A nurse performing a physical assessment of a client gathers both subjective and objective data. Which
of the following findings would the nurse document
... [Show More] as subjective data?
The client appears anxious. Incorrect
Blood pressure is 170/80 mm Hg.
The client states that he has a rash. Correct
The client has diminished reflexes in the legs.
Rationale: The purpose of a physical assessment is to collect both subjective and objective data.
Subjective data, collected during the health history, consist of information that the client gives about
himself or herself. Objective data are obtained through physical examination and vital signs
measurements, what the nurse observes, and laboratory study and diagnostic test results.
Test-Taking Strategy: Use the process of elimination. Eliminate the options that are comparable or alike
and include data that the nurse would obtain during the physical examination. Review the difference
between subjective and objective data if you had difficulty with this question.
Reference: Jarvis, C. (2008). Physical examination and health assessment (5th ed., pp. 2, 55). St. Louis:
Saunders.
Cognitive Ability: Applying
Client Needs: Health Promotion and Maintenance
Integrated Process: Communication and Documentation
SendContent Area: Health Assessment/Physical Exam
Awarded 0.0 points out of 1.0 possible points.
2.ID: 383734535
A nurse is reviewing the findings of a physical examination that have been documented in a client's
record. Which piece of information does the nurse recognize as objective data?
The client is allergic to strawberries.
The last menstrual period was 30 days ago.
The client takes acetaminophen (Tylenol) for headaches.
A 1 × 2-inch scar is present on the lower right portion of the abdomen. Correct
Rationale: Subjective data, collected during the health history, consist of information that the client gives
about himself or herself. Objective data are obtained through physical examination and vital signs
measurements, what the nurse observes, and laboratory study and diagnostic test results. Allergies, the
date of the client’s last menstrual period, and the reported use of medication for headaches are all
subjective data.
Test-Taking Strategy: Use the process of elimination. Eliminate the options that are comparable or alike
and include data that the nurse would obtain from the client during the health history. Review the
difference between subjective and objective data if you had difficulty with this question.
Reference: Jarvis, C. (2008). Physical examination and health assessment (5th ed., pp. 2, 55). St. Louis:
Saunders.
Cognitive Ability: Understanding
Client Needs: Health Promotion and Maintenance
Integrated Process: Nursing Process/Assessment
Content Area: Health Assessment/Physical ExamAwarded 0.0 points out of 1.0 possible points.
3.ID: 383734539
A nurse is making an initial home visit to a client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease who was
recently discharged from the hospital. Which type of database does the nurse use to obtain information
from the client?
Episodic
Follow-up
Emergency
Complete Correct
Rationale: A complete database includes a complete health history and a full physical examination. It
describes the client’s current and past state of health and forms a baseline against which all future
changes can be measured. The complete database is collected in a primary care setting such as a
pediatric or family practice clinic, an independent or group private practice, a college health service, a
women’s healthcare agency, a visiting nurse agency, or a community health agency. An episodic database
is compiled for a limited or short-term problem and is focused mainly on one problem or one body
system. A follow-up database is used to evaluate an identified problem at regular and appropriate
intervals. An emergency database involves the rapid collection of the data that are often compiled as
lifesaving measures are being performed.
Test-Taking Strategy: Use the process of elimination. Noting the words “initial home visit” in the question
will direct you to the correct option. Review the different types of databases if you had difficulty with
this question.
Reference: Jarvis, C. (2008). Physical examination and health assessment (5th ed., p.8). St. Louis:
Saunders.
Cognitive Ability: Applying
Client Needs: Health Promotion and MaintenanceIntegrated Process: Nursing Process/Assessment
Content Area: Health Assessment/Physical Exam
Awarded 0.0 points out of 1.0 possible points.
4.ID: 383734509
A nurse is examining a 25-year-old client who was seen in the clinic 2 weeks ago for symptoms of a cold
and is now complaining of chest congestion and cough. The nurse should proceed with the examination
by collecting:
Data related to follow-up care
A complete (total health) database
Data related to the respiratory system Correct
Data related to the treatment for the cold
Rationale: An episodic database is compiled for a limited or short-term problem and is focused mainly on
one problem or body system. The history and examination will be focused primarily on the respiratory
system in this client. A complete database includes a complete health history and a full physical
examination. It describes the client’s current and past state of health and forms a baseline against which
all future changes can be measured. A follow-up database is used to evaluate an identified problem at
regular and appropriate intervals.
Test-Taking Strategy: Use the process of elimination. Focusing on the data in the question and noting the
words “now complaining of chest congestion and cough” will direct you to the correct option. Review
the different types of databases if you had difficulty with this question.
Reference: Jarvis, C. (2008). Physical examination and health assessment (5th ed., p. 8). St. Louis:
Saunders.
Cognitive Ability: Applying
Client Needs: Health Promotion and MaintenanceIntegrated Process: Nursing Process/Assessment
Content Area: Health Assessment/Physical Exam
Awarded 0.0 points out of 1.0 possible points.
5.ID: 383734545
A client is brought to the emergency department after a motor vehicle accident. The client is alert and
cooperative but has sustained multiple fractures of the legs. How should the nurse proceed with data
collection?
Collect health history information first, then perform the physical examination
Ask health history questions while performing the examination and initiating emergency measures
Correct
Collect all information requested on the history form, including social support, strengths, and coping
patterns
Perform emergency measures and not ask any health history questions until the client's fractures
have been treated in the operating room
Rationale: If the client is alert and cooperative and if the situation is not life-threatening, the nurse
should attempt to obtain as much subjective and objective data as possible while caring for the client.
Collecting health history information and then performing the physical examination does not address the
priority, which is treating the client. Collecting all data requested on the history does not specifically
address the client’s immediate problems. Performing emergency measures and not asking any health
history questions does not address data collection before treatment.
Test-Taking Strategy: Use the process of elimination. Focus on the data in the question and note the
words “alert and cooperative.” Noting that the client has not sustained life-threatening injuries will direct
you to the correct option. Review the different types of databases if you had difficulty with this question.
Reference: Jarvis, C. (2008). Physical examination and health assessment (5th ed., p. 8). St. Louis:
Saunders.
Cognitive Ability: ApplyingClient Needs: Health Promotion and Maintenance
Integrated Process: Nursing Process/Assessment
Content Area: Health Assessment/Physical Exam
Awarded 0.0 points out of 1.0 possible points.
6.ID: 383733744
A client who was given a diagnosis of hypertension 3 months ago is at the clinic for a checkup. Which
type of database does the nurse use in performing an assessment?
Emergency
Follow-up Correct
Complete (total)
Problem-centered
Rationale: A follow-up database is compiled to evaluate the status of an identified problem at regular
and appropriate intervals. An emergency database calls for rapid collection of the data, often at the
same time lifesaving measures are being performed. A complete database includes a complete health
history and a full physical examination. It describes the client’s current and past state of health and
forms a baseline against which all future changes can be measured. An episodic database (problemcentered) is compiled for a limited or short-term problem. It is focused mainly on one problem or body
system.
Test-Taking Strategy: Focus on the data in the question. Noting the words “at the clinic for a check-up” in
the question will direct you to the correct option. Review the different types of databases if you had
difficulty with this question.
Reference: Jarvis, C. (2008). Physical examination and health assessment (5th ed., p. 8). St. Louis:
Saunders.
Cognitive Ability: Applying [Show Less]