BSN 246 Health Assessment (2026) 100-
Question Practice Exam with Answers &
Rationales |Nightingale College | BSN
246: Concepts of Nursing I | Health
Assessment
Section 1: Health History & Interviewing (Questions 1–20)
1. The nurse is preparing to interview a new client in the clinic.
Which action demonstrates the most effective communication
technique?
A) Standing while the client is seated
B) Sitting at the client's eye level
C) Asking closed-ended questions
D) Using medical terminology
Answer: B
Rationale: ** Sitting at the client's eye level reduces anxiety and
demonstrates respect, creating a more comfortable environment for
effective communication.
,2. A client tells the nurse, "I have been having this terrible pain in my
chest." What is the nurse's best initial response?
A) "Describe the pain to me."
B) "When did the pain begin?"
C) "Have you taken anything for it?"
D) "Do you have a history of heart problems?"
Answer: A
Rationale: ** Open-ended questions allow the client to provide a full
description of symptoms in their own words, which is more
comprehensive than closed-ended questions.
3. The nurse is conducting a health history interview with a client
who appears anxious and frequently pauses before answering. What
is the best response by the nurse?
A) Prompt the client to answer more quickly
B) Sit quietly and allow the client time to respond
C) Move to the next question
D) Repeat the question louder
Answer: B
Rationale: ** Allowing the client adequate time to respond without
interruption demonstrates respect and reduces anxiety. Rushing or
prompting may cause the client to withhold important information.
2
,4. A 29-year-old male client states he has a "body-wracking dry
cough" that has lasted six weeks and expresses concern about
possibly having lung cancer. How should the nurse document this
concern?
A) "Patient reports a persistent cough accompanied by wheezing"
B) "Client describes having a 'body-wracking dry cough' of 6 weeks
duration"
C) "The client expresses concern about possible lung cancer symptoms"
D) "Client presents with a cough lasting more than a month"
Answer: B
Rationale: ** Documentation should use the client's own words whenever
possible to accurately capture the severity and character of symptoms.
5. The nurse is obtaining a health history and the client states, "I
don't really know why I'm here." What is the most appropriate
response?
A) "You were referred by your physician."
B) "Let me review your chart to find out."
C) "Why don't you tell me what brought you in today?"
D) "I'll ask the doctor to come speak with you."
Answer: C
3
, Rationale: ** This open-ended question encourages the client to express
their concerns and helps build rapport while obtaining important
information.
6. Which of the following is the most important component of the
health history that the nurse should obtain first?
A) Past medical history
B) Family history
C) Chief complaint
D) Social history
Answer: C
Rationale: ** The chief complaint is the primary reason for the client's
visit and guides the rest of the assessment. It should be documented in the
client's own words.
7. The nurse is interviewing a client who has difficulty expressing
thoughts due to anxiety. What technique should the nurse use?
A) Ask rapid-fire questions to keep the client focused
B) Allow silence to provide time to think
C) Complete the assessment for the client
D) Change the subject to a less sensitive topic
Answer: B
4
Question Practice Exam with Answers &
Rationales |Nightingale College | BSN
246: Concepts of Nursing I | Health
Assessment
Section 1: Health History & Interviewing (Questions 1–20)
1. The nurse is preparing to interview a new client in the clinic.
Which action demonstrates the most effective communication
technique?
A) Standing while the client is seated
B) Sitting at the client's eye level
C) Asking closed-ended questions
D) Using medical terminology
Answer: B
Rationale: ** Sitting at the client's eye level reduces anxiety and
demonstrates respect, creating a more comfortable environment for
effective communication.
,2. A client tells the nurse, "I have been having this terrible pain in my
chest." What is the nurse's best initial response?
A) "Describe the pain to me."
B) "When did the pain begin?"
C) "Have you taken anything for it?"
D) "Do you have a history of heart problems?"
Answer: A
Rationale: ** Open-ended questions allow the client to provide a full
description of symptoms in their own words, which is more
comprehensive than closed-ended questions.
3. The nurse is conducting a health history interview with a client
who appears anxious and frequently pauses before answering. What
is the best response by the nurse?
A) Prompt the client to answer more quickly
B) Sit quietly and allow the client time to respond
C) Move to the next question
D) Repeat the question louder
Answer: B
Rationale: ** Allowing the client adequate time to respond without
interruption demonstrates respect and reduces anxiety. Rushing or
prompting may cause the client to withhold important information.
2
,4. A 29-year-old male client states he has a "body-wracking dry
cough" that has lasted six weeks and expresses concern about
possibly having lung cancer. How should the nurse document this
concern?
A) "Patient reports a persistent cough accompanied by wheezing"
B) "Client describes having a 'body-wracking dry cough' of 6 weeks
duration"
C) "The client expresses concern about possible lung cancer symptoms"
D) "Client presents with a cough lasting more than a month"
Answer: B
Rationale: ** Documentation should use the client's own words whenever
possible to accurately capture the severity and character of symptoms.
5. The nurse is obtaining a health history and the client states, "I
don't really know why I'm here." What is the most appropriate
response?
A) "You were referred by your physician."
B) "Let me review your chart to find out."
C) "Why don't you tell me what brought you in today?"
D) "I'll ask the doctor to come speak with you."
Answer: C
3
, Rationale: ** This open-ended question encourages the client to express
their concerns and helps build rapport while obtaining important
information.
6. Which of the following is the most important component of the
health history that the nurse should obtain first?
A) Past medical history
B) Family history
C) Chief complaint
D) Social history
Answer: C
Rationale: ** The chief complaint is the primary reason for the client's
visit and guides the rest of the assessment. It should be documented in the
client's own words.
7. The nurse is interviewing a client who has difficulty expressing
thoughts due to anxiety. What technique should the nurse use?
A) Ask rapid-fire questions to keep the client focused
B) Allow silence to provide time to think
C) Complete the assessment for the client
D) Change the subject to a less sensitive topic
Answer: B
4
