NSG 3133 Final Exam Review — Practice Exam
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
(VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES
2025|2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
General Health Assessment & Documentation
1. Which of the following best describes objective data in a physical assessment?
A. The patient reports a pain level of 8/10
B. The patient states, "I feel dizzy."
C. The nurse observes that the patient’s skin is warm and moist
D. The patient says, "I am having trouble sleeping."
Answer: C
Rationale: Objective data are measurable and observable by the nurse, such as
skin temperature, vital signs, or swelling. The other options are subjective data
reported by the patient.
2. The first step in performing a comprehensive physical assessment is:
A. Palpation
B. Inspection
C. Percussion
D. Auscultation
Answer: B
Rationale: Inspection is always the first step of any physical assessment, followed
by palpation, percussion, and auscultation (IPPA).
3. When documenting assessment findings, which entry is the most appropriate?
A. "Patient appears sickly and pale."
B. "Patient seems upset."
,C. "Patient reports pain is severe."
D. "Skin pale and cool to touch."
Answer: D
Rationale: Documentation must be objective and factual, describing what the
nurse directly observes rather than vague impressions or interpretations.
4. Which is considered the primary source of health history information?
A. Family member
B. Patient
C. Health care provider
D. Medical record
Answer: B
Rationale: The patient is always the primary source of health history unless they
are unable to communicate, in which case secondary sources are used.
5. When taking a health history, the nurse asks, "Can you tell me more about the
pain you are feeling?" This is an example of:
A. Leading question
B. Closed-ended question
C. Open-ended question
D. Confrontation
Answer: C
Rationale: Open-ended questions encourage patients to describe their symptoms
in detail and promote thorough data collection.
General Survey & Vital Signs
6. The general survey includes assessment of all the following except:
A. Physical appearance
B. Body structure
,C. Level of consciousness
D. Bowel sounds
Answer: D
Rationale: Bowel sounds are part of the abdominal assessment, not the general
survey.
7. The normal adult respiratory rate is:
A. 8–12 breaths per minute
B. 12–20 breaths per minute
C. 20–28 breaths per minute
D. 28–36 breaths per minute
Answer: B
Rationale: The normal respiratory rate for adults is 12–20 breaths per minute.
8. A blood pressure reading of 142/90 mmHg is classified as:
A. Normal
B. Prehypertension
C. Stage 1 hypertension
D. Stage 2 hypertension
Answer: C
Rationale: Stage 1 hypertension is defined as systolic 130–139 or diastolic 80–89
mmHg. 142/90 falls into this category.
9. Which factor is most likely to increase a patient’s blood pressure reading?
A. Sitting quietly for 5 minutes before the measurement
B. Having the arm supported at heart level
C. Recent consumption of caffeine or smoking
D. Using the correct cuff size
, Answer: C
Rationale: Nicotine and caffeine cause vasoconstriction, leading to an elevated
blood pressure reading.
10. When counting a radial pulse, the nurse should count for a full minute if:
A. The patient is an adult
B. The pulse is regular and strong
C. The patient is a child under 12 years old
D. The pulse is irregular
Answer: D
Rationale: If the pulse is irregular, it should be counted for a full minute to
accurately assess rate and rhythm.
Integumentary System
11. Which skin finding is considered abnormal?
A. Warm, dry skin
B. Symmetrical freckles
C. Bluish discoloration of lips and fingertips
D. Evenly distributed hair on scalp
Answer: C
Rationale: Cyanosis indicates inadequate oxygenation and requires further
evaluation.
12. A nurse notes a lesion that is raised, firm, and less than 1 cm in diameter. This
lesion is best described as a:
A. Macule
B. Papule
C. Nodule
D. Vesicle
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
(VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES
2025|2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
General Health Assessment & Documentation
1. Which of the following best describes objective data in a physical assessment?
A. The patient reports a pain level of 8/10
B. The patient states, "I feel dizzy."
C. The nurse observes that the patient’s skin is warm and moist
D. The patient says, "I am having trouble sleeping."
Answer: C
Rationale: Objective data are measurable and observable by the nurse, such as
skin temperature, vital signs, or swelling. The other options are subjective data
reported by the patient.
2. The first step in performing a comprehensive physical assessment is:
A. Palpation
B. Inspection
C. Percussion
D. Auscultation
Answer: B
Rationale: Inspection is always the first step of any physical assessment, followed
by palpation, percussion, and auscultation (IPPA).
3. When documenting assessment findings, which entry is the most appropriate?
A. "Patient appears sickly and pale."
B. "Patient seems upset."
,C. "Patient reports pain is severe."
D. "Skin pale and cool to touch."
Answer: D
Rationale: Documentation must be objective and factual, describing what the
nurse directly observes rather than vague impressions or interpretations.
4. Which is considered the primary source of health history information?
A. Family member
B. Patient
C. Health care provider
D. Medical record
Answer: B
Rationale: The patient is always the primary source of health history unless they
are unable to communicate, in which case secondary sources are used.
5. When taking a health history, the nurse asks, "Can you tell me more about the
pain you are feeling?" This is an example of:
A. Leading question
B. Closed-ended question
C. Open-ended question
D. Confrontation
Answer: C
Rationale: Open-ended questions encourage patients to describe their symptoms
in detail and promote thorough data collection.
General Survey & Vital Signs
6. The general survey includes assessment of all the following except:
A. Physical appearance
B. Body structure
,C. Level of consciousness
D. Bowel sounds
Answer: D
Rationale: Bowel sounds are part of the abdominal assessment, not the general
survey.
7. The normal adult respiratory rate is:
A. 8–12 breaths per minute
B. 12–20 breaths per minute
C. 20–28 breaths per minute
D. 28–36 breaths per minute
Answer: B
Rationale: The normal respiratory rate for adults is 12–20 breaths per minute.
8. A blood pressure reading of 142/90 mmHg is classified as:
A. Normal
B. Prehypertension
C. Stage 1 hypertension
D. Stage 2 hypertension
Answer: C
Rationale: Stage 1 hypertension is defined as systolic 130–139 or diastolic 80–89
mmHg. 142/90 falls into this category.
9. Which factor is most likely to increase a patient’s blood pressure reading?
A. Sitting quietly for 5 minutes before the measurement
B. Having the arm supported at heart level
C. Recent consumption of caffeine or smoking
D. Using the correct cuff size
, Answer: C
Rationale: Nicotine and caffeine cause vasoconstriction, leading to an elevated
blood pressure reading.
10. When counting a radial pulse, the nurse should count for a full minute if:
A. The patient is an adult
B. The pulse is regular and strong
C. The patient is a child under 12 years old
D. The pulse is irregular
Answer: D
Rationale: If the pulse is irregular, it should be counted for a full minute to
accurately assess rate and rhythm.
Integumentary System
11. Which skin finding is considered abnormal?
A. Warm, dry skin
B. Symmetrical freckles
C. Bluish discoloration of lips and fingertips
D. Evenly distributed hair on scalp
Answer: C
Rationale: Cyanosis indicates inadequate oxygenation and requires further
evaluation.
12. A nurse notes a lesion that is raised, firm, and less than 1 cm in diameter. This
lesion is best described as a:
A. Macule
B. Papule
C. Nodule
D. Vesicle
