Health K–12 K to 12 

Test Format and Sample Questions

The Health K–12 K to 12  subject area test consists of approximately 80 multiple-choice questions. You will have two and one-half hours to complete the test.

Each question will contain four response options, and you will record your selection by marking A, B, C, or D.

The table below presents types of questions on the exam and directs you to examples of these formats among the sample items that follow.

Table of Question Formats

Type of Question	Sample Question
Direct Question Choose the response option that best answers the question.	Question 1
Sentence Completion Select the response option that best completes the sentence.	Question 2
Scenario Examine a situation, problem, or case study. Then answer a question, make a diagnosis, or recommend a course of action by selecting the best response option.	Question 4
Command Select the best response option.	Question 18

Sample Questions

The following questions represent both the form and content of questions on the examination. These questions will acquaint you with the general format of the examination; however, these sample questions do not cover all of the competencies and skills that are tested and will only approximate the degree of examination difficulty.

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Competency 1—Knowledge of the foundation, theories, and principles of health education

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

An educational program about the dangers of smoking provided by a local county public health unit focuses mainly on which stage of the prevention continuum?

Choose an answer

1. primary
2. secondary
3. tertiary
4. complementary

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: A.

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Competency 2—Knowledge of health education standards and health literacy

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

An effective health education curriculum

Choose an answer

1. provides functional health knowledge that directly contributes to health-promoting behaviors.
2. predicts how individuals of various genders, ages and grade levels will react to health advice.
3. focuses primarily on clinical feedback outlining areas of a specific health need within a particular age group.
4. ensures individuals will apply accurate health knowledge and engage in physical activity.

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: A.

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Competency 2—Knowledge of health education standards and health literacy

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

Which of the following is a strand of the Health K–12 K to 12  Next Generation Sunshine State Standards?

Choose an answer

1. Health Literacy: Prevention
2. Health Literacy: Advocacy
3. Health Literacy: Concepts
4. Health Literacy: Decision Making

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: C.

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Competency 3—Knowledge of health education instructional practices

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

A school curriculum specialist has requested input in planning for the inclusion of Comprehensive School Health Education at the school. The best resources to use would include

Choose an answer

1. Florida’s state standards for health education and the school’s data from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Healthy School Index.
2. Culturally diverse curricula written by a local author that is developmentally- and age-appropriate.
3. National Health Education Standards and district textbook information.
4. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child model and statewide assessment data for the school.

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: A.

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Competency 3—Knowledge of health education instructional practices

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

Which of the following activities involves three to five class members sharing the results of their investigation on a health education topic before an audience?

Choose an answer

1. group lecture
2. group discussion
3. taped speech
4. panel discussion

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: D.

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Competency 3—Knowledge of health education instructional practices

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

The HECAT was designed to

Choose an answer

1. determine the severity of teen drug use.
2. plan health education in high schools.
3. improve health education curricula.
4. evaluate the effectiveness of health education teachers in the classroom.

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: C.

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Competency 4—Knowledge of personal health behaviors and wellness

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

A goal-setting strategy that an individual can use is a personal inventory, which will help

Choose an answer

1. define background.
2. determine experiences.
3. evaluate outcomes.
4. develop self-awareness.

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: D.

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Competency 4—Knowledge of personal health behaviors and wellness

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

Refusal skills are part of good decision making. Which of the following rules would best teach students to develop good refusal skills?

Choose an answer

1. Avoid assertive behavior so others are not aware of your thoughts.
2. Participate in harmful situations to practice refusal skills.
3. Verbally communicate disgust in the advances of another person.
4. Use body language which indicates sincerity and respect.

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: D.

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Competency 5—Knowledge of human anatomy and physiology

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

Which organ's primary function is the excretion of liquid wastes?

Choose an answer

1. kidneys
2. lungs
3. skin
4. small intestine

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: A.

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Competency 5—Knowledge of human anatomy and physiology

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

A person who engages in vigorous physical activity would have an increase in

Choose an answer

1. low density lipoproteins.
2. coronary thrombosis.
3. high density lipoproteins.
4. resting heart rate.

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: C.

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Competency 6—Knowledge of pathology and prevention of human diseases and disorders

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

Type II Herpes is a viral infection associated with

Choose an answer

1. pink to red cauliflower-shaped growths.
2. clusters of tiny blisters around the genitals.
3. white pus-like discharge and pain during intercourse.
4. burning sensation during urination.

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: B.

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Competency 6—Knowledge of pathology and prevention of human diseases and disorders

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

An appropriate assessment to measure a student's flexibility of the lower back and backs of thighs is a

Choose an answer

1. bent-knee sit-up.
2. curl-up.
3. pull-up.
4. sit-and-reach.

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: D.

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Competency 7—Knowledge of interpersonal health

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

A group of close relatives living together or near each other is called a(an)

Choose an answer

1. blended family.
2. extended family.
3. foster family.
4. nuclear family.

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: B.

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Competency 7—Knowledge of interpersonal health

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

The “I” message emphasizes

Choose an answer

1. identifying emotions that resulted for the speaker.
2. acknowledging a person for making a comment.
3. putting down a person for what was said.
4. criticizing a person for what was done.

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: A.

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Competency 8—Knowledge of sexual health

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

On average, the ovulation phase of the menstrual cycle occurs every

Choose an answer

1. 3–5 3 to 5  days.
2. 7–10 7 to 10  days.
3. 14–15 14 to 15  days.
4. 28–30 28 to 30  days.

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: D.

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Competency 9—Knowledge of nutrition and physical fitness

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

Vitamin K is essential for

Choose an answer

1. clotting of the blood.
2. formation of bone.
3. promoting mineral absorption.
4. maintenance of skin tissue.

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: A.

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Competency 9—Knowledge of nutrition and physical fitness

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

According to the following table, what additional calories burned will enable a person to lose 1 pound?

Physical Activity	Calories Burned per Hour
Aerobics	500
Bicycling	590
Dancing	330
Walking	460

Choose an answer

1. 1 hour of dancing every day for 1 week
2. 1/2 hour of walking every day for 1 week
3. 1 hour of aerobics every day for 1 week
4. 1/2 hour of bicycling every day for 1 week

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: C.

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Competency 10—Knowledge of mental and emotional health

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

Identify an effective stress management technique for an individual who is experiencing insomnia.

Choose an answer

1. begin an exercise program
2. stress inoculation
3. progressive relaxation
4. guided imagery

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: C.

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Competency 11—Knowledge of substance use, abuse, and dependency and addictive behaviors

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

An adolescent is displaying a consistent depressive mood and significant susceptibility to stress. These behaviors are

Choose an answer

1. results of hormonal changes associated with puberty.
2. feelings that are normal and expected for adolescents.
3. personal risk factors associated with substance abuse.
4. risk factors associated with participation in a deviant subculture.

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: C.

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Competency 11—Knowledge of substance use, abuse, and dependency and addictive behaviors

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

In Florida, it is illegal to sell tobacco to anyone under the age of

Choose an answer

1. 15.
2. 16.
3. 18.
4. 21.

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: C.

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Competency 11—Knowledge of substance use, abuse, and dependency and addictive behaviors

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

According to government review of substance use prevention programs, which of the following singular approaches is  start uppercase LEAST end uppercase  effective in preventing substance abuse?

Choose an answer

1. awareness education
2. life-skills training
3. self-esteem development
4. value clarification

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: A.

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Competency 12—Knowledge of violence prevention and intervention

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

Which of the following is a risk factor that increases the likelihood that a youth will become a perpetrator of violence?

Choose an answer

1. avoiding negative peer pressure
2. belonging to a social clique
3. exposure to violent media
4. low school connectedness

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: D.

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Competency 12—Knowledge of violence prevention and intervention

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

In a violence prevention program, a partnership should be established between the school, home, and

Choose an answer

1. county.
2. district.
3. community.
4. state.

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: C.

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Competency 13—Knowledge of consumer health-related practices and media literacy

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

Which organization provides technical assistance to community organizations that identify resources to support local education, including coordinated school health programs?

Choose an answer

1. State Board of Education
2. National Coalition for Parent Involvement in Education
3. National Parent Teacher Association
4. Public Education Network

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: D.

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Competency 14—Knowledge of community health

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

Which action below would be  start uppercase LEAST end uppercase  effective in decreasing the prevalence of alcoholism and drug abuse within a community?

Choose an answer

1. increasing taxes on tobacco products and alcoholic beverages
2. developing zoning ordinances that limit the number of bars within a neighborhood
3. increasing the amount of law enforcement officers near schools
4. offering drug prevention programs aimed at parents and students

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: C.

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Competency 15—Knowledge of environmental health

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

The process of using naturally occurring soil bacteria to break down plant remains into humus is known as

Choose an answer

1. composting
2. conserving
3. mulching
4. reducing

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: A.

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Competency 16—Knowledge of unintentional injury and safety practices

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

Which of the following is considered the greatest risk factor for injuries among children?

Choose an answer

1. accident proneness
2. parental supervision
3. living in poverty
4. lack of education

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: C.

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Competency 16—Knowledge of unintentional injury and safety practices

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

Which of the following is considered the greatest risk factor for injuries among children?

Choose an answer

1. accident proneness
2. parental supervision
3. living in poverty
4. lack of education

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: C.

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