GCU NSG 316 Final Exam (PDF) | (2026/2027) Health Assessment
Exam Questions | GCU Nursing
1. A nurse is performing a health assessment on a newly admitted patient. Which type of
data is considered subjective?
A) Blood pressure reading of 140/90 mmHg
B) Patient states, "I have had a headache for the past two days."
C) The nurse observes the patient grimacing
D) Laboratory results show an elevated white blood cell count
Correct Answer: Patient states, "I have had a headache for the past two days."
Rationale: Subjective data is what the patient reports during history taking. Blood
pressure, observed grimacing, and lab results are all objective data collected or
observed by the nurse. Subjective data is the cornerstone of the health history and
provides the patient's perspective on their condition.
2. The nurse is assessing a patient's general appearance. Which component is included
in the general survey?
A) Auscultation of lung sounds
B) Measurement of blood pressure
C) Observation of posture, hygiene, and level of consciousness
D) Palpation of the abdomen
Correct Answer: Observation of posture, hygiene, and level of consciousness
Rationale: The general survey includes observation of overall appearance, posture,
hygiene, level of consciousness, skin color, and signs of distress. Vital signs and specific
physical examination techniques like auscultation and palpation are separate
components of the assessment.
3. What is the difference between subjective and objective data?
,A) Subjective data is measured, while objective data is observed
B) Subjective data is what the patient says, while objective data is what the nurse
observes
C) Subjective data is always more reliable than objective data
D) Subjective data comes from family members, while objective data comes from the
patient
Correct Answer: Subjective data is what the patient says, while objective data is what
the nurse observes
Rationale: Subjective data is derived directly from the patient's personal experiences
and perceptions during history taking. Objective data is gathered through direct
observation and physical examination (inspection, palpation, percussion, auscultation).
4. Which of the following best describes the database in health assessment?
A) Only laboratory studies
B) The patient's record, lab studies, and subjective/objective data
C) The patient's medical history only
D) The nurse's initial impression of the patient
Correct Answer: The patient's record, lab studies, and subjective/objective data
Rationale: The database in health assessment is a comprehensive collection of all
patient information, including the health history, physical examination findings, and
laboratory and diagnostic test results. It forms the basis for clinical decision-making.
5. A patient presents with unilateral wheezing. Which assessment finding most strongly
suggests airway obstruction?
A) Bilateral crackles
B) Diminished breath sounds on one side
C) Symmetrical chest expansion
,D) Clear lung sounds
Correct Answer: Diminished breath sounds on one side
Rationale: Diminished unilateral sounds indicate obstruction of the airway on that side,
preventing air from reaching the alveoli. This is a critical finding that requires further
investigation, potentially for a foreign body or tumor.
6. During an abdominal assessment, the nurse auscultates before palpation. Why?
A) Prevents false bowel sounds
B) Reduces patient discomfort
C) Avoids stimulating peristalsis
D) Ensures accurate percussion
Correct Answer: Avoids stimulating peristalsis
Rationale: Palpation and percussion can stimulate peristalsis, creating false or
hyperactive bowel sounds. Auscultation must be performed immediately after
inspection to accurately assess bowel motility before any manipulation of the abdomen.
7. Which cranial nerve is tested by assessing the pupillary light reflex?
A) CN II and III
B) CN V and VII
C) CN VIII
D) CN IX and X
Correct Answer: CN II and III
Rationale: The pupillary light reflex involves the optic nerve (CN II) sensing the light
stimulus and the oculomotor nerve (CN III) mediating the pupillary constriction. This is
a critical test for brainstem function.
, 8. A nurse notes clubbing of the fingers. Which condition is most likely?
A) Chronic hypoxia
B) Dehydration
C) Acute infection
D) Peripheral neuropathy
Correct Answer: Chronic hypoxia
Rationale: Clubbing is a sign of long-term oxygen deprivation, often associated with
chronic respiratory or cardiac conditions such as COPD, cystic fibrosis, or congenital
heart defects.
9. A patient reports a sudden severe headache described as the "worst ever." What is the
priority assessment?
A) Blood pressure
B) Neurological status
C) Temperature
D) Pain scale
Correct Answer: Neurological status
Rationale: A sudden, severe "worst headache of my life" is a classic sign of a
subarachnoid hemorrhage or stroke. A rapid neurological assessment is the priority to
detect potential life-threatening changes.
10. Which skin finding requires urgent evaluation?
A) Cherry angioma
B) Petechiae
C) Freckles
Exam Questions | GCU Nursing
1. A nurse is performing a health assessment on a newly admitted patient. Which type of
data is considered subjective?
A) Blood pressure reading of 140/90 mmHg
B) Patient states, "I have had a headache for the past two days."
C) The nurse observes the patient grimacing
D) Laboratory results show an elevated white blood cell count
Correct Answer: Patient states, "I have had a headache for the past two days."
Rationale: Subjective data is what the patient reports during history taking. Blood
pressure, observed grimacing, and lab results are all objective data collected or
observed by the nurse. Subjective data is the cornerstone of the health history and
provides the patient's perspective on their condition.
2. The nurse is assessing a patient's general appearance. Which component is included
in the general survey?
A) Auscultation of lung sounds
B) Measurement of blood pressure
C) Observation of posture, hygiene, and level of consciousness
D) Palpation of the abdomen
Correct Answer: Observation of posture, hygiene, and level of consciousness
Rationale: The general survey includes observation of overall appearance, posture,
hygiene, level of consciousness, skin color, and signs of distress. Vital signs and specific
physical examination techniques like auscultation and palpation are separate
components of the assessment.
3. What is the difference between subjective and objective data?
,A) Subjective data is measured, while objective data is observed
B) Subjective data is what the patient says, while objective data is what the nurse
observes
C) Subjective data is always more reliable than objective data
D) Subjective data comes from family members, while objective data comes from the
patient
Correct Answer: Subjective data is what the patient says, while objective data is what
the nurse observes
Rationale: Subjective data is derived directly from the patient's personal experiences
and perceptions during history taking. Objective data is gathered through direct
observation and physical examination (inspection, palpation, percussion, auscultation).
4. Which of the following best describes the database in health assessment?
A) Only laboratory studies
B) The patient's record, lab studies, and subjective/objective data
C) The patient's medical history only
D) The nurse's initial impression of the patient
Correct Answer: The patient's record, lab studies, and subjective/objective data
Rationale: The database in health assessment is a comprehensive collection of all
patient information, including the health history, physical examination findings, and
laboratory and diagnostic test results. It forms the basis for clinical decision-making.
5. A patient presents with unilateral wheezing. Which assessment finding most strongly
suggests airway obstruction?
A) Bilateral crackles
B) Diminished breath sounds on one side
C) Symmetrical chest expansion
,D) Clear lung sounds
Correct Answer: Diminished breath sounds on one side
Rationale: Diminished unilateral sounds indicate obstruction of the airway on that side,
preventing air from reaching the alveoli. This is a critical finding that requires further
investigation, potentially for a foreign body or tumor.
6. During an abdominal assessment, the nurse auscultates before palpation. Why?
A) Prevents false bowel sounds
B) Reduces patient discomfort
C) Avoids stimulating peristalsis
D) Ensures accurate percussion
Correct Answer: Avoids stimulating peristalsis
Rationale: Palpation and percussion can stimulate peristalsis, creating false or
hyperactive bowel sounds. Auscultation must be performed immediately after
inspection to accurately assess bowel motility before any manipulation of the abdomen.
7. Which cranial nerve is tested by assessing the pupillary light reflex?
A) CN II and III
B) CN V and VII
C) CN VIII
D) CN IX and X
Correct Answer: CN II and III
Rationale: The pupillary light reflex involves the optic nerve (CN II) sensing the light
stimulus and the oculomotor nerve (CN III) mediating the pupillary constriction. This is
a critical test for brainstem function.
, 8. A nurse notes clubbing of the fingers. Which condition is most likely?
A) Chronic hypoxia
B) Dehydration
C) Acute infection
D) Peripheral neuropathy
Correct Answer: Chronic hypoxia
Rationale: Clubbing is a sign of long-term oxygen deprivation, often associated with
chronic respiratory or cardiac conditions such as COPD, cystic fibrosis, or congenital
heart defects.
9. A patient reports a sudden severe headache described as the "worst ever." What is the
priority assessment?
A) Blood pressure
B) Neurological status
C) Temperature
D) Pain scale
Correct Answer: Neurological status
Rationale: A sudden, severe "worst headache of my life" is a classic sign of a
subarachnoid hemorrhage or stroke. A rapid neurological assessment is the priority to
detect potential life-threatening changes.
10. Which skin finding requires urgent evaluation?
A) Cherry angioma
B) Petechiae
C) Freckles
