,NSG 121 Final Exam | Health Assessment (2026) Q&A |
Herzing University
1. Which action by the nurse best establishes rapport at the beginning of a health
history interview?
A) Asking personal questions about the patient's income
B) Introducing oneself, explaining the purpose, and ensuring privacy
C) Standing while the patient is seated to maintain authority
D) Using medical jargon to demonstrate expertise
Correct Answer: Introducing oneself, explaining the purpose, and ensuring
privacy
Rationale: Introducing yourself, explaining the interview process, and ensuring
privacy demonstrate respect and build trust, which are essential first steps in the
interview. Asking about income is intrusive, standing to assert authority
undermines rapport, and jargon creates distance rather than connection.
2. Which finding is considered subjective data?
A) Blood pressure of 132/84 mm Hg
B) Lung sounds clear bilaterally
C) Patient states, "I have been feeling very tired."
D) 2+ edema of bilateral ankles
Correct Answer: Patient states, "I have been feeling very tired."
,Rationale: Subjective data are symptoms the patient reports, such as fatigue,
pain, or nausea. Objective data are observable or measurable findings, including
vital signs, lung sounds, and edema.
3. During which phase of the interview does the nurse collect data using both
closed-ended and open-ended questions?
A) Pre-interaction phase
B) Beginning phase
C) Working phase
D) Closing phase
Correct Answer: Working phase
Rationale: The working phase is the data-gathering portion of the interview,
using a mix of open-ended and closed-ended questions to explore the patient's
health history and concerns. The pre-interaction phase involves preparation, the
beginning phase involves introductions, and the closing phase involves
summarizing.
4. The COLDSPA mnemonic is used to assess which of the following?
A) Pain only
B) Any symptom
C) Mental status
D) Abdominal examination
Correct Answer: Any symptom
, Rationale: COLDSPA (Character, Onset, Location, Duration, Severity, Pattern,
Associated factors) is a symptom-analysis framework that can be applied to any
symptom, not only pain. It is not a mental status or abdominal examination tool.
5. Which response by the nurse demonstrates empathy?
A) "Don't worry, I'm sure it's nothing serious."
B) "I know exactly how you feel."
C) "That sounds really frustrating for you."
D) "You should have come in sooner."
Correct Answer: "That sounds really frustrating for you."
Rationale: Empathy acknowledges the patient's feelings without false
reassurance, over-identification, or judgment. Telling the patient not to worry
provides false reassurance, claiming to know exactly how they feel shifts focus to
the nurse, and blaming the patient is judgmental.
6. Which item is part of the past medical history?
A) Father's history of myocardial infarction
B) Patient's childhood illnesses
C) Patient's current living situation
D) Patient's review of systems
Correct Answer: Patient's childhood illnesses
Rationale: Past medical history includes the patient's own previous illnesses,
surgeries, hospitalizations, and allergies. Family history (father's MI), social
Herzing University
1. Which action by the nurse best establishes rapport at the beginning of a health
history interview?
A) Asking personal questions about the patient's income
B) Introducing oneself, explaining the purpose, and ensuring privacy
C) Standing while the patient is seated to maintain authority
D) Using medical jargon to demonstrate expertise
Correct Answer: Introducing oneself, explaining the purpose, and ensuring
privacy
Rationale: Introducing yourself, explaining the interview process, and ensuring
privacy demonstrate respect and build trust, which are essential first steps in the
interview. Asking about income is intrusive, standing to assert authority
undermines rapport, and jargon creates distance rather than connection.
2. Which finding is considered subjective data?
A) Blood pressure of 132/84 mm Hg
B) Lung sounds clear bilaterally
C) Patient states, "I have been feeling very tired."
D) 2+ edema of bilateral ankles
Correct Answer: Patient states, "I have been feeling very tired."
,Rationale: Subjective data are symptoms the patient reports, such as fatigue,
pain, or nausea. Objective data are observable or measurable findings, including
vital signs, lung sounds, and edema.
3. During which phase of the interview does the nurse collect data using both
closed-ended and open-ended questions?
A) Pre-interaction phase
B) Beginning phase
C) Working phase
D) Closing phase
Correct Answer: Working phase
Rationale: The working phase is the data-gathering portion of the interview,
using a mix of open-ended and closed-ended questions to explore the patient's
health history and concerns. The pre-interaction phase involves preparation, the
beginning phase involves introductions, and the closing phase involves
summarizing.
4. The COLDSPA mnemonic is used to assess which of the following?
A) Pain only
B) Any symptom
C) Mental status
D) Abdominal examination
Correct Answer: Any symptom
, Rationale: COLDSPA (Character, Onset, Location, Duration, Severity, Pattern,
Associated factors) is a symptom-analysis framework that can be applied to any
symptom, not only pain. It is not a mental status or abdominal examination tool.
5. Which response by the nurse demonstrates empathy?
A) "Don't worry, I'm sure it's nothing serious."
B) "I know exactly how you feel."
C) "That sounds really frustrating for you."
D) "You should have come in sooner."
Correct Answer: "That sounds really frustrating for you."
Rationale: Empathy acknowledges the patient's feelings without false
reassurance, over-identification, or judgment. Telling the patient not to worry
provides false reassurance, claiming to know exactly how they feel shifts focus to
the nurse, and blaming the patient is judgmental.
6. Which item is part of the past medical history?
A) Father's history of myocardial infarction
B) Patient's childhood illnesses
C) Patient's current living situation
D) Patient's review of systems
Correct Answer: Patient's childhood illnesses
Rationale: Past medical history includes the patient's own previous illnesses,
surgeries, hospitalizations, and allergies. Family history (father's MI), social
