,NU 518 Exam 1 | Advanced Nursing Assessment (2026)
Q&A | University of South Alabama
1. A client presents to the clinic for a new patient visit. Which action by the
advanced practice nurse best establishes rapport during the initial phase of the
clinical encounter?
A) Immediately beginning a comprehensive review of systems
B) Greeting the client by name and clarifying the purpose of the visit
C) Performing the physical examination before taking a history
D) Documenting the chief complaint while avoiding eye contact
Correct Answer: Greeting the client by name and clarifying the purpose of the
visit
Rationale: Initiating the encounter involves setting the stage, greeting the
client, and establishing initial rapport. This creates a foundation of trust and
patient-centered care before gathering data. Beginning the review of systems,
performing the examination first, or avoiding eye contact would hinder rapport
and disrupt the standard sequence of the clinical encounter.
2. According to the standard sequence of the clinical encounter, which step
immediately follows the physical examination?
A) Initiating the encounter
B) Gathering information
C) Explaining and planning
D) Closing the encounter
,Correct Answer: Explaining and planning
Rationale: The clinical encounter sequence is: (1) Initiating the encounter, (2)
Gathering information, (3) Performing the physical examination, (4) Explaining
and planning, and (5) Closing. Explaining and planning follows the examination
and involves sharing information and negotiating a plan of action. Closing is the
final step after planning.
3. Which statement best describes the primary purpose of a comprehensive health
history?
A) To establish a definitive medical diagnosis without laboratory testing
B) To gather subjective data that guides clinical care and risk identification
C) To replace the need for a physical examination
D) To document only the client’s chief complaint
Correct Answer: To gather subjective data that guides clinical care and risk
identification
Rationale: The comprehensive health history collects subjective data—the
client’s own account of symptoms, history, and concerns—to form a baseline and
guide clinical care. It does not replace the physical examination or establish a
diagnosis without testing. It is broader than documenting only the chief complaint.
4. For which client is a comprehensive health history most appropriate?
A) A client with an acute ankle sprain seeking immediate treatment
B) A client with a sore throat requesting a sick note
C) A new client establishing care at the practice
D) A client with a minor cut needing a dressing change
, Correct Answer: A new client establishing care at the practice
Rationale: A comprehensive health history is indicated for new clients
establishing care because it provides a complete baseline assessment. Acute,
focused complaints such as an ankle sprain, sore throat, or minor cut typically
require a problem-focused history rather than a full comprehensive evaluation.
5. Which of the following is a component of the comprehensive health history?
A) Inspection and palpation of the abdomen
B) Review of systems
C) Auscultation of heart sounds
D) Percussion of the chest
Correct Answer: Review of systems
Rationale: The health history components include the chief complaint, history of
present illness, past medical history, family history, personal and social history,
and review of systems. Inspection, palpation, auscultation, and percussion are
physical examination techniques, which are separate from the health history itself.
6. A client reports shortness of breath that has worsened over three days and is
relieved by rest. This information is classified as which type of data?
A) Objective data
B) Subjective data
C) Laboratory data
D) Physical examination findings
Q&A | University of South Alabama
1. A client presents to the clinic for a new patient visit. Which action by the
advanced practice nurse best establishes rapport during the initial phase of the
clinical encounter?
A) Immediately beginning a comprehensive review of systems
B) Greeting the client by name and clarifying the purpose of the visit
C) Performing the physical examination before taking a history
D) Documenting the chief complaint while avoiding eye contact
Correct Answer: Greeting the client by name and clarifying the purpose of the
visit
Rationale: Initiating the encounter involves setting the stage, greeting the
client, and establishing initial rapport. This creates a foundation of trust and
patient-centered care before gathering data. Beginning the review of systems,
performing the examination first, or avoiding eye contact would hinder rapport
and disrupt the standard sequence of the clinical encounter.
2. According to the standard sequence of the clinical encounter, which step
immediately follows the physical examination?
A) Initiating the encounter
B) Gathering information
C) Explaining and planning
D) Closing the encounter
,Correct Answer: Explaining and planning
Rationale: The clinical encounter sequence is: (1) Initiating the encounter, (2)
Gathering information, (3) Performing the physical examination, (4) Explaining
and planning, and (5) Closing. Explaining and planning follows the examination
and involves sharing information and negotiating a plan of action. Closing is the
final step after planning.
3. Which statement best describes the primary purpose of a comprehensive health
history?
A) To establish a definitive medical diagnosis without laboratory testing
B) To gather subjective data that guides clinical care and risk identification
C) To replace the need for a physical examination
D) To document only the client’s chief complaint
Correct Answer: To gather subjective data that guides clinical care and risk
identification
Rationale: The comprehensive health history collects subjective data—the
client’s own account of symptoms, history, and concerns—to form a baseline and
guide clinical care. It does not replace the physical examination or establish a
diagnosis without testing. It is broader than documenting only the chief complaint.
4. For which client is a comprehensive health history most appropriate?
A) A client with an acute ankle sprain seeking immediate treatment
B) A client with a sore throat requesting a sick note
C) A new client establishing care at the practice
D) A client with a minor cut needing a dressing change
, Correct Answer: A new client establishing care at the practice
Rationale: A comprehensive health history is indicated for new clients
establishing care because it provides a complete baseline assessment. Acute,
focused complaints such as an ankle sprain, sore throat, or minor cut typically
require a problem-focused history rather than a full comprehensive evaluation.
5. Which of the following is a component of the comprehensive health history?
A) Inspection and palpation of the abdomen
B) Review of systems
C) Auscultation of heart sounds
D) Percussion of the chest
Correct Answer: Review of systems
Rationale: The health history components include the chief complaint, history of
present illness, past medical history, family history, personal and social history,
and review of systems. Inspection, palpation, auscultation, and percussion are
physical examination techniques, which are separate from the health history itself.
6. A client reports shortness of breath that has worsened over three days and is
relieved by rest. This information is classified as which type of data?
A) Objective data
B) Subjective data
C) Laboratory data
D) Physical examination findings
