NSG 300 EXAM 1 COMPREHENSIVE
REVIEW QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. A nurse is conducting a health history for a new client. Which action by the nurse
represents the ‘Assessment’ phase of the nursing process?
A. Reviewing the client’s past medical records and current lab results.
B. Documenting a plan to improve the client’s nutritional status.
C. Comparing the client’s current weight to their weight from one year ago.
D. Teaching the client about the side effects of their new medication.
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Assessment involves collecting, validating, and documenting
data. Reviewing records and labs is a key component of data collection. Comparing weight
is evaluation, documenting a plan is planning, and teaching is implementation.
2. During a physical exam, the nurse uses the diaphragm of the stethoscope. Which sound is
the nurse most likely assessing?
A. Low-pitched heart murmurs.
B. High-pitched bowel sounds.
C. Bruits over the carotid arteries.
,D. Jugular venous distention.
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: The diaphragm is used for high-pitched sounds like breath
sounds, bowel sounds, and normal heart sounds. The bell is used for low-pitched sounds
like murmurs and bruits.
3. A client expresses anxiety about an upcoming procedure. The nurse responds, ‘You seem
worried about the surgery. Tell me more about what is concerning you.’ Which
communication technique is this?
A. Reflecting
B. Probing
C. Summarizing
D. Giving false reassurance
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Reflecting involves repeating the essence of the client’s feelings
or words back to them to encourage further expression and demonstrate empathy.
4. When measuring blood pressure, if the nurse uses a cuff that is too narrow for the client’s
arm, what is the likely result?
A. The reading will be falsely low.
B. The reading will be falsely high.
, C. The systolic reading will be accurate, but the diastolic will be high.
D. The reading will not be affected by cuff size.
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: A cuff that is too narrow or small will result in a falsely high
blood pressure reading because it requires more pressure to occlude the artery.
5. Which of the following represents ‘subjective’ data?
A. Client states, ‘I feel like my heart is racing.’
B. Blood pressure 140/90 mmHg.
C. Pitting edema noted in the lower extremities.
D. A recorded temperature of 101.2°F.
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Subjective data are the client’s perceptions, feelings, or
descriptions. Objective data are observable and measurable by the healthcare provider.
6. A nurse is assessing a client’s radial pulse and finds it to be irregular. What is the priority
nursing action?
A. Document the finding as a 2+ pulse.
B. Assess the apical pulse for one full minute.
C. Notify the healthcare provider immediately.
REVIEW QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. A nurse is conducting a health history for a new client. Which action by the nurse
represents the ‘Assessment’ phase of the nursing process?
A. Reviewing the client’s past medical records and current lab results.
B. Documenting a plan to improve the client’s nutritional status.
C. Comparing the client’s current weight to their weight from one year ago.
D. Teaching the client about the side effects of their new medication.
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Assessment involves collecting, validating, and documenting
data. Reviewing records and labs is a key component of data collection. Comparing weight
is evaluation, documenting a plan is planning, and teaching is implementation.
2. During a physical exam, the nurse uses the diaphragm of the stethoscope. Which sound is
the nurse most likely assessing?
A. Low-pitched heart murmurs.
B. High-pitched bowel sounds.
C. Bruits over the carotid arteries.
,D. Jugular venous distention.
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: The diaphragm is used for high-pitched sounds like breath
sounds, bowel sounds, and normal heart sounds. The bell is used for low-pitched sounds
like murmurs and bruits.
3. A client expresses anxiety about an upcoming procedure. The nurse responds, ‘You seem
worried about the surgery. Tell me more about what is concerning you.’ Which
communication technique is this?
A. Reflecting
B. Probing
C. Summarizing
D. Giving false reassurance
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Reflecting involves repeating the essence of the client’s feelings
or words back to them to encourage further expression and demonstrate empathy.
4. When measuring blood pressure, if the nurse uses a cuff that is too narrow for the client’s
arm, what is the likely result?
A. The reading will be falsely low.
B. The reading will be falsely high.
, C. The systolic reading will be accurate, but the diastolic will be high.
D. The reading will not be affected by cuff size.
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: A cuff that is too narrow or small will result in a falsely high
blood pressure reading because it requires more pressure to occlude the artery.
5. Which of the following represents ‘subjective’ data?
A. Client states, ‘I feel like my heart is racing.’
B. Blood pressure 140/90 mmHg.
C. Pitting edema noted in the lower extremities.
D. A recorded temperature of 101.2°F.
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Subjective data are the client’s perceptions, feelings, or
descriptions. Objective data are observable and measurable by the healthcare provider.
6. A nurse is assessing a client’s radial pulse and finds it to be irregular. What is the priority
nursing action?
A. Document the finding as a 2+ pulse.
B. Assess the apical pulse for one full minute.
C. Notify the healthcare provider immediately.
