,UTA NURS 5220 Exam 2 | Advanced Health Assessment &
Diagnostic Reasoning (2026) Q&A
1. Which of the following best describes the primary purpose of the review of systems in the
health history?
A) To document physical examination findings
B) To systematically identify symptoms across all body systems
C) To determine the diagnosis
D) To plan treatment
Correct Answer: To systematically identify symptoms across all body systems
Rationale: The review of systems is a structured series of questions that screens for
symptoms in each body system, capturing information the patient may not have volunteered.
It guides the physical examination and helps generate a differential diagnosis. It does not
document examination findings, determine the diagnosis, or plan treatment.
2. What is the primary role of the patient's chief concern in the health history?
A) To identify the reason for the visit in the patient's own words
B) To list all chronic medical conditions
C) To document the physical examination findings
D) To determine the need for laboratory testing
Correct Answer: To identify the reason for the visit in the patient's own words
Rationale: The chief concern is a brief statement in the patient's own words describing the
primary reason for the encounter. It guides the focus of the history and examination. It does
not list chronic conditions, document examination findings, or determine laboratory needs,
although it may influence those decisions.
,3. According to the principles of diagnostic reasoning, what is the process of generating a
preliminary list of possible diagnoses called?
A) Cue clustering
B) Hypothesis generation
C) Data validation
D) Treatment planning
Correct Answer: Hypothesis generation
Rationale: Hypothesis generation is the cognitive process of formulating a list of potential
diagnoses based on the collected data. It follows cue clustering and precedes validation. Cue
clustering is grouping related findings, data validation confirms findings, and treatment
planning occurs after diagnosis.
4. In the context of the SOAP note, which section contains the clinician's assessment and
differential diagnosis?
A) Subjective
B) Objective
C) Assessment
D) Plan
Correct Answer: Assessment
Rationale: The Assessment section of the SOAP note contains the clinician's interpretation of
the subjective and objective data, including the differential diagnosis and working diagnosis.
The Subjective section contains patient-reported information, the Objective section contains
measurable findings, and the Plan section outlines treatment and follow-up.
5. Which of the following best describes the concept of cultural humility in clinical practice?
, A) Memorizing cultural facts about different ethnic groups
B) An ongoing process of self-reflection and openness to learning from patients
C) Treating all patients identically regardless of cultural background
D) Avoiding discussions of cultural differences
Correct Answer: An ongoing process of self-reflection and openness to learning from
patients
Rationale: Cultural humility is a lifelong process of self-reflection, acknowledging one's
own biases, and maintaining openness to learning from each patient's unique cultural
perspective. It goes beyond memorizing facts and is not about treating everyone the same or
avoiding cultural discussions.
6. What is the most accurate technique for measuring blood pressure in an obese adult
patient?
A) Using a standard cuff size regardless of arm circumference
B) Using a cuff with a bladder that encircles at least 80% of the arm
C) Measuring over clothing for convenience
D) Positioning the arm below heart level
Correct Answer: Using a cuff with a bladder that encircles at least 80% of the arm
Rationale: Proper cuff size is critical for accurate blood pressure measurement. The bladder
should encircle at least 80% of the arm circumference and cover two-thirds of the arm length.
Using a standard cuff on an obese arm can falsely elevate readings. Measuring over clothing
and positioning the arm below heart level also introduce error.
7. According to growth and measurement principles, what is the average length of a term
newborn?
Diagnostic Reasoning (2026) Q&A
1. Which of the following best describes the primary purpose of the review of systems in the
health history?
A) To document physical examination findings
B) To systematically identify symptoms across all body systems
C) To determine the diagnosis
D) To plan treatment
Correct Answer: To systematically identify symptoms across all body systems
Rationale: The review of systems is a structured series of questions that screens for
symptoms in each body system, capturing information the patient may not have volunteered.
It guides the physical examination and helps generate a differential diagnosis. It does not
document examination findings, determine the diagnosis, or plan treatment.
2. What is the primary role of the patient's chief concern in the health history?
A) To identify the reason for the visit in the patient's own words
B) To list all chronic medical conditions
C) To document the physical examination findings
D) To determine the need for laboratory testing
Correct Answer: To identify the reason for the visit in the patient's own words
Rationale: The chief concern is a brief statement in the patient's own words describing the
primary reason for the encounter. It guides the focus of the history and examination. It does
not list chronic conditions, document examination findings, or determine laboratory needs,
although it may influence those decisions.
,3. According to the principles of diagnostic reasoning, what is the process of generating a
preliminary list of possible diagnoses called?
A) Cue clustering
B) Hypothesis generation
C) Data validation
D) Treatment planning
Correct Answer: Hypothesis generation
Rationale: Hypothesis generation is the cognitive process of formulating a list of potential
diagnoses based on the collected data. It follows cue clustering and precedes validation. Cue
clustering is grouping related findings, data validation confirms findings, and treatment
planning occurs after diagnosis.
4. In the context of the SOAP note, which section contains the clinician's assessment and
differential diagnosis?
A) Subjective
B) Objective
C) Assessment
D) Plan
Correct Answer: Assessment
Rationale: The Assessment section of the SOAP note contains the clinician's interpretation of
the subjective and objective data, including the differential diagnosis and working diagnosis.
The Subjective section contains patient-reported information, the Objective section contains
measurable findings, and the Plan section outlines treatment and follow-up.
5. Which of the following best describes the concept of cultural humility in clinical practice?
, A) Memorizing cultural facts about different ethnic groups
B) An ongoing process of self-reflection and openness to learning from patients
C) Treating all patients identically regardless of cultural background
D) Avoiding discussions of cultural differences
Correct Answer: An ongoing process of self-reflection and openness to learning from
patients
Rationale: Cultural humility is a lifelong process of self-reflection, acknowledging one's
own biases, and maintaining openness to learning from each patient's unique cultural
perspective. It goes beyond memorizing facts and is not about treating everyone the same or
avoiding cultural discussions.
6. What is the most accurate technique for measuring blood pressure in an obese adult
patient?
A) Using a standard cuff size regardless of arm circumference
B) Using a cuff with a bladder that encircles at least 80% of the arm
C) Measuring over clothing for convenience
D) Positioning the arm below heart level
Correct Answer: Using a cuff with a bladder that encircles at least 80% of the arm
Rationale: Proper cuff size is critical for accurate blood pressure measurement. The bladder
should encircle at least 80% of the arm circumference and cover two-thirds of the arm length.
Using a standard cuff on an obese arm can falsely elevate readings. Measuring over clothing
and positioning the arm below heart level also introduce error.
7. According to growth and measurement principles, what is the average length of a term
newborn?
