NURS 5220 SOAP NOTE
ASSIGNMENT 1 | 2026 UPDATED |
WITH COMPLETE SOLUTIONS - UTA
EXAM
Question 1
In a SOAP note, which section contains the patient's chief
complaint and history of present illness (HPI)?
A. Objective section
B. Assessment section
C. Subjective section
D. Plan section
Answer: C. Subjective section
Rationale: The Subjective section records what the patient tells
you. It includes the chief complaint (in the patient's own words),
HPI, past medical history, family history, and review of systems.
The Objective section holds measurable data like vitals and exam
findings. The Assessment is the provider's diagnosis and
differentials. The Plan outlines next steps in management.
Question 2
,Which section of the SOAP note includes the provider's
findings from the physical examination, vital signs, laboratory
results, and diagnostic imaging?
A. Subjective
B. Assessment
C. Objective
D. Plan
Answer: C. Objective
Rationale: The Objective section includes measurable and
observable data obtained by the provider, including vital signs,
physical examination findings, laboratory results, and diagnostic
imaging. This section is considered objective because it is not
influenced by the patient's interpretation or memory.
Question 3
In the Assessment section of a SOAP note, what should be
included?
A. Only the final diagnosis
B. A synthesis of data, differential diagnoses, and health
profile analysis
C. The patient's insurance information
D. The provider's personal opinions about the patient
Answer: B. A synthesis of data, differential diagnoses, and
health profile analysis
,Rationale: The Assessment section requires the provider to
synthesize subjective and objective data, list possible differential
diagnoses (3-5), evaluate pertinent positives and negatives, and
analyze the patient's health profile including risk factors. It
represents clinical reasoning and diagnostic decision-making.
Question 4
The acronym "HPI" in a SOAP note stands for:
A. Hospital Patient Information
B. History of Present Illness
C. Health Profile Index
D. Holistic Patient Interview
Answer: B. History of Present Illness
Rationale: The History of Present Illness (HPI) is a detailed
narrative of the patient's current health problem. It organizes
symptom analysis using 7 variables: timing, location, quality,
quantity/severity, setting, aggravating/alleviating factors, and
associated factors.
Question 5
What is the primary purpose of the History of Present Illness
(HPI)?
, A. To list all past medical conditions
B. To perform a complete review of systems
C. To analyze the patient's current symptoms and
differentiate possible causes
D. To document the patient's family history
Answer: C. To analyze the patient's current symptoms and
differentiate possible causes
Rationale: The HPI provides a detailed, chronological description
of the patient's current symptoms. It helps differentiate possible
causes, rule in or out diagnoses, and identify patterns that guide
clinical reasoning. Approximately 80% of a diagnosis comes from
the history alone.
Question 6
In the HPI, the "7 variables of symptom analysis" are best
remembered by which mnemonics? (Select all that apply)
A. OLDCARTS
B. COLDSPA
C. HEADSSS
D. LOCATES
Answer: A, B, and D (OLDCARTS, COLDSPA, LOCATES)
Rationale: OLDCARTS (Onset, Location, Duration, Character,
Aggravating factors, Relieving factors, Timing, Severity), COLDSPA
(Character, Onset, Location, Duration, Severity, Pattern, Associated
ASSIGNMENT 1 | 2026 UPDATED |
WITH COMPLETE SOLUTIONS - UTA
EXAM
Question 1
In a SOAP note, which section contains the patient's chief
complaint and history of present illness (HPI)?
A. Objective section
B. Assessment section
C. Subjective section
D. Plan section
Answer: C. Subjective section
Rationale: The Subjective section records what the patient tells
you. It includes the chief complaint (in the patient's own words),
HPI, past medical history, family history, and review of systems.
The Objective section holds measurable data like vitals and exam
findings. The Assessment is the provider's diagnosis and
differentials. The Plan outlines next steps in management.
Question 2
,Which section of the SOAP note includes the provider's
findings from the physical examination, vital signs, laboratory
results, and diagnostic imaging?
A. Subjective
B. Assessment
C. Objective
D. Plan
Answer: C. Objective
Rationale: The Objective section includes measurable and
observable data obtained by the provider, including vital signs,
physical examination findings, laboratory results, and diagnostic
imaging. This section is considered objective because it is not
influenced by the patient's interpretation or memory.
Question 3
In the Assessment section of a SOAP note, what should be
included?
A. Only the final diagnosis
B. A synthesis of data, differential diagnoses, and health
profile analysis
C. The patient's insurance information
D. The provider's personal opinions about the patient
Answer: B. A synthesis of data, differential diagnoses, and
health profile analysis
,Rationale: The Assessment section requires the provider to
synthesize subjective and objective data, list possible differential
diagnoses (3-5), evaluate pertinent positives and negatives, and
analyze the patient's health profile including risk factors. It
represents clinical reasoning and diagnostic decision-making.
Question 4
The acronym "HPI" in a SOAP note stands for:
A. Hospital Patient Information
B. History of Present Illness
C. Health Profile Index
D. Holistic Patient Interview
Answer: B. History of Present Illness
Rationale: The History of Present Illness (HPI) is a detailed
narrative of the patient's current health problem. It organizes
symptom analysis using 7 variables: timing, location, quality,
quantity/severity, setting, aggravating/alleviating factors, and
associated factors.
Question 5
What is the primary purpose of the History of Present Illness
(HPI)?
, A. To list all past medical conditions
B. To perform a complete review of systems
C. To analyze the patient's current symptoms and
differentiate possible causes
D. To document the patient's family history
Answer: C. To analyze the patient's current symptoms and
differentiate possible causes
Rationale: The HPI provides a detailed, chronological description
of the patient's current symptoms. It helps differentiate possible
causes, rule in or out diagnoses, and identify patterns that guide
clinical reasoning. Approximately 80% of a diagnosis comes from
the history alone.
Question 6
In the HPI, the "7 variables of symptom analysis" are best
remembered by which mnemonics? (Select all that apply)
A. OLDCARTS
B. COLDSPA
C. HEADSSS
D. LOCATES
Answer: A, B, and D (OLDCARTS, COLDSPA, LOCATES)
Rationale: OLDCARTS (Onset, Location, Duration, Character,
Aggravating factors, Relieving factors, Timing, Severity), COLDSPA
(Character, Onset, Location, Duration, Severity, Pattern, Associated
