MARYVILLE NURS 612 EXAM 1
QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT ANSWERS
AND RATIONALES LATEST UPDATE
2026\2027
1. Which of the following questions may lead to an inaccurate patient response?
A) "When did your symptoms begin?"
B) "How severe is your pain on a scale of 0-10?"
C) "That was a horrible experience, wasn't it?"
D) "What makes your symptoms better or worse?"
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Leading questions imply a desired answer and can bias the patient's
response, leading to inaccurate information. "That was a horrible experience,
wasn't it?" suggests the expected answer and may not reflect the patient's true
feelings.
2. Repeating a patient's answer is an attempt to:
A) Fill conversational gaps
B) Confirm an accurate understanding of the patient's statement
C) Demonstrate active listening
D) Encourage the patient to elaborate further
1
,Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Repeating a patient's answer confirms accurate understanding, ensuring
the interviewer has correctly interpreted the patient's message. This technique also
demonstrates active listening and encourages further elaboration.
3. During an interview, your patient admits to feeling worthless and having a sleep
disturbance for the past 3 weeks. These are clues that warrant the exploration of:
A) Anxiety disorder
B) Risk for suicide
C) Bipolar disorder
D) Substance abuse
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Feelings of worthlessness and sleep disturbances are significant clinical
clues that warrant exploration of suicide risk. These symptoms may indicate
depression and should be assessed promptly for patient safety.
4. Jerry, a 26-year-old homosexual man, is having a health history taken. Which
question regarding sexual activity would most likely hamper trust between Jerry
and the interviewer?
A) "Are you sexually active?"
B) "Do you have sex with men, women, or both?"
C) "Are you married or do you have a girlfriend?"
D) "What concerns do you have about your sexual health?"
Correct Answer: C
2
,Rationale: Asking "Are you married or do you have a girlfriend?" assumes
heterosexuality and may alienate a homosexual patient. Using gender-neutral
language and open-ended questions builds trust and demonstrates cultural
sensitivity.
5. Which of the following will best facilitate the interview when obtaining a
history for a deaf patient who can read lips?
A) Speaking loudly while facing away from the patient
B) Speaking slowly while facing the patient directly
C) Writing all questions on paper
D) Having a family member interpret
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: When obtaining a history from a deaf patient who reads lips, the
examiner should face the patient directly, speak slowly and clearly, and ensure
adequate lighting. Writing may supplement but is not the primary method.
Speaking slowly while facing the patient allows for lip-reading and visual cues.
6. During a history, the patient indicates he has an uncle and a brother with sickle
cell disease. Which of the following is an appropriate method to document this
information?
A) Include it in the past medical history
B) Include it in the family history
C) Include it in the social history
D) Include it in the review of systems
Correct Answer: B
3
, Rationale: Family history includes health-related information about blood relatives,
including parents, siblings, children, and extended family (uncles, aunts,
grandparents). Genetic conditions like sickle cell disease are documented in the
family history to identify hereditary risk patterns.
7. Which approach is recommended at the onset of an interview?
A) Ask closed-ended questions immediately
B) Use an open-ended approach; let the patient explain the problem or reason for
the visit
C) Begin with the review of systems
D) Start with the family history first
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: An open-ended approach at the beginning of an interview allows the
patient to express concerns in their own words, builds rapport, and provides the full
context of their chief complaint. This patient-centered approach is recommended
for establishing effective communication.
8. When questioning a patient regarding a sensitive issue, such as drug use, it is
best to:
A) Avoid the topic entirely
B) Be indirect and subtle
C) Be direct, firm, and to the point
D) Ask the patient's family member first
Correct Answer: C
4
QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT ANSWERS
AND RATIONALES LATEST UPDATE
2026\2027
1. Which of the following questions may lead to an inaccurate patient response?
A) "When did your symptoms begin?"
B) "How severe is your pain on a scale of 0-10?"
C) "That was a horrible experience, wasn't it?"
D) "What makes your symptoms better or worse?"
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Leading questions imply a desired answer and can bias the patient's
response, leading to inaccurate information. "That was a horrible experience,
wasn't it?" suggests the expected answer and may not reflect the patient's true
feelings.
2. Repeating a patient's answer is an attempt to:
A) Fill conversational gaps
B) Confirm an accurate understanding of the patient's statement
C) Demonstrate active listening
D) Encourage the patient to elaborate further
1
,Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Repeating a patient's answer confirms accurate understanding, ensuring
the interviewer has correctly interpreted the patient's message. This technique also
demonstrates active listening and encourages further elaboration.
3. During an interview, your patient admits to feeling worthless and having a sleep
disturbance for the past 3 weeks. These are clues that warrant the exploration of:
A) Anxiety disorder
B) Risk for suicide
C) Bipolar disorder
D) Substance abuse
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Feelings of worthlessness and sleep disturbances are significant clinical
clues that warrant exploration of suicide risk. These symptoms may indicate
depression and should be assessed promptly for patient safety.
4. Jerry, a 26-year-old homosexual man, is having a health history taken. Which
question regarding sexual activity would most likely hamper trust between Jerry
and the interviewer?
A) "Are you sexually active?"
B) "Do you have sex with men, women, or both?"
C) "Are you married or do you have a girlfriend?"
D) "What concerns do you have about your sexual health?"
Correct Answer: C
2
,Rationale: Asking "Are you married or do you have a girlfriend?" assumes
heterosexuality and may alienate a homosexual patient. Using gender-neutral
language and open-ended questions builds trust and demonstrates cultural
sensitivity.
5. Which of the following will best facilitate the interview when obtaining a
history for a deaf patient who can read lips?
A) Speaking loudly while facing away from the patient
B) Speaking slowly while facing the patient directly
C) Writing all questions on paper
D) Having a family member interpret
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: When obtaining a history from a deaf patient who reads lips, the
examiner should face the patient directly, speak slowly and clearly, and ensure
adequate lighting. Writing may supplement but is not the primary method.
Speaking slowly while facing the patient allows for lip-reading and visual cues.
6. During a history, the patient indicates he has an uncle and a brother with sickle
cell disease. Which of the following is an appropriate method to document this
information?
A) Include it in the past medical history
B) Include it in the family history
C) Include it in the social history
D) Include it in the review of systems
Correct Answer: B
3
, Rationale: Family history includes health-related information about blood relatives,
including parents, siblings, children, and extended family (uncles, aunts,
grandparents). Genetic conditions like sickle cell disease are documented in the
family history to identify hereditary risk patterns.
7. Which approach is recommended at the onset of an interview?
A) Ask closed-ended questions immediately
B) Use an open-ended approach; let the patient explain the problem or reason for
the visit
C) Begin with the review of systems
D) Start with the family history first
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: An open-ended approach at the beginning of an interview allows the
patient to express concerns in their own words, builds rapport, and provides the full
context of their chief complaint. This patient-centered approach is recommended
for establishing effective communication.
8. When questioning a patient regarding a sensitive issue, such as drug use, it is
best to:
A) Avoid the topic entirely
B) Be indirect and subtle
C) Be direct, firm, and to the point
D) Ask the patient's family member first
Correct Answer: C
4
