,D443 Health Assessment Exam Prep —
Comprehensive Review + Practice MCQs —
Western Governors University 2025/2026
1. During a health history interview, which question is an example of an open-ended question?
A. "Do you have any pain?"
B. "Have you had this problem before?"
C. "Tell me about the symptoms you've been experiencing."
D. "Is your pain worse in the morning or evening?"
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Open-ended questions encourage a full, narrative response, allowing the patient to describe their
experience in their own words. They typically begin with "tell me about" or "describe." Closed-ended
questions, like options A, B, and D, elicit brief yes/no or specific answers and may limit the depth of
information gathered. The use of open-ended questions is a foundational therapeutic communication
technique in comprehensive health assessment.
2. A patient reports a headache. The nurse documents this as which type of data?
A. Objective data
B. Subjective data
C. Diagnostic data
D. Assessment finding
Correct Answer: B
,Rationale: A headache is a symptom reported by the patient that cannot be directly observed or measured by
the nurse. This is the definition of subjective data. Objective data are measurable and observable findings,
such as vital signs, physical exam findings, or laboratory results. Accurate differentiation between subjective
and objective data is essential for proper documentation and clinical reasoning.
3. A nurse is preparing to conduct a health history interview with a patient who speaks limited English. What is
the most appropriate action?
A. Speak slowly and loudly to the patient
B. Ask the patient's family member to interpret
C. Skip the verbal history and rely on the medical record
D. Arrange for a certified medical interpreter
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: A certified medical interpreter ensures accurate, confidential communication and complies with
legal and ethical standards, including HIPAA. Family members may filter information, omit details, or breach
patient privacy. They may also lack medical terminology knowledge, leading to misinterpretation. Speaking
slowly or loudly does not overcome a language barrier, and skipping the verbal history compromises the
completeness of the assessment.
4. The CAGE questionnaire is a screening tool for:
A. Depression
B. Anxiety
C. Alcohol use disorder
D. Substance abuse
, Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The CAGE questionnaire is a brief, four-question screening tool for alcohol use disorder. The
acronym stands for: Cut down, Annoyed, Guilty, and Eye-opener. It is widely used in health assessment to
identify problematic drinking patterns that may require further evaluation or intervention. It is not a screening
tool for depression, anxiety, or general substance abuse.
5. During a health history, the patient states, "I've been feeling down and not myself lately." What is the
nurse's priority action?
A. Document the statement and move on
B. Tell the patient to see a mental health specialist
C. Ask follow-up questions about mood, sleep, appetite, and thoughts of self-harm
D. Give the patient a depression screening form
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: When a patient expresses mood changes or feelings of depression, the nurse's priority is to conduct
a focused assessment for depression, including suicidal ideation, as patient safety is paramount. This includes
asking about sleep, appetite, energy level, and specifically about thoughts of self-harm. Documenting and
moving on (A) misses a critical opportunity for intervention. Simply referring (B) or providing a form (D)
without immediate assessment fails to address the potential safety risk.
6. A patient is being discharged but has not yet received discharge instructions. The nurse notes this in the
assessment. What type of data is this?
A. Subjective data
Comprehensive Review + Practice MCQs —
Western Governors University 2025/2026
1. During a health history interview, which question is an example of an open-ended question?
A. "Do you have any pain?"
B. "Have you had this problem before?"
C. "Tell me about the symptoms you've been experiencing."
D. "Is your pain worse in the morning or evening?"
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Open-ended questions encourage a full, narrative response, allowing the patient to describe their
experience in their own words. They typically begin with "tell me about" or "describe." Closed-ended
questions, like options A, B, and D, elicit brief yes/no or specific answers and may limit the depth of
information gathered. The use of open-ended questions is a foundational therapeutic communication
technique in comprehensive health assessment.
2. A patient reports a headache. The nurse documents this as which type of data?
A. Objective data
B. Subjective data
C. Diagnostic data
D. Assessment finding
Correct Answer: B
,Rationale: A headache is a symptom reported by the patient that cannot be directly observed or measured by
the nurse. This is the definition of subjective data. Objective data are measurable and observable findings,
such as vital signs, physical exam findings, or laboratory results. Accurate differentiation between subjective
and objective data is essential for proper documentation and clinical reasoning.
3. A nurse is preparing to conduct a health history interview with a patient who speaks limited English. What is
the most appropriate action?
A. Speak slowly and loudly to the patient
B. Ask the patient's family member to interpret
C. Skip the verbal history and rely on the medical record
D. Arrange for a certified medical interpreter
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: A certified medical interpreter ensures accurate, confidential communication and complies with
legal and ethical standards, including HIPAA. Family members may filter information, omit details, or breach
patient privacy. They may also lack medical terminology knowledge, leading to misinterpretation. Speaking
slowly or loudly does not overcome a language barrier, and skipping the verbal history compromises the
completeness of the assessment.
4. The CAGE questionnaire is a screening tool for:
A. Depression
B. Anxiety
C. Alcohol use disorder
D. Substance abuse
, Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The CAGE questionnaire is a brief, four-question screening tool for alcohol use disorder. The
acronym stands for: Cut down, Annoyed, Guilty, and Eye-opener. It is widely used in health assessment to
identify problematic drinking patterns that may require further evaluation or intervention. It is not a screening
tool for depression, anxiety, or general substance abuse.
5. During a health history, the patient states, "I've been feeling down and not myself lately." What is the
nurse's priority action?
A. Document the statement and move on
B. Tell the patient to see a mental health specialist
C. Ask follow-up questions about mood, sleep, appetite, and thoughts of self-harm
D. Give the patient a depression screening form
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: When a patient expresses mood changes or feelings of depression, the nurse's priority is to conduct
a focused assessment for depression, including suicidal ideation, as patient safety is paramount. This includes
asking about sleep, appetite, energy level, and specifically about thoughts of self-harm. Documenting and
moving on (A) misses a critical opportunity for intervention. Simply referring (B) or providing a form (D)
without immediate assessment fails to address the potential safety risk.
6. A patient is being discharged but has not yet received discharge instructions. The nurse notes this in the
assessment. What type of data is this?
A. Subjective data
