Nursing Health Assessment Complete Study Guide | 120 Practice
Questions with Answers and Rationales 2026/2027
Practice questions
1. Which finding is subjective data?
A. The client reports burning pain
B. Observed ankle edema
C. Temperature of 38.5 degrees Celsius
D. Measured heart rate of 112
Answer: A
Rationale: Subjective data describe experiences reported by the client rather than
directly measured findings.
2. Which opening question best elicits the chief concern?
A. Your problem is minor correct
B. What brought you in today
C. Why did you wait so long
D. You are here for a cough right
Answer: B
Rationale: An open question allows the client to describe the main concern without
leading or blame.
3. Which information belongs in a medication history?
A. Only the pharmacy's address
B. Prescription drugs only
C. Prescription drugs nonprescription products herbs and supplements
D. Only medication color
Answer: C
Rationale: Nonprescription and complementary products can affect symptoms and
interact with prescribed therapy.
4. Which question assesses symptom onset?
A. When did the discomfort first begin
B. Where is the discomfort
C. How strong is the discomfort
D. What relieves the discomfort
Answer: A
Rationale: Onset identifies when symptoms started and can affect urgency and
treatment options.
Page 1
,5. A client reports chest pressure. Which associated symptom increases
concern?
A. New diaphoresis and shortness of breath
B. An unchanged old scar
C. A long-standing freckle
D. A favorite food preference
Answer: A
Rationale: Autonomic and respiratory symptoms with chest pressure may indicate
acute cardiac ischemia.
6. What is the best way to assess pain quality?
A. Use only a pulse reading
B. Ask the client to describe what the pain feels like
C. Ignore the client's own words
D. Assume all pain is sharp
Answer: B
Rationale: Quality helps characterize the symptom and may inform the differential
assessment.
7. Which general-survey finding needs immediate attention?
A. A stable body habitus
B. Inability to speak full sentences because of breathing difficulty
C. A preferred hairstyle
D. An old tattoo
Answer: B
Rationale: Speech limited by breathlessness suggests significant respiratory
compromise.
8. What does the general survey begin with?
A. A full laboratory panel
B. Observation from the first encounter
C. A diagnosis made before seeing the client
D. A rectal examination
Answer: B
Rationale: Initial observation supplies important cues about distress, function, and
mental status.
Page 2
,9. An adult slumps and becomes unresponsive during an interview. What
should the nurse do?
A. Ask the family to wait quietly
B. Finish the health history first
C. Stop the interview and activate urgent assessment and support
D. Record all remaining answers as normal
Answer: C
Rationale: Acute loss of responsiveness takes priority over routine data collection.
10. Which question is least leading?
A. Your appetite is normal right
B. You have not been eating enough have you
C. How has your appetite changed
D. You dislike the hospital food correct
Answer: C
Rationale: A neutral question allows a more accurate description of changes.
11. A client uses a language the nurse does not speak. What supports an
accurate assessment?
A. A child translating every question
B. Speaking louder
C. Assuming gestures provide a complete history
D. A qualified medical interpreter
Answer: D
Rationale: Qualified interpretation improves accuracy and preserves
confidentiality.
12. A client describes dizziness. What should the nurse ask next?
A. You mean anxiety correct
B. You cannot explain dizziness
C. That is always dehydration
D. Do you mean spinning lightheadedness or another sensation
Answer: D
Rationale: Clarifying the term distinguishes symptoms that have different causes
and priorities.
Page 3
, Section 2 Blood pressure pulse and respiratory rate
Topic review
Blood pressure technique. Use an appropriate cuff on a supported arm at heart
level with correct positioning. Interpret unexpected readings with symptoms and
repeat promptly when appropriate.
Orthostatic assessment. Assess blood pressure and pulse with positional changes
according to protocol, monitor symptoms, and provide assistance. A sustained drop
of at least 20 systolic or 10 diastolic within 3 minutes of standing supports
orthostatic hypotension.
Pulse assessment. Assess rate, rhythm, strength, and symmetry. Count irregular
rhythms for a full minute; compare apical and peripheral rates when a pulse deficit
is suspected.
Respiratory rate and pattern. Assess rate, depth, rhythm, effort, and ability to
speak. Observe unobtrusively when possible. An abnormal rate is interpreted with
alertness and oxygenation.
Practice questions
13. A blood pressure cuff is too small for the arm. What error is likely?
A. A temperature error
B. A guaranteed accurate reading
C. A falsely high reading
D. No effect on measurement
Answer: C
Rationale: An undersized cuff may require excessive pressure and overestimate
blood pressure.
14. Which position supports accurate seated blood pressure measurement?
A. Feet supported back supported and arm at heart level
B. Arm held unsupported above the head
C. Legs tightly crossed
D. Talking continuously during measurement
Answer: A
Rationale: Support and correct alignment reduce avoidable measurement error.
Page 4
Questions with Answers and Rationales 2026/2027
Practice questions
1. Which finding is subjective data?
A. The client reports burning pain
B. Observed ankle edema
C. Temperature of 38.5 degrees Celsius
D. Measured heart rate of 112
Answer: A
Rationale: Subjective data describe experiences reported by the client rather than
directly measured findings.
2. Which opening question best elicits the chief concern?
A. Your problem is minor correct
B. What brought you in today
C. Why did you wait so long
D. You are here for a cough right
Answer: B
Rationale: An open question allows the client to describe the main concern without
leading or blame.
3. Which information belongs in a medication history?
A. Only the pharmacy's address
B. Prescription drugs only
C. Prescription drugs nonprescription products herbs and supplements
D. Only medication color
Answer: C
Rationale: Nonprescription and complementary products can affect symptoms and
interact with prescribed therapy.
4. Which question assesses symptom onset?
A. When did the discomfort first begin
B. Where is the discomfort
C. How strong is the discomfort
D. What relieves the discomfort
Answer: A
Rationale: Onset identifies when symptoms started and can affect urgency and
treatment options.
Page 1
,5. A client reports chest pressure. Which associated symptom increases
concern?
A. New diaphoresis and shortness of breath
B. An unchanged old scar
C. A long-standing freckle
D. A favorite food preference
Answer: A
Rationale: Autonomic and respiratory symptoms with chest pressure may indicate
acute cardiac ischemia.
6. What is the best way to assess pain quality?
A. Use only a pulse reading
B. Ask the client to describe what the pain feels like
C. Ignore the client's own words
D. Assume all pain is sharp
Answer: B
Rationale: Quality helps characterize the symptom and may inform the differential
assessment.
7. Which general-survey finding needs immediate attention?
A. A stable body habitus
B. Inability to speak full sentences because of breathing difficulty
C. A preferred hairstyle
D. An old tattoo
Answer: B
Rationale: Speech limited by breathlessness suggests significant respiratory
compromise.
8. What does the general survey begin with?
A. A full laboratory panel
B. Observation from the first encounter
C. A diagnosis made before seeing the client
D. A rectal examination
Answer: B
Rationale: Initial observation supplies important cues about distress, function, and
mental status.
Page 2
,9. An adult slumps and becomes unresponsive during an interview. What
should the nurse do?
A. Ask the family to wait quietly
B. Finish the health history first
C. Stop the interview and activate urgent assessment and support
D. Record all remaining answers as normal
Answer: C
Rationale: Acute loss of responsiveness takes priority over routine data collection.
10. Which question is least leading?
A. Your appetite is normal right
B. You have not been eating enough have you
C. How has your appetite changed
D. You dislike the hospital food correct
Answer: C
Rationale: A neutral question allows a more accurate description of changes.
11. A client uses a language the nurse does not speak. What supports an
accurate assessment?
A. A child translating every question
B. Speaking louder
C. Assuming gestures provide a complete history
D. A qualified medical interpreter
Answer: D
Rationale: Qualified interpretation improves accuracy and preserves
confidentiality.
12. A client describes dizziness. What should the nurse ask next?
A. You mean anxiety correct
B. You cannot explain dizziness
C. That is always dehydration
D. Do you mean spinning lightheadedness or another sensation
Answer: D
Rationale: Clarifying the term distinguishes symptoms that have different causes
and priorities.
Page 3
, Section 2 Blood pressure pulse and respiratory rate
Topic review
Blood pressure technique. Use an appropriate cuff on a supported arm at heart
level with correct positioning. Interpret unexpected readings with symptoms and
repeat promptly when appropriate.
Orthostatic assessment. Assess blood pressure and pulse with positional changes
according to protocol, monitor symptoms, and provide assistance. A sustained drop
of at least 20 systolic or 10 diastolic within 3 minutes of standing supports
orthostatic hypotension.
Pulse assessment. Assess rate, rhythm, strength, and symmetry. Count irregular
rhythms for a full minute; compare apical and peripheral rates when a pulse deficit
is suspected.
Respiratory rate and pattern. Assess rate, depth, rhythm, effort, and ability to
speak. Observe unobtrusively when possible. An abnormal rate is interpreted with
alertness and oxygenation.
Practice questions
13. A blood pressure cuff is too small for the arm. What error is likely?
A. A temperature error
B. A guaranteed accurate reading
C. A falsely high reading
D. No effect on measurement
Answer: C
Rationale: An undersized cuff may require excessive pressure and overestimate
blood pressure.
14. Which position supports accurate seated blood pressure measurement?
A. Feet supported back supported and arm at heart level
B. Arm held unsupported above the head
C. Legs tightly crossed
D. Talking continuously during measurement
Answer: A
Rationale: Support and correct alignment reduce avoidable measurement error.
Page 4
