NR 302 Health Assessment I: Documentation & Interview Techniques
2026 |Chamberlain College
1. Which phase of the interview is primarily focused on data collection and the
use of therapeutic communication?
A. Introductory Phase
B. Working Phase
C. Termination Phase
D. Pre-interaction Phase
Answer: B
Rationale: The working phase is the period where the nurse collects subjective data about
the patient’s health status and history using various communication techniques.
2. When documenting subjective data in a patient’s record, which approach is
most appropriate?
A. Summarize the patient’s words into medical terminology
B. Record the nurse’s interpretation of the patient’s feelings
C. Use quotation marks to record the patient’s exact words
D. Omit subjective data as it is not measurable
Answer: C
Rationale: Subjective data, especially the chief complaint, should be documented using the
patient’s own words in quotation marks to ensure accuracy and reduce bias.
,3. A nurse asks a patient, ‘Can you tell me more about the pain in your
abdomen?’ This is an example of which technique?
A. A closed-ended question
B. A leading question
C. A summary statement
D. An open-ended question
Answer: D
Rationale: Open-ended questions allow for a narrative response and encourage the patient
to provide more detail without being steered toward a specific answer.
4. Which part of the PQRSTU mnemonic for pain assessment refers to what
makes the pain better or worse?
A. S - Severity Scale
B. Q - Quality or Quantity
C. R - Region or Radiation
D. P - Provocative or Palliative
Answer: D
Rationale: P stands for Provocative (what causes it) or Palliative (what relieves it), helping
the nurse understand triggers and treatments.
5. Which of the following is considered objective data?
A. The patient reports feeling nauseous
B. The nurse observes the patient is diaphoretic
C. The patient states they have a headache
D. The patient’s sister says he hasn’t been eating
Answer: B
Rationale: Objective data is observable and measurable by the nurse. Diaphoresis
(sweating) can be seen and felt during the physical exam.
, 6. In the SBAR communication tool, what does the ‘B’ stand for?
A. Behavior
B. Beliefs
C. Baseline
D. Background
Answer: D
Rationale: SBAR stands for Situation, Background, Assessment, and Recommendation.
Background includes pertinent medical history and context.
7. What is the primary purpose of the Review of Systems (ROS) during a health
history?
A. To evaluate the past and present health state of each body system
B. To perform a physical examination of each body system
C. To document the patient’s biographical data
D. To provide a list of medical diagnoses
Answer: A
Rationale: The ROS is a subjective head-to-toe check of each body system to ensure no
symptoms were missed in the history of present illness.
8. The nurse is interviewing an older adult. Which modification is most helpful
for this population?
A. Speaking very loudly to ensure they can hear
B. Allowing extra time for the patient to respond to questions
C. Using complex medical jargon to show professionalism
D. Directing all questions to the family members instead
Answer: B
Rationale: Older adults may require more time to process information and formulate
responses due to physiological changes or multiple comorbidities.
2026 |Chamberlain College
1. Which phase of the interview is primarily focused on data collection and the
use of therapeutic communication?
A. Introductory Phase
B. Working Phase
C. Termination Phase
D. Pre-interaction Phase
Answer: B
Rationale: The working phase is the period where the nurse collects subjective data about
the patient’s health status and history using various communication techniques.
2. When documenting subjective data in a patient’s record, which approach is
most appropriate?
A. Summarize the patient’s words into medical terminology
B. Record the nurse’s interpretation of the patient’s feelings
C. Use quotation marks to record the patient’s exact words
D. Omit subjective data as it is not measurable
Answer: C
Rationale: Subjective data, especially the chief complaint, should be documented using the
patient’s own words in quotation marks to ensure accuracy and reduce bias.
,3. A nurse asks a patient, ‘Can you tell me more about the pain in your
abdomen?’ This is an example of which technique?
A. A closed-ended question
B. A leading question
C. A summary statement
D. An open-ended question
Answer: D
Rationale: Open-ended questions allow for a narrative response and encourage the patient
to provide more detail without being steered toward a specific answer.
4. Which part of the PQRSTU mnemonic for pain assessment refers to what
makes the pain better or worse?
A. S - Severity Scale
B. Q - Quality or Quantity
C. R - Region or Radiation
D. P - Provocative or Palliative
Answer: D
Rationale: P stands for Provocative (what causes it) or Palliative (what relieves it), helping
the nurse understand triggers and treatments.
5. Which of the following is considered objective data?
A. The patient reports feeling nauseous
B. The nurse observes the patient is diaphoretic
C. The patient states they have a headache
D. The patient’s sister says he hasn’t been eating
Answer: B
Rationale: Objective data is observable and measurable by the nurse. Diaphoresis
(sweating) can be seen and felt during the physical exam.
, 6. In the SBAR communication tool, what does the ‘B’ stand for?
A. Behavior
B. Beliefs
C. Baseline
D. Background
Answer: D
Rationale: SBAR stands for Situation, Background, Assessment, and Recommendation.
Background includes pertinent medical history and context.
7. What is the primary purpose of the Review of Systems (ROS) during a health
history?
A. To evaluate the past and present health state of each body system
B. To perform a physical examination of each body system
C. To document the patient’s biographical data
D. To provide a list of medical diagnoses
Answer: A
Rationale: The ROS is a subjective head-to-toe check of each body system to ensure no
symptoms were missed in the history of present illness.
8. The nurse is interviewing an older adult. Which modification is most helpful
for this population?
A. Speaking very loudly to ensure they can hear
B. Allowing extra time for the patient to respond to questions
C. Using complex medical jargon to show professionalism
D. Directing all questions to the family members instead
Answer: B
Rationale: Older adults may require more time to process information and formulate
responses due to physiological changes or multiple comorbidities.
