JARVIS: PHYSICAL EXAMINATION & HEALTH ASSESSMENT
TEST BANK 2026 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2026
CORE DOMAINS
Foundations of Health Assessment: Clinical Reasoning, Health History &
Cultural Competence
General Survey, Vital Signs, Pain Assessment & Nutrition Screening
Skin, Hair, and Nails Assessment
Head, Eyes, Ears, Nose, and Throat Assessment
Thorax and Lungs Assessment
Heart and Neck Vessels Assessment
Peripheral Vascular System and Lymphatic System Assessment
Abdomen Assessment
Musculoskeletal System Assessment
Neurologic System Assessment
INTRODUCTION
This comprehensive examination assesses the health assessment
knowledge and clinical reasoning skills required of the nursing student. It
evaluates foundational interviewing techniques, health history collection,
culturally competent care, and systematic physical examination across all
body systems. The examination employs multiple-choice and scenario-
based questions to simulate realistic clinical encounters. Emphasis is
placed on critical thinking, accurate interpretation of assessment findings,
professional documentation, and the application of evidence-based
assessment principles in diverse patient populations. This assessment
prepares candidates for the rigor of nursing certification and real-world
clinical practice.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
1. A nursing student is obtaining a health history from a new patient.
Which component of the health history is documented using the
mnemonic OLDCARTS?
,A. Biographical data and demographic information
B. The history of the present illness including onset, location, duration,
character, aggravating/relieving factors, radiation, timing, and severity
C. The past medical and surgical history
D. The family history and genetic risk factors
B. The history of the present illness including onset, location, duration,
character, aggravating/relieving factors, radiation, timing, and severity
RATIONALE: OLDCARTS is a systematic mnemonic used to document
the History of Present Illness, capturing key characteristics of the patient's
chief complaint. Biographical data, past history, and family history are
separate components of the complete health history.
2. A nurse is interviewing a patient who speaks limited English. An
interpreter is available. Which technique is MOST appropriate for
conducting the interview?
A. Speak directly to the interpreter and ask them to relay questions to the
patient
B. Speak directly to the patient in short, simple sentences, maintain eye
contact with the patient, and use the interpreter as a communication bridge
rather than speaking to the interpreter about the patient
C. Use medical terminology to ensure precise translation by the interpreter
D. Ask the patient's family member who is bilingual to interpret to save time
B. Speak directly to the patient in short, simple sentences, maintain eye
contact with the patient, and use the interpreter as a communication bridge
rather than speaking to the interpreter about the patient
RATIONALE: Best practice for working with interpreters involves
speaking directly to the patient, maintaining eye contact with the patient,
using short sentences, and pausing for translation. This preserves the
therapeutic relationship and shows respect. Speaking to the interpreter
depersonalizes the interaction, medical terminology increases translation
error risk, and using family members violates confidentiality and may result
in inaccurate interpretation.
,3. Receiving is a part of the communication process. Which receiver
is MOST likely to misinterpret a message sent by a health care
professional?
A. Well-adjusted adolescent who came in for a sports physical
B. Recovering alcoholic who came in for a basic physical examination
C. Man whose wife has just been diagnosed with lung cancer
D. Man with a hearing impairment who uses sign language to communicate
and who has an interpreter with him
C. Man whose wife has just been diagnosed with lung cancer
RATIONALE: The receiver most likely to misinterpret a message is the
man whose wife has just been diagnosed with lung cancer. His emotional
state (anxiety, grief, stress) will interfere with his ability to accurately
receive and process information. Emotional distress is a significant barrier
to effective communication.
4. The nurse makes which adjustment in the physical environment to
promote the success of an interview?
A. Reduces noise by turning off televisions and radios
B. Reduces the distance between the interviewer and the patient to 2 feet
or less
C. Provides a dim light that makes the room cozy and helps the patient
relax
D. Arranges seating across a desk or table to allow the patient some
personal space
A. Reduces noise by turning off televisions and radios
RATIONALE: Reducing noise is essential for a successful interview.
The nurse should turn off televisions and radios to minimize distractions.
Reducing distance to 2 feet or less invades personal space. Dim lighting
may make it difficult to observe nonverbal cues. Seating across a desk
creates a barrier rather than promoting rapport.
, 5. In an interview, the nurse may find it necessary to take notes to aid
his or her memory later. Which statement is true regarding note-
taking?
A. Note-taking may impede the nurse's observation of the patient's
nonverbal behaviors
B. Note-taking allows the patient to continue at his or her own pace as the
nurse records what is said
C. Note-taking allows the nurse to shift attention away from the patient,
resulting in an increased comfort level
D. Note-taking allows the nurse to break eye contact with the patient, which
may increase his or her level of comfort
A. Note-taking may impede the nurse's observation of the patient's
nonverbal behaviors
RATIONALE: Note-taking may impede the nurse's observation of the
patient's nonverbal behaviors, as the nurse is focused on writing rather
than observing. Excessive note-taking can also make the patient feel that
the nurse is not fully listening.
6. The nurse asks, "I would like to ask you some questions about your
health and your usual daily activities so that we can better plan your
stay here." This question is found at the _____ phase of the interview
process.
A. Summary
B. Closing
C. Body
D. Opening or introduction
D. Opening or introduction
RATIONALE: This is an example of an opening or introduction question.
The opening phase establishes the purpose of the interview and sets the
tone for the interaction. The summary phase reviews key findings, the
closing phase concludes the interview, and the body phase gathers the
detailed health history.
TEST BANK 2026 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2026
CORE DOMAINS
Foundations of Health Assessment: Clinical Reasoning, Health History &
Cultural Competence
General Survey, Vital Signs, Pain Assessment & Nutrition Screening
Skin, Hair, and Nails Assessment
Head, Eyes, Ears, Nose, and Throat Assessment
Thorax and Lungs Assessment
Heart and Neck Vessels Assessment
Peripheral Vascular System and Lymphatic System Assessment
Abdomen Assessment
Musculoskeletal System Assessment
Neurologic System Assessment
INTRODUCTION
This comprehensive examination assesses the health assessment
knowledge and clinical reasoning skills required of the nursing student. It
evaluates foundational interviewing techniques, health history collection,
culturally competent care, and systematic physical examination across all
body systems. The examination employs multiple-choice and scenario-
based questions to simulate realistic clinical encounters. Emphasis is
placed on critical thinking, accurate interpretation of assessment findings,
professional documentation, and the application of evidence-based
assessment principles in diverse patient populations. This assessment
prepares candidates for the rigor of nursing certification and real-world
clinical practice.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
1. A nursing student is obtaining a health history from a new patient.
Which component of the health history is documented using the
mnemonic OLDCARTS?
,A. Biographical data and demographic information
B. The history of the present illness including onset, location, duration,
character, aggravating/relieving factors, radiation, timing, and severity
C. The past medical and surgical history
D. The family history and genetic risk factors
B. The history of the present illness including onset, location, duration,
character, aggravating/relieving factors, radiation, timing, and severity
RATIONALE: OLDCARTS is a systematic mnemonic used to document
the History of Present Illness, capturing key characteristics of the patient's
chief complaint. Biographical data, past history, and family history are
separate components of the complete health history.
2. A nurse is interviewing a patient who speaks limited English. An
interpreter is available. Which technique is MOST appropriate for
conducting the interview?
A. Speak directly to the interpreter and ask them to relay questions to the
patient
B. Speak directly to the patient in short, simple sentences, maintain eye
contact with the patient, and use the interpreter as a communication bridge
rather than speaking to the interpreter about the patient
C. Use medical terminology to ensure precise translation by the interpreter
D. Ask the patient's family member who is bilingual to interpret to save time
B. Speak directly to the patient in short, simple sentences, maintain eye
contact with the patient, and use the interpreter as a communication bridge
rather than speaking to the interpreter about the patient
RATIONALE: Best practice for working with interpreters involves
speaking directly to the patient, maintaining eye contact with the patient,
using short sentences, and pausing for translation. This preserves the
therapeutic relationship and shows respect. Speaking to the interpreter
depersonalizes the interaction, medical terminology increases translation
error risk, and using family members violates confidentiality and may result
in inaccurate interpretation.
,3. Receiving is a part of the communication process. Which receiver
is MOST likely to misinterpret a message sent by a health care
professional?
A. Well-adjusted adolescent who came in for a sports physical
B. Recovering alcoholic who came in for a basic physical examination
C. Man whose wife has just been diagnosed with lung cancer
D. Man with a hearing impairment who uses sign language to communicate
and who has an interpreter with him
C. Man whose wife has just been diagnosed with lung cancer
RATIONALE: The receiver most likely to misinterpret a message is the
man whose wife has just been diagnosed with lung cancer. His emotional
state (anxiety, grief, stress) will interfere with his ability to accurately
receive and process information. Emotional distress is a significant barrier
to effective communication.
4. The nurse makes which adjustment in the physical environment to
promote the success of an interview?
A. Reduces noise by turning off televisions and radios
B. Reduces the distance between the interviewer and the patient to 2 feet
or less
C. Provides a dim light that makes the room cozy and helps the patient
relax
D. Arranges seating across a desk or table to allow the patient some
personal space
A. Reduces noise by turning off televisions and radios
RATIONALE: Reducing noise is essential for a successful interview.
The nurse should turn off televisions and radios to minimize distractions.
Reducing distance to 2 feet or less invades personal space. Dim lighting
may make it difficult to observe nonverbal cues. Seating across a desk
creates a barrier rather than promoting rapport.
, 5. In an interview, the nurse may find it necessary to take notes to aid
his or her memory later. Which statement is true regarding note-
taking?
A. Note-taking may impede the nurse's observation of the patient's
nonverbal behaviors
B. Note-taking allows the patient to continue at his or her own pace as the
nurse records what is said
C. Note-taking allows the nurse to shift attention away from the patient,
resulting in an increased comfort level
D. Note-taking allows the nurse to break eye contact with the patient, which
may increase his or her level of comfort
A. Note-taking may impede the nurse's observation of the patient's
nonverbal behaviors
RATIONALE: Note-taking may impede the nurse's observation of the
patient's nonverbal behaviors, as the nurse is focused on writing rather
than observing. Excessive note-taking can also make the patient feel that
the nurse is not fully listening.
6. The nurse asks, "I would like to ask you some questions about your
health and your usual daily activities so that we can better plan your
stay here." This question is found at the _____ phase of the interview
process.
A. Summary
B. Closing
C. Body
D. Opening or introduction
D. Opening or introduction
RATIONALE: This is an example of an opening or introduction question.
The opening phase establishes the purpose of the interview and sets the
tone for the interaction. The summary phase reviews key findings, the
closing phase concludes the interview, and the body phase gathers the
detailed health history.
