NU 136 HEALTH ASSESSMENT
MIDTERM EXAM QUESTIONS WITH
CORRECT ANSWERS 2026/2027
1. When conducting a health history, which of the following statements by the nurse best
demonstrates the technique of reflection?
A. “Can you tell me more about the pain?”
B. “You mentioned that you feel anxious when your heart races.”
C. “So, you are saying the pain started yesterday?”
D. “I understand how difficult this must be for you.”
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Reflection involves repeating back what the patient has said to
encourage further expression of feelings or detail.
2. Which assessment technique is always performed first during a physical examination,
except when assessing the abdomen?
A. Palpation
B. Percussion
C. Inspection
D. Auscultation
,Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Inspection is the first step of the physical exam for all systems.
In the abdomen, the order is Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion, and Palpation.
3. A patient presents with a ‘stabbing’ pain in the chest. This information is categorized as:
A. Objective data
B. A sign
C. Subjective data
D. Functional data
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Subjective data is what the patient says or feels (symptoms);
objective data is what the nurse observes (signs).
4. The nurse is assessing a patient’s pupillary light reflex. Which cranial nerve is primarily
responsible for the constrictive response?
A. CN III (Oculomotor)
B. CN II (Optic)
C. CN IV (Trochlear)
D. CN VI (Abducens)
Answer: A
, Conceptual Explanation: CN II carries the sensory message to the brain, but CN III is
responsible for the motor response of pupil constriction.
5. During percussion, a nurse notes a dull sound over the left lower quadrant. This most likely
indicates:
A. Air-filled lungs
B. Normal abdominal tympany
C. Normal gastric bubble
D. The presence of a solid organ or mass
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Dullness is heard over dense organs or solid masses, whereas
tympany is heard over air-filled structures like the stomach.
6. While assessing the skin, the nurse notes a lesion that is flat, non-palpable, and less than 1
cm in diameter. This is documented as a:
A. Papule
B. Plaque
C. Macule
D. Vesicle
Answer: C
MIDTERM EXAM QUESTIONS WITH
CORRECT ANSWERS 2026/2027
1. When conducting a health history, which of the following statements by the nurse best
demonstrates the technique of reflection?
A. “Can you tell me more about the pain?”
B. “You mentioned that you feel anxious when your heart races.”
C. “So, you are saying the pain started yesterday?”
D. “I understand how difficult this must be for you.”
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Reflection involves repeating back what the patient has said to
encourage further expression of feelings or detail.
2. Which assessment technique is always performed first during a physical examination,
except when assessing the abdomen?
A. Palpation
B. Percussion
C. Inspection
D. Auscultation
,Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Inspection is the first step of the physical exam for all systems.
In the abdomen, the order is Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion, and Palpation.
3. A patient presents with a ‘stabbing’ pain in the chest. This information is categorized as:
A. Objective data
B. A sign
C. Subjective data
D. Functional data
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Subjective data is what the patient says or feels (symptoms);
objective data is what the nurse observes (signs).
4. The nurse is assessing a patient’s pupillary light reflex. Which cranial nerve is primarily
responsible for the constrictive response?
A. CN III (Oculomotor)
B. CN II (Optic)
C. CN IV (Trochlear)
D. CN VI (Abducens)
Answer: A
, Conceptual Explanation: CN II carries the sensory message to the brain, but CN III is
responsible for the motor response of pupil constriction.
5. During percussion, a nurse notes a dull sound over the left lower quadrant. This most likely
indicates:
A. Air-filled lungs
B. Normal abdominal tympany
C. Normal gastric bubble
D. The presence of a solid organ or mass
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Dullness is heard over dense organs or solid masses, whereas
tympany is heard over air-filled structures like the stomach.
6. While assessing the skin, the nurse notes a lesion that is flat, non-palpable, and less than 1
cm in diameter. This is documented as a:
A. Papule
B. Plaque
C. Macule
D. Vesicle
Answer: C
