Wilkes University NSG 500 Advanced Health Assessment Exam 1
(pdf) | 2026/2027 | Q&A | Health Assessment
1. Which of the following best describes the primary purpose of a
comprehensive health history?
A) To identify all potential medical diagnoses
B) To gather subjective and objective data to evaluate health status and
identify problems
C) To provide a basis for billing and insurance reimbursement
D) To establish a therapeutic relationship with the patient
Correct Answer: To gather subjective and objective data to evaluate health
status and identify problems
Rationale: The primary purpose of a comprehensive health history is to
gather subjective data (what the patient reports) and objective data (what
the examiner observes/measures) to evaluate the patient's health status,
identify actual or potential health problems, and establish a baseline for
ongoing care. This information guides clinical decision-making and care
planning.
2. A nurse is documenting findings from a patient history. Which finding is
considered subjective data?
A) Blood pressure of 140/90 mmHg
B) Patient reports feeling "dizzy and lightheaded"
C) Heart rate of 88 beats per minute
D) Skin is warm and dry to touch
Correct Answer: Patient reports feeling "dizzy and lightheaded"
,Rationale: Subjective data are the patient's verbal descriptions of their
symptoms and experiences—what the patient feels and communicates.
Objective data are observable and measurable findings that the examiner
gathers through physical examination and diagnostic tests, such as vital
signs and physical findings.
3. A nurse is documenting findings from a patient history. The nurse should
document subjective data:
A) As the patient's exact words whenever possible
B) In the nurse's own words to improve clarity
C) Only if the patient agrees to the documentation
D) After interpreting the meaning of the patient's symptoms
Correct Answer: As the patient's exact words whenever possible
Rationale: Subjective data should be documented using the patient's exact
words whenever possible, enclosed in quotation marks. This preserves the
patient's perspective and minimizes the risk of misinterpretation.
4. A nurse is preparing to interview a patient. Which of the following is a
strategy for establishing rapport with the patient?
A) Using medical jargon to demonstrate expertise
B) Maintaining a non-judgmental attitude
C) Interrupting the patient to ask specific questions
D) Focusing only on the physical examination
Correct Answer: Maintaining a non-judgmental attitude
Rationale: Establishing rapport is essential for effective communication and
data collection. A non-judgmental attitude helps build trust and encourages
,the patient to share information openly. Using medical jargon, interrupting, or
focusing only on the physical examination can hinder communication and
rapport.
5. A patient reports chest pain. The nurse asks, "Can you describe the pain?"
This is an example of which type of question?
A) Closed-ended question
B) Open-ended question
C) Leading question
D) Multiple-choice question
Correct Answer: Open-ended question
Rationale: Open-ended questions encourage the patient to provide a detailed
response in their own words. They are useful for gathering subjective data
and allowing the patient to share their experience. Closed-ended questions
require a brief, specific answer (e.g., "yes" or "no").
6. Which of the following is a key component of the health history?
A) Chief complaint
B) History of present illness
C) Past medical history
D) All of the above
Correct Answer: All of the above
Rationale: A comprehensive health history includes multiple components:
chief complaint, history of present illness, past medical history, family
history, social history, and review of systems. All of these components are
, essential for gathering subjective data to guide the physical examination and
clinical decision-making.
7. Which section of the health history includes the patient's reason for
seeking care in their own words?
A) History of present illness
B) Chief complaint
C) Past medical history
D) Review of systems
Correct Answer: Chief complaint
Rationale: The chief complaint is the patient's reason for seeking care,
documented in their own words. It is typically recorded as a brief statement
(e.g., "chest pain for 2 hours"). The history of present illness provides a
detailed description of the chief complaint, including onset, duration,
severity, and associated symptoms.
8. Which of the following is a component of the review of systems (ROS)?
A) Family history of diabetes
B) Patient reports shortness of breath
C) Patient's occupation
D) Past surgical history
Correct Answer: Patient reports shortness of breath
Rationale: The review of systems (ROS) is a systematic inventory of the
patient's symptoms, organized by body system. It includes patient-reported
symptoms such as shortness of breath (respiratory system), chest pain
(cardiovascular system), and abdominal pain (gastrointestinal system).
(pdf) | 2026/2027 | Q&A | Health Assessment
1. Which of the following best describes the primary purpose of a
comprehensive health history?
A) To identify all potential medical diagnoses
B) To gather subjective and objective data to evaluate health status and
identify problems
C) To provide a basis for billing and insurance reimbursement
D) To establish a therapeutic relationship with the patient
Correct Answer: To gather subjective and objective data to evaluate health
status and identify problems
Rationale: The primary purpose of a comprehensive health history is to
gather subjective data (what the patient reports) and objective data (what
the examiner observes/measures) to evaluate the patient's health status,
identify actual or potential health problems, and establish a baseline for
ongoing care. This information guides clinical decision-making and care
planning.
2. A nurse is documenting findings from a patient history. Which finding is
considered subjective data?
A) Blood pressure of 140/90 mmHg
B) Patient reports feeling "dizzy and lightheaded"
C) Heart rate of 88 beats per minute
D) Skin is warm and dry to touch
Correct Answer: Patient reports feeling "dizzy and lightheaded"
,Rationale: Subjective data are the patient's verbal descriptions of their
symptoms and experiences—what the patient feels and communicates.
Objective data are observable and measurable findings that the examiner
gathers through physical examination and diagnostic tests, such as vital
signs and physical findings.
3. A nurse is documenting findings from a patient history. The nurse should
document subjective data:
A) As the patient's exact words whenever possible
B) In the nurse's own words to improve clarity
C) Only if the patient agrees to the documentation
D) After interpreting the meaning of the patient's symptoms
Correct Answer: As the patient's exact words whenever possible
Rationale: Subjective data should be documented using the patient's exact
words whenever possible, enclosed in quotation marks. This preserves the
patient's perspective and minimizes the risk of misinterpretation.
4. A nurse is preparing to interview a patient. Which of the following is a
strategy for establishing rapport with the patient?
A) Using medical jargon to demonstrate expertise
B) Maintaining a non-judgmental attitude
C) Interrupting the patient to ask specific questions
D) Focusing only on the physical examination
Correct Answer: Maintaining a non-judgmental attitude
Rationale: Establishing rapport is essential for effective communication and
data collection. A non-judgmental attitude helps build trust and encourages
,the patient to share information openly. Using medical jargon, interrupting, or
focusing only on the physical examination can hinder communication and
rapport.
5. A patient reports chest pain. The nurse asks, "Can you describe the pain?"
This is an example of which type of question?
A) Closed-ended question
B) Open-ended question
C) Leading question
D) Multiple-choice question
Correct Answer: Open-ended question
Rationale: Open-ended questions encourage the patient to provide a detailed
response in their own words. They are useful for gathering subjective data
and allowing the patient to share their experience. Closed-ended questions
require a brief, specific answer (e.g., "yes" or "no").
6. Which of the following is a key component of the health history?
A) Chief complaint
B) History of present illness
C) Past medical history
D) All of the above
Correct Answer: All of the above
Rationale: A comprehensive health history includes multiple components:
chief complaint, history of present illness, past medical history, family
history, social history, and review of systems. All of these components are
, essential for gathering subjective data to guide the physical examination and
clinical decision-making.
7. Which section of the health history includes the patient's reason for
seeking care in their own words?
A) History of present illness
B) Chief complaint
C) Past medical history
D) Review of systems
Correct Answer: Chief complaint
Rationale: The chief complaint is the patient's reason for seeking care,
documented in their own words. It is typically recorded as a brief statement
(e.g., "chest pain for 2 hours"). The history of present illness provides a
detailed description of the chief complaint, including onset, duration,
severity, and associated symptoms.
8. Which of the following is a component of the review of systems (ROS)?
A) Family history of diabetes
B) Patient reports shortness of breath
C) Patient's occupation
D) Past surgical history
Correct Answer: Patient reports shortness of breath
Rationale: The review of systems (ROS) is a systematic inventory of the
patient's symptoms, organized by body system. It includes patient-reported
symptoms such as shortness of breath (respiratory system), chest pain
(cardiovascular system), and abdominal pain (gastrointestinal system).
