1
WGU D320 80 Question Version JYO2 Latest
Actual Exam 2026/2027 – Complete Exam-
Style Questions with Detailed Rationales |
Pass Guaranteed – A+ Graded
[SECTION 1: Health History & Comprehensive Assessment — Questions 1-12]
Q1: A nurse is collecting a health history from a patient who presents with chest pain. To gather
detailed information about the symptom, the nurse uses the OLDCARTS mnemonic. What does
the "O" in this mnemonic stand for?
A. Occurrence
B. Onset
C. Onset [CORRECT]
D. Other symptoms
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: In the OLDCARTS mnemonic used to characterize a symptom, "O" stands for Onset.
This refers to when the symptom first started, helping the nurse determine if the onset was
sudden, gradual, or related to a specific event. Identifying the onset is crucial for establishing a
timeline and potential etiology of the health problem. "Occurrence" and "Other symptoms" are
not standard components of this specific mnemonic.
Q2: When assessing a patient's pain, the nurse utilizes the PQRST method. What specific
information is the nurse attempting to elicit with the "T" component of this assessment?
A. Timing
B. Tenderness
C. Temperature
D. Type
Correct Answer: A
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Rationale: In the PQRST assessment (Precipitating/Palliative factors, Quality, Region/Radiation,
Severity, Timing), the "T" stands for Timing. This includes asking about the duration, frequency,
and whether the pain is constant or intermittent, which helps differentiate between acute and
chronic conditions. Tenderness and Type are assessed but under different categories (Quality or
Region). Temperature is a vital sign, not a component of the pain history.
Q3: During a patient interview, the nurse asks, "What do you think is causing your cough?" This
question addresses which component of the FIFE approach?
A. Function
B. Feeling
C. Idea
D. Expectation [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The FIFE framework stands for Feeling, Idea, Function, and Expectation. The
question "What do you think is causing your cough?" asks about the patient's Idea regarding their
illness, while "What do you expect us to do to help you?" addresses the patient's Expectation.
Understanding the patient's Expectation allows the nurse to align the care plan with the patient's
goals and improve compliance.
Q4: The nurse is performing a review of systems (ROS). Which of the following best describes
the primary purpose of the ROS?
A. To obtain a detailed history of the patient's childhood illnesses.
B. To identify symptoms in body systems not directly related to the chief complaint.
C. To perform a physical examination of all body systems.
D. To assess the patient's family health history.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The Review of Systems (ROS) is a systematic approach to gathering subjective data
about symptoms that the patient may be experiencing in body systems other than the one related
to the chief complaint. It helps the nurse identify comorbidities or underlying issues that might
,3
affect the diagnosis or treatment plan. It is not a physical exam, nor does it focus solely on
childhood or family history.
Q5: A patient states, "I have high blood pressure, but I don't take medication for it." In which
section of the health history should the nurse document this information?
A. Family History
B. Social History
C. Past Medical History
D. Chief Complaint
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Past Medical History (PMH) includes information about chronic conditions, previous
hospitalizations, surgeries, and current medications (or lack thereof). The statement regarding
hypertension is a chronic health condition and belongs in the PMH. Family history pertains to
conditions in blood relatives, and Social History pertains to lifestyle factors like smoking or
occupation.
Q6: When conducting a functional assessment of an older adult, the nurse asks questions about
Activities of Daily Living (ADLs). Which of the following is an example of an ADL?
A. Managing finances
B. Using the telephone
C. Bathing
D. Shopping for groceries
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) are basic self-care tasks that include bathing,
dressing, toileting, transferring, continence, and feeding. The other options (managing finances,
using the telephone, shopping) are Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs), which are
more complex skills required for independent living in the community. Distinguishing between
ADLs and IADLs is vital for determining the level of care a patient needs.
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Q7: A nurse is using the CAGE questionnaire as a screening tool during a health history. What
condition is the CAGE questionnaire specifically designed to screen for?
A. Alcoholism/Alcohol misuse
B. Cognitive impairment
C. Depression
D. Domestic violence
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The CAGE questionnaire is a widely used screening tool consisting of four questions
(Cut down, Annoyed, Guilty, Eye-opener) specifically designed to detect alcohol use disorder or
alcohol misuse. It is a quick, non-invasive method to identify patients who may need further
intervention or referral for substance abuse. Screening for depression or cognitive impairment
requires different tools, such as the PHQ-9 or Mini-Mental State Exam.
Q8: When obtaining a health history from a patient who speaks a different language, the nurse
must arrange for a medical interpreter. Which action by the nurse is most appropriate regarding
the use of an interpreter?
A. Ask the patient's teenage child to interpret to save time.
B. Speak directly to the patient, not the interpreter, when asking questions.
C. Ask the interpreter to summarize the patient's responses quickly.
D. Use the interpreter to translate written discharge instructions only.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The nurse should speak directly to the patient to maintain rapport and show respect,
rather than speaking to the interpreter in the third person (e.g., "Ask him if he has pain"). This
practice upholds the patient's dignity and ensures the nurse is observing the patient's non-verbal
cues. Using family members (especially children) is generally discouraged due to issues of
privacy, confidentiality, and potential translation errors regarding sensitive medical terms.
Q9: Which question by the nurse is an example of an open-ended question?
A. "Do you have any allergies?"
WGU D320 80 Question Version JYO2 Latest
Actual Exam 2026/2027 – Complete Exam-
Style Questions with Detailed Rationales |
Pass Guaranteed – A+ Graded
[SECTION 1: Health History & Comprehensive Assessment — Questions 1-12]
Q1: A nurse is collecting a health history from a patient who presents with chest pain. To gather
detailed information about the symptom, the nurse uses the OLDCARTS mnemonic. What does
the "O" in this mnemonic stand for?
A. Occurrence
B. Onset
C. Onset [CORRECT]
D. Other symptoms
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: In the OLDCARTS mnemonic used to characterize a symptom, "O" stands for Onset.
This refers to when the symptom first started, helping the nurse determine if the onset was
sudden, gradual, or related to a specific event. Identifying the onset is crucial for establishing a
timeline and potential etiology of the health problem. "Occurrence" and "Other symptoms" are
not standard components of this specific mnemonic.
Q2: When assessing a patient's pain, the nurse utilizes the PQRST method. What specific
information is the nurse attempting to elicit with the "T" component of this assessment?
A. Timing
B. Tenderness
C. Temperature
D. Type
Correct Answer: A
,2
Rationale: In the PQRST assessment (Precipitating/Palliative factors, Quality, Region/Radiation,
Severity, Timing), the "T" stands for Timing. This includes asking about the duration, frequency,
and whether the pain is constant or intermittent, which helps differentiate between acute and
chronic conditions. Tenderness and Type are assessed but under different categories (Quality or
Region). Temperature is a vital sign, not a component of the pain history.
Q3: During a patient interview, the nurse asks, "What do you think is causing your cough?" This
question addresses which component of the FIFE approach?
A. Function
B. Feeling
C. Idea
D. Expectation [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The FIFE framework stands for Feeling, Idea, Function, and Expectation. The
question "What do you think is causing your cough?" asks about the patient's Idea regarding their
illness, while "What do you expect us to do to help you?" addresses the patient's Expectation.
Understanding the patient's Expectation allows the nurse to align the care plan with the patient's
goals and improve compliance.
Q4: The nurse is performing a review of systems (ROS). Which of the following best describes
the primary purpose of the ROS?
A. To obtain a detailed history of the patient's childhood illnesses.
B. To identify symptoms in body systems not directly related to the chief complaint.
C. To perform a physical examination of all body systems.
D. To assess the patient's family health history.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The Review of Systems (ROS) is a systematic approach to gathering subjective data
about symptoms that the patient may be experiencing in body systems other than the one related
to the chief complaint. It helps the nurse identify comorbidities or underlying issues that might
,3
affect the diagnosis or treatment plan. It is not a physical exam, nor does it focus solely on
childhood or family history.
Q5: A patient states, "I have high blood pressure, but I don't take medication for it." In which
section of the health history should the nurse document this information?
A. Family History
B. Social History
C. Past Medical History
D. Chief Complaint
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Past Medical History (PMH) includes information about chronic conditions, previous
hospitalizations, surgeries, and current medications (or lack thereof). The statement regarding
hypertension is a chronic health condition and belongs in the PMH. Family history pertains to
conditions in blood relatives, and Social History pertains to lifestyle factors like smoking or
occupation.
Q6: When conducting a functional assessment of an older adult, the nurse asks questions about
Activities of Daily Living (ADLs). Which of the following is an example of an ADL?
A. Managing finances
B. Using the telephone
C. Bathing
D. Shopping for groceries
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) are basic self-care tasks that include bathing,
dressing, toileting, transferring, continence, and feeding. The other options (managing finances,
using the telephone, shopping) are Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs), which are
more complex skills required for independent living in the community. Distinguishing between
ADLs and IADLs is vital for determining the level of care a patient needs.
, 4
Q7: A nurse is using the CAGE questionnaire as a screening tool during a health history. What
condition is the CAGE questionnaire specifically designed to screen for?
A. Alcoholism/Alcohol misuse
B. Cognitive impairment
C. Depression
D. Domestic violence
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The CAGE questionnaire is a widely used screening tool consisting of four questions
(Cut down, Annoyed, Guilty, Eye-opener) specifically designed to detect alcohol use disorder or
alcohol misuse. It is a quick, non-invasive method to identify patients who may need further
intervention or referral for substance abuse. Screening for depression or cognitive impairment
requires different tools, such as the PHQ-9 or Mini-Mental State Exam.
Q8: When obtaining a health history from a patient who speaks a different language, the nurse
must arrange for a medical interpreter. Which action by the nurse is most appropriate regarding
the use of an interpreter?
A. Ask the patient's teenage child to interpret to save time.
B. Speak directly to the patient, not the interpreter, when asking questions.
C. Ask the interpreter to summarize the patient's responses quickly.
D. Use the interpreter to translate written discharge instructions only.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The nurse should speak directly to the patient to maintain rapport and show respect,
rather than speaking to the interpreter in the third person (e.g., "Ask him if he has pain"). This
practice upholds the patient's dignity and ensures the nurse is observing the patient's non-verbal
cues. Using family members (especially children) is generally discouraged due to issues of
privacy, confidentiality, and potential translation errors regarding sensitive medical terms.
Q9: Which question by the nurse is an example of an open-ended question?
A. "Do you have any allergies?"
