NRS 420 Exam 1 V3 | NRS 420 Health Assessment |
Actual Q&A with Rationale (NRS420 Exam 1) |
Grand Canyon University
1. A nurse is conducting a health history for a new patient. Which statement by the nurse
demonstrates the use of an open-ended question?
A. Are you feeling any pain in your chest today?
B. Do you have a family history of heart disease?
C. Tell me more about what brought you to the clinic today.
D. Have you taken your blood pressure medication this morning?
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Open-ended questions allow for a narrative response and encourage the
patient to provide more detail. Option B invites the patient to lead the conversation and
provide subjective data in their own words. In contrast, the other options are closed-ended
questions that typically elicit simple ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answers.
2. The nurse is preparing to assess the abdomen of a patient reporting right lower quadrant
pain. In what order should the physical assessment techniques be performed?
A. Inspection, Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation
B. Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation, Inspection
C. Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion, Palpation
,D. Auscultation, Inspection, Palpation, Percussion
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: For abdominal assessment, the order is modified to avoid altering bowel
sounds through manipulation. Auscultation must occur before percussion and palpation to
ensure the nurse hears the patient’s natural bowel activity. Starting with inspection allows
for a visual overview before any physical contact is made with the abdomen.
3. When assessing a patient’s health history, which components are included in the ‘Past
Medical History’ section? (Select All That Apply)
A. Childhood illnesses
B. Current medications and dosages
C. Review of Systems (ROS)
D. Immunization records
E. Occupational hazards
F. Surgeries and hospitalizations
Correct Answer: ABDF
Explanation: Past Medical History (PMH) focuses on the patient’s previous health status
and medical events. This includes childhood illnesses, surgeries, hospitalizations,
immunizations, and current medications. The Review of Systems is a separate category
, focused on current symptoms, and occupational hazards are usually categorized under
social history.
4. A nurse is performing a general survey on a patient. Which of the following observations
are considered part of the general survey? (Select All That Apply)
A. Body symmetry and posture
B. Level of consciousness and orientation
C. Deep tendon reflexes
D. Facial expressions and mood
E. Auscultation of heart sounds
Correct Answer: ABD
Explanation: The general survey is a study of the whole person, covering the general
health state and any obvious physical characteristics. It includes physical appearance, body
structure, mobility, and behavior. Reflexes and heart sounds are specific components of the
neurological and cardiovascular examinations rather than the initial general survey.
5. During a physical examination, the nurse uses the base of the fingers
(metacarpophalangeal joints) to assess for which of the following?
A. Fine tactile discrimination
B. Body temperature
C. Vibrations or thrills
Actual Q&A with Rationale (NRS420 Exam 1) |
Grand Canyon University
1. A nurse is conducting a health history for a new patient. Which statement by the nurse
demonstrates the use of an open-ended question?
A. Are you feeling any pain in your chest today?
B. Do you have a family history of heart disease?
C. Tell me more about what brought you to the clinic today.
D. Have you taken your blood pressure medication this morning?
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Open-ended questions allow for a narrative response and encourage the
patient to provide more detail. Option B invites the patient to lead the conversation and
provide subjective data in their own words. In contrast, the other options are closed-ended
questions that typically elicit simple ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answers.
2. The nurse is preparing to assess the abdomen of a patient reporting right lower quadrant
pain. In what order should the physical assessment techniques be performed?
A. Inspection, Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation
B. Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation, Inspection
C. Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion, Palpation
,D. Auscultation, Inspection, Palpation, Percussion
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: For abdominal assessment, the order is modified to avoid altering bowel
sounds through manipulation. Auscultation must occur before percussion and palpation to
ensure the nurse hears the patient’s natural bowel activity. Starting with inspection allows
for a visual overview before any physical contact is made with the abdomen.
3. When assessing a patient’s health history, which components are included in the ‘Past
Medical History’ section? (Select All That Apply)
A. Childhood illnesses
B. Current medications and dosages
C. Review of Systems (ROS)
D. Immunization records
E. Occupational hazards
F. Surgeries and hospitalizations
Correct Answer: ABDF
Explanation: Past Medical History (PMH) focuses on the patient’s previous health status
and medical events. This includes childhood illnesses, surgeries, hospitalizations,
immunizations, and current medications. The Review of Systems is a separate category
, focused on current symptoms, and occupational hazards are usually categorized under
social history.
4. A nurse is performing a general survey on a patient. Which of the following observations
are considered part of the general survey? (Select All That Apply)
A. Body symmetry and posture
B. Level of consciousness and orientation
C. Deep tendon reflexes
D. Facial expressions and mood
E. Auscultation of heart sounds
Correct Answer: ABD
Explanation: The general survey is a study of the whole person, covering the general
health state and any obvious physical characteristics. It includes physical appearance, body
structure, mobility, and behavior. Reflexes and heart sounds are specific components of the
neurological and cardiovascular examinations rather than the initial general survey.
5. During a physical examination, the nurse uses the base of the fingers
(metacarpophalangeal joints) to assess for which of the following?
A. Fine tactile discrimination
B. Body temperature
C. Vibrations or thrills
