to organize
their thoughts, process emotions, and provide additional
information.
9. Which is an example of a leading question?
A. "Tell me about your sleep."
B. "What makes your pain better?"
C. "You don't smoke, do you?"
D. "How would you describe your pain?"
100 MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS
ANSWERS AND RATIONALES
100 Multiple-Choice Practice Questions
1. What is the primary purpose of a comprehensive
health assessment?
A. To establish a medical diagnosis
B. To prescribe medications
C. To collect information about the patient's health status
D. To determine insurance eligibility
CorreCt Answer: C. To collect information about the
patient's health status
rAtionAle: A health assessment systematically
gathers subjective and objective information that helps
identify health concerns and guide nursing care.
2. Which finding is considered subjective data?
A. Blood pressure of 142/86 mmHg
B. Temperature of 38.1°C
C. Patient reports feeling nauseated
D. Respiratory rate of 22 breaths/minute
CorreCt Answer: C. Patient reports feeling nauseated
,rAtionAle: Subjective data are symptoms or
experiences reported by the patient and cannot be
directly measured by the nurse.
3. Which finding is objective data?
A. "I feel short of breath."
B. "My pain is sharp."
C. "I feel tired."
D. Oxygen saturation of 91%
CorreCt Answer: D. Oxygen saturation of 91%
rAtionAle: Objective data are observable or
measurable findings obtained through examination,
observation, or diagnostic equipment.
4. Which question is open-ended?
A. "Do you have a headache?"
B. "Are you taking medication?"
C. "Tell me about the symptoms that brought you here."
D. "Is the pain constant?"
CorreCt Answer: C. "Tell me about the symptoms that
brought you here."
rAtionAle: Open-ended questions encourage patients
to describe their concerns in their own words and
provide more detailed information.
,5. Which communication technique is most therapeutic?
A. Interrupting frequently
B. Asking several questions at once
C. Active listening
D. Changing the subject when the patient becomes emotional
CorreCt Answer: C. Active listening
rAtionAle: Active listening demonstrates attention
and encourages patients to communicate their concerns
openly.
6. Which response demonstrates empathy?
A. "Everything will be fine."
B. "You shouldn't worry."
C. "I understand exactly how you feel."
D. "It sounds like this situation has been very difficult for you."
CorreCt Answer: D. "It sounds like this situation has
been very difficult for you."
rAtionAle: Empathy acknowledges the patient's
feelings without making assumptions about
experiencing exactly the same situation.
7. Which behavior can interfere with effective
communication?
, A. Maintaining appropriate eye contact
B. Sitting at the patient's level
C. Frequently interrupting the patient
D. Using attentive silence
CorreCt Answer: C. Frequently interrupting the patient
rAtionAle: Interrupting can prevent the patient from
completing thoughts and may cause important
information to be missed.
8. What is the primary purpose of therapeutic silence?
A. To end the interview
B. To allow the patient time to think and respond
C. To discourage communication
D. To demonstrate authority
CorreCt Answer: B. To allow the patient time to think
and respond
rAtionAle: Silence gives patients time to organize
their thoughts, process emotions, and provide additional
information.
9. Which is an example of a leading question?
A. "Tell me about your sleep."
B. "What makes your pain better?"
C. "You don't smoke, do you?"
D. "How would you describe your pain?"
