NR302 / NR 302: Health Assessment Exam 2 –
Chamberlain College of Nursing Actual Exam Complete
Questions & Rationales | Physical Examination Skills |
Pass Guaranteed - A+ Graded
History Taking & General Survey
Q1: A nurse is conducting a health history interview with a new patient. The patient
states, "I've been having this chest pain for about three days now." Which response by
the nurse best demonstrates the use of an open-ended question to gather more
information?
A. "Is the pain sharp or dull?"
B. "Does the pain radiate to your arm or jaw?"
C. "Tell me more about what the chest pain feels like and what you were doing when it
started." [CORRECT]
D. "On a scale of 1 to 10, how would you rate the pain?"
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The best answer is C. In health assessment, we always start with open-ended
questions to let patients tell their story in their own words before we narrow down with
specific questions. "Tell me more" invites the patient to describe the experience fully,
which often reveals important details we might not think to ask about. Remember that
,while closed questions have their place for clarifying details, the initial exploration of a
symptom works best when the patient leads the conversation.
Q2: During a general survey, the nurse observes a 45-year-old patient who appears older
than stated age, has poor eye contact, and is dressed inappropriately for cold weather.
The patient's affect is flat, and speech is slow. Which component of the general survey
is the nurse primarily assessing?
A. Vital signs and anthropometric measurements
B. Physical appearance, body structure, and mobility
C. Emotional status, grooming, hygiene, and overall behavior [CORRECT]
D. Level of consciousness and orientation only
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The best answer is C. In health assessment, the general survey captures the
whole first impression—how someone looks, acts, dresses, and presents themselves
emotionally. These observations about affect, grooming, and behavior give you clues
about mental health, self-care ability, and possible underlying conditions before you
even touch the patient. That flat affect and inappropriate dress might signal depression,
cognitive impairment, or socioeconomic concerns that need follow-up.
Q3: A nurse is documenting a patient's past medical history. Which information would
be included in this section of the health history?
A. The patient's religious beliefs and dietary preferences
,B. Current medications, allergies, previous hospitalizations, surgeries, and chronic
illnesses [CORRECT]
C. The patient's occupation and exercise habits
D. A detailed description of the patient's current symptoms
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The best answer is B. In health assessment, the past medical history is where
you capture everything that's already happened to the patient medically—surgeries
they've had, conditions they're living with, medications they take, and any allergies that
could affect care. This is separate from the history of present illness, which covers
current symptoms, and the social history, which covers lifestyle factors. Keeping these
sections distinct makes your documentation clear and helps other providers quickly find
what they need.
Q4: A nurse is interviewing a patient who recently immigrated from Somalia and speaks
limited English. The patient brought a family member to translate. Which action by the
nurse is most appropriate?
A. Ask the family member to translate all questions and answers
B. Use a professional medical interpreter and speak directly to the patient, not the
interpreter [CORRECT]
C. Skip the detailed history and focus only on vital signs since communication is
difficult
D. Ask another nurse who speaks some Somali to help with the interview
Correct Answer: B
, Rationale: The best answer is B. In health assessment, we always use professional
interpreters rather than family members because family may filter, omit, or change
information, and the patient deserves privacy and direct communication. Speaking to
the patient rather than the interpreter shows respect and maintains the therapeutic
relationship. Remember that cultural considerations aren't optional extras—they're
essential to getting accurate information and providing safe, respectful care.
Q5: During a health history, a patient reports drinking "a few beers after work" but
becomes defensive when asked about quantity. Which interviewing technique would
help the nurse gather more accurate information?
A. Confront the patient directly about the inconsistency in their report
B. Use motivational interviewing with non-judgmental, reflective statements to explore
the patient's perspective [CORRECT]
C. Document the vague answer and move on to the next question
D. Tell the patient that honesty is required for proper care
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The best answer is B. In health assessment, motivational interviewing helps
patients feel safe enough to be honest about sensitive topics like alcohol use. Reflective
listening and asking permission to explore further builds trust rather than shutting down
communication. Remember that patients often minimize or hide behaviors they feel
judged about, and our job is to create a space where they can tell us the truth without
fear of criticism.
Chamberlain College of Nursing Actual Exam Complete
Questions & Rationales | Physical Examination Skills |
Pass Guaranteed - A+ Graded
History Taking & General Survey
Q1: A nurse is conducting a health history interview with a new patient. The patient
states, "I've been having this chest pain for about three days now." Which response by
the nurse best demonstrates the use of an open-ended question to gather more
information?
A. "Is the pain sharp or dull?"
B. "Does the pain radiate to your arm or jaw?"
C. "Tell me more about what the chest pain feels like and what you were doing when it
started." [CORRECT]
D. "On a scale of 1 to 10, how would you rate the pain?"
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The best answer is C. In health assessment, we always start with open-ended
questions to let patients tell their story in their own words before we narrow down with
specific questions. "Tell me more" invites the patient to describe the experience fully,
which often reveals important details we might not think to ask about. Remember that
,while closed questions have their place for clarifying details, the initial exploration of a
symptom works best when the patient leads the conversation.
Q2: During a general survey, the nurse observes a 45-year-old patient who appears older
than stated age, has poor eye contact, and is dressed inappropriately for cold weather.
The patient's affect is flat, and speech is slow. Which component of the general survey
is the nurse primarily assessing?
A. Vital signs and anthropometric measurements
B. Physical appearance, body structure, and mobility
C. Emotional status, grooming, hygiene, and overall behavior [CORRECT]
D. Level of consciousness and orientation only
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The best answer is C. In health assessment, the general survey captures the
whole first impression—how someone looks, acts, dresses, and presents themselves
emotionally. These observations about affect, grooming, and behavior give you clues
about mental health, self-care ability, and possible underlying conditions before you
even touch the patient. That flat affect and inappropriate dress might signal depression,
cognitive impairment, or socioeconomic concerns that need follow-up.
Q3: A nurse is documenting a patient's past medical history. Which information would
be included in this section of the health history?
A. The patient's religious beliefs and dietary preferences
,B. Current medications, allergies, previous hospitalizations, surgeries, and chronic
illnesses [CORRECT]
C. The patient's occupation and exercise habits
D. A detailed description of the patient's current symptoms
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The best answer is B. In health assessment, the past medical history is where
you capture everything that's already happened to the patient medically—surgeries
they've had, conditions they're living with, medications they take, and any allergies that
could affect care. This is separate from the history of present illness, which covers
current symptoms, and the social history, which covers lifestyle factors. Keeping these
sections distinct makes your documentation clear and helps other providers quickly find
what they need.
Q4: A nurse is interviewing a patient who recently immigrated from Somalia and speaks
limited English. The patient brought a family member to translate. Which action by the
nurse is most appropriate?
A. Ask the family member to translate all questions and answers
B. Use a professional medical interpreter and speak directly to the patient, not the
interpreter [CORRECT]
C. Skip the detailed history and focus only on vital signs since communication is
difficult
D. Ask another nurse who speaks some Somali to help with the interview
Correct Answer: B
, Rationale: The best answer is B. In health assessment, we always use professional
interpreters rather than family members because family may filter, omit, or change
information, and the patient deserves privacy and direct communication. Speaking to
the patient rather than the interpreter shows respect and maintains the therapeutic
relationship. Remember that cultural considerations aren't optional extras—they're
essential to getting accurate information and providing safe, respectful care.
Q5: During a health history, a patient reports drinking "a few beers after work" but
becomes defensive when asked about quantity. Which interviewing technique would
help the nurse gather more accurate information?
A. Confront the patient directly about the inconsistency in their report
B. Use motivational interviewing with non-judgmental, reflective statements to explore
the patient's perspective [CORRECT]
C. Document the vague answer and move on to the next question
D. Tell the patient that honesty is required for proper care
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The best answer is B. In health assessment, motivational interviewing helps
patients feel safe enough to be honest about sensitive topics like alcohol use. Reflective
listening and asking permission to explore further builds trust rather than shutting down
communication. Remember that patients often minimize or hide behaviors they feel
judged about, and our job is to create a space where they can tell us the truth without
fear of criticism.
