100 Practice Questions, Verified Answers & Detailed
Rationales – Actual Exam Questions, 100% Correct
Answers”
Health History and Interviewing
1. Which of the following is an example of an open-
ended question that a nurse might ask during a
patient’s health history interview?
o A. “Are you currently in any pain?”
o B. “Do you smoke cigarettes?”
o C. “Can you tell me more about the symptoms
you are experiencing?”
o D. “You haven’t had any side effects from your
medication, have you?”
Answer: C
Rationale: Open-ended questions allow patients to
elaborate on their experiences and
feelingsncbi.nlm.nih.gov. Option C invites the patient to
describe symptoms in their own words, making it open-
ended. Option A and B are closed-ended (yes/no)
questions that limit responses, and option D is a leading
,question implying an answer. Closed-ended and leading
questions do not elicit detailed information, whereas
open-ended questions (like C) facilitate gathering
subjective datancbi.nlm.nih.gov.
2. When a patient reports “I feel dizzy,” this
information is considered:
o A. Subjective data (correct)
o B. Objective data
o C. Neither subjective nor objective
o D. A diagnostic sign
Answer: A
Rationale: “I feel dizzy” is a symptom reported by the
patient, which is subjective datancbi.nlm.nih.gov. It
comes from the patient’s own experience. Objective
data, in contrast, are measured or observed findings (e.g.
a measured blood pressure or a rash seen on exam).
Thus, option A is correct because the statement is a
patient’s report. Option B is incorrect because objective
data are measurements (not patient reports). Options C
and D are incorrect categorizations of this statement.
, 3. A patient’s primary language is not English. To
ensure accurate communication during the health
history, the nurse should:
o A. Use the patient’s adult child as an interpreter
for quicker communication.
o B. Continue the interview using only simple
English words.
o C. Arrange for a professional medical interpreter
(correct).
o D. Skip complex questions since communication
is difficult.
Answer: C
Rationale: Best practice is to use a professional medical
interpreter when a patient’s primary language is not
Englishncbi.nlm.nih.gov. This ensures accuracy and
confidentiality. Option A is incorrect because family
members may misinterpret medical information and
might not translate accuratelyncbi.nlm.nih.gov. Option B
is inadequate because even “simple” English may not be
understood without a true interpretation. Option D
would result in missing important information. Thus, C is
correct per cultural competence
guidelinesncbi.nlm.nih.gov.
, 4. To conduct a culturally safe health history
interview, a nurse should:
o A. Focus only on standard medical questions and
avoid personal topics.
o B. Use open-ended questions to explore the
patient’s cultural beliefs and background
(correct).
o C. Assume all patients from the same culture
have the same beliefs.
o D. Proceed without acknowledging the patient’s
cultural context.
Answer: B
Rationale: Culturally safe interviewing involves asking
open-ended questions about the patient’s background
and beliefs, allowing them to share what is important to
themncbi.nlm.nih.gov. Option B reflects this approach
(e.g. “Can you share any cultural beliefs that affect your
healthcare?”). Options A and D ignore cultural context,
and C is stereotyping. An open approach (B) creates a
safe space for dialoguencbi.nlm.nih.gov.