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SEIDEL'S GUIDE TO PHYSICAL EXAMINATION, 10TH EDITION
EXAM LATEST VERSION QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2026
EDITION
Seidel's Guide to Physical Examination, 10th Edition: 250 Practice Questions with
Rationales
DOMAIN 1: HISTORY AND INTERVIEWING PROCESS (25 Questions)
1. A nurse is taking a health history from a new patient. Which component of the
health history includes the patient's chief complaint?
A) Past medical history
B) History of present illness (HPI)
C) Review of systems (ROS)
D) Social history
Answer: B) History of present illness (HPI)
Rationale: The HPI is a chronological narrative of the patient's chief complaint and the
progression of symptoms. It explores the symptom's onset, location, duration,
character, aggravating/alleviating factors, and associated symptoms (OLDCARTS) .
2. During the history and interviewing process, the nurse uses open-ended
questions. Which of the following is the BEST example of an open-ended question?
A) "Are you having chest pain?"
B) "Is your pain sharp or dull?"
C) "Tell me about your chest pain."
D) "Does the pain get worse when you walk?"
Answer: C) "Tell me about your chest pain."
Rationale: Open-ended questions encourage the patient to tell their story in their own
words and provide more comprehensive data. "Tell me about..." invites a narrative
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response, whereas closed-ended questions elicit limited responses and can lead to
incomplete information .
3. A patient uses the term "dizziness" to describe their symptom. During the HPI,
the nurse should clarify the meaning of this term because it can have several
possible meanings. Which of the following is the MOST important clarification?
A) "Is the dizziness constant or intermittent?"
B) "Do you feel like the room is spinning (vertigo), or do you feel lightheaded?"
C) "Does the dizziness occur with activity?"
D) "Have you had dizziness before?"
Answer: B) "Do you feel like the room is spinning (vertigo), or do you feel
lightheaded?"
Rationale: "Dizziness" is a vague term that can describe different sensations: vertigo,
lightheadedness, disequilibrium, or presyncope. Clarifying which sensation the patient
experiences is critical for differentiating between vestibular, cardiovascular, neurologic,
and metabolic causes. The OLDCARTS framework is used to characterize symptoms .
4. A patient reports a family history of breast and ovarian cancer. The nurse should
inquire about which specific relatives to assess hereditary risk?
A) All cousins
B) Only parents
C) Parents, siblings, and children (first-degree relatives)
D) Any relative with cancer
Answer: C) Parents, siblings, and children (first-degree relatives)
Rationale: Family history of cancer in first-degree relatives is a significant risk factor. The
presence of multiple affected relatives or early-onset cancers may suggest hereditary
cancer syndromes, warranting genetic counseling .
5. The nurse asks a patient, "What brought you in today?" This question is designed
to elicit:
A) The patient's chief complaint
B) The patient's past medical history
C) The patient's family history
D) The patient's review of systems
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Answer: A) The patient's chief complaint
Rationale: The chief complaint is the reason the patient is seeking care, documented in
the patient's own words. This question is the starting point for the HPI. The patient's
preferences, values, and needs are central to the interprofessional approach .
6. During the review of systems (ROS), the nurse asks about cardiovascular
symptoms. Which question is appropriate?
A) "Do you have any chest pain or palpitations?"
B) "Have you had any skin rashes?"
C) "Do you have any joint pain?"
D) "Have you had any vision changes?"
Answer: A) "Do you have any chest pain or palpitations?"
Rationale: The review of systems is a systematic inventory of body systems, and
cardiovascular questions should address symptoms such as chest pain, palpitations,
dyspnea, orthopnea, paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea, and peripheral edema .
7. A patient states, "I've been coughing for about 3 weeks." The nurse should ask
which follow-up question to assess the "character" of the cough?
A) "Is the cough dry or productive?"
B) "Does anything make the cough better or worse?"
C) "How often do you cough?"
D) "Have you had a fever?"
Answer: A) "Is the cough dry or productive?"
Rationale: The OLDCARTS mnemonic includes Character, which describes the quality
of the symptom. A dry, non-productive cough differs from a productive cough (with
sputum). The character of the symptom helps differentiate between conditions (e.g.,
asthma, COPD, pneumonia, or heart failure) .
8. A patient reports a "sharp, stabbing pain in the right lower quadrant." The nurse
should document this as:
A) The patient's chief complaint
B) A symptom of the HPI
C) The patient's past medical history
D) The family history
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Answer: B) A symptom of the HPI
Rationale: The HPI includes a detailed narrative of the symptom(s) associated with the
chief complaint, including location, quality, severity, timing, context, and modifying
factors. Sharp, stabbing pain in the right lower quadrant should be documented in the
HPI .
9. When taking a health history, the nurse should use the PQRST mnemonic. What
does PQRST stand for?
A) Provocation, Quality, Region, Severity, Time
B) Provocation, Quality, Radiation, Severity, Time
C) Position, Quality, Radiation, Severity, Time
D) Provocation, Quantity, Radiation, Severity, Time
Answer: B) Provocation, Quality, Radiation, Severity, Time
Rationale: PQRST is used to characterize symptoms: Provocation/Palliation (what
makes it better/worse), Quality (description), Region/Radiation (location and spread),
Severity (scale or impact), and Time (onset, duration, frequency) .
10. A patient tells the nurse, "I don't want to discuss my sexual history." Which
response by the nurse is MOST appropriate?
A) "I understand, and I respect your privacy. Let's move on."
B) "It's required for a complete history."
C) "Don't worry; I've heard it all before."
D) "Why don't you want to discuss it?"
Answer: A) "I understand, and I respect your privacy. Let's move on."
Rationale: Patient autonomy and privacy must be respected. The nurse should
acknowledge the patient's concerns and move to a different topic, but also note that the
information can be revisited if the patient feels comfortable later. A patient-centered
approach emphasizes building rapport and trust .
11. Which of the following is a component of the review of systems (ROS)?
A) Family history of diabetes
B) Medications the patient is taking
C) Presence of dyspnea
D) Patient's occupation
SEIDEL'S GUIDE TO PHYSICAL EXAMINATION, 10TH EDITION
EXAM LATEST VERSION QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2026
EDITION
Seidel's Guide to Physical Examination, 10th Edition: 250 Practice Questions with
Rationales
DOMAIN 1: HISTORY AND INTERVIEWING PROCESS (25 Questions)
1. A nurse is taking a health history from a new patient. Which component of the
health history includes the patient's chief complaint?
A) Past medical history
B) History of present illness (HPI)
C) Review of systems (ROS)
D) Social history
Answer: B) History of present illness (HPI)
Rationale: The HPI is a chronological narrative of the patient's chief complaint and the
progression of symptoms. It explores the symptom's onset, location, duration,
character, aggravating/alleviating factors, and associated symptoms (OLDCARTS) .
2. During the history and interviewing process, the nurse uses open-ended
questions. Which of the following is the BEST example of an open-ended question?
A) "Are you having chest pain?"
B) "Is your pain sharp or dull?"
C) "Tell me about your chest pain."
D) "Does the pain get worse when you walk?"
Answer: C) "Tell me about your chest pain."
Rationale: Open-ended questions encourage the patient to tell their story in their own
words and provide more comprehensive data. "Tell me about..." invites a narrative
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response, whereas closed-ended questions elicit limited responses and can lead to
incomplete information .
3. A patient uses the term "dizziness" to describe their symptom. During the HPI,
the nurse should clarify the meaning of this term because it can have several
possible meanings. Which of the following is the MOST important clarification?
A) "Is the dizziness constant or intermittent?"
B) "Do you feel like the room is spinning (vertigo), or do you feel lightheaded?"
C) "Does the dizziness occur with activity?"
D) "Have you had dizziness before?"
Answer: B) "Do you feel like the room is spinning (vertigo), or do you feel
lightheaded?"
Rationale: "Dizziness" is a vague term that can describe different sensations: vertigo,
lightheadedness, disequilibrium, or presyncope. Clarifying which sensation the patient
experiences is critical for differentiating between vestibular, cardiovascular, neurologic,
and metabolic causes. The OLDCARTS framework is used to characterize symptoms .
4. A patient reports a family history of breast and ovarian cancer. The nurse should
inquire about which specific relatives to assess hereditary risk?
A) All cousins
B) Only parents
C) Parents, siblings, and children (first-degree relatives)
D) Any relative with cancer
Answer: C) Parents, siblings, and children (first-degree relatives)
Rationale: Family history of cancer in first-degree relatives is a significant risk factor. The
presence of multiple affected relatives or early-onset cancers may suggest hereditary
cancer syndromes, warranting genetic counseling .
5. The nurse asks a patient, "What brought you in today?" This question is designed
to elicit:
A) The patient's chief complaint
B) The patient's past medical history
C) The patient's family history
D) The patient's review of systems
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Answer: A) The patient's chief complaint
Rationale: The chief complaint is the reason the patient is seeking care, documented in
the patient's own words. This question is the starting point for the HPI. The patient's
preferences, values, and needs are central to the interprofessional approach .
6. During the review of systems (ROS), the nurse asks about cardiovascular
symptoms. Which question is appropriate?
A) "Do you have any chest pain or palpitations?"
B) "Have you had any skin rashes?"
C) "Do you have any joint pain?"
D) "Have you had any vision changes?"
Answer: A) "Do you have any chest pain or palpitations?"
Rationale: The review of systems is a systematic inventory of body systems, and
cardiovascular questions should address symptoms such as chest pain, palpitations,
dyspnea, orthopnea, paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea, and peripheral edema .
7. A patient states, "I've been coughing for about 3 weeks." The nurse should ask
which follow-up question to assess the "character" of the cough?
A) "Is the cough dry or productive?"
B) "Does anything make the cough better or worse?"
C) "How often do you cough?"
D) "Have you had a fever?"
Answer: A) "Is the cough dry or productive?"
Rationale: The OLDCARTS mnemonic includes Character, which describes the quality
of the symptom. A dry, non-productive cough differs from a productive cough (with
sputum). The character of the symptom helps differentiate between conditions (e.g.,
asthma, COPD, pneumonia, or heart failure) .
8. A patient reports a "sharp, stabbing pain in the right lower quadrant." The nurse
should document this as:
A) The patient's chief complaint
B) A symptom of the HPI
C) The patient's past medical history
D) The family history
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Answer: B) A symptom of the HPI
Rationale: The HPI includes a detailed narrative of the symptom(s) associated with the
chief complaint, including location, quality, severity, timing, context, and modifying
factors. Sharp, stabbing pain in the right lower quadrant should be documented in the
HPI .
9. When taking a health history, the nurse should use the PQRST mnemonic. What
does PQRST stand for?
A) Provocation, Quality, Region, Severity, Time
B) Provocation, Quality, Radiation, Severity, Time
C) Position, Quality, Radiation, Severity, Time
D) Provocation, Quantity, Radiation, Severity, Time
Answer: B) Provocation, Quality, Radiation, Severity, Time
Rationale: PQRST is used to characterize symptoms: Provocation/Palliation (what
makes it better/worse), Quality (description), Region/Radiation (location and spread),
Severity (scale or impact), and Time (onset, duration, frequency) .
10. A patient tells the nurse, "I don't want to discuss my sexual history." Which
response by the nurse is MOST appropriate?
A) "I understand, and I respect your privacy. Let's move on."
B) "It's required for a complete history."
C) "Don't worry; I've heard it all before."
D) "Why don't you want to discuss it?"
Answer: A) "I understand, and I respect your privacy. Let's move on."
Rationale: Patient autonomy and privacy must be respected. The nurse should
acknowledge the patient's concerns and move to a different topic, but also note that the
information can be revisited if the patient feels comfortable later. A patient-centered
approach emphasizes building rapport and trust .
11. Which of the following is a component of the review of systems (ROS)?
A) Family history of diabetes
B) Medications the patient is taking
C) Presence of dyspnea
D) Patient's occupation
