,NR 302 Health Assessment I Exam Prep
— Comprehensive Review + Practice
MCQs — Chamberlain College of
Nursing 2025/2026
Topics: Nursing process, critical thinking, evidence-based practice, types of data, assessment techniques,
health history components, therapeutic communication, cultural competence.
1. A nurse is conducting a health interview with a newly admitted patient. The patient states, "I've been having
this sharp pain in my chest that comes and goes." How should the nurse classify this information?
A. Objective data
B. Subjective data
C. Secondary data
D. Diagnostic data
Correct Answer: B. Subjective data
Rationale: Subjective data are information the patient tells the nurse, including feelings, perceptions, and
symptoms. The patient's verbal description of chest pain is subjective. Objective data are measurable or
observable (vital signs, physical findings). Secondary data come from someone other than the patient (family,
medical record). Diagnostic data are results of tests or procedures.
2. During a physical assessment, a nurse measures a patient's blood pressure as 148/92 mmHg. This finding is
classified as which type of data?
,A. Subjective data
B. Objective data
C. Historical data
D. Interpretive data
Correct Answer: B. Objective data
Rationale: Objective data are signs that can be directly observed, measured, or tested by the nurse. Blood
pressure measurement is a quantifiable, measurable finding. Subjective data would be how the patient feels
(e.g., "I feel dizzy"). Historical data refers to past medical history, which is a component of the health history
but not a classification of data type.
3. A nurse is preparing to assess a patient's abdomen. Which order of physical assessment techniques should
the nurse use?
A. Inspection, Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation
B. Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion, Palpation
C. Auscultation, Inspection, Palpation, Percussion
D. Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation, Inspection
Correct Answer: B. Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion, Palpation
Rationale: For abdominal assessment, auscultation is performed before percussion and palpation because
these techniques can alter bowel sounds. The correct order is: Inspection (look), Auscultation (listen),
Percussion (tap), Palpation (feel). For all other body systems, the standard order is Inspection, Palpation,
Percussion, Auscultation.
, 4. Which statement best describes the purpose of the assessment phase of the nursing process?
A. To prescribe medications and treatments
B. To collect subjective and objective data about the patient
C. To evaluate whether patient goals have been met
D. To develop a plan of care
Correct Answer: B. To collect subjective and objective data about the patient
Rationale: Assessment is the first and most critical step of the nursing process (ADPIE). Its purpose is to gather
comprehensive data through health history (subjective) and physical examination (objective). Diagnosis
involves analyzing data; Planning involves setting goals; Implementation involves executing interventions;
Evaluation determines outcome achievement.
5. A nurse is interviewing a patient who becomes tearful when discussing a recent divorce. Which therapeutic
communication technique is most appropriate?
A. "Why are you so upset about this?"
B. "Let's move on to your physical symptoms."
C. "I can see this is difficult for you. Would you like to take a moment?"
D. "Many people get divorced. You'll be fine."
Correct Answer: C. "I can see this is difficult for you. Would you like to take a moment?"
Rationale: This response demonstrates empathy and respect for the patient's emotional state. It acknowledges
the patient's feelings without judgment and offers the patient control. "Why" questions can make patients
defensive. Changing the subject dismisses the patient's emotions. Offering false reassurance minimizes the
patient's experience.
— Comprehensive Review + Practice
MCQs — Chamberlain College of
Nursing 2025/2026
Topics: Nursing process, critical thinking, evidence-based practice, types of data, assessment techniques,
health history components, therapeutic communication, cultural competence.
1. A nurse is conducting a health interview with a newly admitted patient. The patient states, "I've been having
this sharp pain in my chest that comes and goes." How should the nurse classify this information?
A. Objective data
B. Subjective data
C. Secondary data
D. Diagnostic data
Correct Answer: B. Subjective data
Rationale: Subjective data are information the patient tells the nurse, including feelings, perceptions, and
symptoms. The patient's verbal description of chest pain is subjective. Objective data are measurable or
observable (vital signs, physical findings). Secondary data come from someone other than the patient (family,
medical record). Diagnostic data are results of tests or procedures.
2. During a physical assessment, a nurse measures a patient's blood pressure as 148/92 mmHg. This finding is
classified as which type of data?
,A. Subjective data
B. Objective data
C. Historical data
D. Interpretive data
Correct Answer: B. Objective data
Rationale: Objective data are signs that can be directly observed, measured, or tested by the nurse. Blood
pressure measurement is a quantifiable, measurable finding. Subjective data would be how the patient feels
(e.g., "I feel dizzy"). Historical data refers to past medical history, which is a component of the health history
but not a classification of data type.
3. A nurse is preparing to assess a patient's abdomen. Which order of physical assessment techniques should
the nurse use?
A. Inspection, Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation
B. Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion, Palpation
C. Auscultation, Inspection, Palpation, Percussion
D. Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation, Inspection
Correct Answer: B. Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion, Palpation
Rationale: For abdominal assessment, auscultation is performed before percussion and palpation because
these techniques can alter bowel sounds. The correct order is: Inspection (look), Auscultation (listen),
Percussion (tap), Palpation (feel). For all other body systems, the standard order is Inspection, Palpation,
Percussion, Auscultation.
, 4. Which statement best describes the purpose of the assessment phase of the nursing process?
A. To prescribe medications and treatments
B. To collect subjective and objective data about the patient
C. To evaluate whether patient goals have been met
D. To develop a plan of care
Correct Answer: B. To collect subjective and objective data about the patient
Rationale: Assessment is the first and most critical step of the nursing process (ADPIE). Its purpose is to gather
comprehensive data through health history (subjective) and physical examination (objective). Diagnosis
involves analyzing data; Planning involves setting goals; Implementation involves executing interventions;
Evaluation determines outcome achievement.
5. A nurse is interviewing a patient who becomes tearful when discussing a recent divorce. Which therapeutic
communication technique is most appropriate?
A. "Why are you so upset about this?"
B. "Let's move on to your physical symptoms."
C. "I can see this is difficult for you. Would you like to take a moment?"
D. "Many people get divorced. You'll be fine."
Correct Answer: C. "I can see this is difficult for you. Would you like to take a moment?"
Rationale: This response demonstrates empathy and respect for the patient's emotional state. It acknowledges
the patient's feelings without judgment and offers the patient control. "Why" questions can make patients
defensive. Changing the subject dismisses the patient's emotions. Offering false reassurance minimizes the
patient's experience.
