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NURS 6512 WEEK 6 MIDTERM EXAM
ADVANCED HEALTH ASSESSMENT
WALDEN UNIVERSITY | 2026–2027 EDITION
# SECTION 1.0: HEALTH HISTORY & INTERVIEWING TECHNIQUES
## 1.1 Communication & Patient Interaction
**Question 1**
A 22-year-old female nurse is interviewing an 86-year-old male patient. The patient avoids eye
contact and answers questions only by saying, "Yeah," "No," or "I guess so." Which of the
following is appropriate for the interviewer to say or ask?
A. "You seem tired. Would you like to continue this interview another time?"
B. "Are you uncomfortable talking with me?"
C. "Please look at me when I'm speaking to you."
D. "I'll come back later when you're feeling more cooperative."
**Correct Answer: B. "Are you uncomfortable talking with me?"**
**Rationale:** This question addresses the patient's reluctance directly while maintaining a non-
confrontational, therapeutic approach. It acknowledges the patient's behavior without making
assumptions and invites the patient to express any concerns . Asking directly about discomfort
opens communication and demonstrates respect for the patient's feelings. Option A makes
assumptions about the patient's condition, C is confrontational and disrespectful, and D is
dismissive and judgmental.
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**Question 2**
Which question would be considered a leading question?
A. "How would you describe your pain?"
B. "When did your symptoms first begin?"
C. "You don't get headaches often, do you?"
D. "What medications are you currently taking?"
**Correct Answer: C. "You don't get headaches often, do you?"**
**Rationale:** A leading question suggests a desired answer or contains an assumption within
the question itself . It implies that the patient should answer "no" to headaches and can bias the
patient's response. This is a poor interviewing technique that compromises the accuracy of the
health history. The other options are open-ended or neutral questions that allow the patient to
provide information without being guided toward a particular response.
---
**Question 3**
Which technique is most likely to result in the patient's understanding of questions?
A. Use complex medical terminology to ensure accuracy
B. Rephrase the question if the patient appears confused
C. Use the patient's own terms if possible
D. Ask the same question repeatedly until the patient understands
**Correct Answer: C. Use the patient's own terms if possible**
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**Rationale:** Using the patient's own terms facilitates understanding and builds rapport . When
healthcare providers use language that is familiar to the patient, it improves comprehension and
communication. Complex medical terminology can confuse patients, and repeating questions or
rephrasing may help but is less effective than initially using the patient's vocabulary.
---
**Question 4**
When collecting a history from an 11-year-old girl whose mother is sitting next to her in the
examination room, the examiner should:
A. Interview the mother exclusively as the primary historian
B. Interview the child and mother together for the entire visit
C. Give the child the opportunity to be interviewed without the parent at some point
D. Limit the interview to the mother as children this age cannot provide accurate history
**Correct Answer: C. Give the child the opportunity to be interviewed without the parent at
some point**
**Rationale:** Older children and adolescents should be given the opportunity to be interviewed
without a parent present at some point during the assessment . This respects the child's
developing autonomy, encourages honest communication about sensitive topics, and models the
healthcare provider–patient relationship that will be important as the child grows. It also allows
the provider to assess the child's cognitive development and ability to provide health information
independently.
---
**Question 5**
Which question has the most potential for exploring a patient's cultural beliefs related to a health
problem?
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A. "Do you follow any cultural practices related to your health?"
B. "Why do you think you are having these symptoms?"
C. "Do you have any religious beliefs that affect your healthcare?"
D. "What do you think caused your illness?"
**Correct Answer: B. "Why do you think you are having these symptoms?"**
**Rationale:** This open-ended question invites the patient to share their explanatory model of
illness, which may be influenced by cultural beliefs . Asking about the patient's own
understanding of the cause of their symptoms provides insight into cultural perspectives, health
beliefs, and potential barriers to care. Options A and C are more direct but may feel intrusive,
while D is similar to B but slightly more directive.
---
**Question 6**
A tool used to screen adolescents for alcoholism is the:
A. AUDIT
B. CAGE
C. CRAFFT
D. MAST
**Correct Answer: C. CRAFFT**
**Rationale:** The CRAFFT screening tool is specifically designed for adolescents and young
adults to screen for alcohol and substance use disorders . CRAFFT is an acronym for key
questions about Car, Relax, Alone, Forget, Friends, and Trouble. While AUDIT, CAGE, and
NURS 6512 WEEK 6 MIDTERM EXAM
ADVANCED HEALTH ASSESSMENT
WALDEN UNIVERSITY | 2026–2027 EDITION
# SECTION 1.0: HEALTH HISTORY & INTERVIEWING TECHNIQUES
## 1.1 Communication & Patient Interaction
**Question 1**
A 22-year-old female nurse is interviewing an 86-year-old male patient. The patient avoids eye
contact and answers questions only by saying, "Yeah," "No," or "I guess so." Which of the
following is appropriate for the interviewer to say or ask?
A. "You seem tired. Would you like to continue this interview another time?"
B. "Are you uncomfortable talking with me?"
C. "Please look at me when I'm speaking to you."
D. "I'll come back later when you're feeling more cooperative."
**Correct Answer: B. "Are you uncomfortable talking with me?"**
**Rationale:** This question addresses the patient's reluctance directly while maintaining a non-
confrontational, therapeutic approach. It acknowledges the patient's behavior without making
assumptions and invites the patient to express any concerns . Asking directly about discomfort
opens communication and demonstrates respect for the patient's feelings. Option A makes
assumptions about the patient's condition, C is confrontational and disrespectful, and D is
dismissive and judgmental.
,Page 2 of 76
**Question 2**
Which question would be considered a leading question?
A. "How would you describe your pain?"
B. "When did your symptoms first begin?"
C. "You don't get headaches often, do you?"
D. "What medications are you currently taking?"
**Correct Answer: C. "You don't get headaches often, do you?"**
**Rationale:** A leading question suggests a desired answer or contains an assumption within
the question itself . It implies that the patient should answer "no" to headaches and can bias the
patient's response. This is a poor interviewing technique that compromises the accuracy of the
health history. The other options are open-ended or neutral questions that allow the patient to
provide information without being guided toward a particular response.
---
**Question 3**
Which technique is most likely to result in the patient's understanding of questions?
A. Use complex medical terminology to ensure accuracy
B. Rephrase the question if the patient appears confused
C. Use the patient's own terms if possible
D. Ask the same question repeatedly until the patient understands
**Correct Answer: C. Use the patient's own terms if possible**
,Page 3 of 76
**Rationale:** Using the patient's own terms facilitates understanding and builds rapport . When
healthcare providers use language that is familiar to the patient, it improves comprehension and
communication. Complex medical terminology can confuse patients, and repeating questions or
rephrasing may help but is less effective than initially using the patient's vocabulary.
---
**Question 4**
When collecting a history from an 11-year-old girl whose mother is sitting next to her in the
examination room, the examiner should:
A. Interview the mother exclusively as the primary historian
B. Interview the child and mother together for the entire visit
C. Give the child the opportunity to be interviewed without the parent at some point
D. Limit the interview to the mother as children this age cannot provide accurate history
**Correct Answer: C. Give the child the opportunity to be interviewed without the parent at
some point**
**Rationale:** Older children and adolescents should be given the opportunity to be interviewed
without a parent present at some point during the assessment . This respects the child's
developing autonomy, encourages honest communication about sensitive topics, and models the
healthcare provider–patient relationship that will be important as the child grows. It also allows
the provider to assess the child's cognitive development and ability to provide health information
independently.
---
**Question 5**
Which question has the most potential for exploring a patient's cultural beliefs related to a health
problem?
, Page 4 of 76
A. "Do you follow any cultural practices related to your health?"
B. "Why do you think you are having these symptoms?"
C. "Do you have any religious beliefs that affect your healthcare?"
D. "What do you think caused your illness?"
**Correct Answer: B. "Why do you think you are having these symptoms?"**
**Rationale:** This open-ended question invites the patient to share their explanatory model of
illness, which may be influenced by cultural beliefs . Asking about the patient's own
understanding of the cause of their symptoms provides insight into cultural perspectives, health
beliefs, and potential barriers to care. Options A and C are more direct but may feel intrusive,
while D is similar to B but slightly more directive.
---
**Question 6**
A tool used to screen adolescents for alcoholism is the:
A. AUDIT
B. CAGE
C. CRAFFT
D. MAST
**Correct Answer: C. CRAFFT**
**Rationale:** The CRAFFT screening tool is specifically designed for adolescents and young
adults to screen for alcohol and substance use disorders . CRAFFT is an acronym for key
questions about Car, Relax, Alone, Forget, Friends, and Trouble. While AUDIT, CAGE, and
