Lone Star College System BIOL 2401
HESI A2 Critical Thinking Questions Verified and Provided
with A+ Graded Answers Latest Updated 2026
1. In an interview, the nurse may find it necessary to A)
Note-taking may impede the nurse's observation of the patient's take notes to aid his or her memory later. Which
nonverbal behaviors.
statement is true regarding note-taking?
Page: 31 Some use of history forms and note-taking may be
A) Note-taking may impede the nurse's unavoidable. But be aware that note-taking during the interview
has observation of the patient's nonverbal behaviors. disadvantages. It breaks eye contact too often, and it
shifts attention
B) Note-taking allows the patient to continue at his away from the patient, which diminishes his or her sense of
importance. or her own pace as the nurse records what is said. It also may interrupt the patient's narrative flow,
and it impedes the
C) Note-taking allows the nurse to shift attention observation of the patient's nonverbal
behavior. away from the patient, resulting in an increased
comfort level.
D) Note-taking allows the nurse to break eye
contact with the patient, which may increase his or
her level of comfort.
2.During an interview, the nurse states, "You D) Open-ended question
mentioned shortness of breath. Tell me more
about that." Which verbal skill is used with this Page: 32 The open-ended question asks for narrative information. It
statement? states the topic to be discussed but only in general terms. The
nurse
should use it to begin the interview, to introduce a new section of
A) Reflection questions, and whenever the person introduces a new topic.
B) Facilitation
C) Direct question
D) Open-ended question
3.A nurse is taking complete health histories on all C) using biased or leading
questions. of the patients attending a wellness workshop. On
the history form, one of the written questions asks, Page: 36 This is an example of using leading or biased questions.
Asking, "You don't smoke, drink, or take drugs, do you?" "You don't smoke, do you?" implies that one answer is
"better" than
This question is an example of: another. If the person wants to please someone, he or she is either
forced to answer in a way corresponding to their implied values or
is
A) talking too much. made to feel guilty when admitting the other answer.
B) using confrontation.
C) using biased or leading questions.
D) using blunt language to deal with
distasteful topics.
4. During an interview, a parent of a hospitalized D) uncomfortable talking about his son's treatment.
child is sitting in an open position. As the
interviewer begins to discuss his son's treatment, Page: 37 Note the person's position. An open position with the
however, he suddenly crosses his arms against his extension of large muscle groups shows relaxation, physical
comfort, chest and crosses his legs. This would suggest that and a willingness to share information. A closed position
with the arms
the parent is: and legs crossed tends to look defensive and anxious. Note any change
in posture. If a person in a relaxed position suddenly tenses, it suggests
A) just changing positions. possible discomfort with the new topic.
B) more comfortable in this position.
C) tired and needs a break from the interview.
D) uncomfortable talking about his son's treatment.
,5.The nurse is interviewing a patient who has a A) Determine the communication method he
prefers. hearing impairment. What techniques would be
most beneficial in communicating with this patient? Pages: 40-41 The nurse should ask the deaf person the preferred way to
communicate—by signing, lip reading, or writing. If the person prefers
A) Determine the communication method he lip reading, then the nurse should be sure to face him or her
squarely prefers. and have good lighting on the nurse's face. The nurse should not
B)Avoid using facial and hand gestures because exaggerate lip movements because this distorts words. Similarly,
most hearing-impaired people find this degrading. shouting distorts the reception of a hearing aid the person may
wear.
C) Request a sign language interpreter before The nurse should speak slowly and should supplement his or her
voice meeting with him to help facilitate the with appropriate hand gestures or pantomime.
communication.
D) Speak loudly and with exaggerated
facial movement when talking with him
because this helps with lip reading.
6. The nurse is performing
a health interview on a A) "Do you take
medicine?" patient who has a language barrier, and no
interpreter is available. Which is the best example Page: 46 In a situation where there is a language barrier and no
of an appropriate question for the nurse to ask in interpreter available, use simple words avoiding medical jargon.
Avoid this situation? using contractions and pronouns. Use nouns repeatedly and discuss
one topic at a time.
A) "Do you take medicine?"
B) "Do you sterilize the bottles?"
C) "Do you have nausea and vomiting?"
D) "You have been taking your medicine,
haven't you?"
7. A female patient
does not speak English well, A) A trained
interpreter and the nurse needs to choose an interpreter.
Which of the following would be the most Page: 46 whenever possible, the nurse should use a trained interpreter,
appropriate choice? preferably one who knows medical terminology. In general, an
older,
more mature interpreter is preferred to a younger, less experienced
A) A trained interpreter one, and the same gender is preferred when possible.
B)A male family member
C) A female family member
D) A volunteer college student from the foreign
language studies department
8. The nurse is conducting an
interview. Which of B) They allow for self-expression.
these statements is true regarding open-ended C) They build and enhance rapport.
questions? Select all that apply. F) They are used when narrative information
A) They elicit cold facts. Page: 32 Open-ended questions allow for self-expression, build
B)They allow for self-expression. rapport, and obtain narrative information. These features enhance
C) They build and enhance rapport. communication during an interview. The other statements are
D)They leave interactions neutral. appropriate for closed or direct questions.
E)They call for short one- to two-word answers.
F)They are used when narrative information is
needed.
, 9.The nurse is conducting an interview in an A) Collect the patient's data in a direct, face-to-face manner.
outpatient clinic and is using a computer to record D) Type the data into the computer after the narrative is fully
explored. data. Which is the best use of the computer in this E) Allow the patient to see the monitor during typing.
situation? Select all that apply.
Page: 32 The use of a computer can become a barrier. The nurse should
A) Collect the patient's data in a direct, face-to- begin the interview as usual by greeting the patient, establishing
face manner. rapport, and collecting the patient's narrative story in a direct face-to-
B) Enter all the data as the patient states it. face manner. Only after the narrative is fully explored should the nurse
C) Ask the patient to wait as the nurse enters data. type data into the computer. When typing, the nurse should position the
D)Type the data into the computer after the monitor so that the patient can see
it. narrative is fully explored.
E)Allow the patient to see the monitor during
typing.
10. During an assessment, the nurse notices that a
A) Ask the patient about the item and its significance. patient is handling a small charm that is tied to
a
leather strip around his neck. Which action by thePage: 21 The nurse should inquire about the amulet's meaning. Amulets,
nurse is appropriate? such as charms, are often seen as an important means of protection
from "evil spirits" by some cultures.
A) Ask the patient about the item and
its significance.
B)Ask the patient to lock the item with
other valuables in the hospital's safe.
C) Tell the patient that a family member
should take valuables home.
D) No action is necessary.
11. In the majority culture of America, coughing, B) consider these
symptoms a part of normal living, not symptoms of ill sweating, and diarrhea are symptoms of an illness. health.
For some individuals of Mexican-American origin,
however, these symptoms are a normal part of Page: 27 The nurse needs to identify the meaning of health to the
living. The nurse recognizes that this is true, patient, remembering that concepts are derived, in part, from the way
in probably because Mexican-Americans: which members of the cultural group define health.
A) have less efficient immune systems and
are often ill.
B) consider these symptoms a part of
normal living, not symptoms of ill health.
C) come from Mexico and coughing is normal and
healthy there.
D) are usually in a lower socioeconomic group and
are more likely to be sick.
12. Among many Asians there is a belief in the
C) All aspects of the person are in perfect balance. yin/yang theory, rooted in the ancient Chinese
philosophy of Tao. The nurse recognizes which Page: 21 Many Asians believe in the yin/yang theory, in which health
is statement that most accurately reflects "health" in believed to exist when all aspects of the person are in
perfect balance. an Asian with this belief? The other statements do not describe this theory.
A) A person is able to work and produce.
B)A person is happy, stable, and feels good.
C) All aspects of the person are in perfect balance.
D) A person is able to care for others and function
socially.
HESI A2 Critical Thinking Questions Verified and Provided
with A+ Graded Answers Latest Updated 2026
1. In an interview, the nurse may find it necessary to A)
Note-taking may impede the nurse's observation of the patient's take notes to aid his or her memory later. Which
nonverbal behaviors.
statement is true regarding note-taking?
Page: 31 Some use of history forms and note-taking may be
A) Note-taking may impede the nurse's unavoidable. But be aware that note-taking during the interview
has observation of the patient's nonverbal behaviors. disadvantages. It breaks eye contact too often, and it
shifts attention
B) Note-taking allows the patient to continue at his away from the patient, which diminishes his or her sense of
importance. or her own pace as the nurse records what is said. It also may interrupt the patient's narrative flow,
and it impedes the
C) Note-taking allows the nurse to shift attention observation of the patient's nonverbal
behavior. away from the patient, resulting in an increased
comfort level.
D) Note-taking allows the nurse to break eye
contact with the patient, which may increase his or
her level of comfort.
2.During an interview, the nurse states, "You D) Open-ended question
mentioned shortness of breath. Tell me more
about that." Which verbal skill is used with this Page: 32 The open-ended question asks for narrative information. It
statement? states the topic to be discussed but only in general terms. The
nurse
should use it to begin the interview, to introduce a new section of
A) Reflection questions, and whenever the person introduces a new topic.
B) Facilitation
C) Direct question
D) Open-ended question
3.A nurse is taking complete health histories on all C) using biased or leading
questions. of the patients attending a wellness workshop. On
the history form, one of the written questions asks, Page: 36 This is an example of using leading or biased questions.
Asking, "You don't smoke, drink, or take drugs, do you?" "You don't smoke, do you?" implies that one answer is
"better" than
This question is an example of: another. If the person wants to please someone, he or she is either
forced to answer in a way corresponding to their implied values or
is
A) talking too much. made to feel guilty when admitting the other answer.
B) using confrontation.
C) using biased or leading questions.
D) using blunt language to deal with
distasteful topics.
4. During an interview, a parent of a hospitalized D) uncomfortable talking about his son's treatment.
child is sitting in an open position. As the
interviewer begins to discuss his son's treatment, Page: 37 Note the person's position. An open position with the
however, he suddenly crosses his arms against his extension of large muscle groups shows relaxation, physical
comfort, chest and crosses his legs. This would suggest that and a willingness to share information. A closed position
with the arms
the parent is: and legs crossed tends to look defensive and anxious. Note any change
in posture. If a person in a relaxed position suddenly tenses, it suggests
A) just changing positions. possible discomfort with the new topic.
B) more comfortable in this position.
C) tired and needs a break from the interview.
D) uncomfortable talking about his son's treatment.
,5.The nurse is interviewing a patient who has a A) Determine the communication method he
prefers. hearing impairment. What techniques would be
most beneficial in communicating with this patient? Pages: 40-41 The nurse should ask the deaf person the preferred way to
communicate—by signing, lip reading, or writing. If the person prefers
A) Determine the communication method he lip reading, then the nurse should be sure to face him or her
squarely prefers. and have good lighting on the nurse's face. The nurse should not
B)Avoid using facial and hand gestures because exaggerate lip movements because this distorts words. Similarly,
most hearing-impaired people find this degrading. shouting distorts the reception of a hearing aid the person may
wear.
C) Request a sign language interpreter before The nurse should speak slowly and should supplement his or her
voice meeting with him to help facilitate the with appropriate hand gestures or pantomime.
communication.
D) Speak loudly and with exaggerated
facial movement when talking with him
because this helps with lip reading.
6. The nurse is performing
a health interview on a A) "Do you take
medicine?" patient who has a language barrier, and no
interpreter is available. Which is the best example Page: 46 In a situation where there is a language barrier and no
of an appropriate question for the nurse to ask in interpreter available, use simple words avoiding medical jargon.
Avoid this situation? using contractions and pronouns. Use nouns repeatedly and discuss
one topic at a time.
A) "Do you take medicine?"
B) "Do you sterilize the bottles?"
C) "Do you have nausea and vomiting?"
D) "You have been taking your medicine,
haven't you?"
7. A female patient
does not speak English well, A) A trained
interpreter and the nurse needs to choose an interpreter.
Which of the following would be the most Page: 46 whenever possible, the nurse should use a trained interpreter,
appropriate choice? preferably one who knows medical terminology. In general, an
older,
more mature interpreter is preferred to a younger, less experienced
A) A trained interpreter one, and the same gender is preferred when possible.
B)A male family member
C) A female family member
D) A volunteer college student from the foreign
language studies department
8. The nurse is conducting an
interview. Which of B) They allow for self-expression.
these statements is true regarding open-ended C) They build and enhance rapport.
questions? Select all that apply. F) They are used when narrative information
A) They elicit cold facts. Page: 32 Open-ended questions allow for self-expression, build
B)They allow for self-expression. rapport, and obtain narrative information. These features enhance
C) They build and enhance rapport. communication during an interview. The other statements are
D)They leave interactions neutral. appropriate for closed or direct questions.
E)They call for short one- to two-word answers.
F)They are used when narrative information is
needed.
, 9.The nurse is conducting an interview in an A) Collect the patient's data in a direct, face-to-face manner.
outpatient clinic and is using a computer to record D) Type the data into the computer after the narrative is fully
explored. data. Which is the best use of the computer in this E) Allow the patient to see the monitor during typing.
situation? Select all that apply.
Page: 32 The use of a computer can become a barrier. The nurse should
A) Collect the patient's data in a direct, face-to- begin the interview as usual by greeting the patient, establishing
face manner. rapport, and collecting the patient's narrative story in a direct face-to-
B) Enter all the data as the patient states it. face manner. Only after the narrative is fully explored should the nurse
C) Ask the patient to wait as the nurse enters data. type data into the computer. When typing, the nurse should position the
D)Type the data into the computer after the monitor so that the patient can see
it. narrative is fully explored.
E)Allow the patient to see the monitor during
typing.
10. During an assessment, the nurse notices that a
A) Ask the patient about the item and its significance. patient is handling a small charm that is tied to
a
leather strip around his neck. Which action by thePage: 21 The nurse should inquire about the amulet's meaning. Amulets,
nurse is appropriate? such as charms, are often seen as an important means of protection
from "evil spirits" by some cultures.
A) Ask the patient about the item and
its significance.
B)Ask the patient to lock the item with
other valuables in the hospital's safe.
C) Tell the patient that a family member
should take valuables home.
D) No action is necessary.
11. In the majority culture of America, coughing, B) consider these
symptoms a part of normal living, not symptoms of ill sweating, and diarrhea are symptoms of an illness. health.
For some individuals of Mexican-American origin,
however, these symptoms are a normal part of Page: 27 The nurse needs to identify the meaning of health to the
living. The nurse recognizes that this is true, patient, remembering that concepts are derived, in part, from the way
in probably because Mexican-Americans: which members of the cultural group define health.
A) have less efficient immune systems and
are often ill.
B) consider these symptoms a part of
normal living, not symptoms of ill health.
C) come from Mexico and coughing is normal and
healthy there.
D) are usually in a lower socioeconomic group and
are more likely to be sick.
12. Among many Asians there is a belief in the
C) All aspects of the person are in perfect balance. yin/yang theory, rooted in the ancient Chinese
philosophy of Tao. The nurse recognizes which Page: 21 Many Asians believe in the yin/yang theory, in which health
is statement that most accurately reflects "health" in believed to exist when all aspects of the person are in
perfect balance. an Asian with this belief? The other statements do not describe this theory.
A) A person is able to work and produce.
B)A person is happy, stable, and feels good.
C) All aspects of the person are in perfect balance.
D) A person is able to care for others and function
socially.
