,SECTION 1 | Health History & Interviewing Techniques | Q1–Q20
Q1. A 52-year-old man presents to the primary care clinic for a routine physical
examination. The nurse practitioner begins by asking the patient about his
current health concerns and reasons for the visit. This component of the health
history is referred to by which term?
A. Past medical history documenting previous diagnoses
B. Chief complaint identifying the patient’s primary reason for seeking care
C. Review of systems cataloging symptoms by body system
D. Family history outlining hereditary disease patterns
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The chief complaint is the patient’s primary reason for seeking care,
usually stated in the patient’s own words.
Q2. A nurse practitioner is conducting a health history interview with a 65-year-
old woman who has recently been diagnosed with hypertension. The NP uses
open-ended questions during the interview. The primary advantage of open-
ended questions is that they accomplish which goal?
A. They allow the patient to provide detailed, unrestricted responses in their own
words
B. They limit the patient’s responses to simple yes or no answers
C. They direct the patient toward a specific answer the provider expects
D. They reduce the total time needed to complete the interview
Correct Answer: A
,Rationale: Open-ended questions encourage fuller responses and help gather
more detailed information.
Q3. A patient tells the nurse practitioner, “I have been feeling tired for a few
weeks and my appetite is down.” Which section of the health history should the
NP document this information under?
A. Family history
B. Review of systems
C. Present illness
D. Social history
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The present illness section includes details about the current health
problem and associated symptoms.
Q4. A patient is asked about tobacco use, alcohol intake, diet, occupation, and
exercise habits. Which part of the history is the nurse practitioner collecting?
A. Past surgical history
B. Social history
C. Chief complaint
D. Review of systems
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Social history includes lifestyle factors such as smoking, alcohol use,
diet, and exercise.
, Q5. A nurse practitioner asks, “Do you have chest pain, shortness of breath, or
palpitations?” Which type of question is being used?
A. Open-ended
B. Clarifying
C. Closed-ended
D. Leading
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Closed-ended questions usually produce short, specific responses.
Q6. During a health history, a patient says, “I guess maybe this headache is
probably not important.” Which therapeutic communication response is most
appropriate?
A. “You are probably right; let’s move on.”
B. “Why do you think the headache is not important?”
C. “Tell me more about the headache and what concerns you about it.”
D. “Headaches are common and usually harmless.”
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: This response encourages elaboration and demonstrates active
listening.
Q7. A patient states, “I don’t understand why I have to answer so many
questions.” Which nursing response best supports therapeutic communication?
A. “It is required for every patient, so please continue.”
B. “The questions help me understand your health concerns and provide better
Q1. A 52-year-old man presents to the primary care clinic for a routine physical
examination. The nurse practitioner begins by asking the patient about his
current health concerns and reasons for the visit. This component of the health
history is referred to by which term?
A. Past medical history documenting previous diagnoses
B. Chief complaint identifying the patient’s primary reason for seeking care
C. Review of systems cataloging symptoms by body system
D. Family history outlining hereditary disease patterns
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The chief complaint is the patient’s primary reason for seeking care,
usually stated in the patient’s own words.
Q2. A nurse practitioner is conducting a health history interview with a 65-year-
old woman who has recently been diagnosed with hypertension. The NP uses
open-ended questions during the interview. The primary advantage of open-
ended questions is that they accomplish which goal?
A. They allow the patient to provide detailed, unrestricted responses in their own
words
B. They limit the patient’s responses to simple yes or no answers
C. They direct the patient toward a specific answer the provider expects
D. They reduce the total time needed to complete the interview
Correct Answer: A
,Rationale: Open-ended questions encourage fuller responses and help gather
more detailed information.
Q3. A patient tells the nurse practitioner, “I have been feeling tired for a few
weeks and my appetite is down.” Which section of the health history should the
NP document this information under?
A. Family history
B. Review of systems
C. Present illness
D. Social history
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The present illness section includes details about the current health
problem and associated symptoms.
Q4. A patient is asked about tobacco use, alcohol intake, diet, occupation, and
exercise habits. Which part of the history is the nurse practitioner collecting?
A. Past surgical history
B. Social history
C. Chief complaint
D. Review of systems
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Social history includes lifestyle factors such as smoking, alcohol use,
diet, and exercise.
, Q5. A nurse practitioner asks, “Do you have chest pain, shortness of breath, or
palpitations?” Which type of question is being used?
A. Open-ended
B. Clarifying
C. Closed-ended
D. Leading
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Closed-ended questions usually produce short, specific responses.
Q6. During a health history, a patient says, “I guess maybe this headache is
probably not important.” Which therapeutic communication response is most
appropriate?
A. “You are probably right; let’s move on.”
B. “Why do you think the headache is not important?”
C. “Tell me more about the headache and what concerns you about it.”
D. “Headaches are common and usually harmless.”
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: This response encourages elaboration and demonstrates active
listening.
Q7. A patient states, “I don’t understand why I have to answer so many
questions.” Which nursing response best supports therapeutic communication?
A. “It is required for every patient, so please continue.”
B. “The questions help me understand your health concerns and provide better
