WGU D117 – Advanced Health Assessment for the
Advanced Practice Nurse | Complete Video Script &
Health Assessment Techniques Checklist | 2026 Updated.
Question 1
Which component of the comprehensive health history establishes the patient's reason for
seeking care in the patient's own words?
A) Review of systems
B) Chief complaint
C) Past medical history
D) Family history
Answer
Answer: B
Rationale
The chief complaint is the patient's primary reason for the visit, documented in the patient's own words
and serving as the organizing focus for the history and examination.
Question 2
Which history-taking technique uses open-ended questions followed by increasingly specific
questions?
A) Funnel technique
B) Directed questioning
C) Cross-examination
D) Leading questioning
Answer
Answer: A
Rationale
The funnel technique begins with broad, open-ended questions and gradually narrows to specific
details, allowing the patient to describe concerns freely before the clinician focuses the inquiry.
,Question 3
Which element of the history is most useful for identifying inherited disease risk?
A) Social history
B) Family history
C) Review of systems
D) Medication history
Answer
Answer: B
Rationale
Family history documents medical conditions among first- and second-degree relatives, providing
critical information about inherited predisposition to cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, and
other genetic conditions.
Question 4
Which component of the review of systems specifically addresses constitutional symptoms?
A) Fever, chills, weight change, and fatigue
B) Chest pain and palpitations
C) Dysuria and hematuria
D) Headache and vision changes
Answer
Answer: A
Rationale
Constitutional symptoms in the review of systems include fever, chills, night sweats, weight change,
fatigue, and malaise, reflecting systemic rather than organ-specific processes.
Question 5
Which technique is most appropriate for interviewing an adolescent patient about sensitive
topics?
2
,A) Interviewing the parent and adolescent together throughout
B) Providing confidential time alone with the adolescent
C) Avoiding sensitive topics entirely
D) Directing all questions to the parent
Answer
Answer: B
Rationale
Adolescents require confidential time during the interview to disclose sensitive information about
sexual health, substance use, and mental health, with clear explanation of confidentiality limits.
Question 6
Which finding is considered a "red flag" in the health history requiring urgent evaluation?
A) Intermittent mild knee pain with exercise
B) Unexplained weight loss of 10% over 6 months
C) Occasional tension headache relieved by rest
D) Seasonal allergic rhinitis
Answer
Answer: B
Rationale
Unexplained weight loss exceeding 5–10% of body weight over 6 months is a red flag suggesting
malignancy, chronic infection, endocrine disease, or malabsorption and warrants urgent investigation.
Question 7
Which element of the history best captures the patient's functional status and ability to perform
activities of daily living?
A) Review of systems
B) Past medical history
C) Functional assessment
D) Family history
3
, Answer
Answer: C
Rationale
Functional assessment evaluates the patient's ability to perform activities of daily living, instrumental
activities of daily living, mobility, and independence, informing care planning and safety.
Question 8
Which questioning approach is most likely to produce accurate information about alcohol use?
A) "You don't drink much, do you?"
B) "How many drinks do you have per week?"
C) "Do you have a drinking problem?"
D) "You should stop drinking."
Answer
Answer: B
Rationale
Quantifying alcohol use with a specific, nonjudgmental question about frequency and amount yields
more accurate information than yes/no or leading questions that invite denial.
Question 9
Which technique is used to clarify a patient's vague statement during the interview?
A) Changing the subject
B) Asking for clarification with specific examples
C) Providing reassurance
D) Ignoring the statement
Answer
Answer: B
Rationale
Clarification requests specific examples and details, helping the patient articulate vague symptoms
4
Advanced Practice Nurse | Complete Video Script &
Health Assessment Techniques Checklist | 2026 Updated.
Question 1
Which component of the comprehensive health history establishes the patient's reason for
seeking care in the patient's own words?
A) Review of systems
B) Chief complaint
C) Past medical history
D) Family history
Answer
Answer: B
Rationale
The chief complaint is the patient's primary reason for the visit, documented in the patient's own words
and serving as the organizing focus for the history and examination.
Question 2
Which history-taking technique uses open-ended questions followed by increasingly specific
questions?
A) Funnel technique
B) Directed questioning
C) Cross-examination
D) Leading questioning
Answer
Answer: A
Rationale
The funnel technique begins with broad, open-ended questions and gradually narrows to specific
details, allowing the patient to describe concerns freely before the clinician focuses the inquiry.
,Question 3
Which element of the history is most useful for identifying inherited disease risk?
A) Social history
B) Family history
C) Review of systems
D) Medication history
Answer
Answer: B
Rationale
Family history documents medical conditions among first- and second-degree relatives, providing
critical information about inherited predisposition to cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, and
other genetic conditions.
Question 4
Which component of the review of systems specifically addresses constitutional symptoms?
A) Fever, chills, weight change, and fatigue
B) Chest pain and palpitations
C) Dysuria and hematuria
D) Headache and vision changes
Answer
Answer: A
Rationale
Constitutional symptoms in the review of systems include fever, chills, night sweats, weight change,
fatigue, and malaise, reflecting systemic rather than organ-specific processes.
Question 5
Which technique is most appropriate for interviewing an adolescent patient about sensitive
topics?
2
,A) Interviewing the parent and adolescent together throughout
B) Providing confidential time alone with the adolescent
C) Avoiding sensitive topics entirely
D) Directing all questions to the parent
Answer
Answer: B
Rationale
Adolescents require confidential time during the interview to disclose sensitive information about
sexual health, substance use, and mental health, with clear explanation of confidentiality limits.
Question 6
Which finding is considered a "red flag" in the health history requiring urgent evaluation?
A) Intermittent mild knee pain with exercise
B) Unexplained weight loss of 10% over 6 months
C) Occasional tension headache relieved by rest
D) Seasonal allergic rhinitis
Answer
Answer: B
Rationale
Unexplained weight loss exceeding 5–10% of body weight over 6 months is a red flag suggesting
malignancy, chronic infection, endocrine disease, or malabsorption and warrants urgent investigation.
Question 7
Which element of the history best captures the patient's functional status and ability to perform
activities of daily living?
A) Review of systems
B) Past medical history
C) Functional assessment
D) Family history
3
, Answer
Answer: C
Rationale
Functional assessment evaluates the patient's ability to perform activities of daily living, instrumental
activities of daily living, mobility, and independence, informing care planning and safety.
Question 8
Which questioning approach is most likely to produce accurate information about alcohol use?
A) "You don't drink much, do you?"
B) "How many drinks do you have per week?"
C) "Do you have a drinking problem?"
D) "You should stop drinking."
Answer
Answer: B
Rationale
Quantifying alcohol use with a specific, nonjudgmental question about frequency and amount yields
more accurate information than yes/no or leading questions that invite denial.
Question 9
Which technique is used to clarify a patient's vague statement during the interview?
A) Changing the subject
B) Asking for clarification with specific examples
C) Providing reassurance
D) Ignoring the statement
Answer
Answer: B
Rationale
Clarification requests specific examples and details, helping the patient articulate vague symptoms
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