Health Assessment Exam #1 (Ch.
1,3,4,8,9,10,12,18,27,29) questions and
answers 2025/2026
What does the health history provide? - answerSubjective and objective data
What is subjective data? what is an example? - answerSD is what the patient tells you
Example: headache, chest pain
What is objective data? what is an example? - answerOD are the signs perceived by the examiner
through physical examination during assessment
Example: rash seen by a nurse, or temp taken with a thermometer
In what order are skills performed during a typical assessment? - answer1. Inspection
2. Palpation
3. Percussion
4. Auscultation
If a patient has abdomen pain, what order do you do the assessment? Why? - answer1. Inspection
2. AUSCULTATION
3. Palpation
4. Percussion
Because of pain, don't touch or tap the tender area first. Start by inspecting and then listening before
you feel the area.
What occurs during inspection, the first step? - answer-ALWAYS COMES FIRST
-begins when you first meet a person w/ a general survey
-you should start assessment of each body system with inspection
,-requires: good lighting, adequate exposure, use of instruments including otoscope, opthalmoscope,
penlight, or specula
What occurs during palpation, the second step? - answerPalpation applies sense of touch to assess
Can include:
temperature, texture, moisture, organ location and size, swelling, vibration or pulsation, rigidity or
spasticity, crepitation, presence of lumps or masses, presence of tenderness or pain
-use fingers unless taking temperature
How can you assess factors during the palpation step? - answerby using different parts of the hands
During palpation, what should fingertips be used to feel? - answer-best for fine tactile discrimination of
skin texture, swelling, pulsation, and determining presence of lumps
During palpation, what should fingers and thumb be used for? - answer-detection of position, shape,
and consistency of an organ or mass
During palpation, what should the dorsa of hands and fingers be used for? - answer-best for determining
temperature because skin here is thinner than on palms
During palpation, what should the base of fingers or the ulnar surface of hand be used for? - answer-
best for vibration
**-vibrations are felt on the ulnar side of hand
During palpation, what type of palpation should you start with and why? What steps are next? -
answer1. start with LIGHT palpation to detect surface characteristics and accustom person to being
touched
-1 cm
2. then deeper palpations when needed
-intermittent pressure better than one long continuous palpation
-5 to 8 cm or 2-3 in
,ALSO: bimanual palpation- requires use of both hands to envelop or capture certain body parts or
organs such as kidneys, uterus or adnexa for precise delimitation
What occurs during percussion, the third step? - answer-consists of tapping a person's skin with short,
sharp strokes to assess underlying structures
What uses does percussion have? - answer-mapping location and size of organs
-signaling density of a structure by a characteristic note
-detecting a superficial abnormal mass
1. percussion vibrations penetrate about 5 cm
deep
2. deeper mass would give no change in percussion
-eliciting pain if underlying structure is inflamed
-eliciting deep tendon reflex using percussion hammer
HOLLOW (AIR-FILLED) ORGANS SOUND DIFFERENT THAN SOLID ORGANS - answer
What are the two methods of percussion? - answer1. Direct, or immediate, which is when the striking
hand directly contacts body wall
2. Indirect, or mediate, is when you use both hands and the striking hand contacts stationary hand fixed
on person's skin
In regards to percussion, what is resonance and where does it occur? - answerResonance is low pitch
and it occurs over normal lungs
In regards to percussion, what is hyperresonant and where does it occur? - answerHyperresonant is
lower pitch and it occurs over child's lungs
In regards to percussion, what is tympany and where does it occur? - answerTympany is high pitch and it
occurs over air filled organs (stomach, intestines)
,In regards to percussion, what is dull and where does it occur? - answerDull is high pitch and it occurs
over solid organs (liver, spleen)
In regards to percussion, what is flat and where does it occur? - answerFlat is high pitch and it occurs
where no air is present such as over muscles/bones or a tumor
What occurs during auscultation, the fourth step? - answerAuscultation is when you listen to sounds
produced by the body
-most sounds are soft and must be channeled through a stethoscope
-once you can recognize normal sounds, you can distinguish the abnormal sounds and "extra" or
abnormal sounds
What is the single most important step in decreasing microorganism transmission? - answerWASH YOUR
HANDS
-before physical contact with each patient
-after inadvertent contact with blood, body fluids, secretions, and excretions
-after contact with any equipment contaminated with body fluids
-after removing gloves
What else should you do in health care in addition to washing your hands? - answerWEAR GLOVES
-any time there is contact with body fluids
The nurse is performing an assessment of the abdominal region. What is the appropriate sequence for
the examination?
1. Palpation, percussion, inspection, auscultation
2. Inspection, palpation, auscultation, percussion
3. Inspection, auscultation, percussion, palpation - answer3
Are vital signs subjective or objective data? - answerObjective because they can be measured by a
health care professional
,What are the 5 vital signs? - answer1. Temperature
2. Pulse
3. Heart rate
4. Respirations
5. Blood pressure
What are the benefits of taking temperature orally? - answer-It is accurate and convenient
-The oral sublingual site has a rich blood supply from the carotid arteries that quickly responds to
changes in inner core temperature
What is a normal oral temperature range? - answer98.6 degrees F (37 degrees C) with a range of 96.4
degrees F to 99.1 degrees F (35.8 to 37.3 degrees C)
What is a normal rectal temperature range? - answerRectal measures 0.7 to 1 degrees F (0.4 to 0.5
degrees C) higher
What is normal temperature influenced by? - answer-Exercise: moderate to hard exercise increases
body temp
-Age: wider normal variations occur in infant and young children due to less effective heat control
mechanisms; in older adults, temperature usually lower than in other age groups, with a mean of 97.2
degrees F (36.2 degrees C)
In regards to taking a temperature, how long should you wait if the patient has just consumed hot or
iced liquids? What about if they just smoked? - answerLiquids- 15 minutes
Smoking- 2 minutes
What is a safe and accurate way to take children's temperature? - answerAxillary temperature
When should you take a rectal temperature? - answer-When other routes are not practical, for example,
for comatose of confused persons, persons in shock, or for those who cannot close mouth because of
, breathing or oxygen tubes, wired mandible, or other facial dysfunction or if no tympanic membrane
thermometer is available
What should you do before inserting the thermometer probe in the rectum? - answer-Put on gloves
-Use lube
How should temperature be recorded? - answer-In celsius unless agency uses fahrenheit
What is the conversion for Fahrenheit to Celsius?
Celsius to Fahrenheit? - answerF to C: C = 59(F-32) or C = F-32+1.8
C to F: F = (95 x C) + 32 or F = 1.8(C) + 32
Know both Fahrenheit and Celsius scales and normal ranges *** - answer
What is stroke volume?
What is normal in adults? - answerThe amount of blood every heart beat pumps into aorta
-70 mL
Regarding pulse as a vital sign, what does palpating the peripheral pulse do? - answerIt gives rate and
rhythm of heartbeat, as well as local data on condition of artery
When is the radial pulse usually palpated? - answerWhen vital signs are measured
What should you use and where should you palpate the radial pulse? - answer-Use your first three
fingers
-Palpate it at the flexor aspect of the wrist laterally along radius bone
-Push until strongest pulsation is felt
1,3,4,8,9,10,12,18,27,29) questions and
answers 2025/2026
What does the health history provide? - answerSubjective and objective data
What is subjective data? what is an example? - answerSD is what the patient tells you
Example: headache, chest pain
What is objective data? what is an example? - answerOD are the signs perceived by the examiner
through physical examination during assessment
Example: rash seen by a nurse, or temp taken with a thermometer
In what order are skills performed during a typical assessment? - answer1. Inspection
2. Palpation
3. Percussion
4. Auscultation
If a patient has abdomen pain, what order do you do the assessment? Why? - answer1. Inspection
2. AUSCULTATION
3. Palpation
4. Percussion
Because of pain, don't touch or tap the tender area first. Start by inspecting and then listening before
you feel the area.
What occurs during inspection, the first step? - answer-ALWAYS COMES FIRST
-begins when you first meet a person w/ a general survey
-you should start assessment of each body system with inspection
,-requires: good lighting, adequate exposure, use of instruments including otoscope, opthalmoscope,
penlight, or specula
What occurs during palpation, the second step? - answerPalpation applies sense of touch to assess
Can include:
temperature, texture, moisture, organ location and size, swelling, vibration or pulsation, rigidity or
spasticity, crepitation, presence of lumps or masses, presence of tenderness or pain
-use fingers unless taking temperature
How can you assess factors during the palpation step? - answerby using different parts of the hands
During palpation, what should fingertips be used to feel? - answer-best for fine tactile discrimination of
skin texture, swelling, pulsation, and determining presence of lumps
During palpation, what should fingers and thumb be used for? - answer-detection of position, shape,
and consistency of an organ or mass
During palpation, what should the dorsa of hands and fingers be used for? - answer-best for determining
temperature because skin here is thinner than on palms
During palpation, what should the base of fingers or the ulnar surface of hand be used for? - answer-
best for vibration
**-vibrations are felt on the ulnar side of hand
During palpation, what type of palpation should you start with and why? What steps are next? -
answer1. start with LIGHT palpation to detect surface characteristics and accustom person to being
touched
-1 cm
2. then deeper palpations when needed
-intermittent pressure better than one long continuous palpation
-5 to 8 cm or 2-3 in
,ALSO: bimanual palpation- requires use of both hands to envelop or capture certain body parts or
organs such as kidneys, uterus or adnexa for precise delimitation
What occurs during percussion, the third step? - answer-consists of tapping a person's skin with short,
sharp strokes to assess underlying structures
What uses does percussion have? - answer-mapping location and size of organs
-signaling density of a structure by a characteristic note
-detecting a superficial abnormal mass
1. percussion vibrations penetrate about 5 cm
deep
2. deeper mass would give no change in percussion
-eliciting pain if underlying structure is inflamed
-eliciting deep tendon reflex using percussion hammer
HOLLOW (AIR-FILLED) ORGANS SOUND DIFFERENT THAN SOLID ORGANS - answer
What are the two methods of percussion? - answer1. Direct, or immediate, which is when the striking
hand directly contacts body wall
2. Indirect, or mediate, is when you use both hands and the striking hand contacts stationary hand fixed
on person's skin
In regards to percussion, what is resonance and where does it occur? - answerResonance is low pitch
and it occurs over normal lungs
In regards to percussion, what is hyperresonant and where does it occur? - answerHyperresonant is
lower pitch and it occurs over child's lungs
In regards to percussion, what is tympany and where does it occur? - answerTympany is high pitch and it
occurs over air filled organs (stomach, intestines)
,In regards to percussion, what is dull and where does it occur? - answerDull is high pitch and it occurs
over solid organs (liver, spleen)
In regards to percussion, what is flat and where does it occur? - answerFlat is high pitch and it occurs
where no air is present such as over muscles/bones or a tumor
What occurs during auscultation, the fourth step? - answerAuscultation is when you listen to sounds
produced by the body
-most sounds are soft and must be channeled through a stethoscope
-once you can recognize normal sounds, you can distinguish the abnormal sounds and "extra" or
abnormal sounds
What is the single most important step in decreasing microorganism transmission? - answerWASH YOUR
HANDS
-before physical contact with each patient
-after inadvertent contact with blood, body fluids, secretions, and excretions
-after contact with any equipment contaminated with body fluids
-after removing gloves
What else should you do in health care in addition to washing your hands? - answerWEAR GLOVES
-any time there is contact with body fluids
The nurse is performing an assessment of the abdominal region. What is the appropriate sequence for
the examination?
1. Palpation, percussion, inspection, auscultation
2. Inspection, palpation, auscultation, percussion
3. Inspection, auscultation, percussion, palpation - answer3
Are vital signs subjective or objective data? - answerObjective because they can be measured by a
health care professional
,What are the 5 vital signs? - answer1. Temperature
2. Pulse
3. Heart rate
4. Respirations
5. Blood pressure
What are the benefits of taking temperature orally? - answer-It is accurate and convenient
-The oral sublingual site has a rich blood supply from the carotid arteries that quickly responds to
changes in inner core temperature
What is a normal oral temperature range? - answer98.6 degrees F (37 degrees C) with a range of 96.4
degrees F to 99.1 degrees F (35.8 to 37.3 degrees C)
What is a normal rectal temperature range? - answerRectal measures 0.7 to 1 degrees F (0.4 to 0.5
degrees C) higher
What is normal temperature influenced by? - answer-Exercise: moderate to hard exercise increases
body temp
-Age: wider normal variations occur in infant and young children due to less effective heat control
mechanisms; in older adults, temperature usually lower than in other age groups, with a mean of 97.2
degrees F (36.2 degrees C)
In regards to taking a temperature, how long should you wait if the patient has just consumed hot or
iced liquids? What about if they just smoked? - answerLiquids- 15 minutes
Smoking- 2 minutes
What is a safe and accurate way to take children's temperature? - answerAxillary temperature
When should you take a rectal temperature? - answer-When other routes are not practical, for example,
for comatose of confused persons, persons in shock, or for those who cannot close mouth because of
, breathing or oxygen tubes, wired mandible, or other facial dysfunction or if no tympanic membrane
thermometer is available
What should you do before inserting the thermometer probe in the rectum? - answer-Put on gloves
-Use lube
How should temperature be recorded? - answer-In celsius unless agency uses fahrenheit
What is the conversion for Fahrenheit to Celsius?
Celsius to Fahrenheit? - answerF to C: C = 59(F-32) or C = F-32+1.8
C to F: F = (95 x C) + 32 or F = 1.8(C) + 32
Know both Fahrenheit and Celsius scales and normal ranges *** - answer
What is stroke volume?
What is normal in adults? - answerThe amount of blood every heart beat pumps into aorta
-70 mL
Regarding pulse as a vital sign, what does palpating the peripheral pulse do? - answerIt gives rate and
rhythm of heartbeat, as well as local data on condition of artery
When is the radial pulse usually palpated? - answerWhen vital signs are measured
What should you use and where should you palpate the radial pulse? - answer-Use your first three
fingers
-Palpate it at the flexor aspect of the wrist laterally along radius bone
-Push until strongest pulsation is felt
