NU 650 Exam 1 Advanced Health
Assessment 2026/2027 | Actual Questions
Herzing University Graduate School of Nursing | Actual Q&A |
MSN and NP Candidates
Introduction
This original NU 650 Exam 1 Advanced Health Assessment practice set covers Health History and Interviewing,
Vital Signs and General Survey, Head/Neck/Neurological Assessment, Cardiovascular/Respiratory Assessment,
and Abdominal/Gastrointestinal Assessment. The questions emphasize comprehensive health history,
systematic physical examination techniques, normal versus abnormal findings, clinical documentation, and
diagnostic reasoning. This document is designed to reinforce NU 650 course objectives for exam readiness.
Content Area Overview
Content Area Questions Key Topics Weight
Comprehensive history,
Health History and cultural considerations,
20 20%
Interviewing Techniques communication, subjective
documentation
Vital Signs, General Survey,
Vital signs, BMI, general
and Skin, Hair, and Nails 20 20%
appearance, skin, hair, nails
Assessment
Head/neck exam, cranial
Head, Neck, Neurological, and
20 nerves, mental status, vision 20%
Sensory Assessment
and hearing
Cardiovascular, Respiratory,
Heart sounds, murmurs, lung
and Peripheral Vascular 20 20%
auscultation, pulses, edema
Assessment
Abdominal sequence,
Abdominal, Gastrointestinal, quadrants, liver/spleen
20 20%
and Genitourinary Assessment percussion, CVA tenderness,
GU symptoms
Complete NU 650 Exam 1
advanced health
Total 100 100%
assessment practice
coverage
Actual Questions
Domain: Health History and Interviewing Techniques
1. Which opening statement best supports patient-centered history taking?
A. Tell me what brought you in today.
B. Do you have chest pain, yes or no?
C. I already read your chart, so just confirm it is correct.
D. Your problem is probably stress, correct?
Answer: A
Rationale: Open-ended invitations allow the patient to describe the concern in their own words and reduce premature
closure.
2. Which element of OLDCARTS specifically asks when the symptom began?
A. Radiation
B. Onset
C. Severity
NU 650 Exam 1 Advanced Health Assessment 2026/2027
,D. Treatment
Answer: B
Rationale: Onset identifies timing of symptom beginning and is foundational to the history of present illness.
3. In the OPQRST approach to pain assessment, what does P commonly assess?
A. Past surgical history only
B. Pupil response
C. Provocation and palliation
D. Peripheral pulses
Answer: C
Rationale: Provocation and palliation explore what worsens or relieves the symptom, supporting diagnostic reasoning.
4. Which history item is most important to include during medication reconciliation?
A. Only medications prescribed by the current clinic
B. Only medications taken this morning
C. Only medications the patient can spell correctly
D. Prescription, over-the-counter, herbal, supplement, dose, route, and adherence information
Answer: D
Rationale: Complete medication reconciliation includes all substances that can affect health, interactions, and treatment
safety.
5. A patient reports a penicillin allergy. Which follow-up question is most clinically useful?
A. What reaction did you have and when did it occur?
B. Do you dislike the smell of penicillin?
C. Was the pill expensive?
D. Did your neighbor have the same allergy?
Answer: A
Rationale: Clarifying the reaction distinguishes true allergy from intolerance and informs safe prescribing decisions.
6. Which item belongs in the past medical history rather than the family history?
A. Mother's breast cancer diagnosis
B. The patient's prior hospitalization for asthma
C. Father's myocardial infarction
D. Sibling's type 1 diabetes
Answer: B
Rationale: Past medical history documents the patient's own illnesses, hospitalizations, surgeries, and chronic conditions.
7. Why is a three-generation family history useful in advanced assessment?
A. It replaces the physical examination
B. It proves every disease is genetic
C. It helps identify inherited risks and familial disease patterns
D. It eliminates the need for screening guidelines
Answer: C
Rationale: A multigenerational family history supports risk stratification and prevention planning.
8. Which social history question best assesses occupational exposure risk?
A. Do you prefer morning appointments?
B. What is your favorite color?
C. Do you know your employer's tax ID?
D. What kind of work do you do, and are you exposed to dust, chemicals, noise, or radiation?
Answer: D
Rationale: Occupation and exposure questions identify environmental contributors to symptoms and safety risks.
9. Which wording is most appropriate for assessing alcohol use?
A. How many drinks containing alcohol do you have in a typical week?
B. You do not drink too much, right?
C. You are not an alcoholic, are you?
D. Why would you drink when you know it is unhealthy?
Answer: A
Rationale: Neutral, specific questions improve disclosure and reduce shame or defensiveness.
NU 650 Exam 1 Advanced Health Assessment 2026/2027
, 10. Which sexual history question is most inclusive and clinically relevant?
A. You are heterosexual, correct?
B. Are your sexual partners men, women, both, or another gender?
C. You are married, so you are monogamous, right?
D. Only young patients need sexual history questions.
Answer: B
Rationale: Inclusive language avoids assumptions and improves assessment of STI, pregnancy, and safety risks.
11. A patient uses a traditional remedy. What is the best APRN response?
A. Tell the patient to stop all traditional practices immediately
B. Ignore it because it is not prescribed
C. Ask what the remedy is, how it is used, and whether the patient is comfortable discussing it
D. Document noncompliance without asking details
Answer: C
Rationale: Cultural humility supports respectful inquiry while assessing safety, interactions, and patient beliefs.
12. What is the best practice when a patient has limited English proficiency?
A. Use a minor child as interpreter
B. Speak louder in English
C. Avoid complex topics
D. Use a qualified medical interpreter and speak directly to the patient
Answer: D
Rationale: Qualified interpreters improve accuracy, confidentiality, and informed decision-making.
13. Which action reflects trauma-informed interviewing?
A. Ask permission before sensitive questions and explain why the information is needed
B. Demand disclosure before care continues
C. Stand over the patient and rush questions
D. Assume all patients with trauma histories will volunteer details
Answer: A
Rationale: Trauma-informed care promotes safety, choice, collaboration, and empowerment.
14. What is the main purpose of the review of systems?
A. Repeat only the chief complaint
B. Identify symptoms not fully explored in the HPI across body systems
C. Replace the physical examination
D. Record only positive findings
Answer: B
Rationale: ROS is a systematic symptom inventory that complements the HPI and helps detect associated or unrelated
concerns.
15. Which documentation belongs in the subjective database?
A. Blood pressure 152/92 mm Hg
B. Crackles heard at lung bases
C. Patient reports intermittent dizziness for two weeks
D. 2+ pitting edema observed
Answer: C
Rationale: Subjective data are symptoms and information reported by the patient or source.
16. Which statement best supports confidential adolescent interviewing?
A. Promise absolute secrecy for every answer
B. Interview only with parents present
C. Avoid sexual or substance questions
D. Explain privacy limits, including risk of harm to self or others, before asking sensitive questions
Answer: D
Rationale: Adolescents benefit from confidential care with clearly explained legal and safety limits.
17. Which technique best evaluates patient understanding of health information?
A. Ask the patient to explain the plan back in their own words
B. Ask, Do you understand?
C. Give only written instructions
NU 650 Exam 1 Advanced Health Assessment 2026/2027
Assessment 2026/2027 | Actual Questions
Herzing University Graduate School of Nursing | Actual Q&A |
MSN and NP Candidates
Introduction
This original NU 650 Exam 1 Advanced Health Assessment practice set covers Health History and Interviewing,
Vital Signs and General Survey, Head/Neck/Neurological Assessment, Cardiovascular/Respiratory Assessment,
and Abdominal/Gastrointestinal Assessment. The questions emphasize comprehensive health history,
systematic physical examination techniques, normal versus abnormal findings, clinical documentation, and
diagnostic reasoning. This document is designed to reinforce NU 650 course objectives for exam readiness.
Content Area Overview
Content Area Questions Key Topics Weight
Comprehensive history,
Health History and cultural considerations,
20 20%
Interviewing Techniques communication, subjective
documentation
Vital Signs, General Survey,
Vital signs, BMI, general
and Skin, Hair, and Nails 20 20%
appearance, skin, hair, nails
Assessment
Head/neck exam, cranial
Head, Neck, Neurological, and
20 nerves, mental status, vision 20%
Sensory Assessment
and hearing
Cardiovascular, Respiratory,
Heart sounds, murmurs, lung
and Peripheral Vascular 20 20%
auscultation, pulses, edema
Assessment
Abdominal sequence,
Abdominal, Gastrointestinal, quadrants, liver/spleen
20 20%
and Genitourinary Assessment percussion, CVA tenderness,
GU symptoms
Complete NU 650 Exam 1
advanced health
Total 100 100%
assessment practice
coverage
Actual Questions
Domain: Health History and Interviewing Techniques
1. Which opening statement best supports patient-centered history taking?
A. Tell me what brought you in today.
B. Do you have chest pain, yes or no?
C. I already read your chart, so just confirm it is correct.
D. Your problem is probably stress, correct?
Answer: A
Rationale: Open-ended invitations allow the patient to describe the concern in their own words and reduce premature
closure.
2. Which element of OLDCARTS specifically asks when the symptom began?
A. Radiation
B. Onset
C. Severity
NU 650 Exam 1 Advanced Health Assessment 2026/2027
,D. Treatment
Answer: B
Rationale: Onset identifies timing of symptom beginning and is foundational to the history of present illness.
3. In the OPQRST approach to pain assessment, what does P commonly assess?
A. Past surgical history only
B. Pupil response
C. Provocation and palliation
D. Peripheral pulses
Answer: C
Rationale: Provocation and palliation explore what worsens or relieves the symptom, supporting diagnostic reasoning.
4. Which history item is most important to include during medication reconciliation?
A. Only medications prescribed by the current clinic
B. Only medications taken this morning
C. Only medications the patient can spell correctly
D. Prescription, over-the-counter, herbal, supplement, dose, route, and adherence information
Answer: D
Rationale: Complete medication reconciliation includes all substances that can affect health, interactions, and treatment
safety.
5. A patient reports a penicillin allergy. Which follow-up question is most clinically useful?
A. What reaction did you have and when did it occur?
B. Do you dislike the smell of penicillin?
C. Was the pill expensive?
D. Did your neighbor have the same allergy?
Answer: A
Rationale: Clarifying the reaction distinguishes true allergy from intolerance and informs safe prescribing decisions.
6. Which item belongs in the past medical history rather than the family history?
A. Mother's breast cancer diagnosis
B. The patient's prior hospitalization for asthma
C. Father's myocardial infarction
D. Sibling's type 1 diabetes
Answer: B
Rationale: Past medical history documents the patient's own illnesses, hospitalizations, surgeries, and chronic conditions.
7. Why is a three-generation family history useful in advanced assessment?
A. It replaces the physical examination
B. It proves every disease is genetic
C. It helps identify inherited risks and familial disease patterns
D. It eliminates the need for screening guidelines
Answer: C
Rationale: A multigenerational family history supports risk stratification and prevention planning.
8. Which social history question best assesses occupational exposure risk?
A. Do you prefer morning appointments?
B. What is your favorite color?
C. Do you know your employer's tax ID?
D. What kind of work do you do, and are you exposed to dust, chemicals, noise, or radiation?
Answer: D
Rationale: Occupation and exposure questions identify environmental contributors to symptoms and safety risks.
9. Which wording is most appropriate for assessing alcohol use?
A. How many drinks containing alcohol do you have in a typical week?
B. You do not drink too much, right?
C. You are not an alcoholic, are you?
D. Why would you drink when you know it is unhealthy?
Answer: A
Rationale: Neutral, specific questions improve disclosure and reduce shame or defensiveness.
NU 650 Exam 1 Advanced Health Assessment 2026/2027
, 10. Which sexual history question is most inclusive and clinically relevant?
A. You are heterosexual, correct?
B. Are your sexual partners men, women, both, or another gender?
C. You are married, so you are monogamous, right?
D. Only young patients need sexual history questions.
Answer: B
Rationale: Inclusive language avoids assumptions and improves assessment of STI, pregnancy, and safety risks.
11. A patient uses a traditional remedy. What is the best APRN response?
A. Tell the patient to stop all traditional practices immediately
B. Ignore it because it is not prescribed
C. Ask what the remedy is, how it is used, and whether the patient is comfortable discussing it
D. Document noncompliance without asking details
Answer: C
Rationale: Cultural humility supports respectful inquiry while assessing safety, interactions, and patient beliefs.
12. What is the best practice when a patient has limited English proficiency?
A. Use a minor child as interpreter
B. Speak louder in English
C. Avoid complex topics
D. Use a qualified medical interpreter and speak directly to the patient
Answer: D
Rationale: Qualified interpreters improve accuracy, confidentiality, and informed decision-making.
13. Which action reflects trauma-informed interviewing?
A. Ask permission before sensitive questions and explain why the information is needed
B. Demand disclosure before care continues
C. Stand over the patient and rush questions
D. Assume all patients with trauma histories will volunteer details
Answer: A
Rationale: Trauma-informed care promotes safety, choice, collaboration, and empowerment.
14. What is the main purpose of the review of systems?
A. Repeat only the chief complaint
B. Identify symptoms not fully explored in the HPI across body systems
C. Replace the physical examination
D. Record only positive findings
Answer: B
Rationale: ROS is a systematic symptom inventory that complements the HPI and helps detect associated or unrelated
concerns.
15. Which documentation belongs in the subjective database?
A. Blood pressure 152/92 mm Hg
B. Crackles heard at lung bases
C. Patient reports intermittent dizziness for two weeks
D. 2+ pitting edema observed
Answer: C
Rationale: Subjective data are symptoms and information reported by the patient or source.
16. Which statement best supports confidential adolescent interviewing?
A. Promise absolute secrecy for every answer
B. Interview only with parents present
C. Avoid sexual or substance questions
D. Explain privacy limits, including risk of harm to self or others, before asking sensitive questions
Answer: D
Rationale: Adolescents benefit from confidential care with clearly explained legal and safety limits.
17. Which technique best evaluates patient understanding of health information?
A. Ask the patient to explain the plan back in their own words
B. Ask, Do you understand?
C. Give only written instructions
NU 650 Exam 1 Advanced Health Assessment 2026/2027
