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NSG 3160 HEALTH ASSESSMENT — MIDTERM EXAM
2026/2027 COMPLETE (150) CURRENT TESTING
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS WITH DETAILED
RATIONALES.
NSG 3160
Prepare effectively for the NSG 3160 Health Assessment Midterm Exam with this
focused study resource. It supports review of health history, physical examination
techniques, patient assessment, vital signs, documentation, and recognition of
normal and abnormal findings. Use the material to reinforce your clinical knowledge,
review high-yield topics, and identify areas that may require additional study. This
resource is suited for nursing students, NSG 3160 learners, and candidates preparing
for the Health Assessment midterm examination.
MULTIPLE CHOICE.
SECTION 1: HEALTH HISTORY & INTERVIEWING TECHNIQUES (Questions
1–20)
1. A nurse is conducting a health history interview with a new patient.
Which of the following is the BEST way to begin the interview?
A. "What brings you to the clinic today?"
B. "Tell me what concerns you have about your health."
C. "Do you have any health problems?"
D. "Why did you schedule this appointment?"
Answer: B. "Tell me what concerns you have about your health."
Rationale: An open-ended question is the best way to begin a health
history interview. It allows the patient to express their concerns in their
own words and establishes a patient-centered approach. Asking "What
brings you to the clinic?" (A) is also open-ended but is more focused on
the immediate visit. Asking "Why" (D) can sound accusatory; closed-
ended questions (C) limit the information the patient provides.
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2. A nurse is assessing a patient using the FIFE model. Which of the
following is a component of this model?
A. Family, Illness, Function, Environment
B. Family, Ideas, Feelings, Expectations
C. Feelings, Ideas, Function, Environment
D. Family, Illness, Feelings, Expectations
Answer: B. Family, Ideas, Feelings, Expectations
Rationale: The FIFE model is a framework for understanding the patient's
perspective: (F) Family—impact on family/social relationships; (I) Ideas—
patient's beliefs about the illness; (F) Feelings—emotional response to
the illness; (E) Expectations—what the patient hopes the provider will do.
This model is essential for patient-centered care and shared decision-
making.
3. A patient reports that they have been experiencing headaches for the
past month. Which of the following questions is MOST appropriate to
assess the quality of the headache?
A. "How long have you had the headache?"
B. "Can you describe what the headache feels like—is it throbbing, sharp,
or pressure-like?"
C. "Where is the headache located?"
D. "What makes the headache better or worse?"
Answer: B. "Can you describe what the headache feels like—is it
throbbing, sharp, or pressure-like?"
Rationale: This question assesses the quality (character) of the symptom,
which is a key component of the OLDCARTS mnemonic (Onset, Location,
Duration, Character, Aggravating/Alleviating factors, Radiation, Timing,
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Severity). Quality helps differentiate between types of headaches (e.g.,
migraine vs. tension vs. cluster).
4. A patient is crying and reports feeling "overwhelmed." Which of the
following is the MOST therapeutic response?
A. "Don't cry; everything will be okay."
B. "It sounds like you're feeling really overwhelmed right now. Tell me
more about what's going on."
C. "Why are you feeling overwhelmed?"
D. "You need to calm down so we can talk."
Answer: B. "It sounds like you're feeling really overwhelmed right now. Tell
me more about what's going on."
Rationale: This response validates the patient's feelings and invites them
to share more, which is therapeutic and patient-centered. It uses
reflection and an open-ended invitation. Option A offers false
reassurance; Option C uses "why," which can be confrontational; Option
D dismisses the patient's emotions.
5. A patient reports chest pain. Which of the following is a "red flag"
symptom that requires immediate attention?
A. Chest pain that worsens with deep breathing
B. Chest pain that radiates to the jaw, neck, or left arm
C. Chest pain that is relieved by leaning forward
D. Chest pain that is reproducible with palpation
Answer: B. Chest pain that radiates to the jaw, neck, or left arm
Rationale: Chest pain that radiates to the jaw, neck, or left arm is a classic
sign of myocardial ischemia and requires immediate evaluation. Pain that
worsens with deep breathing (pleuritic) may indicate pericarditis or
pulmonary conditions; pain relieved by leaning forward is associated with
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pericarditis; pain reproducible with palpation is typically musculoskeletal
(costochondritis).
6. A patient reports drinking alcohol "socially." Which of the following is
the MOST appropriate screening question to assess for risky drinking?
A. "How often do you drink?"
B. "How many drinks do you have on a typical day when you are drinking?"
C. "Do you ever drink alone?"
D. "Have you ever had a problem with alcohol?"
Answer: B. "How many drinks do you have on a typical day when you are
drinking?"
Rationale: This question assesses quantity of alcohol consumption and is
part of the AUDIT-C screening tool. It helps identify at-risk drinking
patterns (more than 3 drinks for women or 4 for men on a typical day). The
CAGE questionnaire is another validated screening tool for alcohol use
disorder.
7. A patient reports that they smoke one pack of cigarettes per day. Which
of the following is the MOST appropriate next step according to the "5 A's"
model?
A. Advise the patient to quit
B. Assess the patient's readiness to quit
C. Prescribe nicotine replacement therapy
D. Refer the patient to a smoking cessation program
Answer: B. Assess the patient's readiness to quit
Rationale: The "5 A's" model for smoking cessation includes: Ask, Advise,
Assess, Assist, Arrange. Before providing interventions, the provider
should Assess the patient's readiness to quit using the transtheoretical
NSG 3160 HEALTH ASSESSMENT — MIDTERM EXAM
2026/2027 COMPLETE (150) CURRENT TESTING
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS WITH DETAILED
RATIONALES.
NSG 3160
Prepare effectively for the NSG 3160 Health Assessment Midterm Exam with this
focused study resource. It supports review of health history, physical examination
techniques, patient assessment, vital signs, documentation, and recognition of
normal and abnormal findings. Use the material to reinforce your clinical knowledge,
review high-yield topics, and identify areas that may require additional study. This
resource is suited for nursing students, NSG 3160 learners, and candidates preparing
for the Health Assessment midterm examination.
MULTIPLE CHOICE.
SECTION 1: HEALTH HISTORY & INTERVIEWING TECHNIQUES (Questions
1–20)
1. A nurse is conducting a health history interview with a new patient.
Which of the following is the BEST way to begin the interview?
A. "What brings you to the clinic today?"
B. "Tell me what concerns you have about your health."
C. "Do you have any health problems?"
D. "Why did you schedule this appointment?"
Answer: B. "Tell me what concerns you have about your health."
Rationale: An open-ended question is the best way to begin a health
history interview. It allows the patient to express their concerns in their
own words and establishes a patient-centered approach. Asking "What
brings you to the clinic?" (A) is also open-ended but is more focused on
the immediate visit. Asking "Why" (D) can sound accusatory; closed-
ended questions (C) limit the information the patient provides.
, Page 2 of 69
2. A nurse is assessing a patient using the FIFE model. Which of the
following is a component of this model?
A. Family, Illness, Function, Environment
B. Family, Ideas, Feelings, Expectations
C. Feelings, Ideas, Function, Environment
D. Family, Illness, Feelings, Expectations
Answer: B. Family, Ideas, Feelings, Expectations
Rationale: The FIFE model is a framework for understanding the patient's
perspective: (F) Family—impact on family/social relationships; (I) Ideas—
patient's beliefs about the illness; (F) Feelings—emotional response to
the illness; (E) Expectations—what the patient hopes the provider will do.
This model is essential for patient-centered care and shared decision-
making.
3. A patient reports that they have been experiencing headaches for the
past month. Which of the following questions is MOST appropriate to
assess the quality of the headache?
A. "How long have you had the headache?"
B. "Can you describe what the headache feels like—is it throbbing, sharp,
or pressure-like?"
C. "Where is the headache located?"
D. "What makes the headache better or worse?"
Answer: B. "Can you describe what the headache feels like—is it
throbbing, sharp, or pressure-like?"
Rationale: This question assesses the quality (character) of the symptom,
which is a key component of the OLDCARTS mnemonic (Onset, Location,
Duration, Character, Aggravating/Alleviating factors, Radiation, Timing,
, Page 3 of 69
Severity). Quality helps differentiate between types of headaches (e.g.,
migraine vs. tension vs. cluster).
4. A patient is crying and reports feeling "overwhelmed." Which of the
following is the MOST therapeutic response?
A. "Don't cry; everything will be okay."
B. "It sounds like you're feeling really overwhelmed right now. Tell me
more about what's going on."
C. "Why are you feeling overwhelmed?"
D. "You need to calm down so we can talk."
Answer: B. "It sounds like you're feeling really overwhelmed right now. Tell
me more about what's going on."
Rationale: This response validates the patient's feelings and invites them
to share more, which is therapeutic and patient-centered. It uses
reflection and an open-ended invitation. Option A offers false
reassurance; Option C uses "why," which can be confrontational; Option
D dismisses the patient's emotions.
5. A patient reports chest pain. Which of the following is a "red flag"
symptom that requires immediate attention?
A. Chest pain that worsens with deep breathing
B. Chest pain that radiates to the jaw, neck, or left arm
C. Chest pain that is relieved by leaning forward
D. Chest pain that is reproducible with palpation
Answer: B. Chest pain that radiates to the jaw, neck, or left arm
Rationale: Chest pain that radiates to the jaw, neck, or left arm is a classic
sign of myocardial ischemia and requires immediate evaluation. Pain that
worsens with deep breathing (pleuritic) may indicate pericarditis or
pulmonary conditions; pain relieved by leaning forward is associated with
, Page 4 of 69
pericarditis; pain reproducible with palpation is typically musculoskeletal
(costochondritis).
6. A patient reports drinking alcohol "socially." Which of the following is
the MOST appropriate screening question to assess for risky drinking?
A. "How often do you drink?"
B. "How many drinks do you have on a typical day when you are drinking?"
C. "Do you ever drink alone?"
D. "Have you ever had a problem with alcohol?"
Answer: B. "How many drinks do you have on a typical day when you are
drinking?"
Rationale: This question assesses quantity of alcohol consumption and is
part of the AUDIT-C screening tool. It helps identify at-risk drinking
patterns (more than 3 drinks for women or 4 for men on a typical day). The
CAGE questionnaire is another validated screening tool for alcohol use
disorder.
7. A patient reports that they smoke one pack of cigarettes per day. Which
of the following is the MOST appropriate next step according to the "5 A's"
model?
A. Advise the patient to quit
B. Assess the patient's readiness to quit
C. Prescribe nicotine replacement therapy
D. Refer the patient to a smoking cessation program
Answer: B. Assess the patient's readiness to quit
Rationale: The "5 A's" model for smoking cessation includes: Ask, Advise,
Assess, Assist, Arrange. Before providing interventions, the provider
should Assess the patient's readiness to quit using the transtheoretical
