HESI Prep - Health Assessment Practice Questions with
Answers Rated A
1. In an interview, the nurse may find it discussed but only in general terms. The nurse
necessary to take notes to aid his or her memory should use it to begin the interview, to introduce a
later. Which statement is true regarding note- new section of questions, and whenever the
taking? person introduces a new topic.
A) Note-taking may impede the nurse's
observation of the patient's nonverbal behaviors.
B) Note-taking allows the patient to continue at 3. A nurse is taking complete health histories on
his or her own pace as the nurse records what is all of the patients attending a wellness workshop.
said. On the history form, one of the written questions
C) Note-taking allows the nurse to shift attention asks, "You don't smoke, drink, or take drugs, do
away from the patient, resulting in an increased you?" This question is an example of:
comfort level.
D) Note-taking allows the nurse to break eye A) talking too much.
contact with the patient, which may increase his B) using confrontation.
or her level of comfort. - ANSWER -A) C) using biased or leading questions.
Note-taking may impede the nurse's observation D) using blunt language to deal with distasteful
of the patient's nonverbal behaviors. topics. - ANSWER -C) using biased or
leading questions.
Page: 31 Some use of history forms and note-
taking may be unavoidable. But be aware that Page: 36 This is an example of using leading or
note-taking during the interview has biased questions. Asking, "You don't smoke, do
disadvantages. It breaks eye contact too often, you?" implies that one answer is "better" than
and it shifts attention away from the patient, another. If the person wants to please someone,
which diminishes his or her sense of importance. he or she is either forced to answer in a way
It also may interrupt the patient's narrative flow, corresponding to their implied values or is made
and it impedes the observation of the patient's to feel guilty when admitting the other answer.
nonverbal behavior.
4. During an interview, a parent of a hospitalized
2. During an interview, the nurse states, "You child is sitting in an open position. As the
mentioned shortness of breath. Tell me more interviewer begins to discuss his son's treatment,
about that." Which verbal skill is used with this however, he suddenly crosses his arms against
statement? his chest and crosses his legs. This would
suggest that the parent is:
A) Reflection
B) Facilitation A) just changing positions.
C) Direct question B) more comfortable in this position.
D) Open-ended question - ANSWER -D) C) tired and needs a break from the interview.
Open-ended question D) uncomfortable talking about his son's
treatment. - ANSWER -D) uncomfortable
Page: 32 The open-ended question asks for talking about his son's treatment.
narrative information. It states the topic to be
,HESI Prep - Health Assessment Practice Questions with
Answers Rated A
Page: 37 Note the person's position. An open
position with the extension of large muscle 6. The nurse is performing a health interview on a
groups shows relaxation, physical comfort, and a patient who has a language barrier, and no
willingness to share information. A closed interpreter is available. Which is the best
position with the arms and legs crossed tends to example of an appropriate question for the nurse
look defensive and anxious. Note any change in to ask in this situation?
posture. If a person in a relaxed position
suddenly tenses, it suggests possible discomfort A) "Do you take medicine?"
with the new topic. B) "Do you sterilize the bottles?"
C) "Do you have nausea and vomiting?"
D) "You have been taking your medicine, haven't
you?" - ANSWER -A) "Do you take
5. The nurse is interviewing a patient who has a medicine?"
hearing impairment. What techniques would be
most beneficial in communicating with this Page: 46 In a situation where there is a language
patient? barrier and no interpreter available, use simple
words avoiding medical jargon. Avoid using
A) Determine the communication method he contractions and pronouns. Use nouns
prefers. repeatedly and discuss one topic at a time.
B) Avoid using facial and hand gestures because
most hearing-impaired people find this
degrading.
C) Request a sign language interpreter before 7. A female patient does not speak English well,
meeting with him to help facilitate the and the nurse needs to choose an interpreter.
communication. Which of the following would be the most
D) Speak loudly and with exaggerated facial appropriate choice?
movement when talking with him because this
helps with lip reading. - ANSWER -A) A) A trained interpreter
Determine the communication method he B) A male family member
prefers. C) A female family member
D) A volunteer college student from the foreign
Pages: 40-41 The nurse should ask the deaf language studies department - ANSWER -
person the preferred way to communicate—by A) A trained interpreter
signing, lip reading, or writing. If the person
prefers lip reading, then the nurse should be sure Page: 46 whenever possible, the nurse should
to face him or her squarely and have good use a trained interpreter, preferably one who
lighting on the nurse's face. The nurse should not knows medical terminology. In general, an older,
exaggerate lip movements because this distorts more mature interpreter is preferred to a younger,
words. Similarly, shouting distorts the reception less experienced one, and the same gender is
of a hearing aid the person may wear. The nurse preferred when possible.
should speak slowly and should supplement his
or her voice with appropriate hand gestures or
pantomime.
8. The nurse is conducting an interview. Which of
,HESI Prep - Health Assessment Practice Questions with
Answers Rated A
these statements is true regarding open-ended barrier. The nurse should begin the interview as
questions? Select all that apply. usual by greeting the patient, establishing
rapport, and collecting the patient's narrative
A) They elicit cold facts. story in a direct face-to-face manner. Only after
B) They allow for self-expression. the narrative is fully explored should the nurse
C) They build and enhance rapport. type data into the computer. When typing, the
D) They leave interactions neutral. nurse should position the monitor so that the
E) They call for short one- to two-word answers. patient can see it.
F) They are used when narrative information is
needed. - ANSWER -B) They allow for self-
expression.
C) They build and enhance rapport. 10. During an assessment, the nurse notices that
F) They are used when narrative information a patient is handling a small charm that is tied to
a leather strip around his neck. Which action by
Page: 32 Open-ended questions allow for self- the nurse is appropriate?
expression, build rapport, and obtain narrative
information. These features enhance A) Ask the patient about the item and its
communication during an interview. The other significance.
statements are appropriate for closed or direct B) Ask the patient to lock the item with other
questions. valuables in the hospital's safe.
C) Tell the patient that a family member should
take valuables home.
D) No action is necessary. - ANSWER -A)
9. The nurse is conducting an interview in an Ask the patient about the item and its
outpatient clinic and is using a computer to significance.
record data. Which is the best use of the
computer in this situation? Select all that apply. Page: 21 The nurse should inquire about the
amulet's meaning. Amulets, such as charms, are
A) Collect the patient's data in a direct, face-to- often seen as an important means of protection
face manner. from "evil spirits" by some cultures.
B) Enter all the data as the patient states it.
C) Ask the patient to wait as the nurse enters
data.
D) Type the data into the computer after the 11. In the majority culture of America, coughing,
narrative is fully explored. sweating, and diarrhea are symptoms of an
E) Allow the patient to see the monitor during illness. For some individuals of Mexican-
typing. - ANSWER -A) Collect the patient's American origin, however, these symptoms are a
data in a direct, face-to-face manner. normal part of living. The nurse recognizes that
D) Type the data into the computer after the this is true, probably because Mexican-
narrative is fully explored. Americans:
E) Allow the patient to see the monitor during
typing. A) have less efficient immune systems and are
often ill.
Page: 32 The use of a computer can become a B) consider these symptoms a part of normal
living, not symptoms of ill health.
, HESI Prep - Health Assessment Practice Questions with
Answers Rated A
C) come from Mexico and coughing is normal - ANSWER -B) supernatural forces.
and healthy there.
D) are usually in a lower socioeconomic group Page: 21 The basic premise of the
and are more likely to be sick. - ANSWER - magicoreligious perspective is that the world is
B) consider these symptoms a part of normal seen as an arena in which supernatural forces
living, not symptoms of ill health. dominate. The fate of the world and those in it
depends on the actions of supernatural forces for
Page: 27 The nurse needs to identify the good or evil. The other answers do not reflect the
meaning of health to the patient, remembering magicoreligious perspective.
that concepts are derived, in part, from the way
in which members of the cultural group define
health.
14. If an American Indian has come to the clinic
to seek help with regulating her diabetes, the
nurse can expect that she:
12. Among many Asians there is a belief in the
yin/yang theory, rooted in the ancient Chinese A) will comply with the treatment prescribed.
philosophy of Tao. The nurse recognizes which B) has obviously given up her beliefs in
statement that most accurately reflects "health" naturalistic causes of disease.
in an Asian with this belief? C) may also be seeking the assistance of a
shaman or medicine man.
A) A person is able to work and produce. D) will need extra help in dealing with her illness
B) A person is happy, stable, and feels good. and may be experiencing a crisis of faith. -
C) All aspects of the person are in perfect ANSWER -C) may also be seeking the
balance. assistance of a shaman or medicine man.
D) A person is able to care for others and
function socially. - ANSWER -C) All Page: 23 When self-treatment is unsuccessful,
aspects of the person are in perfect balance. the individual may turn to the lay or folk healing
systems, to spiritual or religious healing, or to
Page: 21 Many Asians believe in the yin/yang scientific biomedicine. In addition to seeking help
theory, in which health is believed to exist when from a biomedical or scientific health care
all aspects of the person are in perfect balance. provider, patients may also seek help from folk or
The other statements do not describe this theory. religious healers.
13. An individual who takes the magicoreligious 15. An elderly Mexican-American woman with
perspective of illness and disease is likely to traditional beliefs has been admitted to an
believe that his or her illness was caused by: inpatient care unit. A culturally-sensitive nurse
would:
A) germs and viruses.
B) supernatural forces. A) contact the hospital administrator about the
C) eating imbalanced foods. best course of action.
D) an imbalance within his or her spiritual nature. B) automatically get a curandero for her because
Answers Rated A
1. In an interview, the nurse may find it discussed but only in general terms. The nurse
necessary to take notes to aid his or her memory should use it to begin the interview, to introduce a
later. Which statement is true regarding note- new section of questions, and whenever the
taking? person introduces a new topic.
A) Note-taking may impede the nurse's
observation of the patient's nonverbal behaviors.
B) Note-taking allows the patient to continue at 3. A nurse is taking complete health histories on
his or her own pace as the nurse records what is all of the patients attending a wellness workshop.
said. On the history form, one of the written questions
C) Note-taking allows the nurse to shift attention asks, "You don't smoke, drink, or take drugs, do
away from the patient, resulting in an increased you?" This question is an example of:
comfort level.
D) Note-taking allows the nurse to break eye A) talking too much.
contact with the patient, which may increase his B) using confrontation.
or her level of comfort. - ANSWER -A) C) using biased or leading questions.
Note-taking may impede the nurse's observation D) using blunt language to deal with distasteful
of the patient's nonverbal behaviors. topics. - ANSWER -C) using biased or
leading questions.
Page: 31 Some use of history forms and note-
taking may be unavoidable. But be aware that Page: 36 This is an example of using leading or
note-taking during the interview has biased questions. Asking, "You don't smoke, do
disadvantages. It breaks eye contact too often, you?" implies that one answer is "better" than
and it shifts attention away from the patient, another. If the person wants to please someone,
which diminishes his or her sense of importance. he or she is either forced to answer in a way
It also may interrupt the patient's narrative flow, corresponding to their implied values or is made
and it impedes the observation of the patient's to feel guilty when admitting the other answer.
nonverbal behavior.
4. During an interview, a parent of a hospitalized
2. During an interview, the nurse states, "You child is sitting in an open position. As the
mentioned shortness of breath. Tell me more interviewer begins to discuss his son's treatment,
about that." Which verbal skill is used with this however, he suddenly crosses his arms against
statement? his chest and crosses his legs. This would
suggest that the parent is:
A) Reflection
B) Facilitation A) just changing positions.
C) Direct question B) more comfortable in this position.
D) Open-ended question - ANSWER -D) C) tired and needs a break from the interview.
Open-ended question D) uncomfortable talking about his son's
treatment. - ANSWER -D) uncomfortable
Page: 32 The open-ended question asks for talking about his son's treatment.
narrative information. It states the topic to be
,HESI Prep - Health Assessment Practice Questions with
Answers Rated A
Page: 37 Note the person's position. An open
position with the extension of large muscle 6. The nurse is performing a health interview on a
groups shows relaxation, physical comfort, and a patient who has a language barrier, and no
willingness to share information. A closed interpreter is available. Which is the best
position with the arms and legs crossed tends to example of an appropriate question for the nurse
look defensive and anxious. Note any change in to ask in this situation?
posture. If a person in a relaxed position
suddenly tenses, it suggests possible discomfort A) "Do you take medicine?"
with the new topic. B) "Do you sterilize the bottles?"
C) "Do you have nausea and vomiting?"
D) "You have been taking your medicine, haven't
you?" - ANSWER -A) "Do you take
5. The nurse is interviewing a patient who has a medicine?"
hearing impairment. What techniques would be
most beneficial in communicating with this Page: 46 In a situation where there is a language
patient? barrier and no interpreter available, use simple
words avoiding medical jargon. Avoid using
A) Determine the communication method he contractions and pronouns. Use nouns
prefers. repeatedly and discuss one topic at a time.
B) Avoid using facial and hand gestures because
most hearing-impaired people find this
degrading.
C) Request a sign language interpreter before 7. A female patient does not speak English well,
meeting with him to help facilitate the and the nurse needs to choose an interpreter.
communication. Which of the following would be the most
D) Speak loudly and with exaggerated facial appropriate choice?
movement when talking with him because this
helps with lip reading. - ANSWER -A) A) A trained interpreter
Determine the communication method he B) A male family member
prefers. C) A female family member
D) A volunteer college student from the foreign
Pages: 40-41 The nurse should ask the deaf language studies department - ANSWER -
person the preferred way to communicate—by A) A trained interpreter
signing, lip reading, or writing. If the person
prefers lip reading, then the nurse should be sure Page: 46 whenever possible, the nurse should
to face him or her squarely and have good use a trained interpreter, preferably one who
lighting on the nurse's face. The nurse should not knows medical terminology. In general, an older,
exaggerate lip movements because this distorts more mature interpreter is preferred to a younger,
words. Similarly, shouting distorts the reception less experienced one, and the same gender is
of a hearing aid the person may wear. The nurse preferred when possible.
should speak slowly and should supplement his
or her voice with appropriate hand gestures or
pantomime.
8. The nurse is conducting an interview. Which of
,HESI Prep - Health Assessment Practice Questions with
Answers Rated A
these statements is true regarding open-ended barrier. The nurse should begin the interview as
questions? Select all that apply. usual by greeting the patient, establishing
rapport, and collecting the patient's narrative
A) They elicit cold facts. story in a direct face-to-face manner. Only after
B) They allow for self-expression. the narrative is fully explored should the nurse
C) They build and enhance rapport. type data into the computer. When typing, the
D) They leave interactions neutral. nurse should position the monitor so that the
E) They call for short one- to two-word answers. patient can see it.
F) They are used when narrative information is
needed. - ANSWER -B) They allow for self-
expression.
C) They build and enhance rapport. 10. During an assessment, the nurse notices that
F) They are used when narrative information a patient is handling a small charm that is tied to
a leather strip around his neck. Which action by
Page: 32 Open-ended questions allow for self- the nurse is appropriate?
expression, build rapport, and obtain narrative
information. These features enhance A) Ask the patient about the item and its
communication during an interview. The other significance.
statements are appropriate for closed or direct B) Ask the patient to lock the item with other
questions. valuables in the hospital's safe.
C) Tell the patient that a family member should
take valuables home.
D) No action is necessary. - ANSWER -A)
9. The nurse is conducting an interview in an Ask the patient about the item and its
outpatient clinic and is using a computer to significance.
record data. Which is the best use of the
computer in this situation? Select all that apply. Page: 21 The nurse should inquire about the
amulet's meaning. Amulets, such as charms, are
A) Collect the patient's data in a direct, face-to- often seen as an important means of protection
face manner. from "evil spirits" by some cultures.
B) Enter all the data as the patient states it.
C) Ask the patient to wait as the nurse enters
data.
D) Type the data into the computer after the 11. In the majority culture of America, coughing,
narrative is fully explored. sweating, and diarrhea are symptoms of an
E) Allow the patient to see the monitor during illness. For some individuals of Mexican-
typing. - ANSWER -A) Collect the patient's American origin, however, these symptoms are a
data in a direct, face-to-face manner. normal part of living. The nurse recognizes that
D) Type the data into the computer after the this is true, probably because Mexican-
narrative is fully explored. Americans:
E) Allow the patient to see the monitor during
typing. A) have less efficient immune systems and are
often ill.
Page: 32 The use of a computer can become a B) consider these symptoms a part of normal
living, not symptoms of ill health.
, HESI Prep - Health Assessment Practice Questions with
Answers Rated A
C) come from Mexico and coughing is normal - ANSWER -B) supernatural forces.
and healthy there.
D) are usually in a lower socioeconomic group Page: 21 The basic premise of the
and are more likely to be sick. - ANSWER - magicoreligious perspective is that the world is
B) consider these symptoms a part of normal seen as an arena in which supernatural forces
living, not symptoms of ill health. dominate. The fate of the world and those in it
depends on the actions of supernatural forces for
Page: 27 The nurse needs to identify the good or evil. The other answers do not reflect the
meaning of health to the patient, remembering magicoreligious perspective.
that concepts are derived, in part, from the way
in which members of the cultural group define
health.
14. If an American Indian has come to the clinic
to seek help with regulating her diabetes, the
nurse can expect that she:
12. Among many Asians there is a belief in the
yin/yang theory, rooted in the ancient Chinese A) will comply with the treatment prescribed.
philosophy of Tao. The nurse recognizes which B) has obviously given up her beliefs in
statement that most accurately reflects "health" naturalistic causes of disease.
in an Asian with this belief? C) may also be seeking the assistance of a
shaman or medicine man.
A) A person is able to work and produce. D) will need extra help in dealing with her illness
B) A person is happy, stable, and feels good. and may be experiencing a crisis of faith. -
C) All aspects of the person are in perfect ANSWER -C) may also be seeking the
balance. assistance of a shaman or medicine man.
D) A person is able to care for others and
function socially. - ANSWER -C) All Page: 23 When self-treatment is unsuccessful,
aspects of the person are in perfect balance. the individual may turn to the lay or folk healing
systems, to spiritual or religious healing, or to
Page: 21 Many Asians believe in the yin/yang scientific biomedicine. In addition to seeking help
theory, in which health is believed to exist when from a biomedical or scientific health care
all aspects of the person are in perfect balance. provider, patients may also seek help from folk or
The other statements do not describe this theory. religious healers.
13. An individual who takes the magicoreligious 15. An elderly Mexican-American woman with
perspective of illness and disease is likely to traditional beliefs has been admitted to an
believe that his or her illness was caused by: inpatient care unit. A culturally-sensitive nurse
would:
A) germs and viruses.
B) supernatural forces. A) contact the hospital administrator about the
C) eating imbalanced foods. best course of action.
D) an imbalance within his or her spiritual nature. B) automatically get a curandero for her because
