NSG 500 Exam 1
Advanced Health Assessment
Practice Exam and Study Guide
150 Multiple-Choice Questions
With Answers and Rationales
Wilkes University Graduate Nursing Program
,NSG 500 Exam 1 - Advanced Health Assessment Practice Exam 150 Questions
1. When taking a health history, which technique is most effective for building rapport
with a new patient?
A. Using medical terminology to demonstrate expertise
B. Maintaining eye contact and using open-ended questions
C. Completing the history as quickly as possible
D. Focusing only on the chief complaint
Answer: B - Open-ended questions and eye contact build trust and encourage
patients to share complete information, which is foundational to a thorough health
history.
2. Which component of the health history is considered the patient's own words
describing the reason for the visit?
A. History of present illness (HPI)
B. Chief complaint (CC)
C. Review of systems (ROS)
D. Past medical history (PMH)
Answer: B - The chief complaint is recorded in the patient's own words and describes
the primary reason for seeking healthcare.
3. The mnemonic OLD CARTS is used to assess which component of the health history?
A. Past medical history
B. Family history
C. History of present illness
D. Social history
Answer: C - OLD CARTS (Onset, Location, Duration, Character, Aggravating
factors, Relieving factors, Timing, Severity) is a systematic approach to evaluating
the history of present illness.
4. When interviewing an elderly patient who is hard of hearing, the nurse practitioner
should:
A. Speak loudly and rapidly to compensate
B. Face the patient directly and speak in a low-pitched voice
C. Use written communication exclusively
D. Ask a family member to interpret
Page 2
,NSG 500 Exam 1 - Advanced Health Assessment Practice Exam 150 Questions
Answer: B - Facing the patient directly allows for lip reading cues, and low-pitched
voices are easier for patients with presbycusis (age-related hearing loss) to hear.
5. A patient states, 'I have been having chest pain for the past three days.' This statement
is part of the:
A. Chief complaint only
B. History of present illness
C. Review of systems
D. Past medical history
Answer: B - Details about the nature, duration, and characteristics of symptoms
constitute the history of present illness, which expands on the chief complaint.
Page 3
, NSG 500 Exam 1 - Advanced Health Assessment Practice Exam 150 Questions
6. Which type of health history is most appropriate for an established patient
presenting with a new, acute problem?
A. Complete health history
B. Focused or problem-based history
C. Emergency history
D. Interval history
Answer: B - A focused or problem-based history targets the specific acute complaint
while building on the patient's known medical history already on file.
7. During a health history, a patient becomes tearful while discussing a recent loss. The
best response is to:
A. Quickly change the subject to maintain objectivity
B. Allow silence and provide a supportive presence
C. Offer advice on coping strategies immediately
D. Document the emotional response and move on
Answer: B - Therapeutic use of silence and a supportive presence demonstrates
empathy and allows the patient to process emotions, which strengthens the
therapeutic relationship.
8. The review of systems (ROS) is primarily designed to:
A. Replace the need for a physical examination
B. Identify symptoms the patient may have overlooked or forgotten
C. Document only the systems related to the chief complaint
D. Serve as a legal record of the patient's complaints
Answer: B - The ROS is a systematic review of all body systems to uncover symptoms
the patient may not have volunteered, ensuring a comprehensive assessment.
9. When documenting a health history, which of the following is considered subjective
data?
A. Blood pressure reading of 140/90 mmHg
B. Patient reports sharp pain rated 8 out of 10
C. Heart rate of 92 bpm
D. Visible swelling noted on the left ankle
Answer: B - Subjective data is information perceived and reported by the patient,
Page 4
Advanced Health Assessment
Practice Exam and Study Guide
150 Multiple-Choice Questions
With Answers and Rationales
Wilkes University Graduate Nursing Program
,NSG 500 Exam 1 - Advanced Health Assessment Practice Exam 150 Questions
1. When taking a health history, which technique is most effective for building rapport
with a new patient?
A. Using medical terminology to demonstrate expertise
B. Maintaining eye contact and using open-ended questions
C. Completing the history as quickly as possible
D. Focusing only on the chief complaint
Answer: B - Open-ended questions and eye contact build trust and encourage
patients to share complete information, which is foundational to a thorough health
history.
2. Which component of the health history is considered the patient's own words
describing the reason for the visit?
A. History of present illness (HPI)
B. Chief complaint (CC)
C. Review of systems (ROS)
D. Past medical history (PMH)
Answer: B - The chief complaint is recorded in the patient's own words and describes
the primary reason for seeking healthcare.
3. The mnemonic OLD CARTS is used to assess which component of the health history?
A. Past medical history
B. Family history
C. History of present illness
D. Social history
Answer: C - OLD CARTS (Onset, Location, Duration, Character, Aggravating
factors, Relieving factors, Timing, Severity) is a systematic approach to evaluating
the history of present illness.
4. When interviewing an elderly patient who is hard of hearing, the nurse practitioner
should:
A. Speak loudly and rapidly to compensate
B. Face the patient directly and speak in a low-pitched voice
C. Use written communication exclusively
D. Ask a family member to interpret
Page 2
,NSG 500 Exam 1 - Advanced Health Assessment Practice Exam 150 Questions
Answer: B - Facing the patient directly allows for lip reading cues, and low-pitched
voices are easier for patients with presbycusis (age-related hearing loss) to hear.
5. A patient states, 'I have been having chest pain for the past three days.' This statement
is part of the:
A. Chief complaint only
B. History of present illness
C. Review of systems
D. Past medical history
Answer: B - Details about the nature, duration, and characteristics of symptoms
constitute the history of present illness, which expands on the chief complaint.
Page 3
, NSG 500 Exam 1 - Advanced Health Assessment Practice Exam 150 Questions
6. Which type of health history is most appropriate for an established patient
presenting with a new, acute problem?
A. Complete health history
B. Focused or problem-based history
C. Emergency history
D. Interval history
Answer: B - A focused or problem-based history targets the specific acute complaint
while building on the patient's known medical history already on file.
7. During a health history, a patient becomes tearful while discussing a recent loss. The
best response is to:
A. Quickly change the subject to maintain objectivity
B. Allow silence and provide a supportive presence
C. Offer advice on coping strategies immediately
D. Document the emotional response and move on
Answer: B - Therapeutic use of silence and a supportive presence demonstrates
empathy and allows the patient to process emotions, which strengthens the
therapeutic relationship.
8. The review of systems (ROS) is primarily designed to:
A. Replace the need for a physical examination
B. Identify symptoms the patient may have overlooked or forgotten
C. Document only the systems related to the chief complaint
D. Serve as a legal record of the patient's complaints
Answer: B - The ROS is a systematic review of all body systems to uncover symptoms
the patient may not have volunteered, ensuring a comprehensive assessment.
9. When documenting a health history, which of the following is considered subjective
data?
A. Blood pressure reading of 140/90 mmHg
B. Patient reports sharp pain rated 8 out of 10
C. Heart rate of 92 bpm
D. Visible swelling noted on the left ankle
Answer: B - Subjective data is information perceived and reported by the patient,
Page 4
