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WGU D443 Health Assessment — 100 Original Practice Questions
Health History & Interviewing (1–15)
1. Which assessment technique should the nurse use FIRST during a physical examination?
A) Palpation
B) Inspection
C) Auscultation
D) Percussion
Answer: B. Inspection is always the first assessment technique. It involves visual observation
of the patient's body, skin, posture, and behavior. Inspection should precede palpation,
percussion, and auscultation because touching the patient can alter findings and obscure
visual cues .
2. During a health history interview, which question is an example of an open-ended
question?
A) "Have you had this problem before?"
B) "Tell me about the symptoms you've been experiencing."
C) "Is your pain worse in the morning or evening?"
D) "Do you take any medications?"
Answer: B. Open-ended questions encourage a full, narrative response and are essential for
gathering comprehensive subjective data. They typically begin with "tell me about" or
"describe" .
3. A patient states, "I've been feeling tired for the past three weeks." This statement
represents what type of data?
A) Objective data
B) Subjective data
C) Measurable data
D) Diagnostic data
Answer: B. Subjective data are symptoms reported by the patient that cannot be directly
observed or measured by the nurse. Examples include pain, nausea, dizziness, and fatigue .
4. 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) Arrange for a certified medical interpreter
D) Skip the verbal history and rely on the medical record
Answer: C. A certified medical interpreter ensures accurate, confidential communication and
complies with legal and ethical standards. Family members may filter information or breach
privacy .
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5. The CAGE questionnaire is a screening tool for:
A) Depression
B) Alcohol use disorder
C) Anxiety
D) Cognitive impairment
Answer: B. The CAGE questionnaire (Cut down, Annoyed, Guilty, Eye-opener) is a brief
screening tool for alcohol use disorder .
6. The OLDCARTS mnemonic is used to assess which component of the health history?
A) Past medical history
B) History of present illness (HPI)
C) Family history
D) Review of systems
Answer: B. OLDCARTS gathers detailed information about the chief complaint in the HPI:
Onset, Location, Duration, Characteristics, Aggravating/Alleviating factors, Related
symptoms, Timing, and Severity .
7. Which finding during the interview is an example of avoidance as a defense mechanism?
A) The patient cries when discussing a loss
B) The patient frequently changes the subject when asked about alcohol use
C) The patient asks for clarification of medical terms
D) The patient provides detailed answers to all questions
Answer: B. Avoidance is a defense mechanism where the patient diverts attention from
uncomfortable or distressing topics .
8. When conducting a health history for an older adult, what is an important consideration?
A) Speak loudly to ensure they can hear you
B) Allow extra time for the interview and be patient
C) Avoid asking about sensitive topics
D) Rush through the interview to avoid fatigue
Answer: B. Older adults may require additional time to process questions and recall
information. Rushing can lead to incomplete answers .
9. A patient tells the nurse, "I don't think I can do this anymore." Which response
demonstrates therapeutic communication?
A) "You should be more positive."
B) "Don't worry, everything will be fine."
C) "Tell me more about what you're feeling."
D) "I understand how you feel."
Answer: C. This open-ended question encourages the patient to express feelings and
concerns, demonstrating therapeutic communication .
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10. The FICA spiritual assessment tool assesses:
A) Faith, Influence, Community, Address
B) Faith, Importance, Community, Address
C) Family, Influence, Community, Action
D) Faith, Involvement, Church, Action
Answer: B. FICA stands for Faith (beliefs), Importance (impact on health), Community
(spiritual support), and Address (how to address spirituality in care) .
11. The LEARN model for cross-cultural communication stands for:
A) Listen, Explain, Acknowledge, Recommend, Negotiate
B) Learn, Educate, Assess, Refer, Notify
C) Listen, Empathize, Ask, Recommend, Negotiate
D) Learn, Explain, Ask, Recommend, Notify
Answer: A. The LEARN model is a framework for cross-cultural communication: Listen with
empathy, Explain your perception, Acknowledge differences, Recommend treatment, and
Negotiate agreement .
12. The "Ask Me 3" health literacy approach encourages patients to ask three questions,
including all EXCEPT:
A) "What is my main problem?"
B) "What do I need to do?"
C) "Why is it important for me to do this?"
D) "Who is the best doctor to see?"
Answer: D. Ask Me 3 encourages: (1) What is my main problem? (2) What do I need to do?
(3) Why is it important for me to do this? .
13. When gathering a family history, which question is most appropriate?
A) "Has anyone in your family ever had health problems?"
B) "What is your family's medical history?"
C) "Have any of your blood relatives been diagnosed with diabetes, heart disease, or
cancer?"
D) "Is there anything you'd like to tell me about your family?"
Answer: C. Family history questions should be specific to identify risk factors for common
genetic and familial conditions .
14. A nurse is documenting assessment findings. Which action demonstrates proper
documentation standards?
A) Using abbreviations to save time in charting
B) Recording opinions about the patient's behavior
C) Charting objective, factual observations without interpretation
D) Delaying documentation until the end of the shift
Answer: C. Accurate charting involves recording objective, factual observations free from
personal interpretation or bias .
WGU D443 Health Assessment — 100 Original Practice Questions
Health History & Interviewing (1–15)
1. Which assessment technique should the nurse use FIRST during a physical examination?
A) Palpation
B) Inspection
C) Auscultation
D) Percussion
Answer: B. Inspection is always the first assessment technique. It involves visual observation
of the patient's body, skin, posture, and behavior. Inspection should precede palpation,
percussion, and auscultation because touching the patient can alter findings and obscure
visual cues .
2. During a health history interview, which question is an example of an open-ended
question?
A) "Have you had this problem before?"
B) "Tell me about the symptoms you've been experiencing."
C) "Is your pain worse in the morning or evening?"
D) "Do you take any medications?"
Answer: B. Open-ended questions encourage a full, narrative response and are essential for
gathering comprehensive subjective data. They typically begin with "tell me about" or
"describe" .
3. A patient states, "I've been feeling tired for the past three weeks." This statement
represents what type of data?
A) Objective data
B) Subjective data
C) Measurable data
D) Diagnostic data
Answer: B. Subjective data are symptoms reported by the patient that cannot be directly
observed or measured by the nurse. Examples include pain, nausea, dizziness, and fatigue .
4. 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) Arrange for a certified medical interpreter
D) Skip the verbal history and rely on the medical record
Answer: C. A certified medical interpreter ensures accurate, confidential communication and
complies with legal and ethical standards. Family members may filter information or breach
privacy .
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5. The CAGE questionnaire is a screening tool for:
A) Depression
B) Alcohol use disorder
C) Anxiety
D) Cognitive impairment
Answer: B. The CAGE questionnaire (Cut down, Annoyed, Guilty, Eye-opener) is a brief
screening tool for alcohol use disorder .
6. The OLDCARTS mnemonic is used to assess which component of the health history?
A) Past medical history
B) History of present illness (HPI)
C) Family history
D) Review of systems
Answer: B. OLDCARTS gathers detailed information about the chief complaint in the HPI:
Onset, Location, Duration, Characteristics, Aggravating/Alleviating factors, Related
symptoms, Timing, and Severity .
7. Which finding during the interview is an example of avoidance as a defense mechanism?
A) The patient cries when discussing a loss
B) The patient frequently changes the subject when asked about alcohol use
C) The patient asks for clarification of medical terms
D) The patient provides detailed answers to all questions
Answer: B. Avoidance is a defense mechanism where the patient diverts attention from
uncomfortable or distressing topics .
8. When conducting a health history for an older adult, what is an important consideration?
A) Speak loudly to ensure they can hear you
B) Allow extra time for the interview and be patient
C) Avoid asking about sensitive topics
D) Rush through the interview to avoid fatigue
Answer: B. Older adults may require additional time to process questions and recall
information. Rushing can lead to incomplete answers .
9. A patient tells the nurse, "I don't think I can do this anymore." Which response
demonstrates therapeutic communication?
A) "You should be more positive."
B) "Don't worry, everything will be fine."
C) "Tell me more about what you're feeling."
D) "I understand how you feel."
Answer: C. This open-ended question encourages the patient to express feelings and
concerns, demonstrating therapeutic communication .
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10. The FICA spiritual assessment tool assesses:
A) Faith, Influence, Community, Address
B) Faith, Importance, Community, Address
C) Family, Influence, Community, Action
D) Faith, Involvement, Church, Action
Answer: B. FICA stands for Faith (beliefs), Importance (impact on health), Community
(spiritual support), and Address (how to address spirituality in care) .
11. The LEARN model for cross-cultural communication stands for:
A) Listen, Explain, Acknowledge, Recommend, Negotiate
B) Learn, Educate, Assess, Refer, Notify
C) Listen, Empathize, Ask, Recommend, Negotiate
D) Learn, Explain, Ask, Recommend, Notify
Answer: A. The LEARN model is a framework for cross-cultural communication: Listen with
empathy, Explain your perception, Acknowledge differences, Recommend treatment, and
Negotiate agreement .
12. The "Ask Me 3" health literacy approach encourages patients to ask three questions,
including all EXCEPT:
A) "What is my main problem?"
B) "What do I need to do?"
C) "Why is it important for me to do this?"
D) "Who is the best doctor to see?"
Answer: D. Ask Me 3 encourages: (1) What is my main problem? (2) What do I need to do?
(3) Why is it important for me to do this? .
13. When gathering a family history, which question is most appropriate?
A) "Has anyone in your family ever had health problems?"
B) "What is your family's medical history?"
C) "Have any of your blood relatives been diagnosed with diabetes, heart disease, or
cancer?"
D) "Is there anything you'd like to tell me about your family?"
Answer: C. Family history questions should be specific to identify risk factors for common
genetic and familial conditions .
14. A nurse is documenting assessment findings. Which action demonstrates proper
documentation standards?
A) Using abbreviations to save time in charting
B) Recording opinions about the patient's behavior
C) Charting objective, factual observations without interpretation
D) Delaying documentation until the end of the shift
Answer: C. Accurate charting involves recording objective, factual observations free from
personal interpretation or bias .
