Health Assessment - Exam Questions & Verified Answers
What is the interview the major method for collecting? Subjective data.
Why should the interview establish rapport and trust? So the patient is willing to share accurate and meaningful information.
What types of information does the interview gather? Developmental; psychological; physiologic; sociocultural; and spiritual information.
What does the nurse listen for during an interview? Symptoms; risks; strengths; concerns; beliefs; and cues requiring further
assessment.
What are internal factors affecting interview quality? The nurse's ability to listen; show empathy; remain nonjudgmental; and genuinely
attend to the patient.
What are external factors affecting interview quality? Privacy; interruptions; noise; room arrangement; comfort; time; and other
environmental conditions.
What are the four interview phases in order? Preintroductory → Introductory → Working → Summary/Closing.
What happens in the preintroductory phase? Review available records before meeting the patient and know already-documented
information so the patient does not have to repeat everything unnecessarily.
What should the nurse do in the introductory phase? Introduce self and role; identify patient; explain purpose/process; establish
privacy/confidentiality; sit at eye level when possible; assess
language/comprehension/interpreter need; and begin rapport.
What should the nurse do in the working phase? Collect health history; listen; observe verbal/nonverbal cues; clarify; interpret
cautiously; validate information; and collaborate to identify concerns and goals.
What should the nurse do in the summary/closing phase? Summarize key information; validate understanding; identify unresolved concerns;
explain next steps; and ask whether the patient has anything else to add or ask.
If the nurse is collecting detailed HPI family history ROS Working phase.
and lifestyle data; which interview phase is this?
If the nurse repeats major findings and asks whether there Summary/Closing.
is anything else the patient wants them to know; which
phase is this?
What is the purpose of an open-ended question? Lets the patient tell the story in their own words; useful at the beginning of a topic;
promotes rapport.
What is the guide's example of an open-ended question? Tell me what has been happening with your breathing.
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, Health Assessment - Exam Questions & Verified Answers
What is the purpose of a closed-ended question? Obtains a specific fact/detail or yes/no answer; useful after the broad story is
known.
What is the guide's example of a closed-ended question? Did the shortness of breath begin today?
What does the therapeutic communication technique Encourages continuation; such as Go on; nodding; attentive posture.
Facilitation mean?
What does the therapeutic communication technique Allows time to think; feel; organize thoughts; or continue when ready.
Silence mean?
What does the therapeutic communication technique Directs the patient's own feeling/idea back; such as You sound worried about what
Reflection mean? this means.
What does the therapeutic communication technique Recognizes the patient's emotional experience without claiming to feel exactly the
Empathy mean? same.
What does the therapeutic communication technique Makes vague information specific; such as asking whether dizzy means spinning or
Clarification mean? feeling faint.
What does the therapeutic communication technique Gently identifies an inconsistency between statements/behavior when clinically
Confrontation mean? useful.
What does the therapeutic communication technique Offers a possible connection tentatively and lets the patient confirm or reject it.
Interpretation mean?
What does the therapeutic communication technique Provides factual information the patient needs.
Explanation mean?
What does the therapeutic communication technique Condenses major information and checks accuracy.
Summary mean?
Why is the interview trap False assurance a problem? Minimizes concern; example: Everything will be fine.
Why is the interview trap Unwanted advice a problem? Makes the decision for the patient; example: If I were you I would...
Why is the interview trap Using authority a problem? Positions the nurse as the unquestioned expert rather than collaborating.
Why is the interview trap Avoidance language a problem? Uses vague/euphemistic wording to avoid a difficult topic.
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, Health Assessment - Exam Questions & Verified Answers
Why is the interview trap Distancing a problem? Uses impersonal language to create emotional distance.
Why is the interview trap Professional jargon a problem? Uses medical terminology the patient may not understand.
Why is the interview trap Bias a problem? Allows assumptions/stereotypes to shape questions or interpretation.
Why is the interview trap Talking too much a problem? Prevents the patient from telling their story.
Why is the interview trap Interrupting a problem? Cuts off important information and harms rapport.
Why is the interview trap Judgmental why a problem? Can sound accusatory; replace Why didn't you take it? with What made it difficult to
take it?
What nonverbal behaviors should the nurse observe? Physical appearance; posture; gestures; facial expression; eye contact; voice; and
touch.
What should the nurse do if nonverbal behavior conflicts Treat the incongruence as a cue to clarify.
with spoken words?
How does culture affect nonverbal communication? Do not interpret eye contact; touch; silence; personal space; or emotional
expression without context.
Is constant eye contact required during an interview? No; sitting at eye level is useful but constant eye contact may make some patients
uncomfortable.
How many blueprint questions are listed for Complete 2 questions.
Health History?
What is the complete health-history order to memorize? Source → Biographical data → Reason for seeking care → History of present
health concern → Personal/Past health history → Medications & allergies → Family
history → Review of systems → Lifestyle/health practices/functional level.
What should be identified under source of history? Who gives the history; such as patient; family member; caregiver; or friend.
What should be determined about the source's Whether it appears reliable and internally consistent.
information?
What barriers/supports should be noted for the history Interpreter use; hearing difficulty; cognitive status; or another source supplying
source? information.
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What is the interview the major method for collecting? Subjective data.
Why should the interview establish rapport and trust? So the patient is willing to share accurate and meaningful information.
What types of information does the interview gather? Developmental; psychological; physiologic; sociocultural; and spiritual information.
What does the nurse listen for during an interview? Symptoms; risks; strengths; concerns; beliefs; and cues requiring further
assessment.
What are internal factors affecting interview quality? The nurse's ability to listen; show empathy; remain nonjudgmental; and genuinely
attend to the patient.
What are external factors affecting interview quality? Privacy; interruptions; noise; room arrangement; comfort; time; and other
environmental conditions.
What are the four interview phases in order? Preintroductory → Introductory → Working → Summary/Closing.
What happens in the preintroductory phase? Review available records before meeting the patient and know already-documented
information so the patient does not have to repeat everything unnecessarily.
What should the nurse do in the introductory phase? Introduce self and role; identify patient; explain purpose/process; establish
privacy/confidentiality; sit at eye level when possible; assess
language/comprehension/interpreter need; and begin rapport.
What should the nurse do in the working phase? Collect health history; listen; observe verbal/nonverbal cues; clarify; interpret
cautiously; validate information; and collaborate to identify concerns and goals.
What should the nurse do in the summary/closing phase? Summarize key information; validate understanding; identify unresolved concerns;
explain next steps; and ask whether the patient has anything else to add or ask.
If the nurse is collecting detailed HPI family history ROS Working phase.
and lifestyle data; which interview phase is this?
If the nurse repeats major findings and asks whether there Summary/Closing.
is anything else the patient wants them to know; which
phase is this?
What is the purpose of an open-ended question? Lets the patient tell the story in their own words; useful at the beginning of a topic;
promotes rapport.
What is the guide's example of an open-ended question? Tell me what has been happening with your breathing.
Stuvia 2026-2027 | Latest Version
, Health Assessment - Exam Questions & Verified Answers
What is the purpose of a closed-ended question? Obtains a specific fact/detail or yes/no answer; useful after the broad story is
known.
What is the guide's example of a closed-ended question? Did the shortness of breath begin today?
What does the therapeutic communication technique Encourages continuation; such as Go on; nodding; attentive posture.
Facilitation mean?
What does the therapeutic communication technique Allows time to think; feel; organize thoughts; or continue when ready.
Silence mean?
What does the therapeutic communication technique Directs the patient's own feeling/idea back; such as You sound worried about what
Reflection mean? this means.
What does the therapeutic communication technique Recognizes the patient's emotional experience without claiming to feel exactly the
Empathy mean? same.
What does the therapeutic communication technique Makes vague information specific; such as asking whether dizzy means spinning or
Clarification mean? feeling faint.
What does the therapeutic communication technique Gently identifies an inconsistency between statements/behavior when clinically
Confrontation mean? useful.
What does the therapeutic communication technique Offers a possible connection tentatively and lets the patient confirm or reject it.
Interpretation mean?
What does the therapeutic communication technique Provides factual information the patient needs.
Explanation mean?
What does the therapeutic communication technique Condenses major information and checks accuracy.
Summary mean?
Why is the interview trap False assurance a problem? Minimizes concern; example: Everything will be fine.
Why is the interview trap Unwanted advice a problem? Makes the decision for the patient; example: If I were you I would...
Why is the interview trap Using authority a problem? Positions the nurse as the unquestioned expert rather than collaborating.
Why is the interview trap Avoidance language a problem? Uses vague/euphemistic wording to avoid a difficult topic.
Stuvia 2026-2027 | Latest Version
, Health Assessment - Exam Questions & Verified Answers
Why is the interview trap Distancing a problem? Uses impersonal language to create emotional distance.
Why is the interview trap Professional jargon a problem? Uses medical terminology the patient may not understand.
Why is the interview trap Bias a problem? Allows assumptions/stereotypes to shape questions or interpretation.
Why is the interview trap Talking too much a problem? Prevents the patient from telling their story.
Why is the interview trap Interrupting a problem? Cuts off important information and harms rapport.
Why is the interview trap Judgmental why a problem? Can sound accusatory; replace Why didn't you take it? with What made it difficult to
take it?
What nonverbal behaviors should the nurse observe? Physical appearance; posture; gestures; facial expression; eye contact; voice; and
touch.
What should the nurse do if nonverbal behavior conflicts Treat the incongruence as a cue to clarify.
with spoken words?
How does culture affect nonverbal communication? Do not interpret eye contact; touch; silence; personal space; or emotional
expression without context.
Is constant eye contact required during an interview? No; sitting at eye level is useful but constant eye contact may make some patients
uncomfortable.
How many blueprint questions are listed for Complete 2 questions.
Health History?
What is the complete health-history order to memorize? Source → Biographical data → Reason for seeking care → History of present
health concern → Personal/Past health history → Medications & allergies → Family
history → Review of systems → Lifestyle/health practices/functional level.
What should be identified under source of history? Who gives the history; such as patient; family member; caregiver; or friend.
What should be determined about the source's Whether it appears reliable and internally consistent.
information?
What barriers/supports should be noted for the history Interpreter use; hearing difficulty; cognitive status; or another source supplying
source? information.
Stuvia 2026-2027 | Latest Version
