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NRP 571 CRAIG HARRIS EPISODIC SOAP NOTE AND REFLECTION
EXAM PREP 2026 QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS
DETAILED RATIONALES GRADED A+
Part I: SOAP Note Fundamentals and Structure (Questions 1–30)
1. The acronym SOAP in clinical documentation stands for which of the following
sequences?
A. Subjective, Objective, Assessment, Plan
B. Subjective, Objective, Assessment, Plan
C. Symptoms, Observations, Analysis, Prescription
D. Summary, Objective, Action, Progress
Rationale: SOAP is the standard acronym for Subjective, Objective, Assessment,
and Plan; it organizes clinical notes into four logical sections.
2. In the SOAP note format, which section contains information reported by the
patient?
A. Objective
B. Subjective
C. Assessment
D. Plan
Rationale: The Subjective section captures the patient’s own account of
symptoms, history, and concerns, including the chief complaint and HPI.
3. Which section of the SOAP note contains measurable, observable data such as
vital signs and physical exam findings?
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A. Subjective
B. Objective
C. Assessment
D. Plan
Rationale: The Objective section documents measurable and observable findings,
including vital signs, physical examination results, and diagnostic data.
4. The Assessment section of a SOAP note should include which of the following?
A. Only the patient’s chief complaint
B. The clinician’s interpretation, differential diagnoses, and primary diagnosis
C. The full plan of care and prescriptions
D. The patient’s family history
Rationale: The Assessment section synthesizes subjective and objective data into
a clinical impression, including differential and primary diagnoses.
5. The Plan section of a SOAP note typically includes which of the following?
A. Only the physical exam findings
B. Diagnostic tests, treatment, patient education, and follow-up
C. The patient’s review of systems
D. The clinician’s differential diagnosis
Rationale: The Plan outlines the next steps, including diagnostics, pharmacologic
and non-pharmacologic treatment, education, and follow-up.
6. For an episodic SOAP note, the documentation should be which of the
following?
A. Comprehensive and inclusive of every body system, regardless of complaint
B. Focused on the presenting problem while including relevant context
C. Limited to the patient’s chief complaint only
D. Identical to a complete history and physical
Rationale: Episodic (focused) notes address the specific presenting problem while
including pertinent history, exam, and plan elements relevant to that concern.
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7. A focused SOAP note for an acute visit typically includes a physical assessment
of how many body systems?
A. One body system only
B. A minimum of three to five body systems
C. All twelve body systems
D. No body systems; only vital signs
Rationale: Focused notes generally include a minimum of three to five body
systems in the physical assessment, selected for relevance to the complaint.
8. Which of the following best describes the purpose of an episodic SOAP note in
advanced practice nursing?
A. To replace the complete medical record
B. To document a problem-focused encounter in a structured, clinically reasoned
format
C. To bill for services without clinical justification
D. To record only the patient’s subjective complaints
Rationale: Episodic notes provide a structured, problem-focused record that
supports clinical reasoning, continuity, and communication.
9. In the SOAP note, the “S” section should be written in which perspective?
A. The clinician’s objective findings
B. The patient’s perspective, using the patient’s own words where possible
C. The consulting specialist’s opinion
D. The laboratory report’s interpretation
Rationale: The Subjective section reflects the patient’s reported experience and
should use the patient’s own words, especially for the chief complaint.
10. Which of the following is a common error in SOAP note documentation?
A. Including pertinent negatives in the HPI
B. Mixing objective findings into the Subjective section
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C. Documenting the patient’s own words in the CC
D. Including a differential diagnosis in the Assessment
Rationale: Objective findings (e.g., “abdomen soft”) belong in the Objective
section; placing them in the Subjective section is a common documentation error.
11. The SOAP note format supports which of the following clinical goals?
A. Eliminating the need for patient interviews
B. Organizing data to support clinical reasoning and continuity of care
C. Replacing the need for diagnostic testing
D. Standardizing all patients to the same note
Rationale: SOAP organizes data logically to support clinical reasoning,
communication among providers, and continuity of care.
12. Which SOAP section is most directly linked to justifying the medical decision-
making for billing and coding purposes?
A. Subjective
B. Objective
C. Assessment and Plan
D. Review of systems
Rationale: The Assessment and Plan sections document the clinical reasoning and
decisions that support medical necessity and coding.
13. A well-written SOAP note should be which of the following?
A. Vague and general to avoid liability
B. Clear, concise, accurate, and legally defensible
C. Written only in abbreviations
D. Devoid of patient quotes
Rationale: Clinical documentation must be clear, accurate, concise, and legally
defensible, reflecting the standard of care.
14. Which of the following best describes “pertinent negatives” in a SOAP note?
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NRP 571 CRAIG HARRIS EPISODIC SOAP NOTE AND REFLECTION
EXAM PREP 2026 QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS
DETAILED RATIONALES GRADED A+
Part I: SOAP Note Fundamentals and Structure (Questions 1–30)
1. The acronym SOAP in clinical documentation stands for which of the following
sequences?
A. Subjective, Objective, Assessment, Plan
B. Subjective, Objective, Assessment, Plan
C. Symptoms, Observations, Analysis, Prescription
D. Summary, Objective, Action, Progress
Rationale: SOAP is the standard acronym for Subjective, Objective, Assessment,
and Plan; it organizes clinical notes into four logical sections.
2. In the SOAP note format, which section contains information reported by the
patient?
A. Objective
B. Subjective
C. Assessment
D. Plan
Rationale: The Subjective section captures the patient’s own account of
symptoms, history, and concerns, including the chief complaint and HPI.
3. Which section of the SOAP note contains measurable, observable data such as
vital signs and physical exam findings?
1|Page
,Page 2 of 88
A. Subjective
B. Objective
C. Assessment
D. Plan
Rationale: The Objective section documents measurable and observable findings,
including vital signs, physical examination results, and diagnostic data.
4. The Assessment section of a SOAP note should include which of the following?
A. Only the patient’s chief complaint
B. The clinician’s interpretation, differential diagnoses, and primary diagnosis
C. The full plan of care and prescriptions
D. The patient’s family history
Rationale: The Assessment section synthesizes subjective and objective data into
a clinical impression, including differential and primary diagnoses.
5. The Plan section of a SOAP note typically includes which of the following?
A. Only the physical exam findings
B. Diagnostic tests, treatment, patient education, and follow-up
C. The patient’s review of systems
D. The clinician’s differential diagnosis
Rationale: The Plan outlines the next steps, including diagnostics, pharmacologic
and non-pharmacologic treatment, education, and follow-up.
6. For an episodic SOAP note, the documentation should be which of the
following?
A. Comprehensive and inclusive of every body system, regardless of complaint
B. Focused on the presenting problem while including relevant context
C. Limited to the patient’s chief complaint only
D. Identical to a complete history and physical
Rationale: Episodic (focused) notes address the specific presenting problem while
including pertinent history, exam, and plan elements relevant to that concern.
2|Page
,Page 3 of 88
7. A focused SOAP note for an acute visit typically includes a physical assessment
of how many body systems?
A. One body system only
B. A minimum of three to five body systems
C. All twelve body systems
D. No body systems; only vital signs
Rationale: Focused notes generally include a minimum of three to five body
systems in the physical assessment, selected for relevance to the complaint.
8. Which of the following best describes the purpose of an episodic SOAP note in
advanced practice nursing?
A. To replace the complete medical record
B. To document a problem-focused encounter in a structured, clinically reasoned
format
C. To bill for services without clinical justification
D. To record only the patient’s subjective complaints
Rationale: Episodic notes provide a structured, problem-focused record that
supports clinical reasoning, continuity, and communication.
9. In the SOAP note, the “S” section should be written in which perspective?
A. The clinician’s objective findings
B. The patient’s perspective, using the patient’s own words where possible
C. The consulting specialist’s opinion
D. The laboratory report’s interpretation
Rationale: The Subjective section reflects the patient’s reported experience and
should use the patient’s own words, especially for the chief complaint.
10. Which of the following is a common error in SOAP note documentation?
A. Including pertinent negatives in the HPI
B. Mixing objective findings into the Subjective section
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, Page 4 of 88
C. Documenting the patient’s own words in the CC
D. Including a differential diagnosis in the Assessment
Rationale: Objective findings (e.g., “abdomen soft”) belong in the Objective
section; placing them in the Subjective section is a common documentation error.
11. The SOAP note format supports which of the following clinical goals?
A. Eliminating the need for patient interviews
B. Organizing data to support clinical reasoning and continuity of care
C. Replacing the need for diagnostic testing
D. Standardizing all patients to the same note
Rationale: SOAP organizes data logically to support clinical reasoning,
communication among providers, and continuity of care.
12. Which SOAP section is most directly linked to justifying the medical decision-
making for billing and coding purposes?
A. Subjective
B. Objective
C. Assessment and Plan
D. Review of systems
Rationale: The Assessment and Plan sections document the clinical reasoning and
decisions that support medical necessity and coding.
13. A well-written SOAP note should be which of the following?
A. Vague and general to avoid liability
B. Clear, concise, accurate, and legally defensible
C. Written only in abbreviations
D. Devoid of patient quotes
Rationale: Clinical documentation must be clear, accurate, concise, and legally
defensible, reflecting the standard of care.
14. Which of the following best describes “pertinent negatives” in a SOAP note?
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