Difficulty: Medium
Average Score: 69%
Simulated
A client arrives to the clinic describing concerns to the nurse about mood swings, insomnia, and a lack of focus. Which information should the nurse obtain first?
Correct answer
C
Rationale
The onset of symptoms is a fundamental component of the health history that helps determine the acuity, potential causes, and urgency of the condition. Knowing when symptoms started provides a timeline for further assessment and helps differentiate between acute and chronic issues. Aggravating factors, coping methods, and life changes are important but are secondary to establishing the timeline of the presenting problem.