LATEST NUR 6001 EXAMS 1–3 – ADVANCED HEALTH ASSESSMENT –
(2026) ACTUAL QUESTIONS & ANSWERS (WPU) | COMPLETE 150-
QUESTION TEST BANK
CORE DOMAINS
Comprehensive Health History and Interviewing
Skin, Hair, and Nail Assessment
Head, Eyes, Ears, Nose, and Throat (HEENT) Assessment
Cardiovascular and Peripheral Vascular Assessment
Respiratory and Thoracic Assessment
Abdominal and Gastrointestinal Assessment
Musculoskeletal and Neurological Assessment
Documentation and Clinical Reasoning
INTRODUCTION
This comprehensive examination is designed to assess the knowledge and clinical judgment required for
the William Paterson University NUR 6001 Advanced Health Assessment course. The exam covers
essential content across three exams: health history and skin assessment, cardiovascular and respiratory
assessment, and abdominal and neurological assessment. Questions are presented in NCLEX-style format
with detailed rationales to reinforce understanding of physical examination techniques, diagnostic
reasoning, and evidence-based assessment practices. This assessment prepares graduate nursing
students for success in advanced practice nursing.
SECTION ONE: COMPREHENSIVE HEALTH HISTORY AND INTERVIEWING (Questions 1-30)
QUESTION 1
A patient presents with a 3-day history of fever, cough, and shortness of breath. Which component of
the health history is the patient describing?
A. Past medical history
B. Chief complaint
C. Review of systems
D. Family history
Correct answer: B
RATIONALE: The chief complaint is the primary reason the patient is seeking care, documented in
the patient's own words . It should include the duration of symptoms and be recorded verbatim. The
past medical history includes previous diagnoses, the review of systems is a systematic inquiry about
body systems, and family history documents health conditions in relatives.
,QUESTION 2
SOAP notes are organized into which four sections?
A. Subjective, Objective, Assessment, Plan
B. Symptoms, Observations, Analysis, Plan
C. Subjective, Objective, Action, Prognosis
D. Symptoms, Objective, Assessment, Prescription
Correct answer: A
RATIONALE: SOAP is the standard documentation framework in advanced health assessment . The
Subjective section includes patient-reported symptoms, the Objective section contains measurable data,
the Assessment section includes diagnoses, and the Plan outlines the treatment strategy.
QUESTION 3
The mnemonic OLD CARTS is used to assess which aspect of a patient's complaint?
A. Pain characteristics
B. Medication side effects
C. Family history
D. Social history
Correct answer: A
RATIONALE: OLD CARTS (Onset, Location, Duration, Character, Aggravating factors, Relieving factors,
Timing, Severity) is used to systematically evaluate pain and other symptoms . PQRST
(Provocation/Palliation, Quality, Region/Radiation, Severity, Timing) is another common mnemonic for
symptom assessment.
QUESTION 4
A patient reports black, tarry stools. This finding is known as:
A. Hematuria
B. Hemoptysis
C. Melena
D. Hematemesis
Correct answer: C
RATIONALE: Melena (black, tarry stools) often indicates upper gastrointestinal bleeding (esophagus,
stomach, or duodenum) . It should be distinguished from black stools caused by iron supplements or
bismuth subsalicylate.
,QUESTION 5
During a health history interview, the patient avoids eye contact and answers with one word. What is
the best response?
A. Ask the questions faster to reduce discomfort
B. Proceed directly to the physical exam
C. Acknowledge the behavior: "I notice you seem uncomfortable. Is there something you'd like to
discuss?"
D. Repeat every question louder
Correct answer: C
RATIONALE: Recognizing nonverbal cues and addressing them respectfully builds rapport and
uncovers potential fear, pain, or cultural factors . This therapeutic communication technique validates
the patient's feelings without being confrontational.
QUESTION 6
Which question best screens for intimate partner violence (IPV)?
A. "Does your partner ever get angry with you?"
B. "Have you ever been hit, kicked, punched, or otherwise hurt by someone in the past year?"
C. "Are you in a happy relationship?"
D. "Do you and your partner argue sometimes?"
Correct answer: B
RATIONALE: Direct, non-judgmental, behavior-specific questions increase disclosure of IPV . Vague
or indirect questions are less likely to elicit accurate responses.
QUESTION 7
A patient reports drinking "4 or 5 beers every night." Using CAGE, the next question is:
A. "Have you ever felt you should cut down on your drinking?"
B. "Do you drink and drive?"
C. "How many years have you done this?"
D. "Do you prefer beer over wine?"
Correct answer: A
RATIONALE: CAGE stands for: Cut down, Annoyed by criticism, Guilty, and Eye-opener . The question
about cutting down is the first element of this validated alcohol screening tool.
QUESTION 8
, Which substance use screening tool is brief and validated for primary care?
A. CAGE
B. AUDIT-C
C. DAST-10
D. All of the above
Correct answer: D
RATIONALE: CAGE (alcohol), AUDIT-C (alcohol), and DAST-10 (drugs) are all brief, validated screening
tools appropriate for primary care settings .
QUESTION 9
A complete medication history should include:
A. Only prescription medications
B. Only over-the-counter products
C. Only herbal supplements
D. Prescription drugs, OTC agents, herbals, and supplements
Correct answer: D
RATIONALE: A complete medication history includes all substances the client uses because each may
affect diagnosis or treatment . This comprehensive approach is essential for advanced health
assessment.
QUESTION 10
The review of systems (ROS) is best described as:
A. Physical examination findings
B. Systematic evaluation of body systems through patient questioning
C. Laboratory testing
D. Diagnostic imaging
Correct answer: B
RATIONALE: ROS involves asking the patient about symptoms related to each body system, including
systems not directly related to the chief complaint . It helps identify symptoms the patient may not have
volunteered.
QUESTION 11
Which of the following is recorded in documentation as direct patient quotes?
(2026) ACTUAL QUESTIONS & ANSWERS (WPU) | COMPLETE 150-
QUESTION TEST BANK
CORE DOMAINS
Comprehensive Health History and Interviewing
Skin, Hair, and Nail Assessment
Head, Eyes, Ears, Nose, and Throat (HEENT) Assessment
Cardiovascular and Peripheral Vascular Assessment
Respiratory and Thoracic Assessment
Abdominal and Gastrointestinal Assessment
Musculoskeletal and Neurological Assessment
Documentation and Clinical Reasoning
INTRODUCTION
This comprehensive examination is designed to assess the knowledge and clinical judgment required for
the William Paterson University NUR 6001 Advanced Health Assessment course. The exam covers
essential content across three exams: health history and skin assessment, cardiovascular and respiratory
assessment, and abdominal and neurological assessment. Questions are presented in NCLEX-style format
with detailed rationales to reinforce understanding of physical examination techniques, diagnostic
reasoning, and evidence-based assessment practices. This assessment prepares graduate nursing
students for success in advanced practice nursing.
SECTION ONE: COMPREHENSIVE HEALTH HISTORY AND INTERVIEWING (Questions 1-30)
QUESTION 1
A patient presents with a 3-day history of fever, cough, and shortness of breath. Which component of
the health history is the patient describing?
A. Past medical history
B. Chief complaint
C. Review of systems
D. Family history
Correct answer: B
RATIONALE: The chief complaint is the primary reason the patient is seeking care, documented in
the patient's own words . It should include the duration of symptoms and be recorded verbatim. The
past medical history includes previous diagnoses, the review of systems is a systematic inquiry about
body systems, and family history documents health conditions in relatives.
,QUESTION 2
SOAP notes are organized into which four sections?
A. Subjective, Objective, Assessment, Plan
B. Symptoms, Observations, Analysis, Plan
C. Subjective, Objective, Action, Prognosis
D. Symptoms, Objective, Assessment, Prescription
Correct answer: A
RATIONALE: SOAP is the standard documentation framework in advanced health assessment . The
Subjective section includes patient-reported symptoms, the Objective section contains measurable data,
the Assessment section includes diagnoses, and the Plan outlines the treatment strategy.
QUESTION 3
The mnemonic OLD CARTS is used to assess which aspect of a patient's complaint?
A. Pain characteristics
B. Medication side effects
C. Family history
D. Social history
Correct answer: A
RATIONALE: OLD CARTS (Onset, Location, Duration, Character, Aggravating factors, Relieving factors,
Timing, Severity) is used to systematically evaluate pain and other symptoms . PQRST
(Provocation/Palliation, Quality, Region/Radiation, Severity, Timing) is another common mnemonic for
symptom assessment.
QUESTION 4
A patient reports black, tarry stools. This finding is known as:
A. Hematuria
B. Hemoptysis
C. Melena
D. Hematemesis
Correct answer: C
RATIONALE: Melena (black, tarry stools) often indicates upper gastrointestinal bleeding (esophagus,
stomach, or duodenum) . It should be distinguished from black stools caused by iron supplements or
bismuth subsalicylate.
,QUESTION 5
During a health history interview, the patient avoids eye contact and answers with one word. What is
the best response?
A. Ask the questions faster to reduce discomfort
B. Proceed directly to the physical exam
C. Acknowledge the behavior: "I notice you seem uncomfortable. Is there something you'd like to
discuss?"
D. Repeat every question louder
Correct answer: C
RATIONALE: Recognizing nonverbal cues and addressing them respectfully builds rapport and
uncovers potential fear, pain, or cultural factors . This therapeutic communication technique validates
the patient's feelings without being confrontational.
QUESTION 6
Which question best screens for intimate partner violence (IPV)?
A. "Does your partner ever get angry with you?"
B. "Have you ever been hit, kicked, punched, or otherwise hurt by someone in the past year?"
C. "Are you in a happy relationship?"
D. "Do you and your partner argue sometimes?"
Correct answer: B
RATIONALE: Direct, non-judgmental, behavior-specific questions increase disclosure of IPV . Vague
or indirect questions are less likely to elicit accurate responses.
QUESTION 7
A patient reports drinking "4 or 5 beers every night." Using CAGE, the next question is:
A. "Have you ever felt you should cut down on your drinking?"
B. "Do you drink and drive?"
C. "How many years have you done this?"
D. "Do you prefer beer over wine?"
Correct answer: A
RATIONALE: CAGE stands for: Cut down, Annoyed by criticism, Guilty, and Eye-opener . The question
about cutting down is the first element of this validated alcohol screening tool.
QUESTION 8
, Which substance use screening tool is brief and validated for primary care?
A. CAGE
B. AUDIT-C
C. DAST-10
D. All of the above
Correct answer: D
RATIONALE: CAGE (alcohol), AUDIT-C (alcohol), and DAST-10 (drugs) are all brief, validated screening
tools appropriate for primary care settings .
QUESTION 9
A complete medication history should include:
A. Only prescription medications
B. Only over-the-counter products
C. Only herbal supplements
D. Prescription drugs, OTC agents, herbals, and supplements
Correct answer: D
RATIONALE: A complete medication history includes all substances the client uses because each may
affect diagnosis or treatment . This comprehensive approach is essential for advanced health
assessment.
QUESTION 10
The review of systems (ROS) is best described as:
A. Physical examination findings
B. Systematic evaluation of body systems through patient questioning
C. Laboratory testing
D. Diagnostic imaging
Correct answer: B
RATIONALE: ROS involves asking the patient about symptoms related to each body system, including
systems not directly related to the chief complaint . It helps identify symptoms the patient may not have
volunteered.
QUESTION 11
Which of the following is recorded in documentation as direct patient quotes?
