Maryville NURS 612 Exam 1 - Health Assessment and
Physical Examination Study Guide with Complete
Verified Q&A (Rationales Included) | Latest Update
2026/2027 | Already Graded A+
Question 1
Which of the following will best facilitate the interview when obtaining a history for a
deaf patient who can read lips?
A. Speaking loudly
B. Using gestures
C. Speaking slowly
D. Sitting to the side of the patient
Answer: C
Rationale: Speaking slowly and clearly while facing the patient allows for accurate lip
reading. Speaking loudly does not help, sitting to the side prevents lip reading, and
gestures alone are insufficient.
Question 2
Approximately what percentage of patients interviewed have a sexual orientation other
than heterosexual?
A. 2%
B. 5%
C. 10%
D. 20%
Answer: C
Rationale: Approximately 10% of the population identifies as having a sexual
orientation other than heterosexual.
Question 3
During a history, the patient indicates he has an uncle and a brother with sickle cell
disease. Which of the following is an appropriate method to document this information?
A. Document this as chief complaint
B. Include it in the family history
pg. 1
,C. Include this in past medical history
D. Incorporate this information in the social history
Answer: B
Rationale: Family history is the appropriate location for documenting genetic and
hereditary conditions affecting blood relatives.
Question 4
Which approach is recommended at the onset of an interview?
A. Use a structured approach to ask questions
B. Introduce yourself and include a detailed description of your background and
qualifications
C. Use an open-ended approach; let the patient explain the problem or reason for the
visit
D. Start with the family history and past medical history to determine the underlying
problem
Answer: C
Rationale: Open-ended questions allow the patient to express their concerns in their
own words and establish rapport at the beginning of the interview.
Question 5
Which of the following questions may lead to an inaccurate patient response?
A. "Where do you feel the pain?"
B. "How does this situation make you feel?"
C. "What happened after you noticed your injury?"
D. "That was a horrible experience, wasn't it?"
Answer: D
Rationale: Leading questions (suggesting the desired answer) may produce inaccurate
responses and should be avoided.
Question 6
Repeating a patient's answer is an attempt to:
A. Confirm an accurate understanding
B. Discourage patient anger or hostility
C. Teach the patient new medical terms
D. Test the patient's knowledge
pg. 2
,Answer: A
Rationale: Repeating or paraphrasing a patient's answer (reflection) confirms accurate
understanding and demonstrates active listening.
Question 7
Which of the following history types is unique to a pediatric history?
A. Family history
B. Developmental history
C. Social history
D. Past medical history
Answer: B
Rationale: Developmental history (milestones, growth patterns) is unique to pediatric
patients and not typically included in adult histories.
Question 8
During an interview, your patient admits to feeling worthless and having a sleep
disturbance for the past 3 weeks. These are clues that warrant the exploration of:
A. Risk for suicide
B. Split personality
C. Cognitive function
D. Functional assessment
Answer: A
Rationale: Feelings of worthlessness and sleep disturbances are signs of depression
and may indicate suicide risk, requiring further assessment.
Question 9
Jerry, a 26-year-old homosexual man, is having a health history taken. Which question
regarding sexual activity would most likely hamper trust between Jerry and the
interviewer?
A. "Are you married, or do you have a girlfriend?"
B. "Tell me about your living situation."
C. "Are you sexually active?"
D. "Are your partners men, women, or both?"
Answer: A
pg. 3
, Rationale: Assuming heterosexuality by asking about a girlfriend or wife may alienate
a homosexual patient and damage trust.
Question 10
Long periods of silence during an interview may indicate:
A. A need for the health care provider to increase the pace of the interview
B. An inability of the patient to communicate
C. Time needed to gain courage to discuss a painful topic
D. A need to terminate the interview because of the patient's inability to pay attention
Answer: C
Rationale: Silence may indicate the patient needs time to gather courage to discuss a
painful or sensitive topic and should be respected.
Question 11
When questioning a patient regarding a sensitive issue, such as drug use, it is best to:
A. Begin by describing to the patient the effects of drug abuse on health
B. Be direct, firm, and to the point
C. Explain that the information will be shared only with health care workers
D. Apologize to the patient for asking personal questions
Answer: B
Rationale: Direct, straightforward questions about sensitive topics are more effective
and less likely to be misunderstood than indirect approaches.
Question 12
Direct questions are designed to:
A. Attack sensitive material head on
B. Demonstrate to the patient who is in charge of the interview process
C. Ensure confidentiality
D. Obtain or clarify specific details about an answer
Answer: D
Rationale: Direct questions are used to obtain specific information or clarify details
provided by the patient.
pg. 4
Physical Examination Study Guide with Complete
Verified Q&A (Rationales Included) | Latest Update
2026/2027 | Already Graded A+
Question 1
Which of the following will best facilitate the interview when obtaining a history for a
deaf patient who can read lips?
A. Speaking loudly
B. Using gestures
C. Speaking slowly
D. Sitting to the side of the patient
Answer: C
Rationale: Speaking slowly and clearly while facing the patient allows for accurate lip
reading. Speaking loudly does not help, sitting to the side prevents lip reading, and
gestures alone are insufficient.
Question 2
Approximately what percentage of patients interviewed have a sexual orientation other
than heterosexual?
A. 2%
B. 5%
C. 10%
D. 20%
Answer: C
Rationale: Approximately 10% of the population identifies as having a sexual
orientation other than heterosexual.
Question 3
During a history, the patient indicates he has an uncle and a brother with sickle cell
disease. Which of the following is an appropriate method to document this information?
A. Document this as chief complaint
B. Include it in the family history
pg. 1
,C. Include this in past medical history
D. Incorporate this information in the social history
Answer: B
Rationale: Family history is the appropriate location for documenting genetic and
hereditary conditions affecting blood relatives.
Question 4
Which approach is recommended at the onset of an interview?
A. Use a structured approach to ask questions
B. Introduce yourself and include a detailed description of your background and
qualifications
C. Use an open-ended approach; let the patient explain the problem or reason for the
visit
D. Start with the family history and past medical history to determine the underlying
problem
Answer: C
Rationale: Open-ended questions allow the patient to express their concerns in their
own words and establish rapport at the beginning of the interview.
Question 5
Which of the following questions may lead to an inaccurate patient response?
A. "Where do you feel the pain?"
B. "How does this situation make you feel?"
C. "What happened after you noticed your injury?"
D. "That was a horrible experience, wasn't it?"
Answer: D
Rationale: Leading questions (suggesting the desired answer) may produce inaccurate
responses and should be avoided.
Question 6
Repeating a patient's answer is an attempt to:
A. Confirm an accurate understanding
B. Discourage patient anger or hostility
C. Teach the patient new medical terms
D. Test the patient's knowledge
pg. 2
,Answer: A
Rationale: Repeating or paraphrasing a patient's answer (reflection) confirms accurate
understanding and demonstrates active listening.
Question 7
Which of the following history types is unique to a pediatric history?
A. Family history
B. Developmental history
C. Social history
D. Past medical history
Answer: B
Rationale: Developmental history (milestones, growth patterns) is unique to pediatric
patients and not typically included in adult histories.
Question 8
During an interview, your patient admits to feeling worthless and having a sleep
disturbance for the past 3 weeks. These are clues that warrant the exploration of:
A. Risk for suicide
B. Split personality
C. Cognitive function
D. Functional assessment
Answer: A
Rationale: Feelings of worthlessness and sleep disturbances are signs of depression
and may indicate suicide risk, requiring further assessment.
Question 9
Jerry, a 26-year-old homosexual man, is having a health history taken. Which question
regarding sexual activity would most likely hamper trust between Jerry and the
interviewer?
A. "Are you married, or do you have a girlfriend?"
B. "Tell me about your living situation."
C. "Are you sexually active?"
D. "Are your partners men, women, or both?"
Answer: A
pg. 3
, Rationale: Assuming heterosexuality by asking about a girlfriend or wife may alienate
a homosexual patient and damage trust.
Question 10
Long periods of silence during an interview may indicate:
A. A need for the health care provider to increase the pace of the interview
B. An inability of the patient to communicate
C. Time needed to gain courage to discuss a painful topic
D. A need to terminate the interview because of the patient's inability to pay attention
Answer: C
Rationale: Silence may indicate the patient needs time to gather courage to discuss a
painful or sensitive topic and should be respected.
Question 11
When questioning a patient regarding a sensitive issue, such as drug use, it is best to:
A. Begin by describing to the patient the effects of drug abuse on health
B. Be direct, firm, and to the point
C. Explain that the information will be shared only with health care workers
D. Apologize to the patient for asking personal questions
Answer: B
Rationale: Direct, straightforward questions about sensitive topics are more effective
and less likely to be misunderstood than indirect approaches.
Question 12
Direct questions are designed to:
A. Attack sensitive material head on
B. Demonstrate to the patient who is in charge of the interview process
C. Ensure confidentiality
D. Obtain or clarify specific details about an answer
Answer: D
Rationale: Direct questions are used to obtain specific information or clarify details
provided by the patient.
pg. 4
