NURS 612 Exam 1 Study Guide 2026: Health History, Cultural
Competence, Physical Exam Techniques, Geriatrics & Prevention –
Q&A with Rationales
1. Which of the following will best facilitate the interview when obtaining a
history for a deaf patient who can read lips?
✅ Correct Answer: Speaking slowly
Rationale: Speaking slowly and clearly allows the patient to read lips effectively.
Shouting distorts lip movements, and exaggerating words is patronizing. Speaking
normally but slightly slower is most effective.
2. During a history, the patient indicates he has an uncle and a brother with
sickle cell disease. Which is an appropriate method to document this
information?
✅ Correct Answer: Include it in the family history
Rationale: Family history documents genetic and familial conditions affecting the
patient and blood relatives. Sickle cell disease is hereditary, so this belongs in the
family history section, not past medical history or review of systems.
,3. Which approach is recommended at the onset of an interview?
✅ Correct Answer: Use an open-ended approach; let the patient explain
the problem
Rationale: Open-ended questions (e.g., "Tell me why you are here today") allow
the patient to express their concerns without leading them. This builds rapport
and yields more accurate information than closed-ended or directive questions.
4. Which question may lead to an inaccurate patient response?
✅ Correct Answer: "That was a horrible experience, wasn't it?"
Rationale: This is a leading question that suggests a desired answer. Patients may
agree even if they don't truly feel that way, leading to inaccurate information.
5. Repeating a patient's answer is an attempt to:
✅ Correct Answer: Confirm an accurate understanding
Rationale: Repeating (reflecting) allows the patient to confirm or correct what the
interviewer heard, reducing miscommunication and showing active listening.
,6. During an interview, your patient admits to feeling worthless and having a
sleep disturbance for the past 3 weeks. These are clues that warrant exploration
of:
✅ Correct Answer: Risk for suicide
Rationale: Feelings of worthlessness and sleep disturbances are significant risk
factors for depression and suicidal ideation, requiring immediate assessment of
suicidal thoughts or plans.
7. When questioning a patient regarding a sensitive issue, such as drug use, it is
best to:
✅ Correct Answer: Be direct, firm, and to the point
Rationale: A direct, matter-of-fact approach normalizes the question and reduces
the patient's anxiety or defensiveness. Hesitation or indirectness can signal
discomfort to the patient.
8. Which of the following questions regarding sexual activity would most likely
hamper trust between a 26-year-old homosexual man and the interviewer?
✅ Correct Answer: "Are you married or do you have a girlfriend?"
, Rationale: This question assumes heterosexuality and excludes the possibility of a
same-sex partner. It can alienate the patient and damage rapport. A neutral
question like "Are you in a relationship?" is better.
9. Which technique is applied throughout the entire examination and interview
process?
✅ Correct Answer: Inspection
Rationale: Inspection is the act of observation and begins the moment you meet
the patient, continuing throughout the interaction. It requires no equipment and
is always ongoing.
10. As a component of palpation, which surface is most sensitive to vibration?
✅ Correct Answer: Ulnar surface of the hand
Rationale: The ulnar surface (the side of the hand from the pinky to the wrist) or
the palmar surface of the fingers is most sensitive to vibrations, such as fremitus
or thrills.
Competence, Physical Exam Techniques, Geriatrics & Prevention –
Q&A with Rationales
1. Which of the following will best facilitate the interview when obtaining a
history for a deaf patient who can read lips?
✅ Correct Answer: Speaking slowly
Rationale: Speaking slowly and clearly allows the patient to read lips effectively.
Shouting distorts lip movements, and exaggerating words is patronizing. Speaking
normally but slightly slower is most effective.
2. During a history, the patient indicates he has an uncle and a brother with
sickle cell disease. Which is an appropriate method to document this
information?
✅ Correct Answer: Include it in the family history
Rationale: Family history documents genetic and familial conditions affecting the
patient and blood relatives. Sickle cell disease is hereditary, so this belongs in the
family history section, not past medical history or review of systems.
,3. Which approach is recommended at the onset of an interview?
✅ Correct Answer: Use an open-ended approach; let the patient explain
the problem
Rationale: Open-ended questions (e.g., "Tell me why you are here today") allow
the patient to express their concerns without leading them. This builds rapport
and yields more accurate information than closed-ended or directive questions.
4. Which question may lead to an inaccurate patient response?
✅ Correct Answer: "That was a horrible experience, wasn't it?"
Rationale: This is a leading question that suggests a desired answer. Patients may
agree even if they don't truly feel that way, leading to inaccurate information.
5. Repeating a patient's answer is an attempt to:
✅ Correct Answer: Confirm an accurate understanding
Rationale: Repeating (reflecting) allows the patient to confirm or correct what the
interviewer heard, reducing miscommunication and showing active listening.
,6. During an interview, your patient admits to feeling worthless and having a
sleep disturbance for the past 3 weeks. These are clues that warrant exploration
of:
✅ Correct Answer: Risk for suicide
Rationale: Feelings of worthlessness and sleep disturbances are significant risk
factors for depression and suicidal ideation, requiring immediate assessment of
suicidal thoughts or plans.
7. When questioning a patient regarding a sensitive issue, such as drug use, it is
best to:
✅ Correct Answer: Be direct, firm, and to the point
Rationale: A direct, matter-of-fact approach normalizes the question and reduces
the patient's anxiety or defensiveness. Hesitation or indirectness can signal
discomfort to the patient.
8. Which of the following questions regarding sexual activity would most likely
hamper trust between a 26-year-old homosexual man and the interviewer?
✅ Correct Answer: "Are you married or do you have a girlfriend?"
, Rationale: This question assumes heterosexuality and excludes the possibility of a
same-sex partner. It can alienate the patient and damage rapport. A neutral
question like "Are you in a relationship?" is better.
9. Which technique is applied throughout the entire examination and interview
process?
✅ Correct Answer: Inspection
Rationale: Inspection is the act of observation and begins the moment you meet
the patient, continuing throughout the interaction. It requires no equipment and
is always ongoing.
10. As a component of palpation, which surface is most sensitive to vibration?
✅ Correct Answer: Ulnar surface of the hand
Rationale: The ulnar surface (the side of the hand from the pinky to the wrist) or
the palmar surface of the fingers is most sensitive to vibrations, such as fremitus
or thrills.
