HESI A2 Critical Thinking Questions & Verified Answers 2026 – Complete 200+ Q&A Test Bank with Detailed Rationales | Clinical Reasoning & Nursing Judgment Prep | Latest Update | Graded A+

, HESI A2 Critical Thinking Questions & Verified Answers
2026 | Latest Update | Graded A+
1. A 34-year-old Chinese man is admitted with multiple injuries from a motor
vehicle accident. He complains of severe pain and asks frequently for pain
medication. One of the nursing assistants expresses surprise, saying, 'I
thought Asian people were very stoic about pain.' What is the nurse's best
response about pain?

Pain perception is the same in all people.

Expression and perception of pain vary widely from person to
person.

Tolerance of pain is determined by a person's genetic makeup.

Tolerance to pain is the same in all people.

2. What type of questioning is exemplified by the phrase, "You don't smoke,
drink, or take drugs, do you?"

Using open-ended questions

Using biased or leading questions

Using closed-ended questions

Using reflective questions

3. If a nurse encounters a patient who speaks a different dialect of the same
language, what strategy should they use to ensure effective communication?

Use simple and clear language while avoiding idioms.

Speak louder to ensure the patient hears.

Assume the patient understands without checking.

Use technical medical jargon to explain.

,4. The nurse is performing a functional assessment on an 82-year-old client
who recently had a stroke. Which of these questions should the nurse ask as
part of the functional assessment?

do you have any thyroid problems

do you wear glasses

are you able to dress yourself

how many times a day do you have a bowel movement

5. Why is it important for a nurse to assess a patient's cultural beliefs before
providing care?

To avoid any legal issues that may arise.

To make decisions on behalf of the patient.

To ensure that care is respectful and aligned with the patient's
values.

To simplify the care process.

6. What is the primary concept of health according to the yin/yang theory in
many Asian cultures?

A person is happy, stable, and feels good.

A person is able to care for others and function socially.

A person is able to work and produce.

All aspects of the person are in perfect balance.

, 7. An older adult is brought to the community clinic by an adult child with the
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concern of increasingly frequent lapses in memory. Which assessment
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question is most likely to identify potential risk factors for impaired cognitive
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functioning?
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k "Where are you currently living?" k k k k




k "What line of work were you in?" k k k k k k




k "What did your mother and father die of?"
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k "What medications are you currently taking?"
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8. An older Mexican-American woman with traditional beliefs has been
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admitted to an inpatient care unit. A culturally sensitive nurse would:
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k Contact the hospital administrator about the best course of action.
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k Automatically get a curandero for her, because requesting one herself is k k k k k k k k k k




notculturallyappropriate.
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k Ask the family what they would like to do because
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k Further assess the patient's cultural beliefs and offer the patient
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k assistance in contacting a curandero or priest if she desires. k k k k k k k k k




9. Why is the question, "You don't smoke, drink, or take drugs, do you?"
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considered biased or leading?
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k It allows for a range of responses from the patient.
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k It is phrased in a neutral manner.
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k It encourages the patient to elaborate on their habits.
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k It suggests a negative response and limits the patient's ability to
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k answer freely. k