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NSG 6020 ADVANCED PRACTICE NURSING: THE 3P EXAM —
COMPREHENSIVE —EXAM QUESTIONS LATEST EDITION 2026 – 2027
VERSION SOLVED QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
1. Which of the following best defines the “3P” framework that forms the
foundation of the NSG 6020 examination?
A. Prescriptive, Patient-centered, Preventive
B. Pharmacology, Pathophysiology, Physical Assessment
C. Practice, Professionalism, Performance
D. Planning, Prognosis, Prescription
Answer: B
Rationale: The “3P” in NSG 6020 refers to Pharmacology, Pathophysiology, and Physical
Assessment—the three core pillars of advanced practice nursing that form the
foundation for clinical decision-making and diagnostic reasoning .
2. What is the most important component of the health history that guides the
entire assessment and diagnostic process?
A. The chief complaint
B. The history of present illness
C. The review of systems
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D. The family history
Answer: A
Rationale: The chief complaint is the most important component of the health history
because it guides the entire assessment and diagnostic process .
3. Which mnemonic is used to systematically assess the history of present illness
(HPI)?
A. SBAR
B. OLDCARTS
C. PICO
D. ABCDE
Answer: B
Rationale: OLDCARTS (Onset, Location, Duration, Character, Aggravating factors,
Relieving factors, Timing, Severity) is the mnemonic used to assess the history of
present illness .
4. How is the review of systems (ROS) best described in advanced health
assessment?
A. A hands-on examination of organ systems
B. A subjective report of body systems provided by the patient
C. A diagnostic test review
D. A physical examination of vital signs
Answer: B
Rationale: The ROS is a subjective inventory of body systems obtained through patient
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interview, distinct from the physical examination (objective data), focusing on the
patient’s reported symptoms and experiences .
5. Which component of the past medical history should be documented during a
comprehensive assessment?
A. Childhood illnesses only
B. Adult illnesses only
C. Hospitalizations and surgeries only
D. Childhood illnesses, adult illnesses, hospitalizations, surgeries, and chronic
conditions
Answer: D
Rationale: The past medical history includes childhood illnesses, adult illnesses,
hospitalizations, surgeries, and chronic conditions .
6. Which of the following is a component of the social history that is relevant to a
patient’s health assessment?
A. Occupation
B. Tobacco use
C. Alcohol use
D. All of the above
Answer: D
Rationale: The social history includes occupation, tobacco use, alcohol use, drug use,
living situation, and support systems .
7. When documenting the family history, which relatives should be included?
A. First-degree relatives only
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B. Second-degree relatives only
C. Both first-degree and second-degree relatives
D. Neither first-degree nor second-degree relatives
Answer: C
Rationale: The family history should include both first-degree (parents, siblings,
children) and second-degree (grandparents, aunts, uncles) relatives .
8. Which physical examination technique should always be performed first during a
systematic assessment?
A. Inspection
B. Palpation
C. Percussion
D. Auscultation
Answer: A
Rationale: Inspection is the most important component of the physical examination
and should always be performed first .
9. Which of the following is considered a risk factor for cardiovascular disease?
A. Family history of cardiovascular disease
B. Smoking
C. Hypertension
D. All of the above
Answer: D
Rationale: Family history, smoking, and hypertension are all established risk factors for
cardiovascular disease .
NSG 6020 ADVANCED PRACTICE NURSING: THE 3P EXAM —
COMPREHENSIVE —EXAM QUESTIONS LATEST EDITION 2026 – 2027
VERSION SOLVED QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
1. Which of the following best defines the “3P” framework that forms the
foundation of the NSG 6020 examination?
A. Prescriptive, Patient-centered, Preventive
B. Pharmacology, Pathophysiology, Physical Assessment
C. Practice, Professionalism, Performance
D. Planning, Prognosis, Prescription
Answer: B
Rationale: The “3P” in NSG 6020 refers to Pharmacology, Pathophysiology, and Physical
Assessment—the three core pillars of advanced practice nursing that form the
foundation for clinical decision-making and diagnostic reasoning .
2. What is the most important component of the health history that guides the
entire assessment and diagnostic process?
A. The chief complaint
B. The history of present illness
C. The review of systems
, Page 2 of 87
D. The family history
Answer: A
Rationale: The chief complaint is the most important component of the health history
because it guides the entire assessment and diagnostic process .
3. Which mnemonic is used to systematically assess the history of present illness
(HPI)?
A. SBAR
B. OLDCARTS
C. PICO
D. ABCDE
Answer: B
Rationale: OLDCARTS (Onset, Location, Duration, Character, Aggravating factors,
Relieving factors, Timing, Severity) is the mnemonic used to assess the history of
present illness .
4. How is the review of systems (ROS) best described in advanced health
assessment?
A. A hands-on examination of organ systems
B. A subjective report of body systems provided by the patient
C. A diagnostic test review
D. A physical examination of vital signs
Answer: B
Rationale: The ROS is a subjective inventory of body systems obtained through patient
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interview, distinct from the physical examination (objective data), focusing on the
patient’s reported symptoms and experiences .
5. Which component of the past medical history should be documented during a
comprehensive assessment?
A. Childhood illnesses only
B. Adult illnesses only
C. Hospitalizations and surgeries only
D. Childhood illnesses, adult illnesses, hospitalizations, surgeries, and chronic
conditions
Answer: D
Rationale: The past medical history includes childhood illnesses, adult illnesses,
hospitalizations, surgeries, and chronic conditions .
6. Which of the following is a component of the social history that is relevant to a
patient’s health assessment?
A. Occupation
B. Tobacco use
C. Alcohol use
D. All of the above
Answer: D
Rationale: The social history includes occupation, tobacco use, alcohol use, drug use,
living situation, and support systems .
7. When documenting the family history, which relatives should be included?
A. First-degree relatives only
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B. Second-degree relatives only
C. Both first-degree and second-degree relatives
D. Neither first-degree nor second-degree relatives
Answer: C
Rationale: The family history should include both first-degree (parents, siblings,
children) and second-degree (grandparents, aunts, uncles) relatives .
8. Which physical examination technique should always be performed first during a
systematic assessment?
A. Inspection
B. Palpation
C. Percussion
D. Auscultation
Answer: A
Rationale: Inspection is the most important component of the physical examination
and should always be performed first .
9. Which of the following is considered a risk factor for cardiovascular disease?
A. Family history of cardiovascular disease
B. Smoking
C. Hypertension
D. All of the above
Answer: D
Rationale: Family history, smoking, and hypertension are all established risk factors for
cardiovascular disease .
