And Answers | 2026/2027 Capella University
Q1. Which source is considered the primary source of subjective
information during a comprehensive health history?
A) Laboratory report
B) Patient
C) Family member
D) Previous medical record
Correct Answer: B) Patient
Rationale: The patient is the primary source of subjective information when
able to provide a reliable history.
Q2. Which component of the history describes the patient's current
health concern in detail?
A) Family history
B) Social history
C) History of present illness
D) Review of systems only
Correct Answer: C) History of present illness
Rationale: The history of present illness expands the chief complaint by
describing onset, location, duration, characteristics, severity, associated
symptoms, and relevant factors.
**Q3. Which mnemonic is commonly used to characterize a patient's
symptom?
A) OPQRST
B) ABCDE only
C) SOAP
D) SBAR
Correct Answer: A) OPQRST
Rationale: OPQRST can be used to assess onset, provocation/palliation,
quality, region/radiation, severity, and timing.
**Q4. A patient reports chest pain that began after climbing stairs. Which
question addresses provocation or palliation?
, A) “Where exactly is the pain?”
B) “What makes the pain better or worse?”
C) “How severe is the pain?”
D) “When did the pain begin?”
Correct Answer: B) “What makes the pain better or worse?”
Rationale: Provocation and palliation identify factors that trigger, worsen, or
relieve the symptom.
**Q5. Which question best assesses the quality of pain?
A) “Where does the pain radiate?”
B) “How long have you had it?”
C) “How would you describe the pain?”
D) “What is the pain score?”
Correct Answer: C) “How would you describe the pain?”
Rationale: Pain quality refers to how the patient characterizes the sensation,
such as sharp, burning, pressure, or throbbing.
**Q6. Which finding is subjective?
A) Blood pressure 150/90 mm Hg
B) Respiratory rate 26/min
C) “I feel short of breath.”
D) Oxygen saturation 90%
Correct Answer: C) “I feel short of breath.”
Rationale: Subjective data are symptoms and experiences reported by the
patient.
**Q7. Which finding is objective?
A) “My heart is racing.”
B) “I feel weak.”
C) “I am nauseated.”
D) Heart rate 118/min
Correct Answer: D) Heart rate 118/min
Rationale: Objective findings are measurable or directly observable during
assessment.