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NSG 3100 EXAM 1 – FUNDAMENTAL
CONCEPTS & SKILLS FOR NURSING
PRACTICE (2026/2027)
GALEN COLLEGE OF NURSING
200+ PRACTICE QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED
ANSWERS & DETAILED RATIONALES
itsjereguides
SECTION 1: THE NURSING PROCESS (ADPIE)
## 1.1 Assessment
**Question 1**
A nurse is admitting a patient to the medical-surgical unit. Which action represents the
**assessment** phase of the nursing process?
A. The nurse administers pain medication as ordered
B. The nurse obtains the patient's blood pressure, heart rate, and respiratory rate
C. The nurse develops a plan of care for the patient
D. The nurse evaluates the effectiveness of the pain medication
**Correct Answer: B**
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**Rationale:** The assessment phase of the nursing process involves collecting subjective and
objective data about the patient. Vital signs are objective data collected during the assessment
phase. Option A represents implementation, Option C represents planning, and Option D
represents evaluation.
---
**Question 2**
A nurse is performing an admission assessment. Which data source is considered **primary**?
A. Family member's description of the client's symptoms
B. The client's verbal description of their symptoms
C. The client's medical record from another facility
D. The emergency department provider's notes
**Correct Answer: B**
**Rationale:** The client is the primary source of data. Family members, medical records, and
other healthcare providers are secondary sources of information. Primary data comes directly
from the patient and is the most reliable source for subjective information.
---
**Question 3**
Which assessment finding would the nurse document as **objective data**?
A. The patient reports feeling anxious
B. The patient states, "I have a headache"
C. The patient's blood pressure is 142/88 mmHg
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D. The patient describes pain as "sharp and stabbing"
**Correct Answer: C**
**Rationale:** Objective data are observable and measurable facts obtained through physical
examination, vital signs, and laboratory results. A blood pressure reading is measurable objective
data. Options A, B, and D are subjective data—information reported by the patient that cannot be
independently verified.
---
**Question 4**
During the assessment phase, the nurse collects data from multiple sources. Which of the
following is an example of **secondary** data?
A. The patient's verbal report of chest pain
B. The patient's heart rate of 92 beats per minute
C. Information obtained from the patient's medical record
D. The patient's statement about their dietary preferences
**Correct Answer: C**
**Rationale:** Secondary data comes from sources other than the patient, such as medical
records, family members, or other healthcare providers. Options A and D are primary data from
the patient. Option B is objective primary data obtained by the nurse.
---
**Question 5**
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A nurse is performing a head-to-toe assessment on a newly admitted patient. Which technique
should the nurse use **first** during the physical examination?
A. Palpation
B. Percussion
C. Inspection
D. Auscultation
**Correct Answer: C**
**Rationale:** Inspection is always the first assessment technique used in a physical
examination. It involves visual observation of the patient's overall appearance, body structure,
and specific body areas. Palpation, percussion, and auscultation follow inspection in the standard
sequence.
---
**Question 6**
The nurse is conducting a health history interview. Which question is most effective for
obtaining **subjective** data about the patient's pain?
A. "On a scale of 0 to 10, what is your pain level?"
B. "Can you describe the quality of your pain?"
C. "Is your pain worse with movement?"
D. "Does the pain radiate to your arm?"
**Correct Answer: B**
NSG 3100 EXAM 1 – FUNDAMENTAL
CONCEPTS & SKILLS FOR NURSING
PRACTICE (2026/2027)
GALEN COLLEGE OF NURSING
200+ PRACTICE QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED
ANSWERS & DETAILED RATIONALES
itsjereguides
SECTION 1: THE NURSING PROCESS (ADPIE)
## 1.1 Assessment
**Question 1**
A nurse is admitting a patient to the medical-surgical unit. Which action represents the
**assessment** phase of the nursing process?
A. The nurse administers pain medication as ordered
B. The nurse obtains the patient's blood pressure, heart rate, and respiratory rate
C. The nurse develops a plan of care for the patient
D. The nurse evaluates the effectiveness of the pain medication
**Correct Answer: B**
,Page 2 of 127
**Rationale:** The assessment phase of the nursing process involves collecting subjective and
objective data about the patient. Vital signs are objective data collected during the assessment
phase. Option A represents implementation, Option C represents planning, and Option D
represents evaluation.
---
**Question 2**
A nurse is performing an admission assessment. Which data source is considered **primary**?
A. Family member's description of the client's symptoms
B. The client's verbal description of their symptoms
C. The client's medical record from another facility
D. The emergency department provider's notes
**Correct Answer: B**
**Rationale:** The client is the primary source of data. Family members, medical records, and
other healthcare providers are secondary sources of information. Primary data comes directly
from the patient and is the most reliable source for subjective information.
---
**Question 3**
Which assessment finding would the nurse document as **objective data**?
A. The patient reports feeling anxious
B. The patient states, "I have a headache"
C. The patient's blood pressure is 142/88 mmHg
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D. The patient describes pain as "sharp and stabbing"
**Correct Answer: C**
**Rationale:** Objective data are observable and measurable facts obtained through physical
examination, vital signs, and laboratory results. A blood pressure reading is measurable objective
data. Options A, B, and D are subjective data—information reported by the patient that cannot be
independently verified.
---
**Question 4**
During the assessment phase, the nurse collects data from multiple sources. Which of the
following is an example of **secondary** data?
A. The patient's verbal report of chest pain
B. The patient's heart rate of 92 beats per minute
C. Information obtained from the patient's medical record
D. The patient's statement about their dietary preferences
**Correct Answer: C**
**Rationale:** Secondary data comes from sources other than the patient, such as medical
records, family members, or other healthcare providers. Options A and D are primary data from
the patient. Option B is objective primary data obtained by the nurse.
---
**Question 5**
, Page 4 of 127
A nurse is performing a head-to-toe assessment on a newly admitted patient. Which technique
should the nurse use **first** during the physical examination?
A. Palpation
B. Percussion
C. Inspection
D. Auscultation
**Correct Answer: C**
**Rationale:** Inspection is always the first assessment technique used in a physical
examination. It involves visual observation of the patient's overall appearance, body structure,
and specific body areas. Palpation, percussion, and auscultation follow inspection in the standard
sequence.
---
**Question 6**
The nurse is conducting a health history interview. Which question is most effective for
obtaining **subjective** data about the patient's pain?
A. "On a scale of 0 to 10, what is your pain level?"
B. "Can you describe the quality of your pain?"
C. "Is your pain worse with movement?"
D. "Does the pain radiate to your arm?"
**Correct Answer: B**
