,NSG 3160 Exam 1 | Health Assessment (2026/2027) PDF |
Nursing | Galen College
1. Which of the following best describes the primary purpose of a
comprehensive health history?
A) To establish a medical diagnosis
B) To collect subjective information about the patient's health and identify
health concerns
C) To replace the physical examination
D) To determine the patient's insurance coverage
Correct Answer: To collect subjective information about the patient's health and
identify health concerns
Rationale: A comprehensive health history provides subjective data about the
patient's current and past health, risks, concerns, and functional status. It forms
the foundation for the physical examination and the plan of care. It does not
establish a medical diagnosis, replace the physical examination, or determine
insurance coverage.
2. What type of database is most appropriate when rapid data collection is
required and is often compiled concurrently with lifesaving measures?
A) Complete database
B) Focused database
C) Follow-up database
D) Emergency database
,Correct Answer: Emergency database
Rationale: An emergency database involves the rapid collection of data, often
obtained concurrently with lifesaving measures. A complete database includes a
full health history and physical examination. A focused database addresses a
limited or short-term problem. A follow-up database evaluates the status of
identified problems at regular intervals.
3. According to the critical-thinking process in nursing, which action is
considered the most important step?
A) Clustering subjective and objective data
B) Analyzing health data
C) Using evidence-based assessment techniques
D) Prioritizing health concerns
Correct Answer: Using evidence-based assessment techniques
Rationale: Evidence-based assessment techniques are supported by research
demonstrating effectiveness and provide the safest, most current methods to
promote patient health. Clustering data, analyzing health data, and prioritizing
concerns are all steps in the critical-thinking process, but they are not the most
important step.
4. Which of the following is an example of objective data?
, A) A sore throat
B) An earache
C) Alert and oriented
D) Dizziness
Correct Answer: Alert and oriented
Rationale: Objective data is what the health professional observes by
inspecting, percussing, palpating, and auscultating during the physical
examination. Level of consciousness and orientation are observations.
Subjective data is what the person says about himself or herself during history
taking, such as a sore throat, earache, or dizziness.
5. Which of the following is an example of subjective data?
A) Blood glucose of 126 mg/dL
B) Pain rated at 7 out of 10
C) Heart rate of 76 bpm
D) Bruising on the lower leg
Correct Answer: Pain rated at 7 out of 10
Rationale: Subjective data is what the patient says about himself or herself
during history taking. Pain rating is a subjective report. Objective data is what
the health professional observes by inspecting, percussing, palpating, and
auscultating. Blood glucose, heart rate, and bruising are objective findings.
Nursing | Galen College
1. Which of the following best describes the primary purpose of a
comprehensive health history?
A) To establish a medical diagnosis
B) To collect subjective information about the patient's health and identify
health concerns
C) To replace the physical examination
D) To determine the patient's insurance coverage
Correct Answer: To collect subjective information about the patient's health and
identify health concerns
Rationale: A comprehensive health history provides subjective data about the
patient's current and past health, risks, concerns, and functional status. It forms
the foundation for the physical examination and the plan of care. It does not
establish a medical diagnosis, replace the physical examination, or determine
insurance coverage.
2. What type of database is most appropriate when rapid data collection is
required and is often compiled concurrently with lifesaving measures?
A) Complete database
B) Focused database
C) Follow-up database
D) Emergency database
,Correct Answer: Emergency database
Rationale: An emergency database involves the rapid collection of data, often
obtained concurrently with lifesaving measures. A complete database includes a
full health history and physical examination. A focused database addresses a
limited or short-term problem. A follow-up database evaluates the status of
identified problems at regular intervals.
3. According to the critical-thinking process in nursing, which action is
considered the most important step?
A) Clustering subjective and objective data
B) Analyzing health data
C) Using evidence-based assessment techniques
D) Prioritizing health concerns
Correct Answer: Using evidence-based assessment techniques
Rationale: Evidence-based assessment techniques are supported by research
demonstrating effectiveness and provide the safest, most current methods to
promote patient health. Clustering data, analyzing health data, and prioritizing
concerns are all steps in the critical-thinking process, but they are not the most
important step.
4. Which of the following is an example of objective data?
, A) A sore throat
B) An earache
C) Alert and oriented
D) Dizziness
Correct Answer: Alert and oriented
Rationale: Objective data is what the health professional observes by
inspecting, percussing, palpating, and auscultating during the physical
examination. Level of consciousness and orientation are observations.
Subjective data is what the person says about himself or herself during history
taking, such as a sore throat, earache, or dizziness.
5. Which of the following is an example of subjective data?
A) Blood glucose of 126 mg/dL
B) Pain rated at 7 out of 10
C) Heart rate of 76 bpm
D) Bruising on the lower leg
Correct Answer: Pain rated at 7 out of 10
Rationale: Subjective data is what the patient says about himself or herself
during history taking. Pain rating is a subjective report. Objective data is what
the health professional observes by inspecting, percussing, palpating, and
auscultating. Blood glucose, heart rate, and bruising are objective findings.
