Latest Update 2026/2027 | 200 Practice Questions &
Detailed Answers | WPU Actual Q&A with Rationales |
A+ Graded
SECTION 1: COMPREHENSIVE HEALTH HISTORY & INTERVIEWING (Questions 1–30)
1. Which opening statement is most appropriate when beginning a comprehensive health interview?
A) "Why did you wait so long to come in?"
B) "Tell me what concerns brought you in today."
C) "List every medication from memory right now."
D) "I only need yes or no answers."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: An openended opening invites the client to share priorities and supports patientcentered
assessment. It establishes rapport and allows the patient to express concerns in their own words.
2. Which of the following is recorded in documentation as a direct patient quote?
A) Chief complaint only
B) Review of systems
C) Physical exam findings
D) Assessment and plan
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The chief complaint is typically recorded verbatim in the patient's own words in quotation
marks. This preserves the patient's perspective and is a documentation best practice.
,3. SOAP stands for:
A) Subjective, Objective, Assessment, Plan
B) Symptoms, Observations, Analysis, Plan
C) Subjective, Objective, Action, Prognosis
D) Symptoms, Objective, Assessment, Prescription
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: SOAP is the standard documentation framework. It organizes patient encounters from history
through plan of care: Subjective (patientreported data), Objective (exam findings), Assessment
(diagnoses), and Plan (treatment and followup).
4. A patient reports drinking "a few beers every night." The APN should follow up with which question to
assess for alcohol use disorder?
A) "Do you think you have a drinking problem?"
B) "Have you ever felt you should cut down on your drinking?"
C) "Why do you drink so much?"
D) "Don't you know alcohol is bad for you?"
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The CAGE questionnaire begins with: "Have you ever felt you should cut down on your
drinking?" This is a nonjudgmental, evidencebased screening question.
5. Which family history finding is most important when assessing cardiovascular risk?
,A) A cousin with seasonal allergies
B) A firstdegree relative with premature coronary artery disease
C) A grandparent with cataracts at age 90
D) A sibling with one ankle sprain
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Premature coronary artery disease in a firstdegree relative is a significant cardiovascular risk
factor that increases the patient's risk of developing cardiovascular disease.
6. The primary purpose of the comprehensive health history is to:
A) Identify a specific diagnosis and formulate a treatment plan
B) Establish a complete baseline of the patient's health status and risks
C) Fulfill legal documentation requirements for insurance billing
D) Focus entirely on the patient's current chief complaint
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A comprehensive health assessment aims to establish a complete baseline database
regarding the patient's past and present health, family history, lifestyle, and psychosocial status.
7. During an interview, a patient states, "I just can't seem to get a good night's sleep because my back
hurts." How should the NP document this information?
A) As part of the past medical history
B) As the chief complaint
C) As a review of systems symptom
D) As a social history detail
, Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The chief complaint is the reason for the patient's visit, stated in the patient's own words.
8. Which of the following is an example of an openended question?
A) "Do you have a family history of heart disease?"
B) "Does the pain feel sharp or dull?"
C) "Can you tell me what brought you to the clinic today?"
D) "Are you taking your blood pressure medication daily?"
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Openended questions allow the patient to narrate their story in their own words without
restricting them to a "yes" or "no" answer.
9. A patient becomes tearful and silent after discussing the recent loss of a spouse. What is the most
appropriate nursing action?
A) Change the subject to distract the patient
B) Remain silent and offer a tissue, allowing the patient time to process
C) Excuse oneself from the room to give the patient privacy
D) Ask rapid questions to move the interview forward
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The use of silence is a therapeutic communication technique that allows the patient time to
gather their thoughts. Offering a tissue shows nonverbal empathy.