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Chapter 04: The Complete Health History(FREE)
Chapter 04: The Complete Health History
Jarvis: Physical Examination & Health Assessment, 7th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. The nurse is preparing to conduct a health history. Which of these statements
best describes the purpose of a health history?
a. To provide an opportunity for interaction between the patient and the nurse
b. To provide a form for obtaining the patient’s biographic information
c. To document the normal and abnormal findings of a physical assessment
d. To provide a database of subjective information about the patient’s past
and current health
,ANS: D
The purpose of the health history is to collect subjective data—what the person
says about him or herself. The other options are not correct.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understanding (Comprehension) REF: p. 49
MSC: Client Needs: Safe and Effective Care Environment: Management of Care
2. When the nurse is evaluating the reliability of a patient’s responses, which of
these statements would be correct? The patient:
a. Has a history of drug abuse and therefore is not reliable.
b. Provided consistent information and therefore is reliable.
c. Smiled throughout interview and therefore is assumed reliable.
d. Would not answer questions concerning stress and therefore is not reliable.
ANS: B
A reliable person always gives the same answers, even when questions are
rephrased or are repeated later in the interview. The other statements are not
correct.
,DIF: Cognitive Level: Applying (Application) REF: p. 49
MSC: Client Needs: Safe and Effective Care Environment: Management of Care
3. A 59-year-old patient tells the nurse that he has ulcerative colitis. He has
been having “black stools” for the last 24 hours. How would the nurse best
document his reason for seeking care?
a. J.M. is a 59-year-old man seeking treatment for ulcerative colitis.
b. J.M. came into the clinic complaining of having black stools for the past
24 hours.
c. J.M. is a 59-year-old man who states that he has ulcerative colitis and
wants it checked.
d. J.M. is a 59-year-old man who states that he has been having “black
stools” for the past 24 hours.
ANS: D
The reason for seeking care is a brief spontaneous statement in the person’s
own words that describes the reason for the visit. It states one (possibly two)
signs or symptoms and their duration. It is enclosed in quotation marks to
indicate the person’s exact words.
, DIF: Cognitive Level: Applying (Application) REF: p. 50
MSC: Client Needs: Safe and Effective Care Environment: Management of Care
4. A patient tells the nurse that she has had abdominal pain for the past week.
What would be the nurse’s best response?
a. “Can you point to where it hurts?”
b. “We’ll talk more about that later in the interview.”
c. “What have you had to eat in the last 24 hours?”
d. “Have you ever had any surgeries on your abdomen?”
ANS: A
A final summary of any symptom the person has should include, along with
seven other critical characteristics, “Location: specific.” The person is asked to
point to the location.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Applying (Application) REF: p. 50
MSC: Client Needs: Safe and Effective Care Environment: Management of Care
One Account Get all Test Banks
Chapter 04: The Complete Health History(FREE)
Chapter 04: The Complete Health History
Jarvis: Physical Examination & Health Assessment, 7th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. The nurse is preparing to conduct a health history. Which of these statements
best describes the purpose of a health history?
a. To provide an opportunity for interaction between the patient and the nurse
b. To provide a form for obtaining the patient’s biographic information
c. To document the normal and abnormal findings of a physical assessment
d. To provide a database of subjective information about the patient’s past
and current health
,ANS: D
The purpose of the health history is to collect subjective data—what the person
says about him or herself. The other options are not correct.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understanding (Comprehension) REF: p. 49
MSC: Client Needs: Safe and Effective Care Environment: Management of Care
2. When the nurse is evaluating the reliability of a patient’s responses, which of
these statements would be correct? The patient:
a. Has a history of drug abuse and therefore is not reliable.
b. Provided consistent information and therefore is reliable.
c. Smiled throughout interview and therefore is assumed reliable.
d. Would not answer questions concerning stress and therefore is not reliable.
ANS: B
A reliable person always gives the same answers, even when questions are
rephrased or are repeated later in the interview. The other statements are not
correct.
,DIF: Cognitive Level: Applying (Application) REF: p. 49
MSC: Client Needs: Safe and Effective Care Environment: Management of Care
3. A 59-year-old patient tells the nurse that he has ulcerative colitis. He has
been having “black stools” for the last 24 hours. How would the nurse best
document his reason for seeking care?
a. J.M. is a 59-year-old man seeking treatment for ulcerative colitis.
b. J.M. came into the clinic complaining of having black stools for the past
24 hours.
c. J.M. is a 59-year-old man who states that he has ulcerative colitis and
wants it checked.
d. J.M. is a 59-year-old man who states that he has been having “black
stools” for the past 24 hours.
ANS: D
The reason for seeking care is a brief spontaneous statement in the person’s
own words that describes the reason for the visit. It states one (possibly two)
signs or symptoms and their duration. It is enclosed in quotation marks to
indicate the person’s exact words.
, DIF: Cognitive Level: Applying (Application) REF: p. 50
MSC: Client Needs: Safe and Effective Care Environment: Management of Care
4. A patient tells the nurse that she has had abdominal pain for the past week.
What would be the nurse’s best response?
a. “Can you point to where it hurts?”
b. “We’ll talk more about that later in the interview.”
c. “What have you had to eat in the last 24 hours?”
d. “Have you ever had any surgeries on your abdomen?”
ANS: A
A final summary of any symptom the person has should include, along with
seven other critical characteristics, “Location: specific.” The person is asked to
point to the location.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Applying (Application) REF: p. 50
MSC: Client Needs: Safe and Effective Care Environment: Management of Care
