NSG 6020 WEEK 1 QUIZ – COMPREHENSIVE TEST BANK
South University | 2026 Updated | 250 Questions with Verified Answers &
Rationales
SECTION 1: COMPREHENSIVE VS. FOCUSED HEALTH HISTORY (Questions 1-
25)
1. For which of the following patients would a comprehensive health history
be most appropriate?
A) A patient with acute chest pain of 1-hour duration
B) A new patient establishing care with a primary care provider
C) A patient returning for a blood pressure check
D) A patient with a sore throat and fever for 2 days
Answer B:
Rationale: A comprehensive health history includes a full review of systems,
past medical history, family history, and social history. It is indicated for new
,patients to establish a baseline. Acute, focused visits (A, C, D) warrant a
problem-focused history. ---
2. The type of history that is warranted for a patient who is well known to
the clinic and presents with signs of acute sinusitis is a(n) ______ history.
A) Comprehensive
B) Focused
C) Interval
D) Complete
Answer B:
Rationale: If the patient is well known or if you have been seeing the patient
for the same problem over time, a focused history is appropriate. ---
3. A patient has been seen in your clinic for 5 years. She presents today with
signs and symptoms of acute sinusitis. Which type of history is warranted?
A) Comprehensive history
B) Focused history
C) Complete history
D) Review of systems only
Answer B:
,Rationale: For established patients with acute, localized problems, a focused
history is appropriate. A comprehensive history is reserved for new patients or
complete annual evaluations. ---
4. For which of the following patients would a comprehensive health history
be appropriate?
A) A new patient with the chief complaint of "I sprained my ankle"
B) An established patient with the chief complaint of "I have an upper
respiratory infection"
C) A new patient with the chief complaint of "I am here to establish care"
D) An established patient with the chief complaint of "I cut my hand"
Answer C:
Rationale: A comprehensive history is appropriate for new patients
establishing care to gather baseline information about their overall health.
Focused histories are taken for acute problems or follow-up visits. ---
5. Which of the following best describes the difference between a
comprehensive and a focused health history?
A) Comprehensive histories are always shorter than focused histories
B) Comprehensive histories gather baseline data on all body systems; focused
histories target a specific problem
, C) Focused histories are only used in emergency settings
D) Comprehensive histories do not include a review of systems
Answer B:
Rationale: A comprehensive health history gathers data on all body systems
and establishes a baseline for new patients. A focused history targets a
specific problem or complaint and is used for acute visits or follow-up care. ---
6. A patient presents to the emergency department with severe abdominal
pain. Which type of history is most appropriate?
A) Comprehensive history
B) Focused history
C) Complete history
D) Family history only
Answer B:
Rationale: In the emergency department or urgent care setting, a focused
history is appropriate to address the acute problem efficiently while still
gathering relevant background information. ---
7. A 75-year-old patient is new to the clinic and is establishing care. The
nurse practitioner should obtain which type of history?
A) Comprehensive history
South University | 2026 Updated | 250 Questions with Verified Answers &
Rationales
SECTION 1: COMPREHENSIVE VS. FOCUSED HEALTH HISTORY (Questions 1-
25)
1. For which of the following patients would a comprehensive health history
be most appropriate?
A) A patient with acute chest pain of 1-hour duration
B) A new patient establishing care with a primary care provider
C) A patient returning for a blood pressure check
D) A patient with a sore throat and fever for 2 days
Answer B:
Rationale: A comprehensive health history includes a full review of systems,
past medical history, family history, and social history. It is indicated for new
,patients to establish a baseline. Acute, focused visits (A, C, D) warrant a
problem-focused history. ---
2. The type of history that is warranted for a patient who is well known to
the clinic and presents with signs of acute sinusitis is a(n) ______ history.
A) Comprehensive
B) Focused
C) Interval
D) Complete
Answer B:
Rationale: If the patient is well known or if you have been seeing the patient
for the same problem over time, a focused history is appropriate. ---
3. A patient has been seen in your clinic for 5 years. She presents today with
signs and symptoms of acute sinusitis. Which type of history is warranted?
A) Comprehensive history
B) Focused history
C) Complete history
D) Review of systems only
Answer B:
,Rationale: For established patients with acute, localized problems, a focused
history is appropriate. A comprehensive history is reserved for new patients or
complete annual evaluations. ---
4. For which of the following patients would a comprehensive health history
be appropriate?
A) A new patient with the chief complaint of "I sprained my ankle"
B) An established patient with the chief complaint of "I have an upper
respiratory infection"
C) A new patient with the chief complaint of "I am here to establish care"
D) An established patient with the chief complaint of "I cut my hand"
Answer C:
Rationale: A comprehensive history is appropriate for new patients
establishing care to gather baseline information about their overall health.
Focused histories are taken for acute problems or follow-up visits. ---
5. Which of the following best describes the difference between a
comprehensive and a focused health history?
A) Comprehensive histories are always shorter than focused histories
B) Comprehensive histories gather baseline data on all body systems; focused
histories target a specific problem
, C) Focused histories are only used in emergency settings
D) Comprehensive histories do not include a review of systems
Answer B:
Rationale: A comprehensive health history gathers data on all body systems
and establishes a baseline for new patients. A focused history targets a
specific problem or complaint and is used for acute visits or follow-up care. ---
6. A patient presents to the emergency department with severe abdominal
pain. Which type of history is most appropriate?
A) Comprehensive history
B) Focused history
C) Complete history
D) Family history only
Answer B:
Rationale: In the emergency department or urgent care setting, a focused
history is appropriate to address the acute problem efficiently while still
gathering relevant background information. ---
7. A 75-year-old patient is new to the clinic and is establishing care. The
nurse practitioner should obtain which type of history?
A) Comprehensive history
