DS-230 specific question : denied entry?

[melimax 1]

I have a question about the DS-230 (part 1).

For the following question:

42. Have you ever been refused entry into the US at a port of entry? If yes, explain.

Last year when I (a US citizen) was living in Canada with my French fiancé, we needed to go to the US/Canadian border to extend my work permit in my passport (to be able to work in Canada for another few months). We didn't need to enter the US to do this, we just needed to "leave Canada" in order to immediately "enter" in order to renew at the Canadian border. (we just turned around at the border)

At the border, they stamped my passport that showed that I exited Canada. But for my fiancé, they just denied his entry in order to make my work permit extension process faster than him having to go inside and get his fingerprints and stuff done. Because, remember, we weren't staying in the US... just turning around at the border.

So my question is whether or not this situation would be considered a "denial of entry" into the US...? I don't even know if this is on his record??. How should we deal with this in the future and for the DS-230 form?

Thanks in advance!