NSG 3160 Health Assessment
Review 2026/2027 – Questions
& Answers, Detailed Rationales,
Exam Prep Guaranteed Pass
(GRADED A+)
1. Which assessment technique should the nurse use first
when examining the abdomen?
A. Palpation
B. Percussion
C. Auscultation
D. Inspection
Answer: C. Auscultation
Rationale: Abdominal assessment follows the sequence of
inspection, auscultation, percussion, and palpation because
percussion and palpation can alter bowel sounds.
2. Which finding is considered a normal adult respiratory
rate at rest?
,A. 6 breaths/min
B. 12–20 breaths/min
C. 24–30 breaths/min
D. 32–40 breaths/min
Answer: B. 12–20 breaths/min
Rationale: A resting respiratory rate of approximately 12–20
breaths per minute is generally considered normal for a healthy
adult.
3. Which pulse characteristic refers to the force of blood
against the arterial wall?
A. Rhythm
B. Rate
C. Amplitude
D. Location
Answer: C. Amplitude
Rationale: Pulse amplitude describes the strength or force of the
pulse and is commonly documented using a standardized scale.
4. Which question is most appropriate when assessing a
patient's chief complaint?
A. “Why did you wait so long to seek care?”
B. “Can you tell me what brought you in today?”
,C. “You don't have any serious symptoms, correct?”
D. “Is your pain caused by your medication?”
Answer: B. “Can you tell me what brought you in today?”
Rationale: An open-ended question allows the patient to
describe the primary concern in their own words without
introducing assumptions.
5. Which finding would the nurse expect when assessing
normal skin in an adult?
A. Cyanosis
B. Generalized pallor
C. Warm, intact skin appropriate to the patient's baseline
pigmentation
D. Nonblanching erythema
Answer: C. Warm, intact skin appropriate to the patient's
baseline pigmentation
Rationale: Normal skin assessment includes intactness,
temperature appropriate to the environment and patient, and
coloration consistent with the individual's baseline.
6. Which technique is most appropriate for assessing tactile
fremitus?
A. Listening with the diaphragm of the stethoscope
B. Using the fingertips to assess chest expansion
, C. Placing the ulnar surfaces of the hands on the posterior chest
while the patient speaks
D. Percussing the anterior chest wall
Answer: C. Placing the ulnar surfaces of the hands on the
posterior chest while the patient speaks
Rationale: Tactile fremitus evaluates palpable vibrations
transmitted through the bronchopulmonary system as the patient
speaks.
7. Which pupil finding is expected in a healthy adult?
A. Pupils unequal in size and nonreactive
B. Pupils equal, round, and reactive to light
C. Pupils fixed in the midposition
D. Pupils dilated and nonreactive
Answer: B. Pupils equal, round, and reactive to light
Rationale: Normal pupils are typically equal, round, and
reactive to light and accommodation.
8. What is the primary purpose of using a pain assessment
scale?
A. To determine whether the patient is exaggerating symptoms
B. To objectively measure the patient's exact amount of tissue
damage
C. To obtain a standardized description of the patient's perceived
Review 2026/2027 – Questions
& Answers, Detailed Rationales,
Exam Prep Guaranteed Pass
(GRADED A+)
1. Which assessment technique should the nurse use first
when examining the abdomen?
A. Palpation
B. Percussion
C. Auscultation
D. Inspection
Answer: C. Auscultation
Rationale: Abdominal assessment follows the sequence of
inspection, auscultation, percussion, and palpation because
percussion and palpation can alter bowel sounds.
2. Which finding is considered a normal adult respiratory
rate at rest?
,A. 6 breaths/min
B. 12–20 breaths/min
C. 24–30 breaths/min
D. 32–40 breaths/min
Answer: B. 12–20 breaths/min
Rationale: A resting respiratory rate of approximately 12–20
breaths per minute is generally considered normal for a healthy
adult.
3. Which pulse characteristic refers to the force of blood
against the arterial wall?
A. Rhythm
B. Rate
C. Amplitude
D. Location
Answer: C. Amplitude
Rationale: Pulse amplitude describes the strength or force of the
pulse and is commonly documented using a standardized scale.
4. Which question is most appropriate when assessing a
patient's chief complaint?
A. “Why did you wait so long to seek care?”
B. “Can you tell me what brought you in today?”
,C. “You don't have any serious symptoms, correct?”
D. “Is your pain caused by your medication?”
Answer: B. “Can you tell me what brought you in today?”
Rationale: An open-ended question allows the patient to
describe the primary concern in their own words without
introducing assumptions.
5. Which finding would the nurse expect when assessing
normal skin in an adult?
A. Cyanosis
B. Generalized pallor
C. Warm, intact skin appropriate to the patient's baseline
pigmentation
D. Nonblanching erythema
Answer: C. Warm, intact skin appropriate to the patient's
baseline pigmentation
Rationale: Normal skin assessment includes intactness,
temperature appropriate to the environment and patient, and
coloration consistent with the individual's baseline.
6. Which technique is most appropriate for assessing tactile
fremitus?
A. Listening with the diaphragm of the stethoscope
B. Using the fingertips to assess chest expansion
, C. Placing the ulnar surfaces of the hands on the posterior chest
while the patient speaks
D. Percussing the anterior chest wall
Answer: C. Placing the ulnar surfaces of the hands on the
posterior chest while the patient speaks
Rationale: Tactile fremitus evaluates palpable vibrations
transmitted through the bronchopulmonary system as the patient
speaks.
7. Which pupil finding is expected in a healthy adult?
A. Pupils unequal in size and nonreactive
B. Pupils equal, round, and reactive to light
C. Pupils fixed in the midposition
D. Pupils dilated and nonreactive
Answer: B. Pupils equal, round, and reactive to light
Rationale: Normal pupils are typically equal, round, and
reactive to light and accommodation.
8. What is the primary purpose of using a pain assessment
scale?
A. To determine whether the patient is exaggerating symptoms
B. To objectively measure the patient's exact amount of tissue
damage
C. To obtain a standardized description of the patient's perceived
