NSG 3160 Ciara Yun High Yield Comprehensive
Practice Exam with Rationales and Study Guide for
Fall 2026 Quarter Nursing Students Just Released
Pass Guaranteed
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Topic Questions
1 Health Assessment Fundamentals Questions 1 to 25
2 Health History Taking Questions 26 to 45
3 Physical Examination Techniques Questions 46 to 65
4 Head and Neck Assessment Questions 66 to 80
5 Thorax and Lung Assessment Questions 81 to 100
6 Cardiovascular Assessment Questions 101 to 120
7 Abdominal Assessment Questions 121 to 140
8 Musculoskeletal Assessment Questions 141 to 160
9 Neurological Assessment Questions 161 to 180
10 Documentation and Communication Questions 181 to 200
Brief Study Tips by Topic
SECTION 1 HEALTH ASSESSMENT FUNDAMENTALS
Questions 1 to 25
Question 1
A nursing student is learning about the components of a comprehensive health
assessment. The student understands that the purpose of a health history is to
A Collect subjective data about the patient's health status
B Collect objective data from the physical examination
C Identify the patient's medical diagnosis
D Determine the patient's laboratory values
E Establish the patient's baseline vital signs
Answer A Collect subjective data about the patient's health status
,
Rationale The health history collects subjective data what the patient reports
about their health status including symptoms, past medical history, family
history, and lifestyle factors. Objective data is collected during the physical
examination. Laboratory values and vital signs are objective data. Medical
diagnosis is determined by the healthcare provider.
Question 2
A nurse is preparing to perform a physical examination on a patient. Which
action should the nurse take first to ensure patient comfort and safety
A Wash hands and explain the procedure to the patient
B Position the patient for the examination
C Gather all necessary equipment
D Ask the patient to undress completely
E Document the patient's vital signs
Answer A Wash hands and explain the procedure to the patient
Rationale The nurse should perform hand hygiene and explain the procedure
to the patient before beginning the examination. This promotes infection
prevention and reduces patient anxiety. Positioning, gathering equipment,
undressing, and documenting vital signs are subsequent steps. Hand hygiene
is the first priority.
Question 3
A nurse is assessing a patient's general appearance. Which finding would be
considered abnormal and require further investigation
A Patient appears anxious with rapid speech
B Patient is well-groomed and dressed appropriately
C Patient maintains eye contact during conversation
D Patient has a steady gait when walking
E Patient is alert and oriented to person, place, and time
Answer A Patient appears anxious with rapid speech
Rationale Anxiety with rapid speech is an abnormal finding that requires
further investigation. It may indicate pain, respiratory distress, or emotional
distress. Well-groomed appearance, maintaining eye contact, steady gait, and
orientation are normal findings. The nurse should assess the underlying cause
of the anxiety.
,
Question 4
A nurse is planning to perform a comprehensive health assessment on a
patient. Which approach should the nurse use to ensure a systematic and
organized assessment
A Head-to-toe approach
B Body systems approach
C Focused approach
D Functional approach
E Problem-based approach
Answer A Head-to-toe approach
Rationale The head-to-toe approach is the most systematic and organized
method for performing a comprehensive health assessment. It ensures that all
body systems are assessed in a logical order and nothing is missed. A focused
approach is used for specific problems. Body systems, functional, and
problem-based approaches are variations of the comprehensive assessment.
Question 5
A nurse is assessing a patient's vital signs. Which vital sign indicates a need
for immediate intervention
A Oxygen saturation 84 percent on room air
B Temperature 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit
C Pulse 78 beats per minute
D Respiratory rate 14 breaths per minute
E Blood pressure 118 over 76
Answer A Oxygen saturation 84 percent on room air
Rationale An oxygen saturation of 84 percent indicates severe hypoxemia and
requires immediate intervention. Normal oxygen saturation is 95 to 100
percent. The other vital signs are within normal ranges. The nurse should
administer oxygen and notify the healthcare provider.
Question 6
A nurse is preparing to assess a patient's pain level. Which pain scale is most
appropriate for a patient who is awake, alert, and able to communicate
,
A Numeric rating scale 0 to 10
B FLACC scale
C PAINAD scale
D Behavioral pain scale
E Non-verbal pain scale
Answer A Numeric rating scale 0 to 10
Rationale The numeric rating scale 0 to 10 is appropriate for patients who are
awake, alert, and able to self-report pain. The FLACC scale is for children
and non-verbal patients. PAINAD is for patients with advanced dementia.
Behavioral and non-verbal scales are for patients who cannot self-report.
Question 7
A nurse is assessing a patient's nutritional status. Which laboratory value is
most indicative of protein malnutrition
A Serum albumin 2.8 g/dL
B Hemoglobin 12.0 g/dL
C Serum sodium 140 mEq/L
D Serum potassium 4.0 mEq/L
E Serum glucose 110 mg/dL
Answer A Serum albumin 2.8 g/dL
Rationale Serum albumin is a sensitive indicator of protein malnutrition.
Normal serum albumin is 3.5 to 5.0 g/dL. A level of 2.8 g/dL indicates
significant protein depletion. Hemoglobin, electrolytes, and glucose are not
specific indicators of protein malnutrition.
Question 8
A nurse is assessing a patient's functional health status. Which question is
most appropriate for assessing the patient's ability to perform activities of
daily living
A Can you tell me about your typical daily routine and any difficulties you
have with daily activities
B What is your current occupation
C How many people live in your household
D Do you have any allergies to medications
E What is your preferred method of communication
Practice Exam with Rationales and Study Guide for
Fall 2026 Quarter Nursing Students Just Released
Pass Guaranteed
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Topic Questions
1 Health Assessment Fundamentals Questions 1 to 25
2 Health History Taking Questions 26 to 45
3 Physical Examination Techniques Questions 46 to 65
4 Head and Neck Assessment Questions 66 to 80
5 Thorax and Lung Assessment Questions 81 to 100
6 Cardiovascular Assessment Questions 101 to 120
7 Abdominal Assessment Questions 121 to 140
8 Musculoskeletal Assessment Questions 141 to 160
9 Neurological Assessment Questions 161 to 180
10 Documentation and Communication Questions 181 to 200
Brief Study Tips by Topic
SECTION 1 HEALTH ASSESSMENT FUNDAMENTALS
Questions 1 to 25
Question 1
A nursing student is learning about the components of a comprehensive health
assessment. The student understands that the purpose of a health history is to
A Collect subjective data about the patient's health status
B Collect objective data from the physical examination
C Identify the patient's medical diagnosis
D Determine the patient's laboratory values
E Establish the patient's baseline vital signs
Answer A Collect subjective data about the patient's health status
,
Rationale The health history collects subjective data what the patient reports
about their health status including symptoms, past medical history, family
history, and lifestyle factors. Objective data is collected during the physical
examination. Laboratory values and vital signs are objective data. Medical
diagnosis is determined by the healthcare provider.
Question 2
A nurse is preparing to perform a physical examination on a patient. Which
action should the nurse take first to ensure patient comfort and safety
A Wash hands and explain the procedure to the patient
B Position the patient for the examination
C Gather all necessary equipment
D Ask the patient to undress completely
E Document the patient's vital signs
Answer A Wash hands and explain the procedure to the patient
Rationale The nurse should perform hand hygiene and explain the procedure
to the patient before beginning the examination. This promotes infection
prevention and reduces patient anxiety. Positioning, gathering equipment,
undressing, and documenting vital signs are subsequent steps. Hand hygiene
is the first priority.
Question 3
A nurse is assessing a patient's general appearance. Which finding would be
considered abnormal and require further investigation
A Patient appears anxious with rapid speech
B Patient is well-groomed and dressed appropriately
C Patient maintains eye contact during conversation
D Patient has a steady gait when walking
E Patient is alert and oriented to person, place, and time
Answer A Patient appears anxious with rapid speech
Rationale Anxiety with rapid speech is an abnormal finding that requires
further investigation. It may indicate pain, respiratory distress, or emotional
distress. Well-groomed appearance, maintaining eye contact, steady gait, and
orientation are normal findings. The nurse should assess the underlying cause
of the anxiety.
,
Question 4
A nurse is planning to perform a comprehensive health assessment on a
patient. Which approach should the nurse use to ensure a systematic and
organized assessment
A Head-to-toe approach
B Body systems approach
C Focused approach
D Functional approach
E Problem-based approach
Answer A Head-to-toe approach
Rationale The head-to-toe approach is the most systematic and organized
method for performing a comprehensive health assessment. It ensures that all
body systems are assessed in a logical order and nothing is missed. A focused
approach is used for specific problems. Body systems, functional, and
problem-based approaches are variations of the comprehensive assessment.
Question 5
A nurse is assessing a patient's vital signs. Which vital sign indicates a need
for immediate intervention
A Oxygen saturation 84 percent on room air
B Temperature 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit
C Pulse 78 beats per minute
D Respiratory rate 14 breaths per minute
E Blood pressure 118 over 76
Answer A Oxygen saturation 84 percent on room air
Rationale An oxygen saturation of 84 percent indicates severe hypoxemia and
requires immediate intervention. Normal oxygen saturation is 95 to 100
percent. The other vital signs are within normal ranges. The nurse should
administer oxygen and notify the healthcare provider.
Question 6
A nurse is preparing to assess a patient's pain level. Which pain scale is most
appropriate for a patient who is awake, alert, and able to communicate
,
A Numeric rating scale 0 to 10
B FLACC scale
C PAINAD scale
D Behavioral pain scale
E Non-verbal pain scale
Answer A Numeric rating scale 0 to 10
Rationale The numeric rating scale 0 to 10 is appropriate for patients who are
awake, alert, and able to self-report pain. The FLACC scale is for children
and non-verbal patients. PAINAD is for patients with advanced dementia.
Behavioral and non-verbal scales are for patients who cannot self-report.
Question 7
A nurse is assessing a patient's nutritional status. Which laboratory value is
most indicative of protein malnutrition
A Serum albumin 2.8 g/dL
B Hemoglobin 12.0 g/dL
C Serum sodium 140 mEq/L
D Serum potassium 4.0 mEq/L
E Serum glucose 110 mg/dL
Answer A Serum albumin 2.8 g/dL
Rationale Serum albumin is a sensitive indicator of protein malnutrition.
Normal serum albumin is 3.5 to 5.0 g/dL. A level of 2.8 g/dL indicates
significant protein depletion. Hemoglobin, electrolytes, and glucose are not
specific indicators of protein malnutrition.
Question 8
A nurse is assessing a patient's functional health status. Which question is
most appropriate for assessing the patient's ability to perform activities of
daily living
A Can you tell me about your typical daily routine and any difficulties you
have with daily activities
B What is your current occupation
C How many people live in your household
D Do you have any allergies to medications
E What is your preferred method of communication
