Nursing Health Assessment 2026 Practice Test
Questions Detailed Rationales Vital Signs Head
To Toe Assessment Patient History Clinical
Documentation Nursing Review
SECTION 1: PATIENT HISTORY & INTERVIEWING (Questions 1–20)
Question 1. A nurse is conducting a health history interview with a new client.
Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Ask about the client's current medications
B. Introduce oneself and explain the purpose of the interview
C. Obtain the client's vital signs
D. Review the client's past medical history
Rationale: The nurse should first introduce themselves and explain the purpose of
the interview to establish rapport, reduce client anxiety, and obtain informed
cooperation. This creates a trusting nurse-client relationship before gathering
sensitive health information.
Question 2. A nurse is interviewing a client who reports chest pain. Which
question is an example of an open-ended question?
A. "Does the pain radiate to your arm?"
B. "Can you describe what the pain feels like?"
C. "Is the pain sharp or dull?"
D. "Does anything make the pain worse?"
Rationale: Open-ended questions allow the client to provide detailed, descriptive
information in their own words. "Can you describe what the pain feels like?"
invites a narrative response, while the other options are closed-ended questions that
limit the response to yes/no or specific choices.
Question 3. A nurse is obtaining a health history from a client. Which information
is considered subjective data?
,A. Blood pressure of 140/90 mm Hg
B. Client's report of nausea and dizziness
C. Respiratory rate of 24/min
D. Temperature of 101.2°F (38.4°C)
Rationale: Subjective data includes information the client reports, such as
symptoms, feelings, and perceptions. Nausea and dizziness are symptoms the client
experiences and reports. Vital signs are objective data that the nurse measures.
Question 4. A nurse is conducting a health history. Which component includes
information about the client's current illness?
A. Past medical history
B. Chief complaint and history of present illness
C. Family history
D. Review of systems
Rationale: The chief complaint is the client's primary reason for seeking care, and
the history of present illness provides details about the onset, duration, character,
and associated factors of the current problem.
Question 5. A nurse is interviewing a client who becomes emotional when
discussing a recent loss. Which action is most appropriate?
A. Change the subject to avoid discomfort
B. Acknowledge the client's feelings and allow time for expression
C. Continue with the interview without acknowledging the emotion
D. Tell the client to calm down
Rationale: Acknowledging the client's feelings and allowing time for emotional
expression demonstrates empathy and respect. It builds trust and allows the client
to process their emotions before continuing the interview.
Question 6. A nurse is obtaining a family history. Which information is most
important to include?
A. The client's occupation
B. The age and cause of death of immediate family members
C. The client's dietary habits
D. The client's exercise routine
,Rationale: Family history should include the age and cause of death of immediate
family members, as well as any chronic diseases (e.g., heart disease, diabetes,
cancer) that may indicate genetic risk factors for the client.
Question 7. A nurse is interviewing a client who speaks a different language.
Which action is most appropriate?
A. Speak loudly and slowly
B. Use a professional medical interpreter
C. Ask the client's family member to interpret
D. Provide written instructions in English
Rationale: Using a professional medical interpreter ensures accurate
communication and prevents misunderstandings that could lead to medical errors.
Family members should not be used as interpreters due to privacy concerns and
potential for misinterpretation.
Question 8. A nurse is obtaining a health history from an older adult client. Which
consideration is most important?
A. Speak rapidly to save time
B. Allow extra time for responses and ask one question at a time
C. Avoid asking about medications
D. Skip the review of systems
Rationale: Older adults may need extra time to process questions and respond.
Asking one question at a time and allowing adequate time improves
communication and data accuracy.
Question 9. A nurse is conducting a health history. Which question is most
appropriate to assess the client's functional status?
A. "Do you have any allergies?"
B. "Are you able to perform your own activities of daily living, such as
bathing and dressing?"
C. "What medications do you take?"
D. "When was your last physical exam?"
Rationale: Functional status assessment evaluates the client's ability to perform
activities of daily living (ADLs) such as bathing, dressing, eating, and toileting.
This information is essential for discharge planning and identifying needs for
assistance.
, Question 10. A nurse is obtaining a health history from a client. Which
information is considered objective data?
A. Client's report of headache
B. Blood pressure of 150/92 mm Hg
C. Client's description of pain
D. Client's report of fatigue
Rationale: Objective data is observable and measurable by the nurse. Blood
pressure is a measurable vital sign. Headache, pain, and fatigue are subjective data
reported by the client.
Question 11. A nurse is interviewing a client about alcohol use. Which question is
most appropriate?
A. "Do you drink alcohol?"
B. "How many alcoholic beverages do you consume in a typical week?"
C. "Are you an alcoholic?"
D. "You don't drink, do you?"
Rationale: Asking "How many alcoholic beverages do you consume in a typical
week?" is nonjudgmental and quantifiable, encouraging an honest response. Yes/no
questions and judgmental language may discourage disclosure.
Question 12. A nurse is conducting a health history. Which component includes
information about the client's lifestyle and health practices?
A. Chief complaint
B. Past medical history
C. Health maintenance and lifestyle patterns
D. Family history
Rationale: Health maintenance and lifestyle patterns include information about
diet, exercise, sleep, stress management, substance use, and preventive health
practices (e.g., immunizations, screenings).
Question 13. A nurse is interviewing a client who reports a history of falls. Which
question is most important to ask?
A. "Do you use a cane?"
B. "Can you describe the circumstances of your most recent fall?"
Questions Detailed Rationales Vital Signs Head
To Toe Assessment Patient History Clinical
Documentation Nursing Review
SECTION 1: PATIENT HISTORY & INTERVIEWING (Questions 1–20)
Question 1. A nurse is conducting a health history interview with a new client.
Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Ask about the client's current medications
B. Introduce oneself and explain the purpose of the interview
C. Obtain the client's vital signs
D. Review the client's past medical history
Rationale: The nurse should first introduce themselves and explain the purpose of
the interview to establish rapport, reduce client anxiety, and obtain informed
cooperation. This creates a trusting nurse-client relationship before gathering
sensitive health information.
Question 2. A nurse is interviewing a client who reports chest pain. Which
question is an example of an open-ended question?
A. "Does the pain radiate to your arm?"
B. "Can you describe what the pain feels like?"
C. "Is the pain sharp or dull?"
D. "Does anything make the pain worse?"
Rationale: Open-ended questions allow the client to provide detailed, descriptive
information in their own words. "Can you describe what the pain feels like?"
invites a narrative response, while the other options are closed-ended questions that
limit the response to yes/no or specific choices.
Question 3. A nurse is obtaining a health history from a client. Which information
is considered subjective data?
,A. Blood pressure of 140/90 mm Hg
B. Client's report of nausea and dizziness
C. Respiratory rate of 24/min
D. Temperature of 101.2°F (38.4°C)
Rationale: Subjective data includes information the client reports, such as
symptoms, feelings, and perceptions. Nausea and dizziness are symptoms the client
experiences and reports. Vital signs are objective data that the nurse measures.
Question 4. A nurse is conducting a health history. Which component includes
information about the client's current illness?
A. Past medical history
B. Chief complaint and history of present illness
C. Family history
D. Review of systems
Rationale: The chief complaint is the client's primary reason for seeking care, and
the history of present illness provides details about the onset, duration, character,
and associated factors of the current problem.
Question 5. A nurse is interviewing a client who becomes emotional when
discussing a recent loss. Which action is most appropriate?
A. Change the subject to avoid discomfort
B. Acknowledge the client's feelings and allow time for expression
C. Continue with the interview without acknowledging the emotion
D. Tell the client to calm down
Rationale: Acknowledging the client's feelings and allowing time for emotional
expression demonstrates empathy and respect. It builds trust and allows the client
to process their emotions before continuing the interview.
Question 6. A nurse is obtaining a family history. Which information is most
important to include?
A. The client's occupation
B. The age and cause of death of immediate family members
C. The client's dietary habits
D. The client's exercise routine
,Rationale: Family history should include the age and cause of death of immediate
family members, as well as any chronic diseases (e.g., heart disease, diabetes,
cancer) that may indicate genetic risk factors for the client.
Question 7. A nurse is interviewing a client who speaks a different language.
Which action is most appropriate?
A. Speak loudly and slowly
B. Use a professional medical interpreter
C. Ask the client's family member to interpret
D. Provide written instructions in English
Rationale: Using a professional medical interpreter ensures accurate
communication and prevents misunderstandings that could lead to medical errors.
Family members should not be used as interpreters due to privacy concerns and
potential for misinterpretation.
Question 8. A nurse is obtaining a health history from an older adult client. Which
consideration is most important?
A. Speak rapidly to save time
B. Allow extra time for responses and ask one question at a time
C. Avoid asking about medications
D. Skip the review of systems
Rationale: Older adults may need extra time to process questions and respond.
Asking one question at a time and allowing adequate time improves
communication and data accuracy.
Question 9. A nurse is conducting a health history. Which question is most
appropriate to assess the client's functional status?
A. "Do you have any allergies?"
B. "Are you able to perform your own activities of daily living, such as
bathing and dressing?"
C. "What medications do you take?"
D. "When was your last physical exam?"
Rationale: Functional status assessment evaluates the client's ability to perform
activities of daily living (ADLs) such as bathing, dressing, eating, and toileting.
This information is essential for discharge planning and identifying needs for
assistance.
, Question 10. A nurse is obtaining a health history from a client. Which
information is considered objective data?
A. Client's report of headache
B. Blood pressure of 150/92 mm Hg
C. Client's description of pain
D. Client's report of fatigue
Rationale: Objective data is observable and measurable by the nurse. Blood
pressure is a measurable vital sign. Headache, pain, and fatigue are subjective data
reported by the client.
Question 11. A nurse is interviewing a client about alcohol use. Which question is
most appropriate?
A. "Do you drink alcohol?"
B. "How many alcoholic beverages do you consume in a typical week?"
C. "Are you an alcoholic?"
D. "You don't drink, do you?"
Rationale: Asking "How many alcoholic beverages do you consume in a typical
week?" is nonjudgmental and quantifiable, encouraging an honest response. Yes/no
questions and judgmental language may discourage disclosure.
Question 12. A nurse is conducting a health history. Which component includes
information about the client's lifestyle and health practices?
A. Chief complaint
B. Past medical history
C. Health maintenance and lifestyle patterns
D. Family history
Rationale: Health maintenance and lifestyle patterns include information about
diet, exercise, sleep, stress management, substance use, and preventive health
practices (e.g., immunizations, screenings).
Question 13. A nurse is interviewing a client who reports a history of falls. Which
question is most important to ask?
A. "Do you use a cane?"
B. "Can you describe the circumstances of your most recent fall?"
