NCLEX-RN
Health Promotion & Maintenance
Latest Exam Review
2026
(With Solutions)
Multiple Choice
1. A 55-year-old patient with a family history of cardiovascular
disease is being counseled on lifestyle changes. Which of the
following is the most effective health promotion strategy to
reduce their risk?
A. Encourage moderate exercise three times a week B.
Advise complete elimination of dietary fats C.
Recommend smoking cessation and regular aerobic
exercise D. Suggest taking daily multivitamins
Answer: C Rationale: Smoking cessation and regular aerobic
exercise have strong evidence in reducing cardiovascular
risk. Complete elimination of fats is not recommended;
moderate exercise three times a week may be insufficient
depending on intensity; vitamins alone do not significantly
reduce cardiovascular risk.
2. Which screening test should be prioritized for a 50-year-
old woman with no prior history of breast disease?
A. Complete blood count B. Mammography C. Abdominal
ultrasound D. Electrocardiogram
,Answer: B Rationale: Mammography is the recommended
screening for breast cancer in women aged 40-74. Other
tests are unrelated to breast health or screening.
3. In promoting vaccination adherence in adults, which
approach has shown the highest effectiveness?
A. Educational brochures alone B. Reminder systems with
follow-up calls C. Group lectures without individual
counseling D. Passive posters in public areas
Answer: B Rationale: Reminder systems with follow-up calls
actively engage patients and have shown higher
adherence rates compared to passive or educational
methods alone.
4. What is the primary role of the nurse in community health
promotion when addressing social determinants of health?
A. Prescribing medications to manage chronic illnesses B.
Advocacy and connecting patients to community resources
C. Conducting surgical interventions D. Diagnosing
infectious diseases
Answer: B Rationale: Nurses act as advocates and
connectors to resources addressing factors like housing,
nutrition, and income, which are key social determinants
of health.
5. Which physical activity recommendation corresponds with
the 2018 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans for
adults?
A. 60 minutes of vigorous activity daily B. At least 150
minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity weekly C.
30 minutes of light stretching once a week D. Avoid
, physical activity if overweight
Answer: B Rationale: The guidelines recommend at least
150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity per
week for adults.
True/False
6. Smoking cessation reduces the risk of cardiovascular
disease within 1 year of quitting. Answer: True
Rationale: Studies show that risk reduction starts soon
after quitting smoking, including decreases in
cardiovascular disease risk.
7. Health promotion interventions are primarily focused on
disease treatment rather than prevention. Answer: False
Rationale: Health promotion emphasizes prevention and
maintenance of well-being rather than treatment of
existing disease.
8. The Transtheoretical Model includes stages such as
precontemplation, contemplation, preparation, action,
and maintenance. Answer: True Rationale: These stages
describe readiness to change health behaviors.
9. Motivational interviewing can increase patient
engagement in health promotion activities. Answer: True
Rationale: It uses client-centered counseling to elicit
behavior change by resolving ambivalence.
10. Health literacy is not a significant factor in a patient’s
ability to follow health promotion recommendations.
, Answer: False Rationale: Low health literacy can be a
major barrier to understanding and acting on health
advice.
Short Answer
11. Identify two modifiable risk factors that a nurse can
target to prevent Type 2 diabetes in adults. Answer: Poor
diet, physical inactivity Rationale: These behaviors can be
modified through education and lifestyle changes to
reduce diabetes risk.
12. Define primary prevention in the context of health
promotion. Answer: Efforts to prevent disease before it
occurs by reducing risk factors. Rationale: Examples
include immunizations and lifestyle counseling.
13. List three social determinants of health that influence
health maintenance. Answer: Socioeconomic status,
education level, access to healthcare Rationale: These
determinants affect individuals’ ability to maintain
health.
14. What is the 'teach-back' method, and why is it important
in health education? Answer: A communication technique
where patients repeat information back to confirm
understanding. Rationale: It ensures comprehension and
retention of health information.
15. Name a validated tool used to assess patient readiness
for change. Answer: The Stages of Change Readiness and
Treatment Eagerness Scale (SOCRATES) Rationale: This
Health Promotion & Maintenance
Latest Exam Review
2026
(With Solutions)
Multiple Choice
1. A 55-year-old patient with a family history of cardiovascular
disease is being counseled on lifestyle changes. Which of the
following is the most effective health promotion strategy to
reduce their risk?
A. Encourage moderate exercise three times a week B.
Advise complete elimination of dietary fats C.
Recommend smoking cessation and regular aerobic
exercise D. Suggest taking daily multivitamins
Answer: C Rationale: Smoking cessation and regular aerobic
exercise have strong evidence in reducing cardiovascular
risk. Complete elimination of fats is not recommended;
moderate exercise three times a week may be insufficient
depending on intensity; vitamins alone do not significantly
reduce cardiovascular risk.
2. Which screening test should be prioritized for a 50-year-
old woman with no prior history of breast disease?
A. Complete blood count B. Mammography C. Abdominal
ultrasound D. Electrocardiogram
,Answer: B Rationale: Mammography is the recommended
screening for breast cancer in women aged 40-74. Other
tests are unrelated to breast health or screening.
3. In promoting vaccination adherence in adults, which
approach has shown the highest effectiveness?
A. Educational brochures alone B. Reminder systems with
follow-up calls C. Group lectures without individual
counseling D. Passive posters in public areas
Answer: B Rationale: Reminder systems with follow-up calls
actively engage patients and have shown higher
adherence rates compared to passive or educational
methods alone.
4. What is the primary role of the nurse in community health
promotion when addressing social determinants of health?
A. Prescribing medications to manage chronic illnesses B.
Advocacy and connecting patients to community resources
C. Conducting surgical interventions D. Diagnosing
infectious diseases
Answer: B Rationale: Nurses act as advocates and
connectors to resources addressing factors like housing,
nutrition, and income, which are key social determinants
of health.
5. Which physical activity recommendation corresponds with
the 2018 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans for
adults?
A. 60 minutes of vigorous activity daily B. At least 150
minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity weekly C.
30 minutes of light stretching once a week D. Avoid
, physical activity if overweight
Answer: B Rationale: The guidelines recommend at least
150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity per
week for adults.
True/False
6. Smoking cessation reduces the risk of cardiovascular
disease within 1 year of quitting. Answer: True
Rationale: Studies show that risk reduction starts soon
after quitting smoking, including decreases in
cardiovascular disease risk.
7. Health promotion interventions are primarily focused on
disease treatment rather than prevention. Answer: False
Rationale: Health promotion emphasizes prevention and
maintenance of well-being rather than treatment of
existing disease.
8. The Transtheoretical Model includes stages such as
precontemplation, contemplation, preparation, action,
and maintenance. Answer: True Rationale: These stages
describe readiness to change health behaviors.
9. Motivational interviewing can increase patient
engagement in health promotion activities. Answer: True
Rationale: It uses client-centered counseling to elicit
behavior change by resolving ambivalence.
10. Health literacy is not a significant factor in a patient’s
ability to follow health promotion recommendations.
, Answer: False Rationale: Low health literacy can be a
major barrier to understanding and acting on health
advice.
Short Answer
11. Identify two modifiable risk factors that a nurse can
target to prevent Type 2 diabetes in adults. Answer: Poor
diet, physical inactivity Rationale: These behaviors can be
modified through education and lifestyle changes to
reduce diabetes risk.
12. Define primary prevention in the context of health
promotion. Answer: Efforts to prevent disease before it
occurs by reducing risk factors. Rationale: Examples
include immunizations and lifestyle counseling.
13. List three social determinants of health that influence
health maintenance. Answer: Socioeconomic status,
education level, access to healthcare Rationale: These
determinants affect individuals’ ability to maintain
health.
14. What is the 'teach-back' method, and why is it important
in health education? Answer: A communication technique
where patients repeat information back to confirm
understanding. Rationale: It ensures comprehension and
retention of health information.
15. Name a validated tool used to assess patient readiness
for change. Answer: The Stages of Change Readiness and
Treatment Eagerness Scale (SOCRATES) Rationale: This
