,# Western Governors University (WGU)
D222 Comprehensive Health
Assessment Exam Prep —
Comprehensive Review + Practice
MCQs — Western Governors University
2025/2026
1. During a comprehensive health assessment, a nurse is differentiating between subjective and objective data.
Which finding represents subjective data?
A. A blood pressure reading of 138/88 mmHg
B. The presence of a fine rash on the patient's torso
C. A patient's report of feeling "dizzy and nauseous"
D. Observing a patient limping while walking to the exam room
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Subjective data are symptoms or experiences reported by the patient that cannot be directly
observed or measured by the examiner, such as dizziness, nausea, or pain . Objective data (options A, B, and D)
are measurable and observable findings obtained through physical examination, observation, or diagnostic
testing.
2. A nurse is preparing to perform a comprehensive health assessment. What is the primary purpose of this
assessment?
A. To confirm a medical diagnosis and initiate medical treatment
,B. To fulfill documentation requirements for insurance reimbursement
C. To collect subjective and objective data that establish a baseline for clinical decision-making
D. To determine the patient's eligibility for hospital admission
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The comprehensive health assessment systematically gathers subjective data (what the patient
reports) and objective data (what the examiner observes and measures) to establish a baseline and support
clinical judgments . Confirming a medical diagnosis is a provider role that occurs after data analysis, and
reimbursement or admission decisions are administrative byproducts, never the purpose of assessment.
3. A patient states, "My headache started three days ago and feels like a pounding pressure behind my eyes."
How should the nurse classify this information?
A. Objective data obtained by inspection
B. Objective data obtained by palpation
C. Subjective data, because it is a symptom reported by the patient
D. A sign that can be verified by another examiner
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Symptoms are subjective sensations or experiences that only the patient can describe and that
cannot be observed or measured by the examiner . A headache is a classic symptom. Objective data (signs) are
observable findings such as a rash, elevated blood pressure, or an abnormal lung sound.
4. A nurse measures a blood pressure of 88/50 mmHg in an alert, asymptomatic patient whose documented
baseline is 118/76 mmHg. Which action should the nurse take first?
, A. Notify the provider immediately of hypotension
B. Retake the measurement using correct technique and an appropriately sized cuff to validate the finding
C. Document the reading and plan to recheck it in 24 hours
D. Administer a bolus of intravenous fluid
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Unexpected or abnormal findings should always be validated before being documented or acted
upon. Equipment problems such as incorrect cuff size, incorrect arm position, or measurement error are
common causes of spurious readings . The nurse confirms the finding first; if hypotension persists or symptoms
appear, the provider is notified promptly rather than waiting 24 hours.
5. When obtaining a patient's history of present illness for chest pain, which question addresses the
"Provocative or Palliative" factor?
A. "Can you describe what the pain feels like?"
B. "What were you doing when the pain started, and what makes it better or worse?"
C. "On a scale of 0 to 10, how would you rate your pain?"
D. "When did the pain first start?"
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The "Provocative or Palliative" component of the symptom analysis asks what precipitates or
relieves the symptom. Asking what the patient was doing when the pain started and what makes it better or
worse directly addresses this factor .
D222 Comprehensive Health
Assessment Exam Prep —
Comprehensive Review + Practice
MCQs — Western Governors University
2025/2026
1. During a comprehensive health assessment, a nurse is differentiating between subjective and objective data.
Which finding represents subjective data?
A. A blood pressure reading of 138/88 mmHg
B. The presence of a fine rash on the patient's torso
C. A patient's report of feeling "dizzy and nauseous"
D. Observing a patient limping while walking to the exam room
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Subjective data are symptoms or experiences reported by the patient that cannot be directly
observed or measured by the examiner, such as dizziness, nausea, or pain . Objective data (options A, B, and D)
are measurable and observable findings obtained through physical examination, observation, or diagnostic
testing.
2. A nurse is preparing to perform a comprehensive health assessment. What is the primary purpose of this
assessment?
A. To confirm a medical diagnosis and initiate medical treatment
,B. To fulfill documentation requirements for insurance reimbursement
C. To collect subjective and objective data that establish a baseline for clinical decision-making
D. To determine the patient's eligibility for hospital admission
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The comprehensive health assessment systematically gathers subjective data (what the patient
reports) and objective data (what the examiner observes and measures) to establish a baseline and support
clinical judgments . Confirming a medical diagnosis is a provider role that occurs after data analysis, and
reimbursement or admission decisions are administrative byproducts, never the purpose of assessment.
3. A patient states, "My headache started three days ago and feels like a pounding pressure behind my eyes."
How should the nurse classify this information?
A. Objective data obtained by inspection
B. Objective data obtained by palpation
C. Subjective data, because it is a symptom reported by the patient
D. A sign that can be verified by another examiner
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Symptoms are subjective sensations or experiences that only the patient can describe and that
cannot be observed or measured by the examiner . A headache is a classic symptom. Objective data (signs) are
observable findings such as a rash, elevated blood pressure, or an abnormal lung sound.
4. A nurse measures a blood pressure of 88/50 mmHg in an alert, asymptomatic patient whose documented
baseline is 118/76 mmHg. Which action should the nurse take first?
, A. Notify the provider immediately of hypotension
B. Retake the measurement using correct technique and an appropriately sized cuff to validate the finding
C. Document the reading and plan to recheck it in 24 hours
D. Administer a bolus of intravenous fluid
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Unexpected or abnormal findings should always be validated before being documented or acted
upon. Equipment problems such as incorrect cuff size, incorrect arm position, or measurement error are
common causes of spurious readings . The nurse confirms the finding first; if hypotension persists or symptoms
appear, the provider is notified promptly rather than waiting 24 hours.
5. When obtaining a patient's history of present illness for chest pain, which question addresses the
"Provocative or Palliative" factor?
A. "Can you describe what the pain feels like?"
B. "What were you doing when the pain started, and what makes it better or worse?"
C. "On a scale of 0 to 10, how would you rate your pain?"
D. "When did the pain first start?"
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The "Provocative or Palliative" component of the symptom analysis asks what precipitates or
relieves the symptom. Asking what the patient was doing when the pain started and what makes it better or
worse directly addresses this factor .
