NR509 Bates Test Bank/ Practice Questions with Correct
Detailed Answers (ALL CHAPTERS COVERED) Updated
2026.
1. For which of the following patients would a comprehensive
health history be appropriate?
A) A new patient with the chief complaint of “I sprained my
ankle”
B) An established patient with the chief complaint of “I have an
upper respiratory infection”
C) A new patient with the chief complaint of “I am here to
establish care”
D) A new patient with the chief complaint of “I cut my hand”
Answer: C
Rationale: A comprehensive health history is appropriate when a
patient is new to the provider and presenting for an initial
comprehensive evaluation. A new patient with the chief complaint of
1
,"I am here to establish care" requires a complete, comprehensive
health history rather than a focused assessment. The other options
represent focused or problem-specific visits that would require a
more limited history .
2. The components of the health history include all of the
following EXCEPT:
A) Review of systems
B) Thorax and lungs
C) Present illness
D) Personal and social items
Answer: B
Rationale: The thorax and lungs are part of the physical
examination, not part of the health history. The health history
components include the chief complaint, history of present illness,
past history, family history, personal/social history, and review of
2
,systems. The thorax and lungs assessment is performed during the
physical examination portion of the patient encounter .
3. Is the following information subjective or objective? Mr. M. has
shortness of breath that has persisted for the past 10 days; it is
worse with activity and relieved by rest.
A) Subjective
B) Objective
Answer: A
Rationale: This is subjective data because it is information provided
by the patient about the circumstances of his chief complaint. It
represents the patient's perception and description of his symptoms.
Subjective data includes everything the patient tells you about their
condition, including symptoms, concerns, and the history of the
present illness .
3
, 4. Is the following information subjective or objective? Mr. M. has
a respiratory rate of 32 and a pulse rate of 120.
A) Subjective
B) Objective
Answer: B
Rationale: This is objective data because it is a measurement
obtained by the examiner. Vital signs are quantifiable, observable
measurements that can be verified by the examiner. The patient
would not be able to provide this information about their own
physical examination findings .
5. The following information is recorded in the health history:
"The patient has had abdominal pain for 1 week. The pain lasts
for 30 minutes at a time; it comes and goes. The severity is 7 to 9
on a scale of 1 to 10. It is accompanied by nausea and vomiting.
It is located in the mid-epigastric area." Which category does
this belong to?
4
Detailed Answers (ALL CHAPTERS COVERED) Updated
2026.
1. For which of the following patients would a comprehensive
health history be appropriate?
A) A new patient with the chief complaint of “I sprained my
ankle”
B) An established patient with the chief complaint of “I have an
upper respiratory infection”
C) A new patient with the chief complaint of “I am here to
establish care”
D) A new patient with the chief complaint of “I cut my hand”
Answer: C
Rationale: A comprehensive health history is appropriate when a
patient is new to the provider and presenting for an initial
comprehensive evaluation. A new patient with the chief complaint of
1
,"I am here to establish care" requires a complete, comprehensive
health history rather than a focused assessment. The other options
represent focused or problem-specific visits that would require a
more limited history .
2. The components of the health history include all of the
following EXCEPT:
A) Review of systems
B) Thorax and lungs
C) Present illness
D) Personal and social items
Answer: B
Rationale: The thorax and lungs are part of the physical
examination, not part of the health history. The health history
components include the chief complaint, history of present illness,
past history, family history, personal/social history, and review of
2
,systems. The thorax and lungs assessment is performed during the
physical examination portion of the patient encounter .
3. Is the following information subjective or objective? Mr. M. has
shortness of breath that has persisted for the past 10 days; it is
worse with activity and relieved by rest.
A) Subjective
B) Objective
Answer: A
Rationale: This is subjective data because it is information provided
by the patient about the circumstances of his chief complaint. It
represents the patient's perception and description of his symptoms.
Subjective data includes everything the patient tells you about their
condition, including symptoms, concerns, and the history of the
present illness .
3
, 4. Is the following information subjective or objective? Mr. M. has
a respiratory rate of 32 and a pulse rate of 120.
A) Subjective
B) Objective
Answer: B
Rationale: This is objective data because it is a measurement
obtained by the examiner. Vital signs are quantifiable, observable
measurements that can be verified by the examiner. The patient
would not be able to provide this information about their own
physical examination findings .
5. The following information is recorded in the health history:
"The patient has had abdominal pain for 1 week. The pain lasts
for 30 minutes at a time; it comes and goes. The severity is 7 to 9
on a scale of 1 to 10. It is accompanied by nausea and vomiting.
It is located in the mid-epigastric area." Which category does
this belong to?
4
