CSCE 2100 Practice Exam 150 Questions
with Answers and Explanations.
Question 1
A 45-year-old male presents with chest pain. Which of the following is
the most appropriate opening question?
A) "Are you having a heart attack?"
B) "What brings you in today?"
C) "When did your chest pain start?"
D) "Do you have any medical problems?"
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The most appropriate opening question is open-ended:
"What brings you in today?" This allows the patient to describe their
concerns in their own words without leading or limiting the response.
Leading questions (A) can bias the history, and specific closed-ended
questions (C, D) should come later in the interview.
Question 2
When taking a history of present illness (HPI), which mnemonic is most
commonly used to ensure comprehensive coverage?
A) SOAP
B) OLDCARTS
C) PQRST
D) HEADSS
,Correct Answer: B
Explanation: OLDCARTS (Onset, Location, Duration, Character,
Aggravating factors, Relieving factors, Timing, Severity) is the standard
mnemonic for a complete HPI. SOAP is for documentation format.
PQRST is a pain assessment tool. HEADSS is for adolescent
psychosocial history.
Question 3
A 16-year-old female is being seen for a routine physical. The clinician
should conduct a psychosocial history using which screening tool?
A) CAGE
B) HEADSS
C) PHQ-9
D) GAD-7
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: HEADSS (Home, Education/Employment, Activities,
Drugs, Sexuality, Suicide/Depression) is the standard psychosocial
screening tool for adolescents. CAGE is for alcohol use disorder. PHQ-
9 is for depression. GAD-7 is for anxiety.
Question 4
Which of the following is an example of a leading question that
should be avoided?
,A) "How would you describe your pain?"
B) "Can you tell me more about your symptoms?"
C) "You don't have any chest pain, do you?"
D) "What makes your symptoms better or worse?"
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: "You don't have any chest pain, do you?" is a leading
question that suggests the expected answer. Leading questions can
bias the patient's response and result in incomplete or inaccurate
information. Open-ended questions (A, B, D) are preferred.
Question 5
A patient reports "dizziness." Which of the following is the best
follow-up question to differentiate between vertigo and presyncope?
A) "Do you feel like the room is spinning?"
B) "Is it severe?"
C) "How long does it last?"
D) "Does it happen when you stand up?"
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Asking "Do you feel like the room is spinning?" helps
distinguish vertigo (sensation of movement, often described as
spinning) from presyncope (lightheadedness, feeling faint). This
distinction is critical for narrowing the differential diagnosis.
Question 6
, A 55-year-old male reports epigastric pain. Which associated symptom
raises concern for a cardiac etiology?
A) Bloating after meals
B) Heartburn after spicy food
C) Pain radiating to the jaw
D) Relief with antacids
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Pain radiating to the jaw, neck, or left arm is
characteristic of cardiac ischemia (angina or myocardial infarction).
Bloating, heartburn relieved by antacids, and postprandial symptoms
are more typical of gastrointestinal causes.
Question 7
When taking a medication history, which of the following should be
included? (Select all that apply)
A) Prescription medications
B) Over-the-counter medications
C) Herbal supplements
D) Allergies and reactions
Correct Answer: A, B, C, D
Explanation: A complete medication history includes all prescription
medications, over-the-counter drugs, herbal supplements, vitamins,
and any known allergies with specific reactions. This comprehensive
approach prevents drug interactions, adverse effects, and incomplete
clinical assessment.
with Answers and Explanations.
Question 1
A 45-year-old male presents with chest pain. Which of the following is
the most appropriate opening question?
A) "Are you having a heart attack?"
B) "What brings you in today?"
C) "When did your chest pain start?"
D) "Do you have any medical problems?"
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The most appropriate opening question is open-ended:
"What brings you in today?" This allows the patient to describe their
concerns in their own words without leading or limiting the response.
Leading questions (A) can bias the history, and specific closed-ended
questions (C, D) should come later in the interview.
Question 2
When taking a history of present illness (HPI), which mnemonic is most
commonly used to ensure comprehensive coverage?
A) SOAP
B) OLDCARTS
C) PQRST
D) HEADSS
,Correct Answer: B
Explanation: OLDCARTS (Onset, Location, Duration, Character,
Aggravating factors, Relieving factors, Timing, Severity) is the standard
mnemonic for a complete HPI. SOAP is for documentation format.
PQRST is a pain assessment tool. HEADSS is for adolescent
psychosocial history.
Question 3
A 16-year-old female is being seen for a routine physical. The clinician
should conduct a psychosocial history using which screening tool?
A) CAGE
B) HEADSS
C) PHQ-9
D) GAD-7
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: HEADSS (Home, Education/Employment, Activities,
Drugs, Sexuality, Suicide/Depression) is the standard psychosocial
screening tool for adolescents. CAGE is for alcohol use disorder. PHQ-
9 is for depression. GAD-7 is for anxiety.
Question 4
Which of the following is an example of a leading question that
should be avoided?
,A) "How would you describe your pain?"
B) "Can you tell me more about your symptoms?"
C) "You don't have any chest pain, do you?"
D) "What makes your symptoms better or worse?"
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: "You don't have any chest pain, do you?" is a leading
question that suggests the expected answer. Leading questions can
bias the patient's response and result in incomplete or inaccurate
information. Open-ended questions (A, B, D) are preferred.
Question 5
A patient reports "dizziness." Which of the following is the best
follow-up question to differentiate between vertigo and presyncope?
A) "Do you feel like the room is spinning?"
B) "Is it severe?"
C) "How long does it last?"
D) "Does it happen when you stand up?"
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Asking "Do you feel like the room is spinning?" helps
distinguish vertigo (sensation of movement, often described as
spinning) from presyncope (lightheadedness, feeling faint). This
distinction is critical for narrowing the differential diagnosis.
Question 6
, A 55-year-old male reports epigastric pain. Which associated symptom
raises concern for a cardiac etiology?
A) Bloating after meals
B) Heartburn after spicy food
C) Pain radiating to the jaw
D) Relief with antacids
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Pain radiating to the jaw, neck, or left arm is
characteristic of cardiac ischemia (angina or myocardial infarction).
Bloating, heartburn relieved by antacids, and postprandial symptoms
are more typical of gastrointestinal causes.
Question 7
When taking a medication history, which of the following should be
included? (Select all that apply)
A) Prescription medications
B) Over-the-counter medications
C) Herbal supplements
D) Allergies and reactions
Correct Answer: A, B, C, D
Explanation: A complete medication history includes all prescription
medications, over-the-counter drugs, herbal supplements, vitamins,
and any known allergies with specific reactions. This comprehensive
approach prevents drug interactions, adverse effects, and incomplete
clinical assessment.
