BSN 246 HESI HEALTH ASSESSMENT V1-V4
2026/2027 | Nightingale College | GRADED A
| Pass Guaranteed - A+ Graded
1. The nurse is preparing to interview a new client in the clinic. Which action demonstrates
the most effective communication technique?
A. Standing while the client is seated
B. Sitting at the client's eye level
C. Asking closed-ended questions
D. Using medical terminology
Answer: B. Sitting at the client's eye level
Explanation: Sitting at the client's eye level reduces anxiety and demonstrates respect, creating
a more comfortable environment for effective communication.
2. A client tells the nurse, "I have been having this terrible pain in my chest." What is the
nurse's best initial response?
A. "Describe the pain to me."
B. "When did the pain begin?"
C. "Have you taken anything for it?"
D. "Do you have a history of heart problems?"
Answer: A. "Describe the pain to me."
Explanation: Open-ended questions allow the client to provide a full description of symptoms
in their own words, which is more comprehensive than closed-ended questions.
3. The nurse is conducting a health history interview with a client who appears anxious
and frequently pauses before answering. What is the best response by the nurse?
A. Prompt the client to answer more quickly
B. Sit quietly and allow the client time to respond
C. Move to the next question
D. Repeat the question louder
Answer: B. Sit quietly and allow the client time to respond
,Explanation: Allowing the client adequate time to respond without interruption demonstrates
respect and reduces anxiety. Rushing or prompting may cause the client to withhold important
information.
4. A 29-year-old male client states he has a "body-wracking dry cough" that has lasted six
weeks and expresses concern about possibly having lung cancer. How should the nurse
document this concern?
A. "Patient reports a persistent cough accompanied by wheezing"
B. "Client describes having a 'body-wracking dry cough' of 6 weeks duration"
C. "The client expresses concern about possible lung cancer symptoms"
D. "Client presents with a cough lasting more than a month"
Answer: B. "Client describes having a 'body-wracking dry cough' of 6 weeks duration"
Explanation: Documentation should use the client's own words whenever possible to accurately
capture the severity and character of symptoms.
5. The nurse is obtaining a health history and the client states, "I don't really know why
I'm here." What is the most appropriate response?
A. "You were referred by your physician."
B. "Let me review your chart to find out."
C. "Why don't you tell me what brought you in today?"
D. "I'll ask the doctor to come speak with you."
Answer: C. "Why don't you tell me what brought you in today?"
Explanation: This open-ended question encourages the client to express their concerns and
helps build rapport while obtaining important information.
6. Which of the following is the most important component of the health history that the
nurse should obtain first?
A. Past medical history
B. Family history
C. Chief complaint
D. Social history
Answer: C. Chief complaint
,Explanation: The chief complaint is the primary reason for the client's visit and guides the rest
of the assessment. It should be documented in the client's own words.
7. The nurse is interviewing a client who has difficulty expressing thoughts due to anxiety.
What technique should the nurse use?
A. Ask rapid-fire questions to keep the client focused
B. Allow silence to provide time to think
C. Complete the assessment for the client
D. Use complex medical terminology
Answer: B. Allow silence to provide time to think
Explanation: Allowing silence gives the client time to organize thoughts without pressure. It
demonstrates patience and respect for the client's communication process.
8. A client is describing symptoms to the nurse and begins to cry. Which action is most
appropriate?
A. Continue the interview without interruption
B. Ask the client to stop crying
C. Offer a tissue and sit quietly
D. Change the subject
Answer: C. Offer a tissue and sit quietly
Explanation: Offering a tissue and allowing the client to express emotions without interruption
demonstrates empathy and respect. Rushing or redirecting may invalidate their feelings.
9. The nurse is assessing a client who speaks a different language. Which action is most
appropriate?
A. Use a family member to interpret
B. Speak loudly and slowly
C. Use a certified medical interpreter
D. Use gestures to communicate
Answer: C. Use a certified medical interpreter
Explanation: Certified medical interpreters ensure accurate communication and maintain
confidentiality. Family members may introduce errors or omit information.
, 10. Which question is an example of a leading question that should be avoided?
A. "When did your pain start?"
B. "Are you still having pain?"
C. "The pain is in your abdomen, right?"
D. "How would you describe your pain?"
Answer: C. "The pain is in your abdomen, right?"
Explanation: Leading questions suggest a desired answer and can bias the client's response.
Open-ended questions yield more accurate information.
11. The nurse is obtaining a health history and asks, "What medications are you currently
taking?" The client says "None." What should the nurse do next?
A. Document that the client takes no medications
B. Ask specifically about over-the-counter medications and supplements
C. Accept the client's answer and move on
D. Check the client's pharmacy record
Answer: B. Ask specifically about over-the-counter medications and supplements
Explanation: Many clients don't consider over-the-counter medications or supplements as
"medications." Specific questioning ensures a complete medication history.
12. The nurse asks a client, "What do you do to stay healthy?" This question assesses
which component of the health history?
A. Health perception-health management pattern
B. Activity-exercise pattern
C. Sleep-rest pattern
D. Coping-stress tolerance pattern
Answer: A. Health perception-health management pattern
Explanation: This question assesses how the client perceives their health and what practices
they engage in to maintain it.
13. The nurse is obtaining a social history from a client. Which question is most
appropriate?
A. "Are you married?"
B. "Tell me about your living situation."
2026/2027 | Nightingale College | GRADED A
| Pass Guaranteed - A+ Graded
1. The nurse is preparing to interview a new client in the clinic. Which action demonstrates
the most effective communication technique?
A. Standing while the client is seated
B. Sitting at the client's eye level
C. Asking closed-ended questions
D. Using medical terminology
Answer: B. Sitting at the client's eye level
Explanation: Sitting at the client's eye level reduces anxiety and demonstrates respect, creating
a more comfortable environment for effective communication.
2. A client tells the nurse, "I have been having this terrible pain in my chest." What is the
nurse's best initial response?
A. "Describe the pain to me."
B. "When did the pain begin?"
C. "Have you taken anything for it?"
D. "Do you have a history of heart problems?"
Answer: A. "Describe the pain to me."
Explanation: Open-ended questions allow the client to provide a full description of symptoms
in their own words, which is more comprehensive than closed-ended questions.
3. The nurse is conducting a health history interview with a client who appears anxious
and frequently pauses before answering. What is the best response by the nurse?
A. Prompt the client to answer more quickly
B. Sit quietly and allow the client time to respond
C. Move to the next question
D. Repeat the question louder
Answer: B. Sit quietly and allow the client time to respond
,Explanation: Allowing the client adequate time to respond without interruption demonstrates
respect and reduces anxiety. Rushing or prompting may cause the client to withhold important
information.
4. A 29-year-old male client states he has a "body-wracking dry cough" that has lasted six
weeks and expresses concern about possibly having lung cancer. How should the nurse
document this concern?
A. "Patient reports a persistent cough accompanied by wheezing"
B. "Client describes having a 'body-wracking dry cough' of 6 weeks duration"
C. "The client expresses concern about possible lung cancer symptoms"
D. "Client presents with a cough lasting more than a month"
Answer: B. "Client describes having a 'body-wracking dry cough' of 6 weeks duration"
Explanation: Documentation should use the client's own words whenever possible to accurately
capture the severity and character of symptoms.
5. The nurse is obtaining a health history and the client states, "I don't really know why
I'm here." What is the most appropriate response?
A. "You were referred by your physician."
B. "Let me review your chart to find out."
C. "Why don't you tell me what brought you in today?"
D. "I'll ask the doctor to come speak with you."
Answer: C. "Why don't you tell me what brought you in today?"
Explanation: This open-ended question encourages the client to express their concerns and
helps build rapport while obtaining important information.
6. Which of the following is the most important component of the health history that the
nurse should obtain first?
A. Past medical history
B. Family history
C. Chief complaint
D. Social history
Answer: C. Chief complaint
,Explanation: The chief complaint is the primary reason for the client's visit and guides the rest
of the assessment. It should be documented in the client's own words.
7. The nurse is interviewing a client who has difficulty expressing thoughts due to anxiety.
What technique should the nurse use?
A. Ask rapid-fire questions to keep the client focused
B. Allow silence to provide time to think
C. Complete the assessment for the client
D. Use complex medical terminology
Answer: B. Allow silence to provide time to think
Explanation: Allowing silence gives the client time to organize thoughts without pressure. It
demonstrates patience and respect for the client's communication process.
8. A client is describing symptoms to the nurse and begins to cry. Which action is most
appropriate?
A. Continue the interview without interruption
B. Ask the client to stop crying
C. Offer a tissue and sit quietly
D. Change the subject
Answer: C. Offer a tissue and sit quietly
Explanation: Offering a tissue and allowing the client to express emotions without interruption
demonstrates empathy and respect. Rushing or redirecting may invalidate their feelings.
9. The nurse is assessing a client who speaks a different language. Which action is most
appropriate?
A. Use a family member to interpret
B. Speak loudly and slowly
C. Use a certified medical interpreter
D. Use gestures to communicate
Answer: C. Use a certified medical interpreter
Explanation: Certified medical interpreters ensure accurate communication and maintain
confidentiality. Family members may introduce errors or omit information.
, 10. Which question is an example of a leading question that should be avoided?
A. "When did your pain start?"
B. "Are you still having pain?"
C. "The pain is in your abdomen, right?"
D. "How would you describe your pain?"
Answer: C. "The pain is in your abdomen, right?"
Explanation: Leading questions suggest a desired answer and can bias the client's response.
Open-ended questions yield more accurate information.
11. The nurse is obtaining a health history and asks, "What medications are you currently
taking?" The client says "None." What should the nurse do next?
A. Document that the client takes no medications
B. Ask specifically about over-the-counter medications and supplements
C. Accept the client's answer and move on
D. Check the client's pharmacy record
Answer: B. Ask specifically about over-the-counter medications and supplements
Explanation: Many clients don't consider over-the-counter medications or supplements as
"medications." Specific questioning ensures a complete medication history.
12. The nurse asks a client, "What do you do to stay healthy?" This question assesses
which component of the health history?
A. Health perception-health management pattern
B. Activity-exercise pattern
C. Sleep-rest pattern
D. Coping-stress tolerance pattern
Answer: A. Health perception-health management pattern
Explanation: This question assesses how the client perceives their health and what practices
they engage in to maintain it.
13. The nurse is obtaining a social history from a client. Which question is most
appropriate?
A. "Are you married?"
B. "Tell me about your living situation."
