Leadership, and Advanced Practice Nursing Theory
EXAM 2026
Section 1: Comprehensive Health History & Interviewing Techniques
1. Which opening statement is most appropriate when beginning a
comprehensive health interview?
A. Tell me what concerns brought you in today.
B. Why did you wait so long to come in?
C. List every medication from memory right now.
D. I only need yes or no answers.
Correct Answer: A. An open-ended opening invites the client to share
priorities and supports patient-centered assessment.
2. Which component of the history of present illness addresses where a
symptom is felt?
A. Severity
B. Location
C. Timing
D. Modifying factors
Correct Answer: B. Location identifies the area or site where the symptom is
experienced.
3. Which question best explores aggravating and relieving factors?
A. Have you had this before?
B. How severe is it on a scale of 0 to 10?
C. What makes it better or worse?
D. When were you born?
Correct Answer: C. Aggravating and relieving factors clarify what worsens or
improves a symptom.
4. When obtaining a medication history, the advanced practice nurse
should include:
A. Only prescription medications
B. Only over-the-counter products
C. Only herbal supplements
,D. Prescription drugs, OTC agents, herbals, and supplements
Correct Answer: D. A complete medication history includes all substances the
client uses because each may affect diagnosis or treatment.
5. Which statement best demonstrates therapeutic communication?
A. It sounds like this pain has been affecting your sleep.
B. That problem is probably nothing serious.
C. You should have come in sooner.
D. I already know what is causing this.
Correct Answer: A. Reflection and empathy encourage fuller disclosure and
support rapport.
6. Which family history finding is most important when assessing
cardiovascular risk?
A. A cousin with seasonal allergies
B. A first-degree relative with premature coronary artery disease
C. A grandparent with cataracts at age 90
D. A sibling with one ankle sprain
Correct Answer: B. Premature coronary artery disease in a first-degree relative
is a significant cardiovascular risk factor.
7. Which question best assesses social determinants of health?
A. Do you prefer morning or evening appointments?
B. What color are your medications?
C. Do you ever have difficulty paying for food, housing, or prescriptions?
D. Have you ever disliked a medication?
Correct Answer: C. Social determinants of health include economic stability,
housing, and access to resources; asking directly about difficulty paying for
basic needs screens for these factors.
8. A 72-year-old patient reports feeling "tired all the time." What is the
most appropriate initial open-ended question?
A. "Do you have chest pain when you are tired?"
B. "How long have you felt tired?"
C. "Tell me more about what 'tired all the time' means to you."
D. "Is the tiredness worse in the morning or evening?"
Correct Answer: C. Open-ended questions allow the patient to describe the
symptom in their own words, preserving the narrative and preventing early
closure.
9. During a health history, the patient avoids eye contact and answers with
one word. The best response is:
,A. Ask the questions faster to reduce discomfort.
B. Proceed directly to the physical exam.
C. Acknowledge the behavior: "I notice you seem uncomfortable. Is there
something you'd like to discuss?"
D. Repeat every question louder.
Correct Answer: C. Recognizing nonverbal cues and addressing them
respectfully builds rapport and uncovers potential fear, pain, or cultural factors.
10. Which question best screens for intimate partner violence (IPV)?
A. "Does your partner ever get angry with you?"
B. "Have you ever been hit, kicked, punched, or otherwise hurt by someone in
the past year?"
C. "Are you in a happy relationship?"
D. "Do you and your partner argue sometimes?"
Correct Answer: B. Direct, non-judgmental, behavior-specific questions are
most effective for IPV screening.
11. A 58-year-old male presents for an annual physical. Which interview
technique best demonstrates patient-centered care?
A. "Do you smoke or use any tobacco products?"
B. "Tell me about your main health concerns today."
C. "Why didn't you come in sooner for your high blood pressure?"
D. "You need to lose weight to prevent diabetes."
Correct Answer: B. Patient-centered care begins with an open-ended question
that allows the patient to express their priorities.
12. The "OLDCARTS" mnemonic is used to assess which component of the
health history?
A. Past medical history
B. Review of systems
C. History of present illness
D. Family history
Correct Answer: C. OLDCARTS (Onset, Location, Duration, Character,
Aggravating/Alleviating factors, Radiation, Timing, Severity) is a framework
for exploring the history of present illness.
13. Which technique is most appropriate for interviewing a patient who
speaks limited English?
A. Speak loudly and slowly
B. Use a certified medical interpreter
C. Ask a family member to translate
D. Skip sensitive questions
, Correct Answer: B. Using a certified medical interpreter ensures accurate
communication and confidentiality; family members may misinterpret or omit
information.
14. When a patient discloses they are taking an herbal supplement not
prescribed by a provider, the NP should:
A. Tell them to stop immediately
B. Document it and ask about dosage, frequency, and reason for use
C. Ignore it as it is "natural"
D. Report it to the FDA
Correct Answer: B. Herbal supplements can interact with medications; a
complete history includes all substances used.
15. A patient's chief complaint is documented as:
A. The patient's diagnosis
B. The patient's own words describing the reason for the visit
C. The NP's summary of findings
D. The medical history
Correct Answer: B. The chief complaint should be documented in the patient's
own words to preserve accuracy and context.
Section 2: Physical Examination Techniques
16. Which of the following is the correct order of abdominal examination
techniques?
A. Palpation, auscultation, percussion, inspection
B. Inspection, auscultation, percussion, palpation
C. Auscultation, inspection, palpation, percussion
D. Percussion, palpation, inspection, auscultation
Correct Answer: B. Abdominal exam order is inspection, auscultation (to
avoid altering bowel sounds), percussion, then palpation (deep palpation last to
avoid guarding).
17. During the mental status exam, a patient is unable to recall three
objects after 5 minutes. This deficit is most consistent with impairment in:
A. Immediate memory
B. Short-term memory
C. Long-term memory
D. Working memory
Correct Answer: B. Short-term memory (recent memory) is tested by asking
the patient to recall items after a few minutes.