NURS 2350 MIDTERM REVIEW —
Questions with Verified Answers &
Detailed Rationales 2026/2027 Update |
SA-C Exam Prep 100% Pass Guarantee
21. A nurse asks a patient, “Can you tell me more about what brought you to the
clinic today?” This is an example of:
A. Closed-ended questioning
B. Open-ended questioning
C. Leading questioning
D. Confrontational questioning
Answer: B. Open-ended questioning
Rationale: Open-ended questions encourage the patient to provide a fuller description of
concerns and allow the nurse to gather information in the patient's own words.
22. Which finding is considered objective data?
A. “I feel dizzy.”
B. “My stomach hurts.”
C. Blood pressure of 148/88 mmHg
D. “I am very tired.”
Answer: C. Blood pressure of 148/88 mmHg
Rationale: Objective data are observable or measurable findings obtained through examination,
observation, or diagnostic measurement.
23. Which statement by the nurse best demonstrates therapeutic
communication?
A. “Don't worry; everything will be fine.”
B. “Why didn't you come in sooner?”
C. “Tell me what concerns you most right now.”
D. “You should follow your treatment plan.”
,Answer: C. “Tell me what concerns you most right now.”
Rationale: This response encourages the patient to express concerns without judgment or
assumptions.
24. When beginning a health history, the nurse should first:
A. Perform percussion
B. Establish rapport and identify the patient's concerns
C. Obtain laboratory specimens
D. Complete the review of systems
Answer: B. Establish rapport and identify the patient's concerns
Rationale: Establishing rapport promotes trust and helps the patient feel comfortable providing
accurate information.
25. Which technique is most appropriate when interviewing a patient who is
anxious?
A. Ask several questions simultaneously
B. Use a calm manner and allow adequate response time
C. Avoid eye contact
D. Finish the patient's sentences
Answer: B. Use a calm manner and allow adequate response time
Rationale: A calm approach and appropriate pauses can reduce anxiety and encourage
communication.
26. Which assessment is most appropriate for a patient presenting with a new
localized complaint?
A. Comprehensive assessment only
B. Focused assessment
C. Emergency assessment regardless of condition
D. Functional assessment only
Answer: B. Focused assessment
, Rationale: A focused assessment concentrates on a specific symptom, body system, or clinical
concern.
27. Which situation requires an emergency assessment approach?
A. Routine annual examination
B. Stable patient requesting diet education
C. Patient with sudden difficulty breathing
D. Follow-up for a healed wound
Answer: C. Patient with sudden difficulty breathing
Rationale: Sudden respiratory difficulty may represent an unstable or life-threatening problem
and requires immediate assessment and prioritization.
28. Which sequence represents the usual physical examination techniques?
A. Palpation, inspection, auscultation, percussion
B. Inspection, palpation, percussion, auscultation
C. Auscultation, inspection, percussion, palpation
D. Percussion, palpation, inspection, auscultation
Answer: B. Inspection, palpation, percussion, auscultation
Rationale: This is the standard sequence for most body systems. The abdomen is an important
exception because auscultation precedes palpation and percussion.
29. When assessing the abdomen, the nurse should perform which technique first
after inspection?
A. Palpation
B. Percussion
C. Auscultation
D. Range-of-motion testing
Answer: C. Auscultation
Rationale: Palpation and percussion can alter bowel sounds, so auscultation is performed before
them during abdominal assessment.
Questions with Verified Answers &
Detailed Rationales 2026/2027 Update |
SA-C Exam Prep 100% Pass Guarantee
21. A nurse asks a patient, “Can you tell me more about what brought you to the
clinic today?” This is an example of:
A. Closed-ended questioning
B. Open-ended questioning
C. Leading questioning
D. Confrontational questioning
Answer: B. Open-ended questioning
Rationale: Open-ended questions encourage the patient to provide a fuller description of
concerns and allow the nurse to gather information in the patient's own words.
22. Which finding is considered objective data?
A. “I feel dizzy.”
B. “My stomach hurts.”
C. Blood pressure of 148/88 mmHg
D. “I am very tired.”
Answer: C. Blood pressure of 148/88 mmHg
Rationale: Objective data are observable or measurable findings obtained through examination,
observation, or diagnostic measurement.
23. Which statement by the nurse best demonstrates therapeutic
communication?
A. “Don't worry; everything will be fine.”
B. “Why didn't you come in sooner?”
C. “Tell me what concerns you most right now.”
D. “You should follow your treatment plan.”
,Answer: C. “Tell me what concerns you most right now.”
Rationale: This response encourages the patient to express concerns without judgment or
assumptions.
24. When beginning a health history, the nurse should first:
A. Perform percussion
B. Establish rapport and identify the patient's concerns
C. Obtain laboratory specimens
D. Complete the review of systems
Answer: B. Establish rapport and identify the patient's concerns
Rationale: Establishing rapport promotes trust and helps the patient feel comfortable providing
accurate information.
25. Which technique is most appropriate when interviewing a patient who is
anxious?
A. Ask several questions simultaneously
B. Use a calm manner and allow adequate response time
C. Avoid eye contact
D. Finish the patient's sentences
Answer: B. Use a calm manner and allow adequate response time
Rationale: A calm approach and appropriate pauses can reduce anxiety and encourage
communication.
26. Which assessment is most appropriate for a patient presenting with a new
localized complaint?
A. Comprehensive assessment only
B. Focused assessment
C. Emergency assessment regardless of condition
D. Functional assessment only
Answer: B. Focused assessment
, Rationale: A focused assessment concentrates on a specific symptom, body system, or clinical
concern.
27. Which situation requires an emergency assessment approach?
A. Routine annual examination
B. Stable patient requesting diet education
C. Patient with sudden difficulty breathing
D. Follow-up for a healed wound
Answer: C. Patient with sudden difficulty breathing
Rationale: Sudden respiratory difficulty may represent an unstable or life-threatening problem
and requires immediate assessment and prioritization.
28. Which sequence represents the usual physical examination techniques?
A. Palpation, inspection, auscultation, percussion
B. Inspection, palpation, percussion, auscultation
C. Auscultation, inspection, percussion, palpation
D. Percussion, palpation, inspection, auscultation
Answer: B. Inspection, palpation, percussion, auscultation
Rationale: This is the standard sequence for most body systems. The abdomen is an important
exception because auscultation precedes palpation and percussion.
29. When assessing the abdomen, the nurse should perform which technique first
after inspection?
A. Palpation
B. Percussion
C. Auscultation
D. Range-of-motion testing
Answer: C. Auscultation
Rationale: Palpation and percussion can alter bowel sounds, so auscultation is performed before
them during abdominal assessment.
