NSG 500 EXAM 1 Advanced Health Assessment Questions and
Answers| Updated| Pass Guaranteed
1. Which statement is an example of subjective data?
A. Blood pressure is 142/88 mm Hg
B. The patient states, 'I have a stabbing pain in my chest.'
C. A 3-cm erythematous area is on the left forearm
D. Heart rate is 96 beats per minute
Answer: B. The patient states, 'I have a stabbing pain in my chest.'
Rationale: Subjective data are symptoms: what the patient perceives and reports.
Measurements and observed findings are objective data (signs).
2. The chief complaint is best documented:
A. In the patient's own words, in quotation marks when possible
B. As the nurse's medical diagnosis
C. As a list of all past illnesses
D. As the family's interpretation only
Answer: A. In the patient's own words, in quotation marks when possible
Rationale: The chief complaint is a brief statement in the patient's words about
why care is sought. It should not be replaced by a diagnosis or the examiner's
interpretation.
Page 1
,3. Which interview question is open-ended?
A. 'Do you have headaches every day?'
B. 'Is the pain sharp?'
C. 'You don't smoke, do you?'
D. 'Tell me about the headaches you have been having.'
Answer: D. 'Tell me about the headaches you have been having.'
Rationale: Open-ended questions invite narrative and elicit more information.
Closed and leading questions limit responses and may bias answers.
4. A nurse asks, 'You exercise regularly, don't you?' This is an example of a:
A. Open-ended question
B. Reflective statement
C. Leading question
D. Facilitation
Answer: C. Leading question
Rationale: Leading questions suggest the expected answer and can produce
inaccurate data.
5. Why should the examiner generally avoid 'why' questions during the
interview?
A. They require a yes or no answer
B. They can sound accusatory and make the patient defensive
C. They are illegal
D. They elicit too little detail
Answer: B. They can sound accusatory and make the patient defensive
Rationale: 'Why' questions can imply blame. Rephrase as 'What led you to...?' or
'Help me understand...'.
Page 2
,6. A patient pauses and looks tearful while describing a recent loss. The best
interviewing technique is:
A. Silence, allowing the patient time to compose thoughts
B. Changing the subject quickly
C. Asking several rapid questions
D. Reassuring 'Everything will be fine'
Answer: A. Silence, allowing the patient time to compose thoughts
Rationale: Silence conveys respect and gives the patient space to reflect and
continue. Premature reassurance blocks communication.
7. A nurse says, 'You said the pain gets worse at night. Tell me more about that.'
This technique is:
A. Confrontation
B. Interpretation
C. Closed questioning
D. Clarification and encouragement to elaborate
Answer: D. Clarification and encouragement to elaborate
Rationale: Restating part of the patient's statement and inviting expansion
clarifies meaning and keeps the interview focused.
8. 'You say you are not worried, yet your hands are shaking.' This technique is:
A. Facilitation
B. Summarization
C. Confrontation
D. Reassurance
Answer: C. Confrontation
Rationale: Confrontation points out inconsistencies between verbal and nonverbal
communication, used carefully to promote honest exploration.
Page 3
, 9. Summarizing at the end of the interview is useful because it:
A. Replaces the physical examination
B. Verifies accuracy and gives the patient a chance to correct or add
information
C. Shortens documentation
D. Ends the nurse-patient relationship
Answer: B. Verifies accuracy and gives the patient a chance to correct or add
information
Rationale: Summarization confirms shared understanding and often prompts
missed details.
10. Which interview mnemonic organizes symptom analysis by onset, location,
duration, characteristics, aggravating factors, relieving factors, and treatment?
A. OLDCART
B. CAGE
C. SOAP
D. HEEADSSS
Answer: A. OLDCART
Rationale: OLDCART (also PQRSTU or COLDSPA) provides a structured analysis of
each symptom.
Page 4
Answers| Updated| Pass Guaranteed
1. Which statement is an example of subjective data?
A. Blood pressure is 142/88 mm Hg
B. The patient states, 'I have a stabbing pain in my chest.'
C. A 3-cm erythematous area is on the left forearm
D. Heart rate is 96 beats per minute
Answer: B. The patient states, 'I have a stabbing pain in my chest.'
Rationale: Subjective data are symptoms: what the patient perceives and reports.
Measurements and observed findings are objective data (signs).
2. The chief complaint is best documented:
A. In the patient's own words, in quotation marks when possible
B. As the nurse's medical diagnosis
C. As a list of all past illnesses
D. As the family's interpretation only
Answer: A. In the patient's own words, in quotation marks when possible
Rationale: The chief complaint is a brief statement in the patient's words about
why care is sought. It should not be replaced by a diagnosis or the examiner's
interpretation.
Page 1
,3. Which interview question is open-ended?
A. 'Do you have headaches every day?'
B. 'Is the pain sharp?'
C. 'You don't smoke, do you?'
D. 'Tell me about the headaches you have been having.'
Answer: D. 'Tell me about the headaches you have been having.'
Rationale: Open-ended questions invite narrative and elicit more information.
Closed and leading questions limit responses and may bias answers.
4. A nurse asks, 'You exercise regularly, don't you?' This is an example of a:
A. Open-ended question
B. Reflective statement
C. Leading question
D. Facilitation
Answer: C. Leading question
Rationale: Leading questions suggest the expected answer and can produce
inaccurate data.
5. Why should the examiner generally avoid 'why' questions during the
interview?
A. They require a yes or no answer
B. They can sound accusatory and make the patient defensive
C. They are illegal
D. They elicit too little detail
Answer: B. They can sound accusatory and make the patient defensive
Rationale: 'Why' questions can imply blame. Rephrase as 'What led you to...?' or
'Help me understand...'.
Page 2
,6. A patient pauses and looks tearful while describing a recent loss. The best
interviewing technique is:
A. Silence, allowing the patient time to compose thoughts
B. Changing the subject quickly
C. Asking several rapid questions
D. Reassuring 'Everything will be fine'
Answer: A. Silence, allowing the patient time to compose thoughts
Rationale: Silence conveys respect and gives the patient space to reflect and
continue. Premature reassurance blocks communication.
7. A nurse says, 'You said the pain gets worse at night. Tell me more about that.'
This technique is:
A. Confrontation
B. Interpretation
C. Closed questioning
D. Clarification and encouragement to elaborate
Answer: D. Clarification and encouragement to elaborate
Rationale: Restating part of the patient's statement and inviting expansion
clarifies meaning and keeps the interview focused.
8. 'You say you are not worried, yet your hands are shaking.' This technique is:
A. Facilitation
B. Summarization
C. Confrontation
D. Reassurance
Answer: C. Confrontation
Rationale: Confrontation points out inconsistencies between verbal and nonverbal
communication, used carefully to promote honest exploration.
Page 3
, 9. Summarizing at the end of the interview is useful because it:
A. Replaces the physical examination
B. Verifies accuracy and gives the patient a chance to correct or add
information
C. Shortens documentation
D. Ends the nurse-patient relationship
Answer: B. Verifies accuracy and gives the patient a chance to correct or add
information
Rationale: Summarization confirms shared understanding and often prompts
missed details.
10. Which interview mnemonic organizes symptom analysis by onset, location,
duration, characteristics, aggravating factors, relieving factors, and treatment?
A. OLDCART
B. CAGE
C. SOAP
D. HEEADSSS
Answer: A. OLDCART
Rationale: OLDCART (also PQRSTU or COLDSPA) provides a structured analysis of
each symptom.
Page 4
