NUR 265 Final Study Guide: Comprehensive
Assessment Techniques UPDATED
ACTUAL Exam Questions and CORRECT
Answers
Subjective Data - CORRECT ANSWER - Information provided by the patient that cannot
be measured or observed by the examiner.
Objective Data - CORRECT ANSWER - Data that the nurse or healthcare provider can
observe, measure, and verify.
Primary Data - CORRECT ANSWER - Data collected directly from the patient.
Secondary Data - CORRECT ANSWER - Information gathered from other sources
besides the patient.
Inspection - CORRECT ANSWER - The visual examination of the body for any
deviations from normal.
Palpation - CORRECT ANSWER - Using the hands to feel body parts.
Light Palpation - CORRECT ANSWER - Uses the fingertips to assess surface
characteristics (e.g., texture, moisture, temperature, tenderness).
Deep Palpation - CORRECT ANSWER - Applies more pressure to assess deeper
structures (e.g., organs, masses).
Percussion - CORRECT ANSWER - Tapping on body surfaces to hear sounds that reflect
underlying structures.
,Auscultation - CORRECT ANSWER - Listening to sounds produced by the body,
typically using a stethoscope.
Resonance - CORRECT ANSWER - Hollow sound over healthy lung tissue.
Dullness - CORRECT ANSWER - Thud-like sound over the liver or a full bladder.
Tympany - CORRECT ANSWER - Drum-like sound over air-filled structures like the
stomach or intestines.
Flatness - CORRECT ANSWER - Extremely dull sound over bone or muscle.
Infants Assessment - CORRECT ANSWER - Use a least-to-most invasive approach (e.g.,
assess heart and lungs before ears or mouth).
Toddlers Assessment - CORRECT ANSWER - Use play or demonstration to build trust
(e.g., examine a teddy bear first).
School-Age Children Assessment - CORRECT ANSWER - Can typically follow
directions well.
Adolescents Assessment - CORRECT ANSWER - Privacy is essential. Offer a same-
gender examiner when possible.
Adults Assessment - CORRECT ANSWER - Use a systematic head-to-toe approach.
Mobility Limitations - CORRECT ANSWER - May require extra time for assessment and
can lead to fatigue.
,Sensory Deficits - CORRECT ANSWER - Conditions like hearing loss that require clear
communication and facing the individual.
First Priority (Life-threatening) - CORRECT ANSWER - Conditions that include airway
obstruction, severe respiratory distress, cardiac arrest, active bleeding, and anaphylaxis.
Second Priority (Urgent, not immediately fatal) - CORRECT ANSWER - Includes risk of
infection, acute pain, abnormal lab values, and mental status changes.
Third Priority (Stable, can wait) - CORRECT ANSWER - Involves teaching needs, long-
term issues, and psychosocial concerns.
Sexuality - CORRECT ANSWER - A broad concept encompassing sexual attraction,
behaviors, identity, preferences, and biological aspects of being male, female, or intersex.
Gender Identity - CORRECT ANSWER - A person's internal sense of being male, female,
a blend of both, or neither, which may not align with the sex assigned at birth.
Heterosexism - CORRECT ANSWER - The assumption that heterosexuality is the default,
normal, or superior sexual orientation.
Gender Non-conforming - CORRECT ANSWER - A person whose gender expression
does not align with traditional expectations for their assigned sex.
Respecting Cultural/Religious Objects and Practices - CORRECT ANSWER - Involves
not removing religious head coverings unless medically necessary and treating sacred objects
with care.
Accommodating Dietary Preferences and Restrictions - CORRECT ANSWER - Includes
recognizing that Jewish patients may require kosher meals, Muslim patients may fast during
Ramadan, and Hindu patients may avoid beef.
, Providing Access to Spiritual/Religious Resources - CORRECT ANSWER - Facilitating
contact with spiritual leaders and offering time for prayer or meditation.
Respecting Modesty Preferences During Examination - CORRECT ANSWER - Involves
asking before exposing any body part and providing privacy, especially in certain cultures.
Considering Cultural Implications in Planning Care - CORRECT ANSWER - Recognizes
that in some cultures, decisions may be made by family elders or male relatives.
New onset confusion in an elderly patient - CORRECT ANSWER - May indicate infection
or metabolic imbalance.
Providing diabetic diet education - CORRECT ANSWER - An example of addressing
teaching needs for a stable patient preparing for discharge.
Mental illness - CORRECT ANSWER - May be stigmatized or described differently (e.g.,
"nerves," "spirit possession").
Using Interpreters Appropriately - CORRECT ANSWER - Use trained medical
interpreters—not family members—for complex conversations.
Phone or video interpretation services - CORRECT ANSWER - Use if on-site interpreter
is unavailable.
Using untrained interpreters - CORRECT ANSWER - Risks miscommunication and
violates confidentiality.
Therapeutic Communication in Cultural Contexts - CORRECT ANSWER - A framework
for effective communication that respects cultural differences.
Assessment Techniques UPDATED
ACTUAL Exam Questions and CORRECT
Answers
Subjective Data - CORRECT ANSWER - Information provided by the patient that cannot
be measured or observed by the examiner.
Objective Data - CORRECT ANSWER - Data that the nurse or healthcare provider can
observe, measure, and verify.
Primary Data - CORRECT ANSWER - Data collected directly from the patient.
Secondary Data - CORRECT ANSWER - Information gathered from other sources
besides the patient.
Inspection - CORRECT ANSWER - The visual examination of the body for any
deviations from normal.
Palpation - CORRECT ANSWER - Using the hands to feel body parts.
Light Palpation - CORRECT ANSWER - Uses the fingertips to assess surface
characteristics (e.g., texture, moisture, temperature, tenderness).
Deep Palpation - CORRECT ANSWER - Applies more pressure to assess deeper
structures (e.g., organs, masses).
Percussion - CORRECT ANSWER - Tapping on body surfaces to hear sounds that reflect
underlying structures.
,Auscultation - CORRECT ANSWER - Listening to sounds produced by the body,
typically using a stethoscope.
Resonance - CORRECT ANSWER - Hollow sound over healthy lung tissue.
Dullness - CORRECT ANSWER - Thud-like sound over the liver or a full bladder.
Tympany - CORRECT ANSWER - Drum-like sound over air-filled structures like the
stomach or intestines.
Flatness - CORRECT ANSWER - Extremely dull sound over bone or muscle.
Infants Assessment - CORRECT ANSWER - Use a least-to-most invasive approach (e.g.,
assess heart and lungs before ears or mouth).
Toddlers Assessment - CORRECT ANSWER - Use play or demonstration to build trust
(e.g., examine a teddy bear first).
School-Age Children Assessment - CORRECT ANSWER - Can typically follow
directions well.
Adolescents Assessment - CORRECT ANSWER - Privacy is essential. Offer a same-
gender examiner when possible.
Adults Assessment - CORRECT ANSWER - Use a systematic head-to-toe approach.
Mobility Limitations - CORRECT ANSWER - May require extra time for assessment and
can lead to fatigue.
,Sensory Deficits - CORRECT ANSWER - Conditions like hearing loss that require clear
communication and facing the individual.
First Priority (Life-threatening) - CORRECT ANSWER - Conditions that include airway
obstruction, severe respiratory distress, cardiac arrest, active bleeding, and anaphylaxis.
Second Priority (Urgent, not immediately fatal) - CORRECT ANSWER - Includes risk of
infection, acute pain, abnormal lab values, and mental status changes.
Third Priority (Stable, can wait) - CORRECT ANSWER - Involves teaching needs, long-
term issues, and psychosocial concerns.
Sexuality - CORRECT ANSWER - A broad concept encompassing sexual attraction,
behaviors, identity, preferences, and biological aspects of being male, female, or intersex.
Gender Identity - CORRECT ANSWER - A person's internal sense of being male, female,
a blend of both, or neither, which may not align with the sex assigned at birth.
Heterosexism - CORRECT ANSWER - The assumption that heterosexuality is the default,
normal, or superior sexual orientation.
Gender Non-conforming - CORRECT ANSWER - A person whose gender expression
does not align with traditional expectations for their assigned sex.
Respecting Cultural/Religious Objects and Practices - CORRECT ANSWER - Involves
not removing religious head coverings unless medically necessary and treating sacred objects
with care.
Accommodating Dietary Preferences and Restrictions - CORRECT ANSWER - Includes
recognizing that Jewish patients may require kosher meals, Muslim patients may fast during
Ramadan, and Hindu patients may avoid beef.
, Providing Access to Spiritual/Religious Resources - CORRECT ANSWER - Facilitating
contact with spiritual leaders and offering time for prayer or meditation.
Respecting Modesty Preferences During Examination - CORRECT ANSWER - Involves
asking before exposing any body part and providing privacy, especially in certain cultures.
Considering Cultural Implications in Planning Care - CORRECT ANSWER - Recognizes
that in some cultures, decisions may be made by family elders or male relatives.
New onset confusion in an elderly patient - CORRECT ANSWER - May indicate infection
or metabolic imbalance.
Providing diabetic diet education - CORRECT ANSWER - An example of addressing
teaching needs for a stable patient preparing for discharge.
Mental illness - CORRECT ANSWER - May be stigmatized or described differently (e.g.,
"nerves," "spirit possession").
Using Interpreters Appropriately - CORRECT ANSWER - Use trained medical
interpreters—not family members—for complex conversations.
Phone or video interpretation services - CORRECT ANSWER - Use if on-site interpreter
is unavailable.
Using untrained interpreters - CORRECT ANSWER - Risks miscommunication and
violates confidentiality.
Therapeutic Communication in Cultural Contexts - CORRECT ANSWER - A framework
for effective communication that respects cultural differences.
