,NR 306 Health Assessment Exam Prep —
Comprehensive Review + Practice MCQs —
Chamberlain College of Nursing 2025/2026
1. A nurse is preparing to perform a comprehensive health assessment on a newly admitted patient. Which of
the following should the nurse perform FIRST?
A. Palpate the abdomen for tenderness
B. Obtain a complete health history
C. Perform a head-to-toe physical examination
D. Auscultate heart sounds
Correct Answer: B. Obtain a complete health history
Rationale: The health history provides subjective data that guides the focus and sequence of the physical
examination. Collecting this data first allows the nurse to identify areas requiring special attention during the
physical assessment. Physical examination techniques follow after history collection.
2. During a health history interview, the patient states, "The pain started three days ago after I lifted a heavy
box." This information is classified as:
A. Objective data
B. Subjective data
C. Assessment finding
D. Diagnostic result
Correct Answer: B. Subjective data
,Rationale: Subjective data includes information the patient reports about their own health status, including
symptoms, feelings, and perceptions. "The pain started three days ago" is the patient's verbal report. Objective
data would be what the nurse observes or measures.
3. A nurse is using the PQRST mnemonic to assess a patient's pain. What does the "Q" represent?
A. Quality
B. Quantity
C. Quality and Quantity
D. Quelling factors
Correct Answer: C. Quality and Quantity
Rationale: In the PQRST mnemonic: P = Provocative/Palliative, Q = Quality/Quantity, R = Region/Radiation, S =
Severity Scale, T = Timing. The "Q" encompasses both the character of the pain (e.g., burning, stabbing) and its
intensity/amount.
4. Which assessment technique involves using the fingertips to examine the texture, temperature, and
moisture of the skin?
A. Inspection
B. Palpation
C. Percussion
D. Auscultation
Correct Answer: B. Palpation
, Rationale: Palpation uses touch to assess texture, temperature, moisture, organ location and size, and
presence of lumps or masses. The fingertips are best for fine tactile discrimination such as skin texture and
swelling.
5. A nurse is preparing to auscultate a patient's lung sounds. Where should the nurse place the stethoscope to
hear the right middle lobe?
A. Right anterior chest at the 2nd intercostal space
B. Right anterior chest at the 4th intercostal space, midclavicular line
C. Right posterior chest at the 3rd intercostal space
D. Right lateral chest at the 5th intercostal space
Correct Answer: B. Right anterior chest at the 4th intercostal space, midclavicular line
Rationale: The right middle lobe is best assessed on the anterior chest at the 4th intercostal space at the
midclavicular line. The right upper lobe is at the 2nd intercostal space, and posterior assessment primarily
evaluates the lower lobes.
6. During inspection of a patient's abdomen, the nurse observes a visible pulsation in the epigastric area. The
nurse should:
A. Palpate deeply to assess the pulsation
B. Auscultate for a bruit before palpating
C. Document this as a normal finding
D. Percuss to determine the size of the pulsation
Correct Answer: B. Auscultate for a bruit before palpating
Comprehensive Review + Practice MCQs —
Chamberlain College of Nursing 2025/2026
1. A nurse is preparing to perform a comprehensive health assessment on a newly admitted patient. Which of
the following should the nurse perform FIRST?
A. Palpate the abdomen for tenderness
B. Obtain a complete health history
C. Perform a head-to-toe physical examination
D. Auscultate heart sounds
Correct Answer: B. Obtain a complete health history
Rationale: The health history provides subjective data that guides the focus and sequence of the physical
examination. Collecting this data first allows the nurse to identify areas requiring special attention during the
physical assessment. Physical examination techniques follow after history collection.
2. During a health history interview, the patient states, "The pain started three days ago after I lifted a heavy
box." This information is classified as:
A. Objective data
B. Subjective data
C. Assessment finding
D. Diagnostic result
Correct Answer: B. Subjective data
,Rationale: Subjective data includes information the patient reports about their own health status, including
symptoms, feelings, and perceptions. "The pain started three days ago" is the patient's verbal report. Objective
data would be what the nurse observes or measures.
3. A nurse is using the PQRST mnemonic to assess a patient's pain. What does the "Q" represent?
A. Quality
B. Quantity
C. Quality and Quantity
D. Quelling factors
Correct Answer: C. Quality and Quantity
Rationale: In the PQRST mnemonic: P = Provocative/Palliative, Q = Quality/Quantity, R = Region/Radiation, S =
Severity Scale, T = Timing. The "Q" encompasses both the character of the pain (e.g., burning, stabbing) and its
intensity/amount.
4. Which assessment technique involves using the fingertips to examine the texture, temperature, and
moisture of the skin?
A. Inspection
B. Palpation
C. Percussion
D. Auscultation
Correct Answer: B. Palpation
, Rationale: Palpation uses touch to assess texture, temperature, moisture, organ location and size, and
presence of lumps or masses. The fingertips are best for fine tactile discrimination such as skin texture and
swelling.
5. A nurse is preparing to auscultate a patient's lung sounds. Where should the nurse place the stethoscope to
hear the right middle lobe?
A. Right anterior chest at the 2nd intercostal space
B. Right anterior chest at the 4th intercostal space, midclavicular line
C. Right posterior chest at the 3rd intercostal space
D. Right lateral chest at the 5th intercostal space
Correct Answer: B. Right anterior chest at the 4th intercostal space, midclavicular line
Rationale: The right middle lobe is best assessed on the anterior chest at the 4th intercostal space at the
midclavicular line. The right upper lobe is at the 2nd intercostal space, and posterior assessment primarily
evaluates the lower lobes.
6. During inspection of a patient's abdomen, the nurse observes a visible pulsation in the epigastric area. The
nurse should:
A. Palpate deeply to assess the pulsation
B. Auscultate for a bruit before palpating
C. Document this as a normal finding
D. Percuss to determine the size of the pulsation
Correct Answer: B. Auscultate for a bruit before palpating
