HESI Prep - Health Assessment Practice Questions and
Answers Graded A+
1. In an interview, the nurse may find it a new section of questions, and whenever the
necessary to take notes to aid his or her memory person introduces a new topic.
later. Which statement is true regarding note-
taking?
3. A nurse is taking complete health histories on
A) Note-taking may impede the nurse's all of the patients attending a wellness workshop.
observation of the patient's nonverbal behaviors. On the history form, one of the written questions
B) Note-taking allows the patient to continue at asks, "You don't smoke, drink, or take drugs, do
his or her own pace as the nurse records what is you?" This question is an example of:
said.
C) Note-taking allows the nurse to shift attention A) talking too much.
away from the patient, resulting in an increased B) using confrontation.
comfort level. C) using biased or leading questions.
D) Note-taking allows the nurse to break eye D) using blunt language to deal with distasteful
contact with the patient, which may increase his topics. - ANSWER -C) using biased or
or her level of comfort. - ANSWER -A) leading questions.
Note-taking may impede the nurse's observation
of the patient's nonverbal behaviors. Page: 36 This is an example of using leading or
biased questions. Asking, "You don't smoke, do
Page: 31 Some use of history forms and note- you?" implies that one answer is "better" than
taking may be unavoidable. But be aware that another. If the person wants to please someone,
note-taking during the interview has he or she is either forced to answer in a way
disadvantages. It breaks eye contact too often, corresponding to their implied values or is made
and it shifts attention away from the patient, to feel guilty when admitting the other answer.
which diminishes his or her sense of importance.
It also may interrupt the patient's narrative flow,
and it impedes the observation of the patient's 4. During an interview, a parent of a hospitalized
nonverbal behavior. child is sitting in an open position. As the
interviewer begins to discuss his son's treatment,
however, he suddenly crosses his arms against
2. During an interview, the nurse states, "You his chest and crosses his legs. This would
mentioned shortness of breath. Tell me more suggest that the parent is:
about that." Which verbal skill is used with this
statement? A) just changing positions.
B) more comfortable in this position.
A) Reflection C) tired and needs a break from the interview.
B) Facilitation D) uncomfortable talking about his son's
C) Direct question treatment. - ANSWER -D) uncomfortable
D) Open-ended question - ANSWER -D) talking about his son's treatment.
Open-ended question
Page: 37 Note the person's position. An open
Page: 32 The open-ended question asks for position with the extension of large muscle
narrative information. It states the topic to be groups shows relaxation, physical comfort, and a
discussed but only in general terms. The nurse willingness to share information. A closed
should use it to begin the interview, to introduce position with the arms and legs crossed tends to
,HESI Prep - Health Assessment Practice Questions and
Answers Graded A+
look defensive and anxious. Note any change in A) "Do you take medicine?"
posture. If a person in a relaxed position B) "Do you sterilize the bottles?"
suddenly tenses, it suggests possible discomfort C) "Do you have nausea and vomiting?"
with the new topic. D) "You have been taking your medicine, haven't
you?" - ANSWER -A) "Do you take
medicine?"
5. The nurse is interviewing a patient who has a
hearing impairment. What techniques would be Page: 46 In a situation where there is a language
most beneficial in communicating with this barrier and no interpreter available, use simple
patient? words avoiding medical jargon. Avoid using
contractions and pronouns. Use nouns
A) Determine the communication method he repeatedly and discuss one topic at a time.
prefers.
B) Avoid using facial and hand gestures because
most hearing-impaired people find this 7. A female patient does not speak English well,
degrading. and the nurse needs to choose an interpreter.
C) Request a sign language interpreter before Which of the following would be the most
meeting with him to help facilitate the appropriate choice?
communication.
D) Speak loudly and with exaggerated facial A) A trained interpreter
movement when talking with him because this B) A male family member
helps with lip reading. - ANSWER -A) C) A female family member
Determine the communication method he D) A volunteer college student from the foreign
prefers. language studies department - ANSWER -
A) A trained interpreter
Pages: 40-41 The nurse should ask the deaf
person the preferred way to communicate—by Page: 46 whenever possible, the nurse should
signing, lip reading, or writing. If the person use a trained interpreter, preferably one who
prefers lip reading, then the nurse should be sure knows medical terminology. In general, an older,
to face him or her squarely and have good more mature interpreter is preferred to a younger,
lighting on the nurse's face. The nurse should not less experienced one, and the same gender is
exaggerate lip movements because this distorts preferred when possible.
words. Similarly, shouting distorts the reception
of a hearing aid the person may wear. The nurse
should speak slowly and should supplement his 8. The nurse is conducting an interview. Which of
or her voice with appropriate hand gestures or these statements is true regarding open-ended
pantomime. questions? Select all that apply.
A) They elicit cold facts.
6. The nurse is performing a health interview on B) They allow for self-expression.
a patient who has a language barrier, and no C) They build and enhance rapport.
interpreter is available. Which is the best D) They leave interactions neutral.
example of an appropriate question for the nurse E) They call for short one- to two-word answers.
to ask in this situation? F) They are used when narrative information is
needed. - ANSWER -B) They allow for self-
,HESI Prep - Health Assessment Practice Questions and
Answers Graded A+
expression. a leather strip around his neck. Which action by
C) They build and enhance rapport. the nurse is appropriate?
F) They are used when narrative information
A) Ask the patient about the item and its
Page: 32 Open-ended questions allow for self- significance.
expression, build rapport, and obtain narrative B) Ask the patient to lock the item with other
information. These features enhance valuables in the hospital's safe.
communication during an interview. The other C) Tell the patient that a family member should
statements are appropriate for closed or direct take valuables home.
questions. D) No action is necessary. - ANSWER -A)
Ask the patient about the item and its
significance.
9. The nurse is conducting an interview in an
outpatient clinic and is using a computer to Page: 21 The nurse should inquire about the
record data. Which is the best use of the amulet's meaning. Amulets, such as charms, are
computer in this situation? Select all that apply. often seen as an important means of protection
from "evil spirits" by some cultures.
A) Collect the patient's data in a direct, face-to-
face manner.
B) Enter all the data as the patient states it. 11. In the majority culture of America, coughing,
C) Ask the patient to wait as the nurse enters sweating, and diarrhea are symptoms of an
data. illness. For some individuals of Mexican-
D) Type the data into the computer after the American origin, however, these symptoms are a
narrative is fully explored. normal part of living. The nurse recognizes that
E) Allow the patient to see the monitor during this is true, probably because Mexican-
typing. - ANSWER -A) Collect the patient's Americans:
data in a direct, face-to-face manner.
D) Type the data into the computer after the A) have less efficient immune systems and are
narrative is fully explored. often ill.
E) Allow the patient to see the monitor during B) consider these symptoms a part of normal
typing. living, not symptoms of ill health.
C) come from Mexico and coughing is normal
Page: 32 The use of a computer can become a and healthy there.
barrier. The nurse should begin the interview as D) are usually in a lower socioeconomic group
usual by greeting the patient, establishing and are more likely to be sick. - ANSWER -
rapport, and collecting the patient's narrative B) consider these symptoms a part of normal
story in a direct face-to-face manner. Only after living, not symptoms of ill health.
the narrative is fully explored should the nurse
type data into the computer. When typing, the Page: 27 The nurse needs to identify the
nurse should position the monitor so that the meaning of health to the patient, remembering
patient can see it. that concepts are derived, in part, from the way in
which members of the cultural group define
health.
10. During an assessment, the nurse notices that
a patient is handling a small charm that is tied to
, HESI Prep - Health Assessment Practice Questions and
Answers Graded A+
12. Among many Asians there is a belief in the naturalistic causes of disease.
yin/yang theory, rooted in the ancient Chinese C) may also be seeking the assistance of a
philosophy of Tao. The nurse recognizes which shaman or medicine man.
statement that most accurately reflects "health" D) will need extra help in dealing with her illness
in an Asian with this belief? and may be experiencing a crisis of faith. -
ANSWER -C) may also be seeking the
A) A person is able to work and produce. assistance of a shaman or medicine man.
B) A person is happy, stable, and feels good.
C) All aspects of the person are in perfect Page: 23 When self-treatment is unsuccessful,
balance. the individual may turn to the lay or folk healing
D) A person is able to care for others and systems, to spiritual or religious healing, or to
function socially. - ANSWER -C) All scientific biomedicine. In addition to seeking help
aspects of the person are in perfect balance. from a biomedical or scientific health care
provider, patients may also seek help from folk or
Page: 21 Many Asians believe in the yin/yang religious healers.
theory, in which health is believed to exist when
all aspects of the person are in perfect balance.
The other statements do not describe this theory. 15. An elderly Mexican-American woman with
traditional beliefs has been admitted to an
inpatient care unit. A culturally-sensitive nurse
13. An individual who takes the magicoreligious would:
perspective of illness and disease is likely to
believe that his or her illness was caused by: A) contact the hospital administrator about the
best course of action.
A) germs and viruses. B) automatically get a curandero for her because
B) supernatural forces. it is not culturally appropriate for her to request
C) eating imbalanced foods. one.
D) an imbalance within his or her spiritual nature. C) further assess the patient's cultural beliefs and
- ANSWER -B) supernatural forces. offer the patient assistance in contacting a
curandero or priest if she desires.
Page: 21 The basic premise of the D) ask the family what they would like to do
magicoreligious perspective is that the world is because Mexican-Americans traditionally give
seen as an arena in which supernatural forces control of decisions to their families. -
dominate. The fate of the world and those in it ANSWER -C) further assess the patient's
depends on the actions of supernatural forces for cultural beliefs and offer the patient assistance in
good or evil. The other answers do not reflect the contacting a curandero or priest if she desires.
magicoreligious perspective.
Pages: 22-23 In addition to seeking help from the
biomedical/scientific health care provider,
14. If an American Indian has come to the clinic patients may also seek help from folk or religious
to seek help with regulating her diabetes, the healers. Some people, such as those of Mexican-
nurse can expect that she: American or American Indian origins, may
believe that the cure is incomplete unless the
A) will comply with the treatment prescribed. body, mind, and spirit are also healed (although
B) has obviously given up her beliefs in the division of the person into parts is a Western
Answers Graded A+
1. In an interview, the nurse may find it a new section of questions, and whenever the
necessary to take notes to aid his or her memory person introduces a new topic.
later. Which statement is true regarding note-
taking?
3. A nurse is taking complete health histories on
A) Note-taking may impede the nurse's all of the patients attending a wellness workshop.
observation of the patient's nonverbal behaviors. On the history form, one of the written questions
B) Note-taking allows the patient to continue at asks, "You don't smoke, drink, or take drugs, do
his or her own pace as the nurse records what is you?" This question is an example of:
said.
C) Note-taking allows the nurse to shift attention A) talking too much.
away from the patient, resulting in an increased B) using confrontation.
comfort level. C) using biased or leading questions.
D) Note-taking allows the nurse to break eye D) using blunt language to deal with distasteful
contact with the patient, which may increase his topics. - ANSWER -C) using biased or
or her level of comfort. - ANSWER -A) leading questions.
Note-taking may impede the nurse's observation
of the patient's nonverbal behaviors. Page: 36 This is an example of using leading or
biased questions. Asking, "You don't smoke, do
Page: 31 Some use of history forms and note- you?" implies that one answer is "better" than
taking may be unavoidable. But be aware that another. If the person wants to please someone,
note-taking during the interview has he or she is either forced to answer in a way
disadvantages. It breaks eye contact too often, corresponding to their implied values or is made
and it shifts attention away from the patient, to feel guilty when admitting the other answer.
which diminishes his or her sense of importance.
It also may interrupt the patient's narrative flow,
and it impedes the observation of the patient's 4. During an interview, a parent of a hospitalized
nonverbal behavior. child is sitting in an open position. As the
interviewer begins to discuss his son's treatment,
however, he suddenly crosses his arms against
2. During an interview, the nurse states, "You his chest and crosses his legs. This would
mentioned shortness of breath. Tell me more suggest that the parent is:
about that." Which verbal skill is used with this
statement? A) just changing positions.
B) more comfortable in this position.
A) Reflection C) tired and needs a break from the interview.
B) Facilitation D) uncomfortable talking about his son's
C) Direct question treatment. - ANSWER -D) uncomfortable
D) Open-ended question - ANSWER -D) talking about his son's treatment.
Open-ended question
Page: 37 Note the person's position. An open
Page: 32 The open-ended question asks for position with the extension of large muscle
narrative information. It states the topic to be groups shows relaxation, physical comfort, and a
discussed but only in general terms. The nurse willingness to share information. A closed
should use it to begin the interview, to introduce position with the arms and legs crossed tends to
,HESI Prep - Health Assessment Practice Questions and
Answers Graded A+
look defensive and anxious. Note any change in A) "Do you take medicine?"
posture. If a person in a relaxed position B) "Do you sterilize the bottles?"
suddenly tenses, it suggests possible discomfort C) "Do you have nausea and vomiting?"
with the new topic. D) "You have been taking your medicine, haven't
you?" - ANSWER -A) "Do you take
medicine?"
5. The nurse is interviewing a patient who has a
hearing impairment. What techniques would be Page: 46 In a situation where there is a language
most beneficial in communicating with this barrier and no interpreter available, use simple
patient? words avoiding medical jargon. Avoid using
contractions and pronouns. Use nouns
A) Determine the communication method he repeatedly and discuss one topic at a time.
prefers.
B) Avoid using facial and hand gestures because
most hearing-impaired people find this 7. A female patient does not speak English well,
degrading. and the nurse needs to choose an interpreter.
C) Request a sign language interpreter before Which of the following would be the most
meeting with him to help facilitate the appropriate choice?
communication.
D) Speak loudly and with exaggerated facial A) A trained interpreter
movement when talking with him because this B) A male family member
helps with lip reading. - ANSWER -A) C) A female family member
Determine the communication method he D) A volunteer college student from the foreign
prefers. language studies department - ANSWER -
A) A trained interpreter
Pages: 40-41 The nurse should ask the deaf
person the preferred way to communicate—by Page: 46 whenever possible, the nurse should
signing, lip reading, or writing. If the person use a trained interpreter, preferably one who
prefers lip reading, then the nurse should be sure knows medical terminology. In general, an older,
to face him or her squarely and have good more mature interpreter is preferred to a younger,
lighting on the nurse's face. The nurse should not less experienced one, and the same gender is
exaggerate lip movements because this distorts preferred when possible.
words. Similarly, shouting distorts the reception
of a hearing aid the person may wear. The nurse
should speak slowly and should supplement his 8. The nurse is conducting an interview. Which of
or her voice with appropriate hand gestures or these statements is true regarding open-ended
pantomime. questions? Select all that apply.
A) They elicit cold facts.
6. The nurse is performing a health interview on B) They allow for self-expression.
a patient who has a language barrier, and no C) They build and enhance rapport.
interpreter is available. Which is the best D) They leave interactions neutral.
example of an appropriate question for the nurse E) They call for short one- to two-word answers.
to ask in this situation? F) They are used when narrative information is
needed. - ANSWER -B) They allow for self-
,HESI Prep - Health Assessment Practice Questions and
Answers Graded A+
expression. a leather strip around his neck. Which action by
C) They build and enhance rapport. the nurse is appropriate?
F) They are used when narrative information
A) Ask the patient about the item and its
Page: 32 Open-ended questions allow for self- significance.
expression, build rapport, and obtain narrative B) Ask the patient to lock the item with other
information. These features enhance valuables in the hospital's safe.
communication during an interview. The other C) Tell the patient that a family member should
statements are appropriate for closed or direct take valuables home.
questions. D) No action is necessary. - ANSWER -A)
Ask the patient about the item and its
significance.
9. The nurse is conducting an interview in an
outpatient clinic and is using a computer to Page: 21 The nurse should inquire about the
record data. Which is the best use of the amulet's meaning. Amulets, such as charms, are
computer in this situation? Select all that apply. often seen as an important means of protection
from "evil spirits" by some cultures.
A) Collect the patient's data in a direct, face-to-
face manner.
B) Enter all the data as the patient states it. 11. In the majority culture of America, coughing,
C) Ask the patient to wait as the nurse enters sweating, and diarrhea are symptoms of an
data. illness. For some individuals of Mexican-
D) Type the data into the computer after the American origin, however, these symptoms are a
narrative is fully explored. normal part of living. The nurse recognizes that
E) Allow the patient to see the monitor during this is true, probably because Mexican-
typing. - ANSWER -A) Collect the patient's Americans:
data in a direct, face-to-face manner.
D) Type the data into the computer after the A) have less efficient immune systems and are
narrative is fully explored. often ill.
E) Allow the patient to see the monitor during B) consider these symptoms a part of normal
typing. living, not symptoms of ill health.
C) come from Mexico and coughing is normal
Page: 32 The use of a computer can become a and healthy there.
barrier. The nurse should begin the interview as D) are usually in a lower socioeconomic group
usual by greeting the patient, establishing and are more likely to be sick. - ANSWER -
rapport, and collecting the patient's narrative B) consider these symptoms a part of normal
story in a direct face-to-face manner. Only after living, not symptoms of ill health.
the narrative is fully explored should the nurse
type data into the computer. When typing, the Page: 27 The nurse needs to identify the
nurse should position the monitor so that the meaning of health to the patient, remembering
patient can see it. that concepts are derived, in part, from the way in
which members of the cultural group define
health.
10. During an assessment, the nurse notices that
a patient is handling a small charm that is tied to
, HESI Prep - Health Assessment Practice Questions and
Answers Graded A+
12. Among many Asians there is a belief in the naturalistic causes of disease.
yin/yang theory, rooted in the ancient Chinese C) may also be seeking the assistance of a
philosophy of Tao. The nurse recognizes which shaman or medicine man.
statement that most accurately reflects "health" D) will need extra help in dealing with her illness
in an Asian with this belief? and may be experiencing a crisis of faith. -
ANSWER -C) may also be seeking the
A) A person is able to work and produce. assistance of a shaman or medicine man.
B) A person is happy, stable, and feels good.
C) All aspects of the person are in perfect Page: 23 When self-treatment is unsuccessful,
balance. the individual may turn to the lay or folk healing
D) A person is able to care for others and systems, to spiritual or religious healing, or to
function socially. - ANSWER -C) All scientific biomedicine. In addition to seeking help
aspects of the person are in perfect balance. from a biomedical or scientific health care
provider, patients may also seek help from folk or
Page: 21 Many Asians believe in the yin/yang religious healers.
theory, in which health is believed to exist when
all aspects of the person are in perfect balance.
The other statements do not describe this theory. 15. An elderly Mexican-American woman with
traditional beliefs has been admitted to an
inpatient care unit. A culturally-sensitive nurse
13. An individual who takes the magicoreligious would:
perspective of illness and disease is likely to
believe that his or her illness was caused by: A) contact the hospital administrator about the
best course of action.
A) germs and viruses. B) automatically get a curandero for her because
B) supernatural forces. it is not culturally appropriate for her to request
C) eating imbalanced foods. one.
D) an imbalance within his or her spiritual nature. C) further assess the patient's cultural beliefs and
- ANSWER -B) supernatural forces. offer the patient assistance in contacting a
curandero or priest if she desires.
Page: 21 The basic premise of the D) ask the family what they would like to do
magicoreligious perspective is that the world is because Mexican-Americans traditionally give
seen as an arena in which supernatural forces control of decisions to their families. -
dominate. The fate of the world and those in it ANSWER -C) further assess the patient's
depends on the actions of supernatural forces for cultural beliefs and offer the patient assistance in
good or evil. The other answers do not reflect the contacting a curandero or priest if she desires.
magicoreligious perspective.
Pages: 22-23 In addition to seeking help from the
biomedical/scientific health care provider,
14. If an American Indian has come to the clinic patients may also seek help from folk or religious
to seek help with regulating her diabetes, the healers. Some people, such as those of Mexican-
nurse can expect that she: American or American Indian origins, may
believe that the cure is incomplete unless the
A) will comply with the treatment prescribed. body, mind, and spirit are also healed (although
B) has obviously given up her beliefs in the division of the person into parts is a Western
