NU-650 Advanced Health Assessment – Complete Assignment Bundle Weeks 3–12 SOAP Notes | Regis College | 2026 Updated Questions with Answers & Detailed Rationales

NU-650 Advanced Health Assessment – Complete
Assignment Bundle Weeks 3–12 SOAP Notes |
Regis College | 2026 Updated Questions with
Answers & Detailed Rationales

Question 1
The "Subjective" section of a SOAP note should contain which of the following?
• A) Physical examination findings
• B) Laboratory and diagnostic test results
• C) Information reported by the patient, including chief complaint,
history of present illness, and review of systems
• D) Differential diagnoses and clinical impressions
• E) Treatment plan and follow-up recommendations
Answer: C) Information reported by the patient, including chief complaint,
history of present illness, and review of systems
Rationale: The Subjective section of a SOAP note contains information reported
by the patient, including the chief complaint (CC), history of present illness (HPI),
past medical history (PMH), family history, social history, and review of systems
(ROS). The Objective section contains physical examination findings and
diagnostic test results. The Assessment section contains diagnoses and clinical
impressions, and the Plan section contains treatment and follow-up
recommendations.


Question 2
Which of the following is classified as Objective data in a SOAP note?
• A) "Patient reports chest pain rated 7/10"
• B) "Patient states she has had a fever for 3 days"

, • C) "Blood pressure 142/88 mmHg, heart rate 92 bpm, respiratory rate
18/min"
• D) "Patient complains of nausea and vomiting"
• E) "Patient describes headache as throbbing"
Answer: C) "Blood pressure 142/88 mmHg, heart rate 92 bpm, respiratory
rate 18/min"
Rationale: Objective data are measurable, observable, and verifiable findings
obtained during the physical examination, including vital signs, inspection,
palpation, percussion, and auscultation findings. Subjective data are reported by
the patient and cannot be independently verified by the examiner (e.g., chief
complaint, symptoms, pain ratings).


Question 3
When documenting a patient's history of present illness (HPI), which of the
following mnemonics is most appropriate for ensuring comprehensive data
collection?
• A) PQRST
• B) OLDCARTS
• C) SOAP
• D) ABCDE
• E) HEADSS
Answer: B) OLDCARTS
Rationale: OLDCARTS is a mnemonic for gathering comprehensive HPI
data: Onset (when did it start?), Location (where is it?), Duration (how long does it
last?), Character (what does it feel like?), Aggravating factors (what makes it
worse?), Relieving factors (what makes it better?), Treatment (what has been
tried?), and Severity (how bad is it on a scale of 0–10?). PQRST is another
mnemonic for pain assessment (Provocation/Palliation, Quality, Region/Radiation,
Severity, Timing). SOAP is the documentation format itself.

,Question 4
The "Assessment" section of a SOAP note should include:
• A) Vital signs and physical exam findings
• B) Patient's reported symptoms
• C) Differential diagnoses, clinical impressions, and reasoning
• D) Medication orders and follow-up appointments
• E) Patient education provided
Answer: C) Differential diagnoses, clinical impressions, and reasoning
Rationale: The Assessment section synthesizes subjective and objective data to
formulate diagnoses, differential diagnoses, and clinical impressions. It
demonstrates clinical reasoning by connecting the findings to the most likely
diagnoses. The Plan section contains treatment recommendations, medications, and
follow-up.


Question 5
In the "Plan" section of a SOAP note, which of the following should be included?
• A) Chief complaint and history of present illness
• B) Physical examination findings
• C) Differential diagnoses
• D) Diagnostic testing, medications, patient education, and follow-up
• E) Review of systems
Answer: D) Diagnostic testing, medications, patient education, and follow-up
Rationale: The Plan section outlines the next steps in patient management,
including diagnostic tests (labs, imaging), medications, non-pharmacological
interventions, patient education, and follow-up scheduling. It should be specific
and actionable.

, Question 6
A patient presents with acute onset of chest pain. Which component of the HPI
using OLDCARTS would best describe the "Character" of the pain?
• A) "The pain started 2 hours ago"
• B) "The pain is located in the substernal area"
• C) "The pain is described as a crushing, pressure-like sensation"
• D) "The pain is worsened by exertion and relieved by rest"
• E) "The pain is rated 8/10 in severity"
Answer: C) "The pain is described as a crushing, pressure-like sensation"
Rationale: In OLDCARTS, "Character" refers to the quality or description of the
symptom using the patient's own words (e.g., crushing, burning, sharp, dull,
stabbing). "Onset" describes when it started. "Location" describes where it is.
"Aggravating/Relieving factors" describe what worsens or improves it. "Severity"
is the intensity rating.


Question 7
Which of the following is a key difference between subjective and objective data in
clinical documentation?
• A) Subjective data are always more reliable than objective data
• B) Subjective data are reported by the patient; objective data are
observed or measured by the clinician
• C) Objective data are documented in the Subjective section
• D) Subjective data include laboratory results
• E) Objective data are always documented as direct patient quotes
Answer: B) Subjective data are reported by the patient; objective data are
observed or measured by the clinician
Rationale: Subjective data are symptoms and information provided by the patient
(e.g., "I have a headache"). Objective data are measurable findings obtained by the
clinician through physical examination, diagnostic tests, and observation (e.g.,