NUR 5354 ADVANCED HEALTH
ASSESSMENT ACTUAL EXAM PREP 2026
ALL QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
DETAILED ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES
ALREADY A GRADED WITH EXPERT
FEEDBACK|NEW AND REVISED
1. During a comprehensive health history, an advanced practice nurse
asks the patient, “What brings you in today?” This type of question
is:
A) A leading question
B) An open-ended question
C) A closed-ended question
D) A directive question
Rationale: Open-ended questions encourage the patient to tell
their story in their own words without being led to a specific
answer. “What brings you in today?” is classic open-ended
phrasing.
2. Which of the following is a component of the “OLDCARTS”
mnemonic for symptom analysis?
A) Onset, Location, Duration, Context, Aggravating factors,
Relieving factors, Timing, Severity
B) Onset, Location, Duration, Characteristics, Aggravating factors,
Relieving factors, Timing, Severity
C) Onset, Location, Duration, Color, Associated symptoms,
Radiating factors, Treatment, Severity
D) Onset, Location, Duration, Consequences, Aggravating factors,
, Relieving factors, Timing, Severity
Rationale: The standard OLDCARTS mnemonic stands for
Onset, Location, Duration, Characteristics, Aggravating factors,
Relieving factors, Timing, Severity. It is used for comprehensive
symptom analysis.
3. A 55-year-old male reports chest pressure that occurs with exertion
and resolves with rest. This pattern is most consistent with:
A) Pericarditis
B) Stable angina
C) Unstable angina
D) Myocardial infarction
Rationale: Stable angina is provoked by exertion and relieved by
rest. Pericarditis pain is positional (worse lying flat); unstable
angina occurs at rest; MI pain is persistent and severe.
4. The “review of systems” (ROS) is best performed:
A) After the physical examination to confirm findings
B) After the chief complaint and history of present illness, but
before the physical exam
C) At the end of the visit to summarize problems
D) Only when the patient reports multiple symptoms
Rationale: The ROS is typically obtained after the HPI and
before the physical exam to systematically query for symptoms
the patient may not have mentioned.
5. A patient tells the nurse practitioner, “I feel like there’s a lump in
my throat when I swallow.” This symptom is best described as:
A) Dysphagia
B) Odynophagia
C) Globus sensation
D) Hoarseness
Rationale: Globus sensation is the feeling of a lump or foreign
, body in the throat without actual obstruction. Dysphagia is
difficulty swallowing; odynophagia is painful swallowing.
6. When taking a sexual history using the “5 P’s” approach, which of
the following is included?
A) Partners, Practices, Protection from STIs, Past history of STIs,
Pregnancy intention
B) Partners, Practices, Prevention, Past history, Prophylaxis
C) Partners, Practices, Protection from STIs, Past history of
STIs, Pregnancy intention
D) Partners, Pregnancy, Past infections, Prophylaxis, Prevention
Rationale: The 5 P’s are: Partners (number, gender), Practices
(type of sex), Protection from STIs (condom use), Past history of
STIs, and Pregnancy intention.
7. A 32-year-old female reports fatigue and hair loss. Which
additional symptom would most suggest hypothyroidism?
A) Palpitations
B) Weight loss
C) Cold intolerance
D) Diarrhea
Rationale: Cold intolerance, fatigue, hair loss, weight gain, and
constipation are classic hypothyroidism symptoms. Palpitations,
weight loss, and diarrhea suggest hyperthyroidism.
8. Which part of the stethoscope is best for auscultating low-pitched
heart sounds such as an S3 or S4?
A) Diaphragm
B) Bell
C) Tubing
D) Earpieces
Rationale: The bell of the stethoscope is designed to detect
low-frequency sounds. The diaphragm is better for high-pitched
sounds (breath sounds, normal heart sounds).
, 9. A patient reports a chronic cough that is worse at night and after
lying down. This pattern suggests:
A) Asthma
B) Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
C) Chronic bronchitis
D) Postnasal drip
Rationale: GERD can cause nocturnal cough due to reflux of
gastric contents when supine. Asthma cough may occur at night
but is often associated with wheeze.
10. The “PQRST” mnemonic for pain assessment includes:
A) Pain, Quality, Region, Severity, Timing
B) Provocation, Quality, Radiation, Severity, Timing
C) Provocation, Quality, Region, Symptoms, Time
D) Provocation/Palliation, Quality, Region/Radiation, Severity,
Timing
Rationale: PQRST stands for Provocation/Palliation (what
makes it better/worse), Quality (sharp, dull, etc.),
Region/Radiation (where it is and if it spreads), Severity (scale),
and Timing (onset, duration).
11. A patient’s past medical history should include all of the
following EXCEPT:
A) Childhood illnesses
B) Adult medical and surgical conditions
C) Psychiatric conditions
D) The patient’s social security number
Rationale: Social security number is administrative data, not part
of past medical history. PMH includes chronic diseases,
hospitalizations, surgeries, injuries, and psychiatric history.
12. When assessing a patient’s functional health, the nurse
practitioner asks, “Are you able to bathe yourself without
assistance?” This assesses:
ASSESSMENT ACTUAL EXAM PREP 2026
ALL QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
DETAILED ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES
ALREADY A GRADED WITH EXPERT
FEEDBACK|NEW AND REVISED
1. During a comprehensive health history, an advanced practice nurse
asks the patient, “What brings you in today?” This type of question
is:
A) A leading question
B) An open-ended question
C) A closed-ended question
D) A directive question
Rationale: Open-ended questions encourage the patient to tell
their story in their own words without being led to a specific
answer. “What brings you in today?” is classic open-ended
phrasing.
2. Which of the following is a component of the “OLDCARTS”
mnemonic for symptom analysis?
A) Onset, Location, Duration, Context, Aggravating factors,
Relieving factors, Timing, Severity
B) Onset, Location, Duration, Characteristics, Aggravating factors,
Relieving factors, Timing, Severity
C) Onset, Location, Duration, Color, Associated symptoms,
Radiating factors, Treatment, Severity
D) Onset, Location, Duration, Consequences, Aggravating factors,
, Relieving factors, Timing, Severity
Rationale: The standard OLDCARTS mnemonic stands for
Onset, Location, Duration, Characteristics, Aggravating factors,
Relieving factors, Timing, Severity. It is used for comprehensive
symptom analysis.
3. A 55-year-old male reports chest pressure that occurs with exertion
and resolves with rest. This pattern is most consistent with:
A) Pericarditis
B) Stable angina
C) Unstable angina
D) Myocardial infarction
Rationale: Stable angina is provoked by exertion and relieved by
rest. Pericarditis pain is positional (worse lying flat); unstable
angina occurs at rest; MI pain is persistent and severe.
4. The “review of systems” (ROS) is best performed:
A) After the physical examination to confirm findings
B) After the chief complaint and history of present illness, but
before the physical exam
C) At the end of the visit to summarize problems
D) Only when the patient reports multiple symptoms
Rationale: The ROS is typically obtained after the HPI and
before the physical exam to systematically query for symptoms
the patient may not have mentioned.
5. A patient tells the nurse practitioner, “I feel like there’s a lump in
my throat when I swallow.” This symptom is best described as:
A) Dysphagia
B) Odynophagia
C) Globus sensation
D) Hoarseness
Rationale: Globus sensation is the feeling of a lump or foreign
, body in the throat without actual obstruction. Dysphagia is
difficulty swallowing; odynophagia is painful swallowing.
6. When taking a sexual history using the “5 P’s” approach, which of
the following is included?
A) Partners, Practices, Protection from STIs, Past history of STIs,
Pregnancy intention
B) Partners, Practices, Prevention, Past history, Prophylaxis
C) Partners, Practices, Protection from STIs, Past history of
STIs, Pregnancy intention
D) Partners, Pregnancy, Past infections, Prophylaxis, Prevention
Rationale: The 5 P’s are: Partners (number, gender), Practices
(type of sex), Protection from STIs (condom use), Past history of
STIs, and Pregnancy intention.
7. A 32-year-old female reports fatigue and hair loss. Which
additional symptom would most suggest hypothyroidism?
A) Palpitations
B) Weight loss
C) Cold intolerance
D) Diarrhea
Rationale: Cold intolerance, fatigue, hair loss, weight gain, and
constipation are classic hypothyroidism symptoms. Palpitations,
weight loss, and diarrhea suggest hyperthyroidism.
8. Which part of the stethoscope is best for auscultating low-pitched
heart sounds such as an S3 or S4?
A) Diaphragm
B) Bell
C) Tubing
D) Earpieces
Rationale: The bell of the stethoscope is designed to detect
low-frequency sounds. The diaphragm is better for high-pitched
sounds (breath sounds, normal heart sounds).
, 9. A patient reports a chronic cough that is worse at night and after
lying down. This pattern suggests:
A) Asthma
B) Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
C) Chronic bronchitis
D) Postnasal drip
Rationale: GERD can cause nocturnal cough due to reflux of
gastric contents when supine. Asthma cough may occur at night
but is often associated with wheeze.
10. The “PQRST” mnemonic for pain assessment includes:
A) Pain, Quality, Region, Severity, Timing
B) Provocation, Quality, Radiation, Severity, Timing
C) Provocation, Quality, Region, Symptoms, Time
D) Provocation/Palliation, Quality, Region/Radiation, Severity,
Timing
Rationale: PQRST stands for Provocation/Palliation (what
makes it better/worse), Quality (sharp, dull, etc.),
Region/Radiation (where it is and if it spreads), Severity (scale),
and Timing (onset, duration).
11. A patient’s past medical history should include all of the
following EXCEPT:
A) Childhood illnesses
B) Adult medical and surgical conditions
C) Psychiatric conditions
D) The patient’s social security number
Rationale: Social security number is administrative data, not part
of past medical history. PMH includes chronic diseases,
hospitalizations, surgeries, injuries, and psychiatric history.
12. When assessing a patient’s functional health, the nurse
practitioner asks, “Are you able to bathe yourself without
assistance?” This assesses:
