CELBAN - Canadian English Language Benchmark Assessment for Nurses Patient Health History Taking Questions and Answers 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A patient tells the nurse, "I've just been feeling a bit under the weather lately." Which of the following is the nurse's most therapeutic and effective response to clarify this statement?
- It's probably just a virus; a lot of that is going around.
- Can you tell me more about what 'under the weather' feels like for you? (Correct answer)
- Have you taken your temperature?
- You should try to get more rest and drink fluids.
Correct answer: Can you tell me more about what 'under the weather' feels like for you?
The correct response is an open-ended question that encourages the patient to describe their symptoms in their own words. This is essential for gathering accurate subjective data without making assumptions, jumping to conclusions, or giving premature advice.
Question 2: When taking a patient's health history, which of the following represents subjective data?
- The patient's blood pressure reading is 145/92 mmHg.
- A rash with raised red papules is noted on the patient's forearms.
- The patient grimaces when their abdomen is palpated.
- The patient states, "I've had a sharp headache behind my eyes for two days." (Correct answer)
Correct answer: The patient states, "I've had a sharp headache behind my eyes for two days."
Subjective data is information reported by the patient from their own perspective, such as their feelings, perceptions, and symptoms. The other options are objective findings that the nurse can see, measure, or observe.
Question 3: A nurse is assessing a patient's chief complaint of ankle pain. The nurse asks, "On a scale of 0 to 10, with 10 being the worst pain imaginable, how would you rate your pain right now?" This question is designed to assess which component of the PQRSTU symptom assessment framework?
- Quality (Q)
- Provocation (P)
- Severity (S) (Correct answer)
- Timing (T)
Correct answer: Severity (S)
The 0-10 pain scale is a standard tool used to quantify the intensity or severity of a symptom, which corresponds to the 'S' (Severity) in the PQRSTU framework.
Question 4: Which of the following is the most effective initial question to ask a patient who has just arrived in the clinic with a chief complaint of "stomach pain"?
- Can you describe what the pain feels like? (Correct answer)
- Is the pain sharp or dull?
- Does eating make the pain worse?
- Have you had this pain before?
Correct answer: Can you describe what the pain feels like?
An open-ended question like "Can you describe..." allows the patient to provide a detailed, narrative response without being limited by the nurse's suggestions. This approach gathers more comprehensive information at the beginning of the assessment than closed-ended questions.
Question 5: A nurse needs to inquire about a new patient's alcohol intake as part of a comprehensive health history. What is the most professional and non-judgmental way to ask this question?
- You don't drink alcohol, do you?
- I need to know if you are a heavy drinker for your chart.
- Because some medications are affected by alcohol, it's important for me to ask about your use. Can you tell me how many alcoholic beverages you might have in a typical week? (Correct answer)
- Many people drink socially. How much alcohol would you say you drink?
Correct answer: Because some medications are affected by alcohol, it's important for me to ask about your use. Can you tell me how many alcoholic beverages you might have in a typical week?
Providing a clinical reason for asking a sensitive question (e.g., medication interactions) helps build trust and destigmatizes the topic. The question is phrased neutrally, asking for specific information ('how many...in a typical week') without using judgmental language.
Question 6: During a health history interview, a nurse asks the patient, "What do you believe might be causing your symptoms?" What is the primary purpose of this question?
- To assess the patient's insight, health beliefs, and understanding of their illness. (Correct answer)
- To evaluate the patient's level of medical knowledge.
- To quickly confirm a diagnosis before the physician arrives.
- To determine if the patient is likely to be compliant with treatment.
Correct answer: To assess the patient's insight, health beliefs, and understanding of their illness.
This question directly assesses the 'U' (Understanding) in the PQRSTU assessment framework. It helps the nurse understand the patient's perspective, their health beliefs, and any anxieties they may have about their condition, which is crucial for providing patient-centered care.
CELBAN - Canadian English Language Benchmark Assessment for Nurses Patient Health History Taking Questions and Answers 1
A patient tells the nurse, "I've just been feeling a bit under the weather lately." Which of the following is the nurse's most therapeutic and effective response to clarify this statement?