NRP 571 SOAP NOTE AND REFLECTION
MASTERY QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS |
2026/2027 UPDATE | 100% CORRECT
1. Which component of the SOAP note contains the clinician’s differential diagnosis and the
rationale behind the final diagnosis?
A. Subjective
B. Objective
C. Plan
D. Assessment
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: The Assessment section is where the clinician synthesizes the
data to formulate a diagnosis, list differential diagnoses, and provide the clinical reasoning.
2. In the ‘S’ portion of a SOAP note, ‘OLD CARTS’ is frequently used to analyze the Chief
Complaint. What does the ‘S’ in ‘OLD CARTS’ stand for?
A. Symptoms
B. Site
C. Severity
D. Stability
,Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: OLD CARTS stands for Onset, Location, Duration, Character,
Aggravating factors, Relieving factors, Timing, and Severity.
3. Which of the following would be considered ‘Objective’ data in a SOAP note for a patient
with suspected pneumonia?
A. Dullness to percussion in the right lower lobe.
B. Patient states they have a history of asthma.
C. Patient reports productive cough for 3 days.
D. Patient complains of sharp chest pain when breathing.
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Objective data consists of observable and measurable findings
from the physical exam or diagnostics; percussion findings are objective, whereas reports
of pain or history are subjective.
4. When documenting a Review of Systems (ROS), why is it important to include ‘pertinent
negatives’?
A. To increase the billing level of the encounter.
B. To demonstrate that the clinician ruled out specific differential diagnoses.
C. To fill space in a sparse medical record.
D. To document the patient’s past medical history.
, Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Pertinent negatives are symptoms the patient denies that help
narrow the differential diagnosis and support the final assessment.
5. Which part of the ‘Plan’ section addresses the patient’s understanding of their condition
and treatment?
A. Pharmacological Interventions
B. Follow-up Instructions
C. Patient Education
D. Diagnostic Testing
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Patient education is a critical part of the Plan, ensuring the
patient knows how to manage their condition and when to seek further care.
6. A reflective practice in clinical nursing involves which of the following?
A. Simply summarizing what happened during the shift.
B. Critically analyzing one’s own actions and clinical reasoning to improve future practice.
C. Focusing solely on the patient’s physiological response to treatment.
D. Documenting the legal requirements of the patient encounter.
Answer: B
MASTERY QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS |
2026/2027 UPDATE | 100% CORRECT
1. Which component of the SOAP note contains the clinician’s differential diagnosis and the
rationale behind the final diagnosis?
A. Subjective
B. Objective
C. Plan
D. Assessment
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: The Assessment section is where the clinician synthesizes the
data to formulate a diagnosis, list differential diagnoses, and provide the clinical reasoning.
2. In the ‘S’ portion of a SOAP note, ‘OLD CARTS’ is frequently used to analyze the Chief
Complaint. What does the ‘S’ in ‘OLD CARTS’ stand for?
A. Symptoms
B. Site
C. Severity
D. Stability
,Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: OLD CARTS stands for Onset, Location, Duration, Character,
Aggravating factors, Relieving factors, Timing, and Severity.
3. Which of the following would be considered ‘Objective’ data in a SOAP note for a patient
with suspected pneumonia?
A. Dullness to percussion in the right lower lobe.
B. Patient states they have a history of asthma.
C. Patient reports productive cough for 3 days.
D. Patient complains of sharp chest pain when breathing.
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Objective data consists of observable and measurable findings
from the physical exam or diagnostics; percussion findings are objective, whereas reports
of pain or history are subjective.
4. When documenting a Review of Systems (ROS), why is it important to include ‘pertinent
negatives’?
A. To increase the billing level of the encounter.
B. To demonstrate that the clinician ruled out specific differential diagnoses.
C. To fill space in a sparse medical record.
D. To document the patient’s past medical history.
, Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Pertinent negatives are symptoms the patient denies that help
narrow the differential diagnosis and support the final assessment.
5. Which part of the ‘Plan’ section addresses the patient’s understanding of their condition
and treatment?
A. Pharmacological Interventions
B. Follow-up Instructions
C. Patient Education
D. Diagnostic Testing
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Patient education is a critical part of the Plan, ensuring the
patient knows how to manage their condition and when to seek further care.
6. A reflective practice in clinical nursing involves which of the following?
A. Simply summarizing what happened during the shift.
B. Critically analyzing one’s own actions and clinical reasoning to improve future practice.
C. Focusing solely on the patient’s physiological response to treatment.
D. Documenting the legal requirements of the patient encounter.
Answer: B
