NSG 121 HEALTH ASSESSMENT FINAL EXAM 2026/2027– 100
QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSWERS
Overview: This comprehensive final covers all Herzing NSG 121 content for 2025/2026:
health history, interviewing, general survey, vital signs, pain, HEENT, respiratory,
cardiovascular, abdomen, neurological, musculoskeletal, integumentary, lifespan, and
documentation. Format: A-D options, correct answer in bold Green, rationale provided
for each.
NSG 121 FINAL EXAM – 100 QUESTIONS
1. The nurse documents “Patient states, ‘My stomach has been hurting for 2 days.’”
This is:
A. Objective data
B. An inference
C. Subjective data
D. A nursing diagnosis
Rationale: Subjective data is what the patient says. Objective is what the nurse
observes/measures.
2. Which assessment framework uses 11 human patterns including sleep-rest and role-
relationship?
A. Head-to-toe
B. Body systems
C. Functional health patterns
D. Focused assessment
Rationale: Gordon’s functional health patterns assess human behavior patterns, not
physical systems.
3. The best question to begin a health history interview:
A. “What’s wrong with you today?”
B. “What concerns brought you in today?”
C. “Why did you wait so long?”
D. “Tell me your medical history.”
Rationale: Open-ended, non-judgmental, patient-centered opening encourages
dialogue.
4. COLDSPA is used to analyze:
A. Only pain
B. Vital signs
C. Any symptom
D. Mental status
Rationale: Character, Onset, Location, Duration, Severity, Pattern, Associated factors –
works for any symptom.
5. “I understand this must be hard” is an example of:
A. False reassurance
, B. Empathy
C. Sympathy
D. Advising
Rationale: Empathy acknowledges feelings without claiming to share the exact
experience.
6. Which vital sign change is a normal finding in older adults?
A. Heart rate 100 bpm at rest
B. Respiratory rate 8/min
C. Systolic BP increase, widened pulse pressure
D. Oral temp 96.0°F
Rationale: Arterial stiffening with age increases SBP and pulse pressure.
7. Pulse pressure is calculated by:
A. HR x stroke volume
B. Systolic BP – Diastolic BP
C. Diastolic + 1/3 pulse pressure
D. Average of SBP and DBP
Rationale: Normal pulse pressure = 30-50 mmHg.
8. Orthostatic hypotension is defined as:
A. BP <90/60 when standing
B. SBP drop ≥20 or DBP drop ≥10 within 3 min of standing
C. HR increase 15 bpm
D. Dizziness only
Rationale: Clinical definition used to diagnose orthostatic changes.
9. Which BP cuff error causes falsely high readings?
A. Cuff too wide
B. Cuff too narrow/small
C. Arm above heart level
D. Deflating too slowly
Rationale: Too narrow = falsely high. Too wide = falsely low.
10. PQRST “R” stands for:
A. Respiration
B. Response
C. Region/Radiation
D. Relief
Rationale: P=Provokes, Q=Quality, R=Region/Radiation, S=Severity, T=Timing.
11. Pain rating of 8/10 with smiling, relaxed posture indicates:
A. Patient is lying
B. Need to assess for cultural or personal pain expression
C. No pain present
D. Pain meds not needed
Rationale: Self-report is gold standard, but assess nonverbal cues and cultural factors.
12. Normal adult respiratory rate:
A. 8-12/min
B. 12-20/min
C. 20-28/min
QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSWERS
Overview: This comprehensive final covers all Herzing NSG 121 content for 2025/2026:
health history, interviewing, general survey, vital signs, pain, HEENT, respiratory,
cardiovascular, abdomen, neurological, musculoskeletal, integumentary, lifespan, and
documentation. Format: A-D options, correct answer in bold Green, rationale provided
for each.
NSG 121 FINAL EXAM – 100 QUESTIONS
1. The nurse documents “Patient states, ‘My stomach has been hurting for 2 days.’”
This is:
A. Objective data
B. An inference
C. Subjective data
D. A nursing diagnosis
Rationale: Subjective data is what the patient says. Objective is what the nurse
observes/measures.
2. Which assessment framework uses 11 human patterns including sleep-rest and role-
relationship?
A. Head-to-toe
B. Body systems
C. Functional health patterns
D. Focused assessment
Rationale: Gordon’s functional health patterns assess human behavior patterns, not
physical systems.
3. The best question to begin a health history interview:
A. “What’s wrong with you today?”
B. “What concerns brought you in today?”
C. “Why did you wait so long?”
D. “Tell me your medical history.”
Rationale: Open-ended, non-judgmental, patient-centered opening encourages
dialogue.
4. COLDSPA is used to analyze:
A. Only pain
B. Vital signs
C. Any symptom
D. Mental status
Rationale: Character, Onset, Location, Duration, Severity, Pattern, Associated factors –
works for any symptom.
5. “I understand this must be hard” is an example of:
A. False reassurance
, B. Empathy
C. Sympathy
D. Advising
Rationale: Empathy acknowledges feelings without claiming to share the exact
experience.
6. Which vital sign change is a normal finding in older adults?
A. Heart rate 100 bpm at rest
B. Respiratory rate 8/min
C. Systolic BP increase, widened pulse pressure
D. Oral temp 96.0°F
Rationale: Arterial stiffening with age increases SBP and pulse pressure.
7. Pulse pressure is calculated by:
A. HR x stroke volume
B. Systolic BP – Diastolic BP
C. Diastolic + 1/3 pulse pressure
D. Average of SBP and DBP
Rationale: Normal pulse pressure = 30-50 mmHg.
8. Orthostatic hypotension is defined as:
A. BP <90/60 when standing
B. SBP drop ≥20 or DBP drop ≥10 within 3 min of standing
C. HR increase 15 bpm
D. Dizziness only
Rationale: Clinical definition used to diagnose orthostatic changes.
9. Which BP cuff error causes falsely high readings?
A. Cuff too wide
B. Cuff too narrow/small
C. Arm above heart level
D. Deflating too slowly
Rationale: Too narrow = falsely high. Too wide = falsely low.
10. PQRST “R” stands for:
A. Respiration
B. Response
C. Region/Radiation
D. Relief
Rationale: P=Provokes, Q=Quality, R=Region/Radiation, S=Severity, T=Timing.
11. Pain rating of 8/10 with smiling, relaxed posture indicates:
A. Patient is lying
B. Need to assess for cultural or personal pain expression
C. No pain present
D. Pain meds not needed
Rationale: Self-report is gold standard, but assess nonverbal cues and cultural factors.
12. Normal adult respiratory rate:
A. 8-12/min
B. 12-20/min
C. 20-28/min
