SHADOW HEALTH – TINA JONES TOPIC
350 Original Practice Questions with Marked Answers
& Rationales
Educational Practice Resource • 2026–2027 Edition
This is an original practice question bank based on the health-history, assessment, communication, wound,
diabetes, asthma, documentation, and clinical-reasoning topics visible in the supplied preview. It is not an official
Shadow Health document and does not reproduce the source document.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section Topic Questions
1 Health History & Interviewing 1–50
2 Therapeutic Communication 51–100
3 Pain, Wound & Symptom Assessment 101–150
4 Diabetes, Asthma & Vital Signs 151–210
5 Documentation, Safety & Patient Education 211–280
6 Clinical Reasoning & Integrated Practice 281–350
Original educational practice resource • Not an official Shadow Health document Page 1
, Section 1 — Health History & Interviewing
1. Which statement best describes the primary purpose of a health history?
A. to determine the final medical diagnosis
B. to prescribe medications
C. to replace the physical examination
D. to collect subjective information about the patient's health, symptoms, and concerns
✓ ANSWER: D. to collect subjective information about the patient's health, symptoms, and concerns
RATIONALE: A health history gathers subjective information and establishes a foundation for assessment and care
planning.
2. A nursing student is assessing a patient. Which statement best demonstrates understanding of the primary
purpose of a health history?
A. to collect subjective information about the patient's health, symptoms, and concerns
B. to replace the physical examination
C. to prescribe medications
D. to determine the final medical diagnosis
✓ ANSWER: A. to collect subjective information about the patient's health, symptoms, and concerns
RATIONALE: A health history gathers subjective information and establishes a foundation for assessment and care
planning.
3. During a health-history interview, which action or finding most closely matches the primary purpose of a
health history?
A. to replace the physical examination
B. to collect subjective information about the patient's health, symptoms, and concerns
C. to determine the final medical diagnosis
D. to prescribe medications
✓ ANSWER: B. to collect subjective information about the patient's health, symptoms, and concerns
RATIONALE: A health history gathers subjective information and establishes a foundation for assessment and care
planning.
4. Which option should the nurse select when asked about the primary purpose of a health history?
A. to collect subjective information about the patient's health, symptoms, and concerns
B. to determine the final medical diagnosis
C. to replace the physical examination
D. to prescribe medications
✓ ANSWER: A. to collect subjective information about the patient's health, symptoms, and concerns
RATIONALE: A health history gathers subjective information and establishes a foundation for assessment and care
planning.
5. Which response indicates correct clinical understanding of the primary purpose of a health history?
A. to prescribe medications
B. to determine the final medical diagnosis
C. to collect subjective information about the patient's health, symptoms, and concerns
D. to replace the physical examination
✓ ANSWER: C. to collect subjective information about the patient's health, symptoms, and concerns
RATIONALE: A health history gathers subjective information and establishes a foundation for assessment and care
planning.
6. Which statement best describes a chief complaint?
A. the patient's vital signs
B. the patient's main reason for seeking care, preferably in the patient's own words
Original educational practice resource • Not an official Shadow Health document Page 2
, C. the nurse's final diagnosis
D. the complete medication list
✓ ANSWER: B. the patient's main reason for seeking care, preferably in the patient's own words
RATIONALE: The chief complaint identifies why the patient is seeking care and is ideally documented using the patient's
own words.
7. A nursing student is assessing a patient. Which statement best demonstrates understanding of a chief
complaint?
A. the patient's main reason for seeking care, preferably in the patient's own words
B. the nurse's final diagnosis
C. the complete medication list
D. the patient's vital signs
✓ ANSWER: A. the patient's main reason for seeking care, preferably in the patient's own words
RATIONALE: The chief complaint identifies why the patient is seeking care and is ideally documented using the patient's
own words.
8. During a health-history interview, which action or finding most closely matches a chief complaint?
A. the complete medication list
B. the patient's main reason for seeking care, preferably in the patient's own words
C. the patient's vital signs
D. the nurse's final diagnosis
✓ ANSWER: B. the patient's main reason for seeking care, preferably in the patient's own words
RATIONALE: The chief complaint identifies why the patient is seeking care and is ideally documented using the patient's
own words.
9. Which option should the nurse select when asked about a chief complaint?
A. the nurse's final diagnosis
B. the complete medication list
C. the patient's main reason for seeking care, preferably in the patient's own words
D. the patient's vital signs
✓ ANSWER: C. the patient's main reason for seeking care, preferably in the patient's own words
RATIONALE: The chief complaint identifies why the patient is seeking care and is ideally documented using the patient's
own words.
10. Which response indicates correct clinical understanding of a chief complaint?
A. the complete medication list
B. the patient's vital signs
C. the nurse's final diagnosis
D. the patient's main reason for seeking care, preferably in the patient's own words
✓ ANSWER: D. the patient's main reason for seeking care, preferably in the patient's own words
RATIONALE: The chief complaint identifies why the patient is seeking care and is ideally documented using the patient's
own words.
11. Which statement best describes an open-ended question?
A. requires only yes or no
B. allows the patient to describe the concern in their own words
C. eliminates the need for follow-up
D. contains the expected answer
✓ ANSWER: B. allows the patient to describe the concern in their own words
RATIONALE: Open-ended questions encourage a fuller narrative and are useful at the beginning of an interview.
Original educational practice resource • Not an official Shadow Health document Page 3
, 12. A nursing student is assessing a patient. Which statement best demonstrates understanding of an
open-ended question?
A. requires only yes or no
B. contains the expected answer
C. eliminates the need for follow-up
D. allows the patient to describe the concern in their own words
✓ ANSWER: D. allows the patient to describe the concern in their own words
RATIONALE: Open-ended questions encourage a fuller narrative and are useful at the beginning of an interview.
13. During a health-history interview, which action or finding most closely matches an open-ended question?
A. requires only yes or no
B. allows the patient to describe the concern in their own words
C. eliminates the need for follow-up
D. contains the expected answer
✓ ANSWER: B. allows the patient to describe the concern in their own words
RATIONALE: Open-ended questions encourage a fuller narrative and are useful at the beginning of an interview.
14. Which option should the nurse select when asked about an open-ended question?
A. requires only yes or no
B. eliminates the need for follow-up
C. contains the expected answer
D. allows the patient to describe the concern in their own words
✓ ANSWER: D. allows the patient to describe the concern in their own words
RATIONALE: Open-ended questions encourage a fuller narrative and are useful at the beginning of an interview.
15. Which response indicates correct clinical understanding of an open-ended question?
A. requires only yes or no
B. allows the patient to describe the concern in their own words
C. contains the expected answer
D. eliminates the need for follow-up
✓ ANSWER: B. allows the patient to describe the concern in their own words
RATIONALE: Open-ended questions encourage a fuller narrative and are useful at the beginning of an interview.
16. Which statement best describes a closed-ended question?
A. is useful when a specific fact or brief confirmation is needed
B. always produces a long narrative
C. should never be used
D. replaces all therapeutic communication
✓ ANSWER: A. is useful when a specific fact or brief confirmation is needed
RATIONALE: Closed questions efficiently clarify specific details after broader information has been obtained.
17. A nursing student is assessing a patient. Which statement best demonstrates understanding of a
closed-ended question?
A. should never be used
B. is useful when a specific fact or brief confirmation is needed
C. always produces a long narrative
D. replaces all therapeutic communication
✓ ANSWER: B. is useful when a specific fact or brief confirmation is needed
RATIONALE: Closed questions efficiently clarify specific details after broader information has been obtained.
18. During a health-history interview, which action or finding most closely matches a closed-ended question?
Original educational practice resource • Not an official Shadow Health document Page 4
350 Original Practice Questions with Marked Answers
& Rationales
Educational Practice Resource • 2026–2027 Edition
This is an original practice question bank based on the health-history, assessment, communication, wound,
diabetes, asthma, documentation, and clinical-reasoning topics visible in the supplied preview. It is not an official
Shadow Health document and does not reproduce the source document.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section Topic Questions
1 Health History & Interviewing 1–50
2 Therapeutic Communication 51–100
3 Pain, Wound & Symptom Assessment 101–150
4 Diabetes, Asthma & Vital Signs 151–210
5 Documentation, Safety & Patient Education 211–280
6 Clinical Reasoning & Integrated Practice 281–350
Original educational practice resource • Not an official Shadow Health document Page 1
, Section 1 — Health History & Interviewing
1. Which statement best describes the primary purpose of a health history?
A. to determine the final medical diagnosis
B. to prescribe medications
C. to replace the physical examination
D. to collect subjective information about the patient's health, symptoms, and concerns
✓ ANSWER: D. to collect subjective information about the patient's health, symptoms, and concerns
RATIONALE: A health history gathers subjective information and establishes a foundation for assessment and care
planning.
2. A nursing student is assessing a patient. Which statement best demonstrates understanding of the primary
purpose of a health history?
A. to collect subjective information about the patient's health, symptoms, and concerns
B. to replace the physical examination
C. to prescribe medications
D. to determine the final medical diagnosis
✓ ANSWER: A. to collect subjective information about the patient's health, symptoms, and concerns
RATIONALE: A health history gathers subjective information and establishes a foundation for assessment and care
planning.
3. During a health-history interview, which action or finding most closely matches the primary purpose of a
health history?
A. to replace the physical examination
B. to collect subjective information about the patient's health, symptoms, and concerns
C. to determine the final medical diagnosis
D. to prescribe medications
✓ ANSWER: B. to collect subjective information about the patient's health, symptoms, and concerns
RATIONALE: A health history gathers subjective information and establishes a foundation for assessment and care
planning.
4. Which option should the nurse select when asked about the primary purpose of a health history?
A. to collect subjective information about the patient's health, symptoms, and concerns
B. to determine the final medical diagnosis
C. to replace the physical examination
D. to prescribe medications
✓ ANSWER: A. to collect subjective information about the patient's health, symptoms, and concerns
RATIONALE: A health history gathers subjective information and establishes a foundation for assessment and care
planning.
5. Which response indicates correct clinical understanding of the primary purpose of a health history?
A. to prescribe medications
B. to determine the final medical diagnosis
C. to collect subjective information about the patient's health, symptoms, and concerns
D. to replace the physical examination
✓ ANSWER: C. to collect subjective information about the patient's health, symptoms, and concerns
RATIONALE: A health history gathers subjective information and establishes a foundation for assessment and care
planning.
6. Which statement best describes a chief complaint?
A. the patient's vital signs
B. the patient's main reason for seeking care, preferably in the patient's own words
Original educational practice resource • Not an official Shadow Health document Page 2
, C. the nurse's final diagnosis
D. the complete medication list
✓ ANSWER: B. the patient's main reason for seeking care, preferably in the patient's own words
RATIONALE: The chief complaint identifies why the patient is seeking care and is ideally documented using the patient's
own words.
7. A nursing student is assessing a patient. Which statement best demonstrates understanding of a chief
complaint?
A. the patient's main reason for seeking care, preferably in the patient's own words
B. the nurse's final diagnosis
C. the complete medication list
D. the patient's vital signs
✓ ANSWER: A. the patient's main reason for seeking care, preferably in the patient's own words
RATIONALE: The chief complaint identifies why the patient is seeking care and is ideally documented using the patient's
own words.
8. During a health-history interview, which action or finding most closely matches a chief complaint?
A. the complete medication list
B. the patient's main reason for seeking care, preferably in the patient's own words
C. the patient's vital signs
D. the nurse's final diagnosis
✓ ANSWER: B. the patient's main reason for seeking care, preferably in the patient's own words
RATIONALE: The chief complaint identifies why the patient is seeking care and is ideally documented using the patient's
own words.
9. Which option should the nurse select when asked about a chief complaint?
A. the nurse's final diagnosis
B. the complete medication list
C. the patient's main reason for seeking care, preferably in the patient's own words
D. the patient's vital signs
✓ ANSWER: C. the patient's main reason for seeking care, preferably in the patient's own words
RATIONALE: The chief complaint identifies why the patient is seeking care and is ideally documented using the patient's
own words.
10. Which response indicates correct clinical understanding of a chief complaint?
A. the complete medication list
B. the patient's vital signs
C. the nurse's final diagnosis
D. the patient's main reason for seeking care, preferably in the patient's own words
✓ ANSWER: D. the patient's main reason for seeking care, preferably in the patient's own words
RATIONALE: The chief complaint identifies why the patient is seeking care and is ideally documented using the patient's
own words.
11. Which statement best describes an open-ended question?
A. requires only yes or no
B. allows the patient to describe the concern in their own words
C. eliminates the need for follow-up
D. contains the expected answer
✓ ANSWER: B. allows the patient to describe the concern in their own words
RATIONALE: Open-ended questions encourage a fuller narrative and are useful at the beginning of an interview.
Original educational practice resource • Not an official Shadow Health document Page 3
, 12. A nursing student is assessing a patient. Which statement best demonstrates understanding of an
open-ended question?
A. requires only yes or no
B. contains the expected answer
C. eliminates the need for follow-up
D. allows the patient to describe the concern in their own words
✓ ANSWER: D. allows the patient to describe the concern in their own words
RATIONALE: Open-ended questions encourage a fuller narrative and are useful at the beginning of an interview.
13. During a health-history interview, which action or finding most closely matches an open-ended question?
A. requires only yes or no
B. allows the patient to describe the concern in their own words
C. eliminates the need for follow-up
D. contains the expected answer
✓ ANSWER: B. allows the patient to describe the concern in their own words
RATIONALE: Open-ended questions encourage a fuller narrative and are useful at the beginning of an interview.
14. Which option should the nurse select when asked about an open-ended question?
A. requires only yes or no
B. eliminates the need for follow-up
C. contains the expected answer
D. allows the patient to describe the concern in their own words
✓ ANSWER: D. allows the patient to describe the concern in their own words
RATIONALE: Open-ended questions encourage a fuller narrative and are useful at the beginning of an interview.
15. Which response indicates correct clinical understanding of an open-ended question?
A. requires only yes or no
B. allows the patient to describe the concern in their own words
C. contains the expected answer
D. eliminates the need for follow-up
✓ ANSWER: B. allows the patient to describe the concern in their own words
RATIONALE: Open-ended questions encourage a fuller narrative and are useful at the beginning of an interview.
16. Which statement best describes a closed-ended question?
A. is useful when a specific fact or brief confirmation is needed
B. always produces a long narrative
C. should never be used
D. replaces all therapeutic communication
✓ ANSWER: A. is useful when a specific fact or brief confirmation is needed
RATIONALE: Closed questions efficiently clarify specific details after broader information has been obtained.
17. A nursing student is assessing a patient. Which statement best demonstrates understanding of a
closed-ended question?
A. should never be used
B. is useful when a specific fact or brief confirmation is needed
C. always produces a long narrative
D. replaces all therapeutic communication
✓ ANSWER: B. is useful when a specific fact or brief confirmation is needed
RATIONALE: Closed questions efficiently clarify specific details after broader information has been obtained.
18. During a health-history interview, which action or finding most closely matches a closed-ended question?
Original educational practice resource • Not an official Shadow Health document Page 4
