NURS 3025 Health Assessment Practice Test
1. Which of the following is a primary component of a health assessment for a patient across the lifespan?
A. Physical exam
B. History of present illness
C. Social determinants of health
D. All of the above
Answer: D. All of the above
Explanation: A comprehensive health assessment includes a physical exam, history of present illness, and the assessment of social determinants of health to ensure person-centered care that addresses the patient’s physical, psychosocial, and cultural needs.
2. When conducting a health assessment, which of the following is the most important aspect of cultural competence?
A. Asking patients about their preferred language
B. Understanding cultural norms related to health and illness
C. Providing patient education in written format
D. Ensuring patients have health insurance
Answer: B. Understanding cultural norms related to health and illness
Explanation: Cultural competence involves understanding the patient’s cultural context, beliefs, and practices related to health, illness, and care, ensuring that assessments are both effective and respectful.
3. Which of the following is considered a psychosocial aspect of a health assessment?
A. Measuring blood pressure
B. Evaluating mobility
C. Assessing mental health status
D. Checking vital signs
Answer: C. Assessing mental health status
Explanation: Psychosocial assessments focus on the mental, emotional, and social aspects of a patient’s health, which includes evaluating mental health status, coping mechanisms, and support systems.
4. Which assessment tool is commonly used to assess the risk of falls in older adults?
A. Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE)
B. Braden Scale
C. Morse Fall Scale
D. Apgar Score
Answer: C. Morse Fall Scale
Explanation: The Morse Fall Scale is commonly used to assess the risk of falls in older adults based on factors like history of falls, secondary diagnosis, and ambulatory aids.
5. During a physical exam, which part of the stethoscope is best used to listen to high-pitched sounds such as lung and heart sounds?
A. Bell
B. Diaphragm
C. Earpieces
D. Chest piece
Answer: B. Diaphragm
Explanation: The diaphragm of the stethoscope is best for listening to high-pitched sounds like lung and heart sounds. The bell is more suitable for low-pitched sounds such as murmurs.
6. What is an important factor to consider when conducting a health assessment with a patient from a different cultural background?
A. The patient’s literacy level
B. The patient’s health insurance status
C. The patient’s preferred treatment options
D. The patient’s cultural beliefs and practices
Answer: D. The patient’s cultural beliefs and practices
Explanation: Cultural beliefs and practices significantly influence how patients perceive health, illness, and treatment options, which is crucial when conducting an accurate and respectful health assessment.
7. A patient’s blood pressure reading is consistently higher than normal. What is the next step in the health assessment process?
A. Reassess the blood pressure in 24 hours
B. Perform additional diagnostic tests
C. Ask the patient to avoid caffeine for 30 minutes and then retake the blood pressure
D. Refer the patient to a specialist immediately
Answer: C. Ask the patient to avoid caffeine for 30 minutes and then retake the blood pressure
Explanation: Blood pressure should be measured accurately by following the proper protocols, which include asking the patient to avoid caffeine or other stimulants before measuring.
8. Which of the following best describes the social determinants of health?
A. Genetic factors affecting health outcomes
B. The physical and social environment influencing health
C. The healthcare system’s efficiency in delivering care
D. Individual health behaviors
Answer: B. The physical and social environment influencing health
Explanation: Social determinants of health include factors like socioeconomic status, education, neighborhood, and access to healthcare, which impact overall health and health equity.
9. Which aspect of the health assessment should be performed last in the physical examination?
A. Inspection
B. Palpation
C. Auscultation
D. Percussion
Answer: B. Palpation
Explanation: Palpation should be performed last to avoid causing discomfort or anxiety that could affect the patient’s responses during the rest of the exam.
10. What is the purpose of a comprehensive health assessment?
A. To diagnose specific diseases
B. To establish baseline data for health monitoring
C. To provide immediate emergency care
D. To refer patients to specialists
Answer: B. To establish baseline data for health monitoring
Explanation: A comprehensive health assessment establishes baseline health data that is essential for future comparisons, monitoring, and health management.
11. Which of the following is a sign of poor nutrition in a health assessment?
A. Clear skin and healthy hair
B. Weight loss, fatigue, and weakness
C. Normal blood pressure readings
D. Healthy, pink mucous membranes
Answer: B. Weight loss, fatigue, and weakness
Explanation: Weight loss, fatigue, and weakness are common signs of poor nutrition and warrant further investigation during a health assessment.
12. In what situation would a nurse use the CAGE questionnaire during a health assessment?
A. Assessing pain levels
B. Evaluating alcohol use
C. Measuring mobility
D. Screening for depression
Answer: B. Evaluating alcohol use
Explanation: The CAGE questionnaire is a brief tool used to screen for alcohol use disorders by asking about the patient’s drinking behavior.
13. What should a nurse do first when conducting a head-to-toe physical exam?
A. Take the patient’s vital signs
B. Ask the patient about their medical history
C. Inspect the patient’s overall appearance
D. Begin palpation of the abdomen
Answer: C. Inspect the patient’s overall appearance
Explanation: The first step in a head-to-toe physical exam is inspecting the patient’s overall appearance to observe signs of distress, physical abnormalities, or asymmetry.
14. Which of the following is a psychosocial determinant of health that nurses should assess?
A. Employment status
B. Age
C. Family history of disease
D. Gender
Answer: A. Employment status
Explanation: Employment status is a key psychosocial determinant that can influence access to healthcare, stress levels, and overall well-being.
15. What is the most important consideration when performing a health assessment on an older adult?
A. Only assessing physical health
B. Taking a detailed medication history
C. Focusing solely on mental health
D. Ignoring chronic health conditions
Answer: B. Taking a detailed medication history
Explanation: Older adults often take multiple medications, and assessing their medication history is critical to avoid drug interactions and adverse effects.
16. Which of the following is a common challenge when assessing health in children?
A. Limited verbal communication skills
B. Absence of parent involvement
C. Difficulty in measuring height and weight
D. Inability to perform physical examinations
Answer: A. Limited verbal communication skills
Explanation: Children, especially younger ones, may have limited verbal communication skills, requiring the nurse to use alternative assessment methods such as observation and caregiver input.
17. Which of the following is a key component when assessing health equity in an individual?
A. The individual’s insurance coverage
B. The individual’s access to care based on geographic location
C. The individual’s education level
D. The individual’s social support network
Answer: B. The individual’s access to care based on geographic location
Explanation: Health equity involves assessing whether individuals have equal access to healthcare resources, including geographic location, socioeconomic status, and environmental factors.
18. Which of the following is true regarding the use of health assessments in community settings?
A. Health assessments are rarely used in community settings.
B. They focus only on individual patients rather than the population.
C. They help identify population health trends and disparities.
D. They are only used for emergency situations.
Answer: C. They help identify population health trends and disparities
Explanation: Health assessments in community settings are valuable for identifying public health trends, health disparities, and areas where interventions are needed.
19. What is the primary purpose of a health history during a physical assessment?
A. To identify family members who have specific illnesses
B. To gather information about the patient’s health behaviors and risk factors
C. To provide a diagnosis
D. To assess the patient’s emotional responses
Answer: B. To gather information about the patient’s health behaviors and risk factors
Explanation: The health history focuses on gathering comprehensive information about the patient’s health behaviors, lifestyle, family history, and risk factors.
20. Which of the following is an example of a direct observation during a health assessment?
A. Asking the patient about their smoking habits
B. Checking the patient’s blood pressure
C. Observing a patient’s gait while walking
D. Listening to the patient’s lung sounds
Answer: C. Observing a patient’s gait while walking
Explanation: Direct observation involves watching the patient’s movements, posture, or other behaviors to assess physical or psychosocial status.
21. What is an appropriate nursing action when a patient expresses anxiety during a health assessment?
A. Ignore the anxiety to complete the assessment
B. Continue the assessment without altering the process
C. Address the patient’s anxiety before proceeding with the assessment
D. Rush through the assessment to minimize discomfort
Answer: C. Address the patient’s anxiety before proceeding with the assessment
Explanation: Addressing the patient’s emotional and psychological needs is essential for establishing trust and ensuring accurate assessment results.
22. What is the main goal of health assessments across the lifespan?
A. To diagnose specific conditions
B. To gather subjective data from the patient
C. To identify and address the patient’s health concerns early
D. To perform lab tests
Answer: C. To identify and address the patient’s health concerns early
Explanation: The main goal of health assessments is to identify potential health risks early in order to manage and prevent complications.
23. Which factor may influence the accuracy of a health assessment?
A. The time of day the assessment is performed
B. The patient’s familiarity with the assessment process
C. The patient’s emotional state and comfort level
D. All of the above
Answer: D. All of the above
Explanation: Factors like the timing, patient’s understanding, and emotional state can all influence the accuracy of the health assessment.
24. Which of the following is a common sign of dehydration observed during a physical exam?
A. Dry skin and mucous membranes
B. Elevated blood pressure
C. Slow capillary refill time
D. Rapid weight gain
Answer: A. Dry skin and mucous membranes
Explanation: Dehydration commonly leads to dry skin and mucous membranes, indicating a need for further assessment and potential intervention.
25. Which of the following is a key consideration when assessing a patient’s spiritual health?
A. Determining the patient’s specific religious beliefs
B. Asking about the patient’s lifestyle habits
C. Understanding how spirituality affects their coping mechanisms
D. Ignoring spirituality as it is unrelated to health
Answer: C. Understanding how spirituality affects their coping mechanisms
Explanation: Spiritual health is often closely tied to a patient’s coping mechanisms and emotional resilience, which are important to assess for holistic care.
26. Which of the following physical examination findings is indicative of respiratory distress?
A. Normal respiratory rate and pattern
B. Cyanosis of the lips and nails
C. Deep and slow breathing
D. No shortness of breath
Answer: B. Cyanosis of the lips and nails
Explanation: Cyanosis (bluish discoloration) of the lips and nails is a sign of insufficient oxygenation and respiratory distress, requiring immediate attention.
27. Which assessment technique should be used to check for a deep vein thrombosis (DVT)?
A. Palpation
B. Percussion
C. Auscultation
D. Inspection
Answer: A. Palpation
Explanation: Palpation is used to assess for tenderness, warmth, or swelling that may indicate a DVT.
28. Which of the following is most important when performing a health assessment in a community setting?
A. Ensuring every individual has private health insurance
B. Collecting information about the population’s common health issues
C. Focusing only on physical health problems
D. Offering free treatment for all patients
Answer: B. Collecting information about the population’s common health issues
Explanation: Health assessments in community settings help identify common health issues and guide interventions based on population health data.
29. Which of the following is an appropriate nursing action when performing a health assessment with a non-English-speaking patient?
A. Use a family member as a translator
B. Use an official interpreter
C. Proceed with the assessment without translation
D. Rely on the patient’s gestures
Answer: B. Use an official interpreter
Explanation: Using a qualified interpreter ensures that the health assessment is conducted accurately and ethically, with respect for the patient’s needs.
30. Which of the following is an important consideration when assessing a pediatric patient?
A. Conducting the assessment in a clinical, formal setting
B. Involving the child’s parents or caregivers in the process
C. Limiting communication with the child to medical jargon
D. Rushing the assessment to minimize distress
Answer: B. Involving the child’s parents or caregivers in the process
Explanation: Including parents or caregivers in the assessment is important for accurate history taking and to ease the child’s anxiety during the exam.