NUR 216 HEALTH ASSESSMENT EXAM 1 AZCN CHAP 1-
7 | QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS | 2026 UPDATE |
WITH COMPLETE SOLUTION
Disclaimer: This is a study aid based on common curricular content. Always refer to your specific
textbook, lecture notes, and course objectives for the most accurate information.
NUR 216 Health Assessment Exam 1 Study Guide: Chapters 1-7
Chapter 1: The Nurse’s Role in Health Assessment
Q: What are the three primary types of nursing assessments and when is each used?
o A:
1. Comprehensive (Initial) Assessment: Performed on admission or at initial
visit to a healthcare setting. Includes complete health history and full
physical exam.
2. Focused (Problem-Oriented) Assessment: Performed in a focused area
based on the patient's presenting problem or current status (e.g., assessing
lung sounds in a patient with shortness of breath).
3. Ongoing (Follow-up) Assessment: Performed continuously throughout care
to monitor changes and evaluate the effectiveness of interventions.
Q: What is the difference between subjective and objective data?
o A: Subjective data (symptoms) are what the patient reports (e.g., "I have a
headache"). Objective data (signs) are what the nurse observes or measures (e.g.,
blood pressure 150/90, bruise on forearm).
Q: Describe the four major steps of the nursing process and how assessment fits in.
o A: ADPIE
1. Assessment: Collection of subjective and objective data.
2. Diagnosis: Analysis of data to identify patient problems (Nursing Diagnoses).
3. Planning: Setting goals and selecting interventions.
4. Implementation: Carrying out the plan.
, 5. Evaluation: Determining if goals were met.
Assessment is the foundational first step; without accurate assessment, the
rest of the process is flawed.
Chapter 2: The Health History and Interview
Q: What are the phases of the interview?
o A:
1. Pre-introductory: Review chart before entering the room.
2. Introduction: Introduce yourself, state your role, establish rapport, and
ensure privacy.
3. Working: The data-gathering phase. Use open-ended and closed/direct
questions.
4. Summary/Closure: Summarize findings, ask "What else?" and thank the
patient.
Q: What are therapeutic communication techniques a nurse should use?
o A: Active listening, facilitation ("Go on"), silence, reflection, empathy, clarification,
and summarization.
Q: What are the components of a comprehensive health history?
o A: BIOGRAPHICAL DATA, Source of History, Reason for Seeking Care (Chief
Complaint), History of Present Illness (PQRSTU), Past Medical History, Family
History, Personal/Psychosocial History, Review of Systems.
Q: What is the PQRSTU mnemonic used for?
o A: To assess the Chief Complaint or Pain in detail:
Provocative/Palliative
Quality/Quantity
Region/Radiation
Severity (Scale 1-10)
Timing (Onset, Duration, Frequency)
Understanding (What do you think it means?)
Chapter 3 & 4: Physical Exam Techniques & General Survey
Q: What are the four primary assessment techniques and what is each used for?
o A:
1. Inspection: Careful, systematic visual observation. Always comes first.
2. Palpation: Using touch to assess texture, temperature, moisture, organ
location/size, swelling, vibration, pulsation, tenderness/pain.
7 | QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS | 2026 UPDATE |
WITH COMPLETE SOLUTION
Disclaimer: This is a study aid based on common curricular content. Always refer to your specific
textbook, lecture notes, and course objectives for the most accurate information.
NUR 216 Health Assessment Exam 1 Study Guide: Chapters 1-7
Chapter 1: The Nurse’s Role in Health Assessment
Q: What are the three primary types of nursing assessments and when is each used?
o A:
1. Comprehensive (Initial) Assessment: Performed on admission or at initial
visit to a healthcare setting. Includes complete health history and full
physical exam.
2. Focused (Problem-Oriented) Assessment: Performed in a focused area
based on the patient's presenting problem or current status (e.g., assessing
lung sounds in a patient with shortness of breath).
3. Ongoing (Follow-up) Assessment: Performed continuously throughout care
to monitor changes and evaluate the effectiveness of interventions.
Q: What is the difference between subjective and objective data?
o A: Subjective data (symptoms) are what the patient reports (e.g., "I have a
headache"). Objective data (signs) are what the nurse observes or measures (e.g.,
blood pressure 150/90, bruise on forearm).
Q: Describe the four major steps of the nursing process and how assessment fits in.
o A: ADPIE
1. Assessment: Collection of subjective and objective data.
2. Diagnosis: Analysis of data to identify patient problems (Nursing Diagnoses).
3. Planning: Setting goals and selecting interventions.
4. Implementation: Carrying out the plan.
, 5. Evaluation: Determining if goals were met.
Assessment is the foundational first step; without accurate assessment, the
rest of the process is flawed.
Chapter 2: The Health History and Interview
Q: What are the phases of the interview?
o A:
1. Pre-introductory: Review chart before entering the room.
2. Introduction: Introduce yourself, state your role, establish rapport, and
ensure privacy.
3. Working: The data-gathering phase. Use open-ended and closed/direct
questions.
4. Summary/Closure: Summarize findings, ask "What else?" and thank the
patient.
Q: What are therapeutic communication techniques a nurse should use?
o A: Active listening, facilitation ("Go on"), silence, reflection, empathy, clarification,
and summarization.
Q: What are the components of a comprehensive health history?
o A: BIOGRAPHICAL DATA, Source of History, Reason for Seeking Care (Chief
Complaint), History of Present Illness (PQRSTU), Past Medical History, Family
History, Personal/Psychosocial History, Review of Systems.
Q: What is the PQRSTU mnemonic used for?
o A: To assess the Chief Complaint or Pain in detail:
Provocative/Palliative
Quality/Quantity
Region/Radiation
Severity (Scale 1-10)
Timing (Onset, Duration, Frequency)
Understanding (What do you think it means?)
Chapter 3 & 4: Physical Exam Techniques & General Survey
Q: What are the four primary assessment techniques and what is each used for?
o A:
1. Inspection: Careful, systematic visual observation. Always comes first.
2. Palpation: Using touch to assess texture, temperature, moisture, organ
location/size, swelling, vibration, pulsation, tenderness/pain.
