NURS 612 Exam 1 Advanced Health Assessment Questions
with Answers (Maryville University)
1. Which opening question is the best example of an open-ended question?
A. "Do you have chest pain?"
B. "Have you been taking your medications?"
C. "Tell me what brought you in today."
D. "Is the pain sharp or dull?"
Answer: C. "Tell me what brought you in today."
Rationale: Open-ended questions invite the patient to tell the story in their own
words and yield broader, richer information. Closed-ended questions elicit short
yes/no or single-word answers.
2. When is a closed-ended question most appropriate during the interview?
A. To begin every encounter
B. To encourage the patient to elaborate on feelings
C. To clarify specific details after the patient has told their story
D. To avoid discussing sensitive topics
Answer: C. To clarify specific details after the patient has told their story
Rationale: Closed-ended questions are efficient for pinning down specifics
(dates, doses, yes/no facts) once the narrative is established.
NURS 612 Exam 1 | Page 1
,3. Which question is a leading question?
A. "You don't smoke, do you?"
B. "What is your smoking history?"
C. "Tell me about any tobacco use."
D. "How much do you smoke, if at all?"
Answer: A. "You don't smoke, do you?"
Rationale: Leading questions suggest the expected answer and can bias
responses. Neutral, open phrasing is preferred.
4. A patient says, "I've been so tired lately, and I can't keep up with my kids."
The provider replies, "It sounds like you're feeling overwhelmed." Which
technique is this?
A. Confrontation
B. Reflection
C. Interpretation
D. Direct questioning
Answer: B. Reflection
Rationale: Reflection repeats or paraphrases the patient's words or feelings,
showing understanding and encouraging further sharing.
NURS 612 Exam 1 | Page 2
,5. What is the purpose of using silence during an interview?
A. To give the patient time to think, gather thoughts, and share difficult
information
B. To show disapproval
C. To end the interview
D. To avoid a difficult topic
Answer: A. To give the patient time to think, gather thoughts, and share
difficult information
Rationale: Appropriate silence communicates patience and respect and often
prompts patients to reveal important details.
6. Which statement is an example of facilitation?
A. "Why did you wait so long to come in?"
B. "Go on," or nodding while the patient talks
C. "You really should quit smoking."
D. "Let me summarize what you've said."
Answer: B. "Go on," or nodding while the patient talks
Rationale: Facilitation uses verbal or nonverbal cues to encourage the patient to
continue speaking.
NURS 612 Exam 1 | Page 3
, 7. A patient states, "I've been feeling dizzy." Which response is an example of
clarification?
A. "That must be scary."
B. "Dizzy is probably just low blood sugar."
C. "Go on."
D. "When you say dizzy, do you mean lightheaded or like the room is spinning?"
Answer: D. "When you say dizzy, do you mean lightheaded or like the room
is spinning?"
Rationale: Clarification asks the patient to define vague terms so the provider
does not assume meaning.
8. Which response best demonstrates empathy?
A. "This sounds like a really hard time for you, and I'm here to help."
B. "Don't worry, everything will be fine."
C. "Many people have it worse."
D. "You need to be less anxious."
Answer: A. "This sounds like a really hard time for you, and I'm here to
help."
Rationale: Empathy acknowledges and validates the patient's feelings without
false reassurance or minimizing.
NURS 612 Exam 1 | Page 4
with Answers (Maryville University)
1. Which opening question is the best example of an open-ended question?
A. "Do you have chest pain?"
B. "Have you been taking your medications?"
C. "Tell me what brought you in today."
D. "Is the pain sharp or dull?"
Answer: C. "Tell me what brought you in today."
Rationale: Open-ended questions invite the patient to tell the story in their own
words and yield broader, richer information. Closed-ended questions elicit short
yes/no or single-word answers.
2. When is a closed-ended question most appropriate during the interview?
A. To begin every encounter
B. To encourage the patient to elaborate on feelings
C. To clarify specific details after the patient has told their story
D. To avoid discussing sensitive topics
Answer: C. To clarify specific details after the patient has told their story
Rationale: Closed-ended questions are efficient for pinning down specifics
(dates, doses, yes/no facts) once the narrative is established.
NURS 612 Exam 1 | Page 1
,3. Which question is a leading question?
A. "You don't smoke, do you?"
B. "What is your smoking history?"
C. "Tell me about any tobacco use."
D. "How much do you smoke, if at all?"
Answer: A. "You don't smoke, do you?"
Rationale: Leading questions suggest the expected answer and can bias
responses. Neutral, open phrasing is preferred.
4. A patient says, "I've been so tired lately, and I can't keep up with my kids."
The provider replies, "It sounds like you're feeling overwhelmed." Which
technique is this?
A. Confrontation
B. Reflection
C. Interpretation
D. Direct questioning
Answer: B. Reflection
Rationale: Reflection repeats or paraphrases the patient's words or feelings,
showing understanding and encouraging further sharing.
NURS 612 Exam 1 | Page 2
,5. What is the purpose of using silence during an interview?
A. To give the patient time to think, gather thoughts, and share difficult
information
B. To show disapproval
C. To end the interview
D. To avoid a difficult topic
Answer: A. To give the patient time to think, gather thoughts, and share
difficult information
Rationale: Appropriate silence communicates patience and respect and often
prompts patients to reveal important details.
6. Which statement is an example of facilitation?
A. "Why did you wait so long to come in?"
B. "Go on," or nodding while the patient talks
C. "You really should quit smoking."
D. "Let me summarize what you've said."
Answer: B. "Go on," or nodding while the patient talks
Rationale: Facilitation uses verbal or nonverbal cues to encourage the patient to
continue speaking.
NURS 612 Exam 1 | Page 3
, 7. A patient states, "I've been feeling dizzy." Which response is an example of
clarification?
A. "That must be scary."
B. "Dizzy is probably just low blood sugar."
C. "Go on."
D. "When you say dizzy, do you mean lightheaded or like the room is spinning?"
Answer: D. "When you say dizzy, do you mean lightheaded or like the room
is spinning?"
Rationale: Clarification asks the patient to define vague terms so the provider
does not assume meaning.
8. Which response best demonstrates empathy?
A. "This sounds like a really hard time for you, and I'm here to help."
B. "Don't worry, everything will be fine."
C. "Many people have it worse."
D. "You need to be less anxious."
Answer: A. "This sounds like a really hard time for you, and I'm here to
help."
Rationale: Empathy acknowledges and validates the patient's feelings without
false reassurance or minimizing.
NURS 612 Exam 1 | Page 4
