,NSG 121 Exam 1 | Health Assessment |
Herzing University | High-Yield 150 Questions
& Answers Exam Prep + MCQs + Rationales |
2026/2027
1. A nurse is explaining the purpose of health assessment to a group of nursing students. Which
statement best describes the role of health assessment in nursing practice?
A. It replaces the need for a medical diagnosis
B. It is the foundational step of the nursing process
C. It is only performed in emergency situations
D. It focuses solely on physical examination findings
Correct Answer: B. It is the foundational step of the nursing process
Rationale: Health assessment is the first and foundational step of the nursing process, providing
the data necessary for nursing diagnosis, planning, implementation, and evaluation. It
encompasses health history, physical assessment, and psychological, sociocultural, spiritual,
economic, and lifestyle factors.
2. A nurse is conducting a health assessment on a newly admitted client. Which type of
assessment is the nurse performing?
,A. Emergency assessment
B. Comprehensive assessment
C. Focused assessment
D. General survey
Correct Answer: B. Comprehensive assessment
Rationale: A comprehensive assessment includes a complete health history and physical
assessment. It is typically performed on admission to establish a baseline and identify all actual
and potential health problems.
3. A client arrives in the emergency department with severe shortness of breath and chest pain.
Which type of assessment should the nurse perform first?
A. Comprehensive assessment
B. Focused assessment
C. Emergency assessment
D. General survey
Correct Answer: C. Emergency assessment
Rationale: An emergency assessment is performed when a client has a life-threatening or
unstable condition. It focuses on airway, breathing, circulation, disability, and exposure (ABCDE)
to identify and address immediate threats to life.
, 4. A nurse is performing a focused assessment on a client who is 2 days postoperative. What is
the primary purpose of this type of assessment?
A. To establish a baseline of health data
B. To gather a complete health history
C. To assess a specific problem or body system
D. To evaluate cognitive development
Correct Answer: C. To assess a specific problem or body system
Rationale: A focused assessment is smaller in scope but increased in depth, targeting specific
issues or body systems. It is conducted after specific treatments or when a client has a specific
problem.
5. A nurse is teaching a client about primary prevention. Which activity is an example of primary
prevention?
A. Blood pressure screening
B. Immunization clinic
C. Cardiac rehabilitation
D. Vision screening
Correct Answer: B. Immunization clinic
Herzing University | High-Yield 150 Questions
& Answers Exam Prep + MCQs + Rationales |
2026/2027
1. A nurse is explaining the purpose of health assessment to a group of nursing students. Which
statement best describes the role of health assessment in nursing practice?
A. It replaces the need for a medical diagnosis
B. It is the foundational step of the nursing process
C. It is only performed in emergency situations
D. It focuses solely on physical examination findings
Correct Answer: B. It is the foundational step of the nursing process
Rationale: Health assessment is the first and foundational step of the nursing process, providing
the data necessary for nursing diagnosis, planning, implementation, and evaluation. It
encompasses health history, physical assessment, and psychological, sociocultural, spiritual,
economic, and lifestyle factors.
2. A nurse is conducting a health assessment on a newly admitted client. Which type of
assessment is the nurse performing?
,A. Emergency assessment
B. Comprehensive assessment
C. Focused assessment
D. General survey
Correct Answer: B. Comprehensive assessment
Rationale: A comprehensive assessment includes a complete health history and physical
assessment. It is typically performed on admission to establish a baseline and identify all actual
and potential health problems.
3. A client arrives in the emergency department with severe shortness of breath and chest pain.
Which type of assessment should the nurse perform first?
A. Comprehensive assessment
B. Focused assessment
C. Emergency assessment
D. General survey
Correct Answer: C. Emergency assessment
Rationale: An emergency assessment is performed when a client has a life-threatening or
unstable condition. It focuses on airway, breathing, circulation, disability, and exposure (ABCDE)
to identify and address immediate threats to life.
, 4. A nurse is performing a focused assessment on a client who is 2 days postoperative. What is
the primary purpose of this type of assessment?
A. To establish a baseline of health data
B. To gather a complete health history
C. To assess a specific problem or body system
D. To evaluate cognitive development
Correct Answer: C. To assess a specific problem or body system
Rationale: A focused assessment is smaller in scope but increased in depth, targeting specific
issues or body systems. It is conducted after specific treatments or when a client has a specific
problem.
5. A nurse is teaching a client about primary prevention. Which activity is an example of primary
prevention?
A. Blood pressure screening
B. Immunization clinic
C. Cardiac rehabilitation
D. Vision screening
Correct Answer: B. Immunization clinic
