Galen NSG 3160 Exam 3 – Health Assessment – (2026) Actual
Questions & Answers — 200 Questions
Section 1: Health History and Interview Techniques (Questions 1-20)
1 A nurse is conducting a health history interview with a patient who has a history of intimate partner violence.
Which interviewing technique best aligns with trauma-informed care principles?
A) Asking direct questions about the abuse early in the interview to establish transparency.
B) Using open-ended questions and allowing the patient to control the pace of disclosure.
C) Providing reassurance that the abuse was not their fault and that they must leave the relationship.
D) Focusing solely on the physical health concerns to avoid re-traumatization.
Answer: B
Rationale: Trauma-informed care emphasizes patient control, safety, and trust. Option B allows the patient to
disclose at their own pace, reducing retraumatization. Option A may be too direct and cause distress; option C
imposes the nurse's agenda; option D neglects psychosocial aspects.
2 During a health history interview, a patient provides vague answers and avoids eye contact. Which response by
the nurse demonstrates the therapeutic communication technique of 'exploring'?
A) You seem uncomfortable. Would you like to reschedule?
B) Tell me more about what you mean by 'not feeling right.'
C) I understand. Let's move on to the next question.
D) Many patients feel nervous. It's okay to be honest.
Answer: B
Rationale: Exploring encourages the patient to elaborate on vague statements, gathering more specific data. Option
A is supportive but does not explore; option C avoids the issue; option D is reassuring but not exploratory.
3 A nurse is interviewing a patient who uses a wheelchair and has a speech impairment. Which action best
demonstrates culturally competent and patient-centered communication?
A) Kneeling to maintain eye level and speaking slowly with simple words.
B) Speaking directly to the patient's companion to ensure accuracy.
C) Standing to maintain authority and using a louder voice.
D) Positioning a chair to sit at eye level and asking one question at a time.
Answer: D
Rationale: Sitting at eye level respects the patient's dignity and facilitates communication. Asking one question at a
time accommodates speech impairment. Option A (kneeling) may be patronizing; option B excludes the patient;
option C is authoritarian and inappropriate.
4 A nurse suspects a patient is experiencing health literacy barriers when the patient says, 'I don't need to know all
that medical stuff, just tell me what to do.' Which response is most appropriate to assess health literacy?
A) I'll explain everything in simple terms. Do you have any questions?
B) How confident are you filling out medical forms by yourself?
C) Let me give you a pamphlet to read at home.
D) It's important to understand your condition. Let me repeat the key points.
Answer: B
Rationale: The validated single-item health literacy screening question ('How confident are you filling out medical
,forms?') effectively identifies those at risk. Option A assumes understanding; option C relies on written materials;
option D does not assess comprehension.
5 In a motivational interviewing session to address smoking cessation, the patient states, 'I know I should quit, but
I just can't seem to do it.' Which nurse response reflects 'rolling with resistance'?
A) Quitting is hard, but you have to try harder for your health.
B) So you feel stuck. What would need to change for you to consider quitting?
C) Let's set a quit date for next week. I'll help you plan.
D) You can do it! Many people succeed after several attempts.
Answer: B
Rationale: Rolling with resistance avoids confrontation and invites the patient to explore ambivalence. Option B
acknowledges the patient's feeling and opens dialogue. Option A is directive; option C jumps to action; option D is
encouraging but not reflective.
6 A nurse is using the BATHE technique during a health history. After the patient describes feeling overwhelmed,
which question completes the 'E' (Empathy) step?
A) What is the worst part of feeling overwhelmed?
B) That sounds very difficult. How are you coping?
C) It must be hard to manage all that. I can see why you'd feel overwhelmed.
D) Have you thought about seeing a counselor?
Answer: C
Rationale: The BATHE technique: Background, Affect, Trouble, Handling, Empathy. 'E' requires a statement that
validates the patient's feelings. Option C expresses empathy. Option A is 'Trouble'; option B is 'Handling'; option D
is advice, not empathy.
7 A nurse is interviewing a patient with limited English proficiency using a professional interpreter. Which action
by the nurse ensures accurate communication and ethical practice?
A) Maintaining eye contact with the interpreter to show respect.
B) Asking the interpreter to summarize the patient's responses.
C) Speaking directly to the patient and pausing for interpretation.
D) Using family members who are present to help interpret.
Answer: C
Rationale: Best practice is to speak directly to the patient, not the interpreter, and allow time for interpretation. Eye
contact should be with the patient (A). Summarizing (B) risks omission; family members (D) may introduce bias or
breach confidentiality.
8 A nurse is conducting a sexual health history. Which approach best reduces patient discomfort and encourages
honest disclosure?
A) Using closed-ended questions to limit discussion of sensitive details.
B) Normalizing the questions with a preface like, 'I ask all my patients about...'
C) Waiting for the patient to raise sexual health concerns spontaneously.
D) Asking questions in a rapid, matter-of-fact tone to minimize awkwardness.
Answer: B
Rationale: Normalizing statements reduce stigma and convey that sexual health is a routine part of care. Option A
may inhibit disclosure; option C misses opportunities; option D may come across as dismissive.
,9 During an interview, a patient becomes tearful when discussing a recent loss. The nurse says, 'I can see this is
upsetting. Would you like to take a moment?' This response is an example of which therapeutic communication
technique?
A) Confrontation
B) Restating
C) Offering self
D) Silence
Answer: C
Rationale: Offering self involves making oneself available and acknowledging the patient's emotional state. The
nurse offers a pause, showing presence. Confrontation (A) would challenge; restating (B) repeats content; silence
(D) is not verbalized.
10 A nurse is using the mnemonic 'OLD CARTS' to explore a patient's chief complaint of chest pain. Which
component of OLD CARTS is addressed by the question, 'What were you doing when the pain started?'
A) Onset
B) Provoking factors
C) Quality
D) Timing
Answer: A
Rationale: OLD CARTS: Onset, Location, Duration, Characteristics, Aggravating/Alleviating factors, Radiation,
Timing, Severity. 'Onset' includes what the patient was doing when symptoms began. 'Provoking factors' (B) refers
to what makes it worse; 'Timing' (D) relates to pattern over time.
11 A clinician is conducting a health history with a patient who reports chronic, non-specific symptoms. The
patient frequently uses vague terms such as 'not feeling right' and 'just off'. Which interviewing technique is
most effective to clarify the patient's chief complaint without introducing bias?
A) Asking 'Do you mean you feel tired or weak?' to narrow down possibilities
B) Using open-ended questions like 'Tell me more about what you mean by not feeling right'
C) Offering a list of common symptoms for the patient to choose from
D) Repeating the patient's exact words back with a questioning tone
Answer: B
Rationale: Open-ended questions encourage the patient to elaborate in their own words, reducing clinician bias.
Option A is leading and may limit responses; option C introduces suggestion bias; option D (echoing) can be useful
but does not actively elicit expansion.
12 During a health history interview, a patient becomes visibly distressed when asked about family medical
history. The patient states, 'I don't want to talk about that.' Which response best demonstrates therapeutic
communication while respecting the patient's autonomy?
A) Explain that family history is essential for risk assessment and continue with gentle probing
B) Acknowledge the patient's discomfort and offer to return to the topic later
C) Redirect to a less sensitive topic and omit family history entirely
D) Reassure the patient that the information will remain confidential and proceed with questions
Answer: B
Rationale: Acknowledging distress and deferring the topic respects patient autonomy and maintains rapport. Option
A disregards the emotional cue; option C may omit critical data; option D, while true, does not address the
immediate distress.
, 13 A clinician is using the mnemonic OLD CARTS to assess a patient's symptom of chest pain. Which component
of OLD CARTS specifically addresses the patient's perception of the symptom's meaning?
A) Associated factors
B) Timing
C) Severity
D) Understanding/Impact on patient
Answer: D
Rationale: The 'U' in OLD CARTS (or sometimes added as a separate 'P' for patient's perception) stands for
Understanding, which explores what the patient thinks the symptom means. Options A, B, and C are other
dimensions of symptom analysis.
14 A patient with limited English proficiency presents for a health history. A professional interpreter is not
available, and the patient's family member offers to translate. What is the most appropriate action?
A) Proceed with the family member as interpreter to avoid delay
B) Use a certified medical interpreter via telephone or video service
C) Use gestures and simple English phrases to communicate
D) Postpone the interview until a professional interpreter can be present
Answer: B
Rationale: Using a remote professional interpreter ensures accurate communication and confidentiality, and is often
available immediately. Option A risks misinterpretation and breaches of privacy; option C is inadequate for a
comprehensive history; option D may delay care unnecessarily.
15 A clinician is taking a health history from a patient who appears anxious and gives short, hesitant answers.
Which technique is most likely to reduce anxiety and encourage fuller disclosure?
A) Maintaining direct eye contact and a serious facial expression
B) Asking rapid-fire questions to cover all topics quickly
C) Sitting at eye level and using a relaxed, open posture
D) Offering reassurance by saying 'Don't worry, everything will be fine'
Answer: C
Rationale: Nonverbal behaviors such as sitting at eye level and open posture reduce power differential and anxiety.
Option A may increase discomfort; option B can overwhelm; option D is false reassurance that may invalidate the
patient's feelings.
16 A patient reports intermittent episodes of dizziness. Using the PQRSTU mnemonic, which question best
addresses the 'Quality' of the symptom?
A) When did the dizziness first start?
B) Can you describe what the dizziness feels like?
C) What makes the dizziness better or worse?
D) How severe is the dizziness on a scale of 0 to 10?
Answer: B
Rationale: Quality refers to the character of the symptom (e.g., spinning, lightheaded). Option A is timing; option C
is aggravating/relieving factors; option D is severity.
17 A clinician is completing a health history for a patient with a complex medical history. The patient provides
extensive details about past hospitalizations but becomes repetitive. Which technique should the clinician use
to maintain efficiency while ensuring completeness?
A) Interrupt the patient and redirect to the next topic
Questions & Answers — 200 Questions
Section 1: Health History and Interview Techniques (Questions 1-20)
1 A nurse is conducting a health history interview with a patient who has a history of intimate partner violence.
Which interviewing technique best aligns with trauma-informed care principles?
A) Asking direct questions about the abuse early in the interview to establish transparency.
B) Using open-ended questions and allowing the patient to control the pace of disclosure.
C) Providing reassurance that the abuse was not their fault and that they must leave the relationship.
D) Focusing solely on the physical health concerns to avoid re-traumatization.
Answer: B
Rationale: Trauma-informed care emphasizes patient control, safety, and trust. Option B allows the patient to
disclose at their own pace, reducing retraumatization. Option A may be too direct and cause distress; option C
imposes the nurse's agenda; option D neglects psychosocial aspects.
2 During a health history interview, a patient provides vague answers and avoids eye contact. Which response by
the nurse demonstrates the therapeutic communication technique of 'exploring'?
A) You seem uncomfortable. Would you like to reschedule?
B) Tell me more about what you mean by 'not feeling right.'
C) I understand. Let's move on to the next question.
D) Many patients feel nervous. It's okay to be honest.
Answer: B
Rationale: Exploring encourages the patient to elaborate on vague statements, gathering more specific data. Option
A is supportive but does not explore; option C avoids the issue; option D is reassuring but not exploratory.
3 A nurse is interviewing a patient who uses a wheelchair and has a speech impairment. Which action best
demonstrates culturally competent and patient-centered communication?
A) Kneeling to maintain eye level and speaking slowly with simple words.
B) Speaking directly to the patient's companion to ensure accuracy.
C) Standing to maintain authority and using a louder voice.
D) Positioning a chair to sit at eye level and asking one question at a time.
Answer: D
Rationale: Sitting at eye level respects the patient's dignity and facilitates communication. Asking one question at a
time accommodates speech impairment. Option A (kneeling) may be patronizing; option B excludes the patient;
option C is authoritarian and inappropriate.
4 A nurse suspects a patient is experiencing health literacy barriers when the patient says, 'I don't need to know all
that medical stuff, just tell me what to do.' Which response is most appropriate to assess health literacy?
A) I'll explain everything in simple terms. Do you have any questions?
B) How confident are you filling out medical forms by yourself?
C) Let me give you a pamphlet to read at home.
D) It's important to understand your condition. Let me repeat the key points.
Answer: B
Rationale: The validated single-item health literacy screening question ('How confident are you filling out medical
,forms?') effectively identifies those at risk. Option A assumes understanding; option C relies on written materials;
option D does not assess comprehension.
5 In a motivational interviewing session to address smoking cessation, the patient states, 'I know I should quit, but
I just can't seem to do it.' Which nurse response reflects 'rolling with resistance'?
A) Quitting is hard, but you have to try harder for your health.
B) So you feel stuck. What would need to change for you to consider quitting?
C) Let's set a quit date for next week. I'll help you plan.
D) You can do it! Many people succeed after several attempts.
Answer: B
Rationale: Rolling with resistance avoids confrontation and invites the patient to explore ambivalence. Option B
acknowledges the patient's feeling and opens dialogue. Option A is directive; option C jumps to action; option D is
encouraging but not reflective.
6 A nurse is using the BATHE technique during a health history. After the patient describes feeling overwhelmed,
which question completes the 'E' (Empathy) step?
A) What is the worst part of feeling overwhelmed?
B) That sounds very difficult. How are you coping?
C) It must be hard to manage all that. I can see why you'd feel overwhelmed.
D) Have you thought about seeing a counselor?
Answer: C
Rationale: The BATHE technique: Background, Affect, Trouble, Handling, Empathy. 'E' requires a statement that
validates the patient's feelings. Option C expresses empathy. Option A is 'Trouble'; option B is 'Handling'; option D
is advice, not empathy.
7 A nurse is interviewing a patient with limited English proficiency using a professional interpreter. Which action
by the nurse ensures accurate communication and ethical practice?
A) Maintaining eye contact with the interpreter to show respect.
B) Asking the interpreter to summarize the patient's responses.
C) Speaking directly to the patient and pausing for interpretation.
D) Using family members who are present to help interpret.
Answer: C
Rationale: Best practice is to speak directly to the patient, not the interpreter, and allow time for interpretation. Eye
contact should be with the patient (A). Summarizing (B) risks omission; family members (D) may introduce bias or
breach confidentiality.
8 A nurse is conducting a sexual health history. Which approach best reduces patient discomfort and encourages
honest disclosure?
A) Using closed-ended questions to limit discussion of sensitive details.
B) Normalizing the questions with a preface like, 'I ask all my patients about...'
C) Waiting for the patient to raise sexual health concerns spontaneously.
D) Asking questions in a rapid, matter-of-fact tone to minimize awkwardness.
Answer: B
Rationale: Normalizing statements reduce stigma and convey that sexual health is a routine part of care. Option A
may inhibit disclosure; option C misses opportunities; option D may come across as dismissive.
,9 During an interview, a patient becomes tearful when discussing a recent loss. The nurse says, 'I can see this is
upsetting. Would you like to take a moment?' This response is an example of which therapeutic communication
technique?
A) Confrontation
B) Restating
C) Offering self
D) Silence
Answer: C
Rationale: Offering self involves making oneself available and acknowledging the patient's emotional state. The
nurse offers a pause, showing presence. Confrontation (A) would challenge; restating (B) repeats content; silence
(D) is not verbalized.
10 A nurse is using the mnemonic 'OLD CARTS' to explore a patient's chief complaint of chest pain. Which
component of OLD CARTS is addressed by the question, 'What were you doing when the pain started?'
A) Onset
B) Provoking factors
C) Quality
D) Timing
Answer: A
Rationale: OLD CARTS: Onset, Location, Duration, Characteristics, Aggravating/Alleviating factors, Radiation,
Timing, Severity. 'Onset' includes what the patient was doing when symptoms began. 'Provoking factors' (B) refers
to what makes it worse; 'Timing' (D) relates to pattern over time.
11 A clinician is conducting a health history with a patient who reports chronic, non-specific symptoms. The
patient frequently uses vague terms such as 'not feeling right' and 'just off'. Which interviewing technique is
most effective to clarify the patient's chief complaint without introducing bias?
A) Asking 'Do you mean you feel tired or weak?' to narrow down possibilities
B) Using open-ended questions like 'Tell me more about what you mean by not feeling right'
C) Offering a list of common symptoms for the patient to choose from
D) Repeating the patient's exact words back with a questioning tone
Answer: B
Rationale: Open-ended questions encourage the patient to elaborate in their own words, reducing clinician bias.
Option A is leading and may limit responses; option C introduces suggestion bias; option D (echoing) can be useful
but does not actively elicit expansion.
12 During a health history interview, a patient becomes visibly distressed when asked about family medical
history. The patient states, 'I don't want to talk about that.' Which response best demonstrates therapeutic
communication while respecting the patient's autonomy?
A) Explain that family history is essential for risk assessment and continue with gentle probing
B) Acknowledge the patient's discomfort and offer to return to the topic later
C) Redirect to a less sensitive topic and omit family history entirely
D) Reassure the patient that the information will remain confidential and proceed with questions
Answer: B
Rationale: Acknowledging distress and deferring the topic respects patient autonomy and maintains rapport. Option
A disregards the emotional cue; option C may omit critical data; option D, while true, does not address the
immediate distress.
, 13 A clinician is using the mnemonic OLD CARTS to assess a patient's symptom of chest pain. Which component
of OLD CARTS specifically addresses the patient's perception of the symptom's meaning?
A) Associated factors
B) Timing
C) Severity
D) Understanding/Impact on patient
Answer: D
Rationale: The 'U' in OLD CARTS (or sometimes added as a separate 'P' for patient's perception) stands for
Understanding, which explores what the patient thinks the symptom means. Options A, B, and C are other
dimensions of symptom analysis.
14 A patient with limited English proficiency presents for a health history. A professional interpreter is not
available, and the patient's family member offers to translate. What is the most appropriate action?
A) Proceed with the family member as interpreter to avoid delay
B) Use a certified medical interpreter via telephone or video service
C) Use gestures and simple English phrases to communicate
D) Postpone the interview until a professional interpreter can be present
Answer: B
Rationale: Using a remote professional interpreter ensures accurate communication and confidentiality, and is often
available immediately. Option A risks misinterpretation and breaches of privacy; option C is inadequate for a
comprehensive history; option D may delay care unnecessarily.
15 A clinician is taking a health history from a patient who appears anxious and gives short, hesitant answers.
Which technique is most likely to reduce anxiety and encourage fuller disclosure?
A) Maintaining direct eye contact and a serious facial expression
B) Asking rapid-fire questions to cover all topics quickly
C) Sitting at eye level and using a relaxed, open posture
D) Offering reassurance by saying 'Don't worry, everything will be fine'
Answer: C
Rationale: Nonverbal behaviors such as sitting at eye level and open posture reduce power differential and anxiety.
Option A may increase discomfort; option B can overwhelm; option D is false reassurance that may invalidate the
patient's feelings.
16 A patient reports intermittent episodes of dizziness. Using the PQRSTU mnemonic, which question best
addresses the 'Quality' of the symptom?
A) When did the dizziness first start?
B) Can you describe what the dizziness feels like?
C) What makes the dizziness better or worse?
D) How severe is the dizziness on a scale of 0 to 10?
Answer: B
Rationale: Quality refers to the character of the symptom (e.g., spinning, lightheaded). Option A is timing; option C
is aggravating/relieving factors; option D is severity.
17 A clinician is completing a health history for a patient with a complex medical history. The patient provides
extensive details about past hospitalizations but becomes repetitive. Which technique should the clinician use
to maintain efficiency while ensuring completeness?
A) Interrupt the patient and redirect to the next topic
