,NU 325 Exam 1 | Health Assessment | University of
South Alabama
1. Which phase of the nursing process involves collecting subjective and objective
data to form a clinical database?
A) Diagnosis
B) Assessment
C) Planning
D) Evaluation
Correct Answer: Assessment
Rationale: Assessment is the first and foundational step of the nursing process,
during which the nurse collects subjective data through the health history and
objective data through physical examination, laboratory review, and records.
Diagnosis follows data interpretation, planning establishes outcomes, and
evaluation measures progress.
2. What is the primary purpose of obtaining a complete health history?
A) To establish a baseline of the patient’s current and past health state
B) To replace the need for a physical examination
C) To determine the patient’s insurance coverage
D) To prescribe medications before assessment is complete
Correct Answer: To establish a baseline of the patient’s current and past health
state
,Rationale: A complete health history describes the patient’s current and past
health, forming a baseline against which future changes are measured. It does not
replace the physical examination, address insurance, or justify prescribing before
data collection is finished.
3. Which type of database is most appropriate when a patient presents with a
specific, limited problem such as an earache?
A) Complete database
B) Follow-up database
C) Focused or problem-centered database
D) Emergency database
Correct Answer: Focused or problem-centered database
Rationale: A focused or problem-centered database is smaller in scope and
targets one problem, one cue complex, or one body system. A complete database
covers full history and examination, a follow-up database evaluates known
problems, and an emergency database compiles crucial information rapidly during
lifesaving care.
4. A nurse identifies a patient’s airway obstruction as the immediate concern.
Which priority level does this represent?
A) First-level priority
B) Second-level priority
C) Third-level priority
D) Collaborative problem
Correct Answer: First-level priority
, Rationale: First-level priorities are emergent and life-threatening, such as
airway, breathing, and circulation problems. Second-level priorities require
prompt intervention for acute pain or abnormal labs, third-level priorities address
long-term health needs, and collaborative problems are managed with other
disciplines.
5. What is the best example of a second-level priority problem?
A) A patient with no palpable pulse
B) A patient with new-onset confusion and slurred speech
C) A patient requesting diet teaching
D) A patient expressing frustration about family support
Correct Answer: A patient with new-onset confusion and slurred speech
Rationale: New-onset confusion and slurred speech suggest an acute neurologic
change requiring prompt intervention to prevent deterioration, which fits second-
level priority. No palpable pulse is first-level, diet teaching is third-level, and
frustration about support is third-level.
6. Which statement best describes the difference between nursing assessment and
medical assessment?
A) Nursing assessment focuses only on physical findings, while medical
assessment includes psychosocial data.
B) Nursing assessment includes holistic data such as developmental, psychosocial,
and spiritual dimensions, while medical assessment focuses on disease and
symptoms.
C) Nursing assessment is performed only in hospitals, while medical assessment
occurs in clinics.
South Alabama
1. Which phase of the nursing process involves collecting subjective and objective
data to form a clinical database?
A) Diagnosis
B) Assessment
C) Planning
D) Evaluation
Correct Answer: Assessment
Rationale: Assessment is the first and foundational step of the nursing process,
during which the nurse collects subjective data through the health history and
objective data through physical examination, laboratory review, and records.
Diagnosis follows data interpretation, planning establishes outcomes, and
evaluation measures progress.
2. What is the primary purpose of obtaining a complete health history?
A) To establish a baseline of the patient’s current and past health state
B) To replace the need for a physical examination
C) To determine the patient’s insurance coverage
D) To prescribe medications before assessment is complete
Correct Answer: To establish a baseline of the patient’s current and past health
state
,Rationale: A complete health history describes the patient’s current and past
health, forming a baseline against which future changes are measured. It does not
replace the physical examination, address insurance, or justify prescribing before
data collection is finished.
3. Which type of database is most appropriate when a patient presents with a
specific, limited problem such as an earache?
A) Complete database
B) Follow-up database
C) Focused or problem-centered database
D) Emergency database
Correct Answer: Focused or problem-centered database
Rationale: A focused or problem-centered database is smaller in scope and
targets one problem, one cue complex, or one body system. A complete database
covers full history and examination, a follow-up database evaluates known
problems, and an emergency database compiles crucial information rapidly during
lifesaving care.
4. A nurse identifies a patient’s airway obstruction as the immediate concern.
Which priority level does this represent?
A) First-level priority
B) Second-level priority
C) Third-level priority
D) Collaborative problem
Correct Answer: First-level priority
, Rationale: First-level priorities are emergent and life-threatening, such as
airway, breathing, and circulation problems. Second-level priorities require
prompt intervention for acute pain or abnormal labs, third-level priorities address
long-term health needs, and collaborative problems are managed with other
disciplines.
5. What is the best example of a second-level priority problem?
A) A patient with no palpable pulse
B) A patient with new-onset confusion and slurred speech
C) A patient requesting diet teaching
D) A patient expressing frustration about family support
Correct Answer: A patient with new-onset confusion and slurred speech
Rationale: New-onset confusion and slurred speech suggest an acute neurologic
change requiring prompt intervention to prevent deterioration, which fits second-
level priority. No palpable pulse is first-level, diet teaching is third-level, and
frustration about support is third-level.
6. Which statement best describes the difference between nursing assessment and
medical assessment?
A) Nursing assessment focuses only on physical findings, while medical
assessment includes psychosocial data.
B) Nursing assessment includes holistic data such as developmental, psychosocial,
and spiritual dimensions, while medical assessment focuses on disease and
symptoms.
C) Nursing assessment is performed only in hospitals, while medical assessment
occurs in clinics.
