GALEN COLLEGE OF NURSING · SCHOOL OF NURSING
NUR 504 Exam 3
Practice Question Bank
Health Assessment — NCLEX-Style Practice Questions with Rationales
Topic Focus: Hematology, Acid-Base Balance, Respiratory & Endocrine
Disorders
Edition 1 · September 2026
Table of Contents
1. Instructions for Use 2
2. Practice Questions with Answers & Rationales — Health Assessment 2
NUR 504 · Galen College of Nursing Page 1
,NUR 504 EXAM 3 PRACTICE GUIDE INSTRUCTIONS & PRACTICE QUESTIONS
How to Use This Guide
Read each stem, choose your answer, then check the rationale directly below it. The correct
option is marked, and each wrong option is explained so you understand why it's wrong — not
just that it is.
Category: Health Assessment — Hematology, Acid-Base, Respiratory &
Endocrine
1 The nurse is assessing an older client for any potential hematologic health problem.
Which assessment finding is the most significant and would be reported to the
primary health care provider?
A Poor skin turgor on both forearms
B Multiple petechiae and large bruises
C Dry, flaky skin on arms and legs
D Decreased body hair distribution
Why B is correct: Multiple petechiae and large bruises indicate a possible problem with
blood clotting and should be reported to the provider.
A — Poor skin turgor is common in older adults due to decreased body fluid.
C — Dry, flaky skin is a normal age-related change.
D — Decreased body hair is a normal age-related change.
, 2 A nurse is assessing a dark-skinned client for pallor. What nursing assessment is best
to assess for pallor in this client?
A Assess the conjunctiva of the eye
B Have the patient open the hand widely
C Look at the roof of the patient's mouth
D Palpate for areas of mild swelling
Why A is correct: To assess pallor in dark-skinned clients, assess the conjunctiva of the eye
or the mucous membranes.
B — Opening the hand widely is not related to pallor.
C — Looking at the roof of the mouth can reveal jaundice.
D — Palpating for swelling is not related to pallor.
3 A hospitalized client has a platelet count of 58,000/mm³ (58 × 10⁹/L). What action by
the nurse is most appropriate?
A Encourage high-protein foods
B Institute neutropenic precautions
C Limit visitors to healthy adults
D Place the client on safety precautions
Why D is correct: With a platelet count between 40,000 and 80,000/mm³, clients are at risk
of prolonged bleeding even after minor trauma. Safety or bleeding precautions are the
priority.
A — High-protein foods are healthy but not the priority.
B — Neutropenic precautions are for low WBC count.
C — Limiting visitors is related to low WBC count.
NUR 504 Exam 3
Practice Question Bank
Health Assessment — NCLEX-Style Practice Questions with Rationales
Topic Focus: Hematology, Acid-Base Balance, Respiratory & Endocrine
Disorders
Edition 1 · September 2026
Table of Contents
1. Instructions for Use 2
2. Practice Questions with Answers & Rationales — Health Assessment 2
NUR 504 · Galen College of Nursing Page 1
,NUR 504 EXAM 3 PRACTICE GUIDE INSTRUCTIONS & PRACTICE QUESTIONS
How to Use This Guide
Read each stem, choose your answer, then check the rationale directly below it. The correct
option is marked, and each wrong option is explained so you understand why it's wrong — not
just that it is.
Category: Health Assessment — Hematology, Acid-Base, Respiratory &
Endocrine
1 The nurse is assessing an older client for any potential hematologic health problem.
Which assessment finding is the most significant and would be reported to the
primary health care provider?
A Poor skin turgor on both forearms
B Multiple petechiae and large bruises
C Dry, flaky skin on arms and legs
D Decreased body hair distribution
Why B is correct: Multiple petechiae and large bruises indicate a possible problem with
blood clotting and should be reported to the provider.
A — Poor skin turgor is common in older adults due to decreased body fluid.
C — Dry, flaky skin is a normal age-related change.
D — Decreased body hair is a normal age-related change.
, 2 A nurse is assessing a dark-skinned client for pallor. What nursing assessment is best
to assess for pallor in this client?
A Assess the conjunctiva of the eye
B Have the patient open the hand widely
C Look at the roof of the patient's mouth
D Palpate for areas of mild swelling
Why A is correct: To assess pallor in dark-skinned clients, assess the conjunctiva of the eye
or the mucous membranes.
B — Opening the hand widely is not related to pallor.
C — Looking at the roof of the mouth can reveal jaundice.
D — Palpating for swelling is not related to pallor.
3 A hospitalized client has a platelet count of 58,000/mm³ (58 × 10⁹/L). What action by
the nurse is most appropriate?
A Encourage high-protein foods
B Institute neutropenic precautions
C Limit visitors to healthy adults
D Place the client on safety precautions
Why D is correct: With a platelet count between 40,000 and 80,000/mm³, clients are at risk
of prolonged bleeding even after minor trauma. Safety or bleeding precautions are the
priority.
A — High-protein foods are healthy but not the priority.
B — Neutropenic precautions are for low WBC count.
C — Limiting visitors is related to low WBC count.
