2026 Fundamentals Nursing Health
Assessment Study Guide Practice Questions
Answer Explanations Vital Signs Physical
Assessment History Taking Documentation
Clinical Findings Review
SECTION 1: HEALTH ASSESSMENT & NURSING PROCESS (1–15)
1. A nurse is admitting a client to the medical unit. Which action should the
nurse take first?
A. Administer prescribed medications
B. Perform a comprehensive health assessment
C. Develop a nursing care plan
D. Document the client's vital signs
Rationale: Assessment is the first step of the nursing process and must be
completed before any other phase. The nurse must collect data to identify the
client's needs before planning or implementing care.
2. A nurse is collecting data about a client's health status. Which type of data
is the nurse obtaining when asking about the client's medical history?
A. Objective data
B. Subjective data
C. Secondary data
D. Tertiary data
Rationale: Subjective data includes information the client reports, such as
feelings, perceptions, and health history. Objective data includes observable and
measurable findings.
,3. A nurse measures a client's blood pressure and records it as 150/90 mmHg.
This is an example of:
A. Subjective data
B. Objective data
C. Secondary data
D. Tertiary data
Rationale: Objective data includes observable and measurable information
obtained through physical examination and diagnostic testing.
4. A nurse is performing an initial assessment on a newly admitted client.
Which type of assessment is the nurse conducting?
A. Focused assessment
B. Comprehensive assessment
C. Emergency assessment
D. Time-lapsed assessment
Rationale: A comprehensive assessment includes a complete health history and
physical examination, typically performed on admission.
5. A nurse is conducting a focused assessment. Which situation best describes
a focused assessment?
A. A comprehensive head-to-toe examination on admission
B. Assessing a client's incision site after surgery
C. Performing a complete health history
D. Conducting a yearly physical examination
Rationale: A focused assessment addresses a specific client concern or problem,
such as assessing a surgical incision site.
,6. A nurse is using the SBAR communication tool. Which component of SBAR
includes the nurse's recommendation?
A. Situation
B. Background
C. Assessment
D. Recommendation
Rationale: SBAR stands for Situation, Background, Assessment, and
Recommendation. The recommendation is what the nurse suggests should be done.
7. A nurse is conducting a health history. Which component includes the
client's reason for seeking care?
A. Past medical history
B. Chief complaint
C. Family history
D. Review of systems
Rationale: The chief complaint is the client's reason for seeking care, stated in the
client's own words.
8. A nurse is conducting a health history. Which component includes
information about the client's family?
A. Past medical history
B. Chief complaint
C. Family history
D. Review of systems
Rationale: Family history includes information about the health status of the
client's immediate family members, including genetic and hereditary conditions.
9. A nurse is conducting a health history. Which component includes a head-
to-toe review of the client's systems?
, A. Past medical history
B. Chief complaint
C. Family history
D. Review of systems
Rationale: The review of systems is a systematic collection of data about each
body system to identify potential health problems.
10. A nurse is conducting a health history. Which component includes
information about the client's previous illnesses and surgeries?
A. Past medical history
B. Chief complaint
C. Family history
D. Review of systems
Rationale: Past medical history includes information about the client's previous
illnesses, surgeries, hospitalizations, and medications.
11. A nurse is conducting a health history. Which component includes
information about the client's lifestyle and health practices?
A. Past medical history
B. Chief complaint
C. Health maintenance and lifestyle
D. Review of systems
Rationale: Health maintenance and lifestyle includes information about the client's
diet, exercise, sleep, stress, and health promotion practices.
12. A nurse is conducting a health history. Which component includes
information about the client's medications and allergies?
A. Past medical history
B. Medication and allergy history
Assessment Study Guide Practice Questions
Answer Explanations Vital Signs Physical
Assessment History Taking Documentation
Clinical Findings Review
SECTION 1: HEALTH ASSESSMENT & NURSING PROCESS (1–15)
1. A nurse is admitting a client to the medical unit. Which action should the
nurse take first?
A. Administer prescribed medications
B. Perform a comprehensive health assessment
C. Develop a nursing care plan
D. Document the client's vital signs
Rationale: Assessment is the first step of the nursing process and must be
completed before any other phase. The nurse must collect data to identify the
client's needs before planning or implementing care.
2. A nurse is collecting data about a client's health status. Which type of data
is the nurse obtaining when asking about the client's medical history?
A. Objective data
B. Subjective data
C. Secondary data
D. Tertiary data
Rationale: Subjective data includes information the client reports, such as
feelings, perceptions, and health history. Objective data includes observable and
measurable findings.
,3. A nurse measures a client's blood pressure and records it as 150/90 mmHg.
This is an example of:
A. Subjective data
B. Objective data
C. Secondary data
D. Tertiary data
Rationale: Objective data includes observable and measurable information
obtained through physical examination and diagnostic testing.
4. A nurse is performing an initial assessment on a newly admitted client.
Which type of assessment is the nurse conducting?
A. Focused assessment
B. Comprehensive assessment
C. Emergency assessment
D. Time-lapsed assessment
Rationale: A comprehensive assessment includes a complete health history and
physical examination, typically performed on admission.
5. A nurse is conducting a focused assessment. Which situation best describes
a focused assessment?
A. A comprehensive head-to-toe examination on admission
B. Assessing a client's incision site after surgery
C. Performing a complete health history
D. Conducting a yearly physical examination
Rationale: A focused assessment addresses a specific client concern or problem,
such as assessing a surgical incision site.
,6. A nurse is using the SBAR communication tool. Which component of SBAR
includes the nurse's recommendation?
A. Situation
B. Background
C. Assessment
D. Recommendation
Rationale: SBAR stands for Situation, Background, Assessment, and
Recommendation. The recommendation is what the nurse suggests should be done.
7. A nurse is conducting a health history. Which component includes the
client's reason for seeking care?
A. Past medical history
B. Chief complaint
C. Family history
D. Review of systems
Rationale: The chief complaint is the client's reason for seeking care, stated in the
client's own words.
8. A nurse is conducting a health history. Which component includes
information about the client's family?
A. Past medical history
B. Chief complaint
C. Family history
D. Review of systems
Rationale: Family history includes information about the health status of the
client's immediate family members, including genetic and hereditary conditions.
9. A nurse is conducting a health history. Which component includes a head-
to-toe review of the client's systems?
, A. Past medical history
B. Chief complaint
C. Family history
D. Review of systems
Rationale: The review of systems is a systematic collection of data about each
body system to identify potential health problems.
10. A nurse is conducting a health history. Which component includes
information about the client's previous illnesses and surgeries?
A. Past medical history
B. Chief complaint
C. Family history
D. Review of systems
Rationale: Past medical history includes information about the client's previous
illnesses, surgeries, hospitalizations, and medications.
11. A nurse is conducting a health history. Which component includes
information about the client's lifestyle and health practices?
A. Past medical history
B. Chief complaint
C. Health maintenance and lifestyle
D. Review of systems
Rationale: Health maintenance and lifestyle includes information about the client's
diet, exercise, sleep, stress, and health promotion practices.
12. A nurse is conducting a health history. Which component includes
information about the client's medications and allergies?
A. Past medical history
B. Medication and allergy history
