BSN 246 HESI HEALTH ASSESSMENT V2 2026/2027 |
Nightingale College | GRADED A | Pass Guaranteed - A+
Graded
SECTION 1: Health History & Interview (Q1-Q12)
Q1: A nurse is conducting a comprehensive health history on a 55-year-old patient with
no acute complaints. Which question is most appropriate to include in the health
promotion section?
A. "Do you have any family history of heart disease?"
B. "When was your last colonoscopy or stool-based colorectal cancer screening?"
[CORRECT]
C. "Are you currently taking any prescription medications?"
D. "Have you ever been hospitalized for surgery?"
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Colorectal cancer screening is a health promotion and preventive care topic
appropriate for a 55-year-old. Family history is part of the family history section,
medications are current health status, and hospitalizations are past medical history.
Q2: A patient arrives for a health assessment and states, "I have been feeling really
down and I think I might hurt myself." What is the nurse's priority action?
A. Complete the full health history before addressing the statement
B. Assess the patient for imminent suicide risk and implement safety measures
[CORRECT]
C. Ask the patient to fill out a depression screening questionnaire
D. Refer the patient to a counselor after the appointment
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Patient safety is the priority. A suicidal statement requires immediate
assessment for imminent risk and safety interventions. Delaying for history, screening,
or referral is inappropriate.
,Q3: A nurse is interviewing a patient who keeps providing irrelevant details and
wandering off topic. Which technique should the nurse use to redirect the interview?
A. Confrontation
B. Facilitation
C. Summarization and transitioning to a new topic [CORRECT]
D. Silence
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Summarization and transitioning redirect the interview while maintaining
rapport. Confrontation is too aggressive, facilitation encourages more talking, and
silence allows further wandering.
Q4: A 68-year-old patient is being interviewed using the OLDCARTS mnemonic for
symptom analysis. The patient reports pain that "started last night" and "comes and
goes," rating it 5/10. Which component of OLDCARTS is inadequately addressed?
A. Onset
B. Location [CORRECT]
C. Duration
D. Severity
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The patient stated onset (last night), timing (comes and goes), and severity
(5/10). Location has not been identified, making it the missing component.
Q5: During a health history, a patient reports a 15-pound unintentional weight loss over 2
months, night sweats, and a persistent cough. Which finding requires the most urgent
follow-up?
A. The 15-pound weight loss
B. The night sweats
C. The persistent cough
D. The combination of all three symptoms [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: D
,Rationale: Unintentional weight loss, night sweats, and persistent cough together are
red flags for serious pathology such as malignancy or TB. While each symptom is
concerning, the cluster requires urgent evaluation.
Q6: Which component of the health history includes information about the patient's
current medications, including over-the-counter and herbal supplements?
A. Family history
B. Past medical history
C. Review of systems
D. Current health status/Medications [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Current medications are documented in the current health status or
medications section. Family history addresses genetics, past medical history addresses
prior conditions, and review of systems addresses functional status by body system.
Q7: A nurse is counseling a patient about lung cancer screening. Which statement is
correct?
A. Annual low-dose CT is recommended for all adults starting at age 35
B. Annual low-dose CT is recommended for adults aged 50-80 with a 20 pack-year
smoking history who currently smoke or quit within 15 years [CORRECT]
C. Chest X-ray is the preferred screening tool for lung cancer
D. Lung cancer screening is not recommended for former smokers
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: USPSTF guidelines recommend annual low-dose CT for adults 50-80 with a
20 pack-year history who currently smoke or quit within 15 years. Chest X-ray is not the
preferred screening tool, and former smokers within 15 years are eligible.
Q8: A patient being interviewed becomes tearful when discussing a recent divorce.
What is the nurse's best response?
A. "Let's move on to the next section so you don't get upset."
B. "I can see this is difficult for you. Would you like to take a moment?" [CORRECT]
C. "You should see a therapist about this."
, D. "Many people go through divorce. You'll be fine."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Acknowledging the patient's emotion and offering a pause demonstrates
therapeutic communication and empathy. Moving on dismisses feelings, suggesting
therapy is premature, and minimizing is non-therapeutic.
Q9: A nurse is assessing a patient's health literacy. Which action best evaluates the
patient's understanding of prescribed medications?
A. Ask "Do you understand how to take your medications?"
B. Ask the patient to teach back the medication instructions [CORRECT]
C. Provide written instructions and assume comprehension
D. Ask the family member to explain the instructions
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The teach-back method is the most reliable way to assess health literacy and
comprehension. Yes/no questions and assumptions do not verify understanding, and
family explanations do not assess the patient's literacy.
Q10: A nurse is interviewing a patient who says, "I don't know why I'm here, nothing is
wrong with me." Which interviewing technique is most appropriate?
A. Confrontation
B. Clarification
C. Exploring the patient's perception and agenda [CORRECT]
D. Reassurance
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Exploring the patient's perception and agenda helps identify concerns and
motivations for the visit. Confrontation may increase resistance, clarification is for
unclear statements, and reassurance is premature without understanding.
Q11: A patient reports alcohol use of "a few drinks on weekends." Which follow-up
question best assesses for alcohol misuse?
A. "Do you think you drink too much?"
B. "How many drinks is 'a few' and how many weekends per month?" [CORRECT]
Nightingale College | GRADED A | Pass Guaranteed - A+
Graded
SECTION 1: Health History & Interview (Q1-Q12)
Q1: A nurse is conducting a comprehensive health history on a 55-year-old patient with
no acute complaints. Which question is most appropriate to include in the health
promotion section?
A. "Do you have any family history of heart disease?"
B. "When was your last colonoscopy or stool-based colorectal cancer screening?"
[CORRECT]
C. "Are you currently taking any prescription medications?"
D. "Have you ever been hospitalized for surgery?"
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Colorectal cancer screening is a health promotion and preventive care topic
appropriate for a 55-year-old. Family history is part of the family history section,
medications are current health status, and hospitalizations are past medical history.
Q2: A patient arrives for a health assessment and states, "I have been feeling really
down and I think I might hurt myself." What is the nurse's priority action?
A. Complete the full health history before addressing the statement
B. Assess the patient for imminent suicide risk and implement safety measures
[CORRECT]
C. Ask the patient to fill out a depression screening questionnaire
D. Refer the patient to a counselor after the appointment
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Patient safety is the priority. A suicidal statement requires immediate
assessment for imminent risk and safety interventions. Delaying for history, screening,
or referral is inappropriate.
,Q3: A nurse is interviewing a patient who keeps providing irrelevant details and
wandering off topic. Which technique should the nurse use to redirect the interview?
A. Confrontation
B. Facilitation
C. Summarization and transitioning to a new topic [CORRECT]
D. Silence
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Summarization and transitioning redirect the interview while maintaining
rapport. Confrontation is too aggressive, facilitation encourages more talking, and
silence allows further wandering.
Q4: A 68-year-old patient is being interviewed using the OLDCARTS mnemonic for
symptom analysis. The patient reports pain that "started last night" and "comes and
goes," rating it 5/10. Which component of OLDCARTS is inadequately addressed?
A. Onset
B. Location [CORRECT]
C. Duration
D. Severity
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The patient stated onset (last night), timing (comes and goes), and severity
(5/10). Location has not been identified, making it the missing component.
Q5: During a health history, a patient reports a 15-pound unintentional weight loss over 2
months, night sweats, and a persistent cough. Which finding requires the most urgent
follow-up?
A. The 15-pound weight loss
B. The night sweats
C. The persistent cough
D. The combination of all three symptoms [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: D
,Rationale: Unintentional weight loss, night sweats, and persistent cough together are
red flags for serious pathology such as malignancy or TB. While each symptom is
concerning, the cluster requires urgent evaluation.
Q6: Which component of the health history includes information about the patient's
current medications, including over-the-counter and herbal supplements?
A. Family history
B. Past medical history
C. Review of systems
D. Current health status/Medications [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Current medications are documented in the current health status or
medications section. Family history addresses genetics, past medical history addresses
prior conditions, and review of systems addresses functional status by body system.
Q7: A nurse is counseling a patient about lung cancer screening. Which statement is
correct?
A. Annual low-dose CT is recommended for all adults starting at age 35
B. Annual low-dose CT is recommended for adults aged 50-80 with a 20 pack-year
smoking history who currently smoke or quit within 15 years [CORRECT]
C. Chest X-ray is the preferred screening tool for lung cancer
D. Lung cancer screening is not recommended for former smokers
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: USPSTF guidelines recommend annual low-dose CT for adults 50-80 with a
20 pack-year history who currently smoke or quit within 15 years. Chest X-ray is not the
preferred screening tool, and former smokers within 15 years are eligible.
Q8: A patient being interviewed becomes tearful when discussing a recent divorce.
What is the nurse's best response?
A. "Let's move on to the next section so you don't get upset."
B. "I can see this is difficult for you. Would you like to take a moment?" [CORRECT]
C. "You should see a therapist about this."
, D. "Many people go through divorce. You'll be fine."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Acknowledging the patient's emotion and offering a pause demonstrates
therapeutic communication and empathy. Moving on dismisses feelings, suggesting
therapy is premature, and minimizing is non-therapeutic.
Q9: A nurse is assessing a patient's health literacy. Which action best evaluates the
patient's understanding of prescribed medications?
A. Ask "Do you understand how to take your medications?"
B. Ask the patient to teach back the medication instructions [CORRECT]
C. Provide written instructions and assume comprehension
D. Ask the family member to explain the instructions
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The teach-back method is the most reliable way to assess health literacy and
comprehension. Yes/no questions and assumptions do not verify understanding, and
family explanations do not assess the patient's literacy.
Q10: A nurse is interviewing a patient who says, "I don't know why I'm here, nothing is
wrong with me." Which interviewing technique is most appropriate?
A. Confrontation
B. Clarification
C. Exploring the patient's perception and agenda [CORRECT]
D. Reassurance
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Exploring the patient's perception and agenda helps identify concerns and
motivations for the visit. Confrontation may increase resistance, clarification is for
unclear statements, and reassurance is premature without understanding.
Q11: A patient reports alcohol use of "a few drinks on weekends." Which follow-up
question best assesses for alcohol misuse?
A. "Do you think you drink too much?"
B. "How many drinks is 'a few' and how many weekends per month?" [CORRECT]
