Page |1
HESI Prep - Health Assessment Practice
Questions Questions and Correct
Answers/ Latest Update / Already Graded
1. In an interview, the nurse may find it necessary to take notes to aid
his or her memory later. Which statement is true regarding note-
taking?
A) Note-taking may impede the nurse's observation of the patient's
nonverbal behaviors.
B) Note-taking allows the patient to continue at his or her own pace as
the nurse records what is said.
C) Note-taking allows the nurse to shift attention 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.
Ans: A) Note-taking may impede the nurse's observation of the
patient's nonverbal behaviors.
Page: 31 Some use of history forms and note-taking may be
unavoidable. But be aware that note-taking during the
interview has disadvantages. It breaks eye contact too often,
and it shifts attention away from the patient, which diminishes
his or her sense of importance. It also may interrupt the
All rights reserved © 2025/ 2026 |
, Page |2
patient's narrative flow, and it impedes the observation of the
patient's nonverbal behavior.
2. During an interview, the nurse states, "You mentioned shortness of
breath. Tell me more about that." Which verbal skill is used with this
statement?
A) Reflection
B) Facilitation
C) Direct question
D) Open-ended question
Ans: D) Open-ended question
Page: 32 The open-ended question asks for narrative
information. It 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 questions, and whenever the person
introduces a new topic.
3. A nurse is taking complete health histories on all of the patients
attending a wellness workshop. On the history form, one of the written
questions asks, "You don't smoke, drink, or take drugs, do you?" This
question is an example of:
All rights reserved © 2025/ 2026 |
, Page |3
A) talking too much.
B) using confrontation.
C) using biased or leading questions.
D) using blunt language to deal with distasteful topics.
Ans: C) using biased or leading questions.
Page: 36 This is an example of using leading or biased
questions. Asking, "You don't smoke, do you?" implies that one
answer is "better" than 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 made to feel guilty
when admitting the other answer.
4. During an interview, a parent of a hospitalized child is sitting in an
open position. As the interviewer begins to discuss his son's treatment,
however, he suddenly crosses his arms against his chest and crosses his
legs. This would suggest that the parent is:
A) just changing positions.
B) more comfortable in this position.
C) tired and needs a break from the interview.
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, Page |4
D) uncomfortable talking about his son's treatment.
Ans: D) uncomfortable talking about his son's treatment.
Page: 37 Note the person's position. An open position with the
extension of large muscle groups shows relaxation, physical
comfort, and a willingness to share information. A closed
position with the arms 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 possible
discomfort with the new topic.
5. The nurse is interviewing a patient who has a hearing impairment.
What techniques would be most beneficial in communicating with this
patient?
A) Determine the communication method he prefers.
B) Avoid using facial and hand gestures because most hearing-
impaired people find this degrading.
C) Request a sign language interpreter before meeting with him to help
facilitate the communication.
D) Speak loudly and with exaggerated facial movement when talking
with him because this helps with lip reading.
Ans: A) Determine the communication method he prefers.
All rights reserved © 2025/ 2026 |
HESI Prep - Health Assessment Practice
Questions Questions and Correct
Answers/ Latest Update / Already Graded
1. In an interview, the nurse may find it necessary to take notes to aid
his or her memory later. Which statement is true regarding note-
taking?
A) Note-taking may impede the nurse's observation of the patient's
nonverbal behaviors.
B) Note-taking allows the patient to continue at his or her own pace as
the nurse records what is said.
C) Note-taking allows the nurse to shift attention 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.
Ans: A) Note-taking may impede the nurse's observation of the
patient's nonverbal behaviors.
Page: 31 Some use of history forms and note-taking may be
unavoidable. But be aware that note-taking during the
interview has disadvantages. It breaks eye contact too often,
and it shifts attention away from the patient, which diminishes
his or her sense of importance. It also may interrupt the
All rights reserved © 2025/ 2026 |
, Page |2
patient's narrative flow, and it impedes the observation of the
patient's nonverbal behavior.
2. During an interview, the nurse states, "You mentioned shortness of
breath. Tell me more about that." Which verbal skill is used with this
statement?
A) Reflection
B) Facilitation
C) Direct question
D) Open-ended question
Ans: D) Open-ended question
Page: 32 The open-ended question asks for narrative
information. It 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 questions, and whenever the person
introduces a new topic.
3. A nurse is taking complete health histories on all of the patients
attending a wellness workshop. On the history form, one of the written
questions asks, "You don't smoke, drink, or take drugs, do you?" This
question is an example of:
All rights reserved © 2025/ 2026 |
, Page |3
A) talking too much.
B) using confrontation.
C) using biased or leading questions.
D) using blunt language to deal with distasteful topics.
Ans: C) using biased or leading questions.
Page: 36 This is an example of using leading or biased
questions. Asking, "You don't smoke, do you?" implies that one
answer is "better" than 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 made to feel guilty
when admitting the other answer.
4. During an interview, a parent of a hospitalized child is sitting in an
open position. As the interviewer begins to discuss his son's treatment,
however, he suddenly crosses his arms against his chest and crosses his
legs. This would suggest that the parent is:
A) just changing positions.
B) more comfortable in this position.
C) tired and needs a break from the interview.
All rights reserved © 2025/ 2026 |
, Page |4
D) uncomfortable talking about his son's treatment.
Ans: D) uncomfortable talking about his son's treatment.
Page: 37 Note the person's position. An open position with the
extension of large muscle groups shows relaxation, physical
comfort, and a willingness to share information. A closed
position with the arms 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 possible
discomfort with the new topic.
5. The nurse is interviewing a patient who has a hearing impairment.
What techniques would be most beneficial in communicating with this
patient?
A) Determine the communication method he prefers.
B) Avoid using facial and hand gestures because most hearing-
impaired people find this degrading.
C) Request a sign language interpreter before meeting with him to help
facilitate the communication.
D) Speak loudly and with exaggerated facial movement when talking
with him because this helps with lip reading.
Ans: A) Determine the communication method he prefers.
All rights reserved © 2025/ 2026 |
