Fundamentals of Nursing, 2nd Edition – Active Learning for
Collaborative Practice by Yoost & Crawford
Chapter 20: Health History and Physical Assessment
Multiple Choice Questions
1. A nurse is conducting a physical assessment in a clinic with a partly undressed
patient. What action by the nurse is most appropriate?
A. Offer the patient a small pillow for under his/her head.
B. Provide a method for ensuring the patient stays warm.
C. Raise the head of the bed to about 30 degrees.
D. Ensure there is enough lighting for an adequate examination.
Answer: B
Explanation: Keeping the patient warm is critical when partially undressed to maintain comfort
and dignity during the exam.
Why Other Options Are Wrong: A, C, and D are general exam practices but not specific to a
partly undressed patient.
2. A patient wishes to review his medical record. What response by the nurse is best?
A. "I'm sorry, we don't allow you to look at your chart."
B. "Let me check to see if we can allow you to do that."
C. "Yes, I can sit with you while you look at it, so you can ask questions."
D. "Yes, all patients can review their charts at any time they wish."
Answer: C
Explanation: Patients have a right to access their records, and a nurse's presence ensures proper
interpretation of information.
Why Other Options Are Wrong: A violates patient rights. B delays unnecessarily. D
oversimplifies without offering support.
3. A clinic nurse examining an older, confused patient realizes needed equipment was
left outside. What action by the nurse is best?
A. Tell the patient to lie still and go get the equipment.
B. Call for another staff member to bring the equipment.
C. Have the patient get into a chair and get the equipment.
D. Finish the rest of the exam, get the equipment, and use it.
, Answer: B
Explanation: Confused patients should never be left unattended on an exam table due to fall
risks.
Why Other Options Are Wrong: A and C compromise safety. D is inefficient and may require
repositioning.
4. A student nurse prepares to auscultate a patient's lungs. What action by the student
leads the instructor to intervene?
A. Student asks to turn the television volume down.
B. Student warms the bell of the stethoscope before use.
C. Student uses the stethoscope bell to listen to bowel sounds.
D. Student places the stethoscope diaphragm on the patient's skin.
Answer: C
Explanation: The diaphragm (not bell) is used for bowel sounds; the bell is for low-pitched
sounds like heart murmurs.
Why Other Options Are Wrong: A, B, and D are appropriate techniques.
5. The nurse is assessing a patient's alcohol intake. What question is most appropriate?
A. "Do you drink alcohol at all?"
B. "You don't drink much, do you?"
C. "When was your last drink?"
D. "How much alcohol do you drink daily?"
Answer: D
Explanation: An open-ended, nonjudgmental question quantifies intake and encourages honest
disclosure.
Why Other Options Are Wrong: A is closed-ended. B is biased. C doesn't assess quantity.
6. The nurse is planning skin cancer education. Which patient is the priority?
A. Adolescent who uses a tanning bed.
B. Middle-aged adult who walks for fitness.
C. Older woman who sits in the sun for 10 minutes daily.
D. Person who works indoors under fluorescent lights.
Answer: A
Collaborative Practice by Yoost & Crawford
Chapter 20: Health History and Physical Assessment
Multiple Choice Questions
1. A nurse is conducting a physical assessment in a clinic with a partly undressed
patient. What action by the nurse is most appropriate?
A. Offer the patient a small pillow for under his/her head.
B. Provide a method for ensuring the patient stays warm.
C. Raise the head of the bed to about 30 degrees.
D. Ensure there is enough lighting for an adequate examination.
Answer: B
Explanation: Keeping the patient warm is critical when partially undressed to maintain comfort
and dignity during the exam.
Why Other Options Are Wrong: A, C, and D are general exam practices but not specific to a
partly undressed patient.
2. A patient wishes to review his medical record. What response by the nurse is best?
A. "I'm sorry, we don't allow you to look at your chart."
B. "Let me check to see if we can allow you to do that."
C. "Yes, I can sit with you while you look at it, so you can ask questions."
D. "Yes, all patients can review their charts at any time they wish."
Answer: C
Explanation: Patients have a right to access their records, and a nurse's presence ensures proper
interpretation of information.
Why Other Options Are Wrong: A violates patient rights. B delays unnecessarily. D
oversimplifies without offering support.
3. A clinic nurse examining an older, confused patient realizes needed equipment was
left outside. What action by the nurse is best?
A. Tell the patient to lie still and go get the equipment.
B. Call for another staff member to bring the equipment.
C. Have the patient get into a chair and get the equipment.
D. Finish the rest of the exam, get the equipment, and use it.
, Answer: B
Explanation: Confused patients should never be left unattended on an exam table due to fall
risks.
Why Other Options Are Wrong: A and C compromise safety. D is inefficient and may require
repositioning.
4. A student nurse prepares to auscultate a patient's lungs. What action by the student
leads the instructor to intervene?
A. Student asks to turn the television volume down.
B. Student warms the bell of the stethoscope before use.
C. Student uses the stethoscope bell to listen to bowel sounds.
D. Student places the stethoscope diaphragm on the patient's skin.
Answer: C
Explanation: The diaphragm (not bell) is used for bowel sounds; the bell is for low-pitched
sounds like heart murmurs.
Why Other Options Are Wrong: A, B, and D are appropriate techniques.
5. The nurse is assessing a patient's alcohol intake. What question is most appropriate?
A. "Do you drink alcohol at all?"
B. "You don't drink much, do you?"
C. "When was your last drink?"
D. "How much alcohol do you drink daily?"
Answer: D
Explanation: An open-ended, nonjudgmental question quantifies intake and encourages honest
disclosure.
Why Other Options Are Wrong: A is closed-ended. B is biased. C doesn't assess quantity.
6. The nurse is planning skin cancer education. Which patient is the priority?
A. Adolescent who uses a tanning bed.
B. Middle-aged adult who walks for fitness.
C. Older woman who sits in the sun for 10 minutes daily.
D. Person who works indoors under fluorescent lights.
Answer: A
