BSN 246 HESI Health Assessment Exam V1 Actual
Exam 2026/2027 Complete Exam-Style Questions with
Detailed Rationales | 100% Verified | Pass Guaranteed
– A+ Graded
Section 1: Foundations of Health Assessment & Interviewing (12
Questions)
Q1: A nurse is conducting an initial health history interview with a patient who just arrived on
the unit. Which question best demonstrates therapeutic communication and encourages the
patient to share more information?
A. "Do you have any pain today?"
B. "Tell me more about how you've been feeling lately."
C. "Your blood pressure is elevated, so you must be stressed."
D. "You don't smoke or drink alcohol, right?"
B. "Tell me more about how you've been feeling lately." [CORRECT]
Rationale: The best answer is B. Open-ended questions like this invite the patient to tell their
story in their own words, which builds rapport and often reveals the real concerns behind the
chief complaint. Yes-or-no questions shut down conversation and can make patients feel like
they're being interrogated rather than heard.
Correct Answer: B
Q2: A patient who recently immigrated from Vietnam speaks limited English. During the health
history, the patient's teenage daughter offers to translate. What is the nurse's best action?
A. Accept the daughter's offer because she knows the patient's medical history
B. Use a professional medical interpreter and explain that family members should not translate
,2
C. Ask the patient to write down their symptoms instead
D. Proceed with simple yes-or-no questions that require minimal translation
B. Use a professional medical interpreter and explain that family members should not
translate [CORRECT]
Rationale: The best answer is B. A professional interpreter ensures accurate medical terminology
and protects patient confidentiality. Family members can omit details, add their own
interpretations, or feel burdened translating sensitive information. Most facilities have phone or
video interpreter services, and taking those extra few minutes is always worth it.
Correct Answer: B
Q3: During a review of systems, the patient reports occasional headaches, mild dizziness, and
difficulty falling asleep. The nurse recognizes that the review of systems primarily serves which
purpose?
A. To document the patient's vital signs from previous visits
B. To screen for symptoms across all body systems that the patient may not have mentioned
C. To record the physical examination findings in a systematic order
D. To list the patient's current medications and allergies
B. To screen for symptoms across all body systems that the patient may not have
mentioned [CORRECT]
Rationale: The best answer is B. The review of systems is your safety net—it catches symptoms
the patient might have dismissed or forgotten to bring up when you asked about the chief
complaint. It's a quick head-to-toe symptom screen that often uncovers issues you wouldn't have
found otherwise.
Correct Answer: B
, 3
Q4: A nurse enters the room to assess a patient who appears anxious, is sitting rigidly at the edge
of the bed, and avoids eye contact. Which initial action best demonstrates cultural humility and
establishes rapport?
A. Immediately begin asking structured assessment questions to stay efficient
B. Sit at eye level, introduce yourself, and ask the patient their preferred name and pronouns
C. Tell the patient they have nothing to be nervous about and to relax
D. Proceed quickly with the examination so the patient can rest
B. Sit at eye level, introduce yourself, and ask the patient their preferred name and
pronouns [CORRECT]
Rationale: The best answer is B. Meeting the patient at eye level and asking how they want to be
addressed sends a powerful message of respect. It slows the encounter down just enough to build
trust, which almost always leads to a more accurate and complete assessment than rushing
through a checklist ever will.
Correct Answer: B
Q5: During a health history interview, a patient mentions that their mother had breast cancer at
age 45 and their father died of a myocardial infarction at 52. The nurse recognizes this
information belongs in which section of the health record?
A. Social history
B. Family history
C. Past medical history
D. Review of systems
B. Family history [CORRECT]
Rationale: The best answer is B. Family history captures the health conditions of blood relatives
and helps identify genetic predispositions that might affect your patient's risk profile. This
information is crucial for screening recommendations and early detection strategies down the
road.
Correct Answer: B