NR 509 Week 1 Practice Questions
Question 1
The nurse practitioner is conducting a health interview. Which action best demonstrates active
listening?
A. Interrupting occasionally to clarify details
B. Asking multiple questions rapidly to save time
C. Maintaining eye contact and summarizing responses
D. Writing continuously while the patient speaks
Answer: C. Maintaining eye contact and summarizing responses
Rationale: Active listening includes eye contact, therapeutic silence, reflection, and
summarizing information to show understanding and encourage communication.
Question 2
Which statement by the nurse practitioner is an example of an open-ended question?
A. “Does your chest hurt?”
B. “Are you allergic to penicillin?”
C. “Tell me more about what brought you in today.”
D. “Did the pain start yesterday?”
Answer: C. “Tell me more about what brought you in today.”
Rationale: Open-ended questions encourage the patient to provide detailed information and
support patient-centered interviewing.
Question 3
A patient begins crying during the interview. What is the best initial response by the provider?
A. Change the subject to avoid embarrassment
B. Offer tissues and allow a moment of silence
C. Continue asking questions to maintain focus
D. Tell the patient everything will be okay
,Answer: B. Offer tissues and allow a moment of silence
Rationale: Therapeutic communication involves acknowledging emotions and allowing the
patient time to express feelings.
Question 4
Which component of the health history includes information about surgeries, hospitalizations,
and chronic illnesses?
A. Review of systems
B. Family history
C. Social history
D. Past medical history
Answer: D. Past medical history
Rationale: Past medical history includes illnesses, surgeries, hospitalizations, medications,
allergies, and immunizations.
Question 5
The nurse practitioner asks a patient about tobacco, alcohol, and recreational drug use. This
information belongs in which section of the health history?
A. Family history
B. Social history
C. Review of systems
D. Chief complaint
Answer: B. Social history
Rationale: Social history includes lifestyle habits, occupation, living situation, substance use,
and safety concerns.
Question 6
A patient states, “I only take herbal supplements, so I don’t use medications.” What is the best
response?
, A. “Herbal supplements are not important.”
B. “Supplements usually do not affect treatment.”
C. “Please tell me which supplements you take.”
D. “You should stop using herbal products.”
Answer: C. “Please tell me which supplements you take.”
Rationale: Herbal supplements may interact with prescription medications and should always be
included in medication reconciliation.
Question 7
Which technique is most appropriate when obtaining sensitive information?
A. Ask quickly to reduce discomfort
B. Use medical terminology only
C. Ask direct, nonjudgmental questions
D. Avoid discussing sensitive topics unless the patient asks
Answer: C. Ask direct, nonjudgmental questions
Rationale: Sensitive topics should be approached professionally and without judgment to
promote honest communication.
Question 8
What is the primary purpose of the Review of Systems (ROS)?
A. Establish the patient’s diagnosis
B. Obtain objective examination findings
C. Identify symptoms the patient may have forgotten to mention
D. Replace the physical examination
Answer: C. Identify symptoms the patient may have forgotten to mention
Rationale: ROS is a systematic symptom review organized by body systems.
Question 9
Question 1
The nurse practitioner is conducting a health interview. Which action best demonstrates active
listening?
A. Interrupting occasionally to clarify details
B. Asking multiple questions rapidly to save time
C. Maintaining eye contact and summarizing responses
D. Writing continuously while the patient speaks
Answer: C. Maintaining eye contact and summarizing responses
Rationale: Active listening includes eye contact, therapeutic silence, reflection, and
summarizing information to show understanding and encourage communication.
Question 2
Which statement by the nurse practitioner is an example of an open-ended question?
A. “Does your chest hurt?”
B. “Are you allergic to penicillin?”
C. “Tell me more about what brought you in today.”
D. “Did the pain start yesterday?”
Answer: C. “Tell me more about what brought you in today.”
Rationale: Open-ended questions encourage the patient to provide detailed information and
support patient-centered interviewing.
Question 3
A patient begins crying during the interview. What is the best initial response by the provider?
A. Change the subject to avoid embarrassment
B. Offer tissues and allow a moment of silence
C. Continue asking questions to maintain focus
D. Tell the patient everything will be okay
,Answer: B. Offer tissues and allow a moment of silence
Rationale: Therapeutic communication involves acknowledging emotions and allowing the
patient time to express feelings.
Question 4
Which component of the health history includes information about surgeries, hospitalizations,
and chronic illnesses?
A. Review of systems
B. Family history
C. Social history
D. Past medical history
Answer: D. Past medical history
Rationale: Past medical history includes illnesses, surgeries, hospitalizations, medications,
allergies, and immunizations.
Question 5
The nurse practitioner asks a patient about tobacco, alcohol, and recreational drug use. This
information belongs in which section of the health history?
A. Family history
B. Social history
C. Review of systems
D. Chief complaint
Answer: B. Social history
Rationale: Social history includes lifestyle habits, occupation, living situation, substance use,
and safety concerns.
Question 6
A patient states, “I only take herbal supplements, so I don’t use medications.” What is the best
response?
, A. “Herbal supplements are not important.”
B. “Supplements usually do not affect treatment.”
C. “Please tell me which supplements you take.”
D. “You should stop using herbal products.”
Answer: C. “Please tell me which supplements you take.”
Rationale: Herbal supplements may interact with prescription medications and should always be
included in medication reconciliation.
Question 7
Which technique is most appropriate when obtaining sensitive information?
A. Ask quickly to reduce discomfort
B. Use medical terminology only
C. Ask direct, nonjudgmental questions
D. Avoid discussing sensitive topics unless the patient asks
Answer: C. Ask direct, nonjudgmental questions
Rationale: Sensitive topics should be approached professionally and without judgment to
promote honest communication.
Question 8
What is the primary purpose of the Review of Systems (ROS)?
A. Establish the patient’s diagnosis
B. Obtain objective examination findings
C. Identify symptoms the patient may have forgotten to mention
D. Replace the physical examination
Answer: C. Identify symptoms the patient may have forgotten to mention
Rationale: ROS is a systematic symptom review organized by body systems.
Question 9
