Test Bank – Advanced Health Assessment and Diagnostic Reasoning,
4th Edition (Rhoads & Petersen)
1. Which component of the health history is most important for
establishing the patient's primary reason for the encounter?
A. Family history
B. Review of systems
C. Chief complaint
D. Social history
,Answer: C. Chief complaint
The chief complaint identifies the patient's primary concern and
guides the subsequent history and examination.
2. Which question is most appropriate when beginning an open-
ended interview?
A. "Does your chest hurt when you breathe?"
B. "Where exactly is the pain?"
C. "Tell me what brought you in today."
D. "Is the pain sharp?"
Answer: C. "Tell me what brought you in today."
Open-ended questions encourage the patient to describe concerns in
their own words before focused questions are used.
3. Which finding represents subjective data?
A. Blood pressure of 148/88 mm Hg
B. Temperature of 38.2°C
C. Patient reports dizziness
D. Heart rate of 104/min
Answer: C. Patient reports dizziness
Subjective data are symptoms or experiences reported by the patient.
4. Which finding is objective data?
A. Fatigue
B. Nausea
C. Headache
D. Abdominal tenderness on examination
Answer: D. Abdominal tenderness on examination
Objective findings are observable or measurable by the clinician.
5. Which technique is generally used first during a physical
examination?
A. Palpation
B. Percussion
,C. Inspection
D. Auscultation
Answer: C. Inspection
Inspection involves systematic visual observation and normally begins
the physical examination.
6. Which component of the history focuses on previous illnesses,
surgeries, hospitalizations, and major injuries?
A. Family history
B. Past medical history
C. Review of systems
D. Social history
Answer: B. Past medical history
The past medical history documents previous health conditions and
significant medical events.
7. A patient states, "I have been exhausted for three months."
Which type of symptom description is this?
A. Objective finding
B. Subjective symptom
C. Laboratory finding
D. Diagnostic finding
Answer: B. Subjective symptom
Fatigue is experienced and reported by the patient and therefore
represents subjective information.
8. Which approach best promotes an accurate health history?
A. Asking several questions simultaneously
B. Using medical terminology whenever possible
C. Allowing adequate time for the patient to respond
D. Interrupting frequently to maintain efficiency
, Answer: C. Allowing adequate time for the patient to respond
Patients provide more complete information when clinicians listen
actively and avoid unnecessary interruptions.
9. Which question is most likely to obtain useful information about
a symptom?
A. "You don't have shortness of breath, do you?"
B. "Is the pain probably from your stomach?"
C. "Can you describe what the pain feels like?"
D. "You have had this before, right?"
Answer: C. "Can you describe what the pain feels like?"
Neutral, open-ended questions minimize leading the patient toward a
predetermined response.
10. What is the primary purpose of a review of systems?
A. To establish the patient's insurance status
B. To identify symptoms by body system
C. To document laboratory results
D. To determine medication costs
Answer: B. To identify symptoms by body system
The review of systems systematically screens for symptoms that may
not have been discussed during the history of the present illness.
11. Which finding should generally prompt clarification during
medication reconciliation?
A. Patient takes a prescribed medication exactly as directed
B. Patient cannot identify the dose of a medication
C. Patient uses one medication daily
D. Patient reports taking medication with water
Answer: B. Patient cannot identify the dose of a medication
Uncertain medication information creates a safety concern and
should be clarified using reliable sources.
4th Edition (Rhoads & Petersen)
1. Which component of the health history is most important for
establishing the patient's primary reason for the encounter?
A. Family history
B. Review of systems
C. Chief complaint
D. Social history
,Answer: C. Chief complaint
The chief complaint identifies the patient's primary concern and
guides the subsequent history and examination.
2. Which question is most appropriate when beginning an open-
ended interview?
A. "Does your chest hurt when you breathe?"
B. "Where exactly is the pain?"
C. "Tell me what brought you in today."
D. "Is the pain sharp?"
Answer: C. "Tell me what brought you in today."
Open-ended questions encourage the patient to describe concerns in
their own words before focused questions are used.
3. Which finding represents subjective data?
A. Blood pressure of 148/88 mm Hg
B. Temperature of 38.2°C
C. Patient reports dizziness
D. Heart rate of 104/min
Answer: C. Patient reports dizziness
Subjective data are symptoms or experiences reported by the patient.
4. Which finding is objective data?
A. Fatigue
B. Nausea
C. Headache
D. Abdominal tenderness on examination
Answer: D. Abdominal tenderness on examination
Objective findings are observable or measurable by the clinician.
5. Which technique is generally used first during a physical
examination?
A. Palpation
B. Percussion
,C. Inspection
D. Auscultation
Answer: C. Inspection
Inspection involves systematic visual observation and normally begins
the physical examination.
6. Which component of the history focuses on previous illnesses,
surgeries, hospitalizations, and major injuries?
A. Family history
B. Past medical history
C. Review of systems
D. Social history
Answer: B. Past medical history
The past medical history documents previous health conditions and
significant medical events.
7. A patient states, "I have been exhausted for three months."
Which type of symptom description is this?
A. Objective finding
B. Subjective symptom
C. Laboratory finding
D. Diagnostic finding
Answer: B. Subjective symptom
Fatigue is experienced and reported by the patient and therefore
represents subjective information.
8. Which approach best promotes an accurate health history?
A. Asking several questions simultaneously
B. Using medical terminology whenever possible
C. Allowing adequate time for the patient to respond
D. Interrupting frequently to maintain efficiency
, Answer: C. Allowing adequate time for the patient to respond
Patients provide more complete information when clinicians listen
actively and avoid unnecessary interruptions.
9. Which question is most likely to obtain useful information about
a symptom?
A. "You don't have shortness of breath, do you?"
B. "Is the pain probably from your stomach?"
C. "Can you describe what the pain feels like?"
D. "You have had this before, right?"
Answer: C. "Can you describe what the pain feels like?"
Neutral, open-ended questions minimize leading the patient toward a
predetermined response.
10. What is the primary purpose of a review of systems?
A. To establish the patient's insurance status
B. To identify symptoms by body system
C. To document laboratory results
D. To determine medication costs
Answer: B. To identify symptoms by body system
The review of systems systematically screens for symptoms that may
not have been discussed during the history of the present illness.
11. Which finding should generally prompt clarification during
medication reconciliation?
A. Patient takes a prescribed medication exactly as directed
B. Patient cannot identify the dose of a medication
C. Patient uses one medication daily
D. Patient reports taking medication with water
Answer: B. Patient cannot identify the dose of a medication
Uncertain medication information creates a safety concern and
should be clarified using reliable sources.
