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Galen NSG 3160 / NSG3160 Exam 1
2026/2027 | Health Assessment
Questions & Answers with
Rationales | Grade A
Exam Structure:
Subject: Nursing / Health Assessment, Nursing Process, Critical Thinking,
Communication, Physical Examination
Source: NSG 3160 Exam 1
Format: Multiple-Choice Questions with Correct Answers and Rationales
Priority Setting and Critical Thinking
1. A patient admitted to the hospital with asthma has the following
problems identified based on an admission health history and
physical assessment. Which problem is a first-level priority?
A. Ineffective self-health management
B. Impaired gas exchange
C. Readiness for enhanced spiritual well-being
D. Risk for infection
Correct Answer: B. Impaired gas exchange
Rationale:
1. First-level priority problems are emergent, life-threatening, and
immediate.
2. Impaired gas exchange directly affects oxygenation and is life-
threatening.
3. Risk for infection is a second-level priority (requires prompt
intervention).
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4. Ineffective self-health management and wellness diagnoses are third-
level priorities.
2. Which of the following actions/behaviors in the critical-thinking
process are important for the novice nurse to remember? (Select all
that apply.)
A. Disregard initial cues
B. Approach assessment with a nonjudgmental attitude
C. Cluster associated assessment data
D. Perform assessment in whatever manner works for you
E. Avoid making assumptions
Correct Answer: B, C, E
Rationale:
1. A nonjudgmental attitude builds trust and ensures accurate data
collection.
2. Clustering data helps in identifying patterns and prioritizing
problems.
3. Avoiding assumptions prevents bias in data interpretation.
4. Initial cues should never be disregarded; they are important for
critical thinking.
5. Novice nurses should follow a systematic, step-by-step process.
Subjective and Objective Data
3. An example of subjective data is:
A. Decreased range of motion
B. Precipitation in the left knee joint
C. Arthritis
D. Left knee has been swollen and hot for the past 3 days
Correct Answer: D. Left knee has been swollen and hot for the past 3 days
Rationale:
1. Subjective data is what the patient says about themselves.
2. This statement is a direct patient report.
3. Decreased range of motion, precipitation, and arthritis are objective
findings or medical diagnoses.
4. An example of objective data is:
A. A report of impaired mobility from left knee pain
B. A complaint of left knee pain
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C. Precipitation in the left knee joint
D. Left knee has been swollen and hot for the past 3 days
Correct Answer: C. Precipitation in the left knee joint
Rationale:
1. Objective data is what the health professional observes.
2. Precipitation is a finding palpated during examination.
3. Patient complaints and reports are subjective.
Cultural and Spiritual Considerations
5. While evaluating the health history, the nurse determines that the
patient subscribes to the hot/cold theory of health. Which of the
following would most likely describe this patient's view of wellness?
A. The phlegm will be replaced with dryness.
B. The humors must be balanced.
C. Good is hot.
D. Evil is hot.
Correct Answer: B. The humors must be balanced.
Rationale:
1. The hot/cold theory is based on humoral theory.
2. Health is believed to exist when the four humors are in balance.
3. Diseases and treatments are classified as hot or cold to restore
balance.
6. When completing a health assessment, which of the following
actions most demonstrates cultural competence?
A. Ask about family history of diseases.
B. Ask about use of traditional, herbal, or folk remedies.
C. Make sure the blood pressure cuff fits appropriately.
D. Measure height and weight in a private room.
Correct Answer: B. Ask about use of traditional, herbal, or folk remedies.
Rationale:
1. Asking about traditional remedies identifies potential interactions
and respects cultural practices.
2. Failure to ask could lead to significant drug interactions.
3. The other options are standard practices for all patients.
7. Spirituality is defined as:
A. A social group that claims to possess variable traits.
B. Participating in religious services on a regular basis.
Galen NSG 3160 / NSG3160 Exam 1
2026/2027 | Health Assessment
Questions & Answers with
Rationales | Grade A
Exam Structure:
Subject: Nursing / Health Assessment, Nursing Process, Critical Thinking,
Communication, Physical Examination
Source: NSG 3160 Exam 1
Format: Multiple-Choice Questions with Correct Answers and Rationales
Priority Setting and Critical Thinking
1. A patient admitted to the hospital with asthma has the following
problems identified based on an admission health history and
physical assessment. Which problem is a first-level priority?
A. Ineffective self-health management
B. Impaired gas exchange
C. Readiness for enhanced spiritual well-being
D. Risk for infection
Correct Answer: B. Impaired gas exchange
Rationale:
1. First-level priority problems are emergent, life-threatening, and
immediate.
2. Impaired gas exchange directly affects oxygenation and is life-
threatening.
3. Risk for infection is a second-level priority (requires prompt
intervention).
, 2|Page
4. Ineffective self-health management and wellness diagnoses are third-
level priorities.
2. Which of the following actions/behaviors in the critical-thinking
process are important for the novice nurse to remember? (Select all
that apply.)
A. Disregard initial cues
B. Approach assessment with a nonjudgmental attitude
C. Cluster associated assessment data
D. Perform assessment in whatever manner works for you
E. Avoid making assumptions
Correct Answer: B, C, E
Rationale:
1. A nonjudgmental attitude builds trust and ensures accurate data
collection.
2. Clustering data helps in identifying patterns and prioritizing
problems.
3. Avoiding assumptions prevents bias in data interpretation.
4. Initial cues should never be disregarded; they are important for
critical thinking.
5. Novice nurses should follow a systematic, step-by-step process.
Subjective and Objective Data
3. An example of subjective data is:
A. Decreased range of motion
B. Precipitation in the left knee joint
C. Arthritis
D. Left knee has been swollen and hot for the past 3 days
Correct Answer: D. Left knee has been swollen and hot for the past 3 days
Rationale:
1. Subjective data is what the patient says about themselves.
2. This statement is a direct patient report.
3. Decreased range of motion, precipitation, and arthritis are objective
findings or medical diagnoses.
4. An example of objective data is:
A. A report of impaired mobility from left knee pain
B. A complaint of left knee pain
, 3|Page
C. Precipitation in the left knee joint
D. Left knee has been swollen and hot for the past 3 days
Correct Answer: C. Precipitation in the left knee joint
Rationale:
1. Objective data is what the health professional observes.
2. Precipitation is a finding palpated during examination.
3. Patient complaints and reports are subjective.
Cultural and Spiritual Considerations
5. While evaluating the health history, the nurse determines that the
patient subscribes to the hot/cold theory of health. Which of the
following would most likely describe this patient's view of wellness?
A. The phlegm will be replaced with dryness.
B. The humors must be balanced.
C. Good is hot.
D. Evil is hot.
Correct Answer: B. The humors must be balanced.
Rationale:
1. The hot/cold theory is based on humoral theory.
2. Health is believed to exist when the four humors are in balance.
3. Diseases and treatments are classified as hot or cold to restore
balance.
6. When completing a health assessment, which of the following
actions most demonstrates cultural competence?
A. Ask about family history of diseases.
B. Ask about use of traditional, herbal, or folk remedies.
C. Make sure the blood pressure cuff fits appropriately.
D. Measure height and weight in a private room.
Correct Answer: B. Ask about use of traditional, herbal, or folk remedies.
Rationale:
1. Asking about traditional remedies identifies potential interactions
and respects cultural practices.
2. Failure to ask could lead to significant drug interactions.
3. The other options are standard practices for all patients.
7. Spirituality is defined as:
A. A social group that claims to possess variable traits.
B. Participating in religious services on a regular basis.
