HESI A2 Critical Thinking Questions & Verified Answers
2026 | Latest Update | Graded A+
1. A 34-year-old Chinese man is admitted with multiple injuries from a motor
vehicle accident. He complains of severe pain and asks frequently for pain
medication. One of the nursing assistants expresses surprise, saying, 'I
thought Asian people were very stoic about pain.' What is the nurse's best
response about pain?
Pain perception is the same in all people.
Expression and perception of pain vary widely from person to
person.
Tolerance of pain is determined by a person's genetic makeup.
Tolerance to pain is the same in all people.
2. What type of questioning is exemplified by the phrase, "You don't smoke,
drink, or take drugs, do you?"
Using open-ended questions
Using biased or leading questions
Using closed-ended questions
Using reflective questions
3. If a nurse encounters a patient who speaks a different dialect of the same
language, what strategy should they use to ensure effective communication?
Use simple and clear language while avoiding idioms.
Speak louder to ensure the patient hears.
Assume the patient understands without checking.
Use technical medical jargon to explain.
,4. The nurse is performing a functional assessment on an 82-year-old client
who recently had a stroke. Which of these questions should the nurse ask as
part of the functional assessment?
do you have any thyroid problems
do you wear glasses
are you able to dress yourself
how many times a day do you have a bowel movement
5. Why is it important for a nurse to assess a patient's cultural beliefs before
providing care?
To avoid any legal issues that may arise.
To make decisions on behalf of the patient.
To ensure that care is respectful and aligned with the patient's
values.
To simplify the care process.
6. What is the primary concept of health according to the yin/yang theory in
many Asian cultures?
A person is happy, stable, and feels good.
A person is able to care for others and function socially.
A person is able to work and produce.
All aspects of the person are in perfect balance.
,7. An older adult is brought to the community clinic by an adult child with the
concern of increasingly frequent lapses in memory. Which assessment
question is most likely to identify potential risk factors for impaired cognitive
functioning?
"Where are you currently living?"
"What line of work were you in?"
"What did your mother and father die of?"
"What medications are you currently taking?"
8. An older Mexican-American woman with traditional beliefs has been
admitted to an inpatient care unit. A culturally sensitive nurse would:
Contact the hospital administrator about the best course of action.
Automatically get a curandero for her, because requesting one herself
is not culturally appropriate.
Ask the family what they would like to do because
Further assess the patient's cultural beliefs and offer the patient
assistance in contacting a curandero or priest if she desires.
9. Why is the question, "You don't smoke, drink, or take drugs, do you?"
considered biased or leading?
It allows for a range of responses from the patient.
It is phrased in a neutral manner.
It encourages the patient to elaborate on their habits.
It suggests a negative response and limits the patient's ability to
answer freely.
, 10. What is one potential drawback of note-taking during a patient interview
according to nursing practices?
Note-taking enhances the nurse's ability to engage with the patient.
Note-taking may impede the nurse's observation of the patient's
nonverbal behaviors.
Note-taking is not recommended in any patient interviews.
Note-taking allows the nurse to focus solely on verbal
communication.
11. What type of questions are designed to encourage detailed responses from
patients during interviews?
Open-ended questions
Rhetorical questions
Closed questions
Leading questions
12. What is the primary goal of a nurse when responding to a patient's report of
pain?
To gather more information about the patient's symptoms.
To dismiss the patient's concerns.
To immediately prescribe medication.
To refer the patient to a specialist.
13. A female patient does not speak English well, and the nurse needs to
choose an interpreter. Which of the following would be the most
appropriate choice?
2026 | Latest Update | Graded A+
1. A 34-year-old Chinese man is admitted with multiple injuries from a motor
vehicle accident. He complains of severe pain and asks frequently for pain
medication. One of the nursing assistants expresses surprise, saying, 'I
thought Asian people were very stoic about pain.' What is the nurse's best
response about pain?
Pain perception is the same in all people.
Expression and perception of pain vary widely from person to
person.
Tolerance of pain is determined by a person's genetic makeup.
Tolerance to pain is the same in all people.
2. What type of questioning is exemplified by the phrase, "You don't smoke,
drink, or take drugs, do you?"
Using open-ended questions
Using biased or leading questions
Using closed-ended questions
Using reflective questions
3. If a nurse encounters a patient who speaks a different dialect of the same
language, what strategy should they use to ensure effective communication?
Use simple and clear language while avoiding idioms.
Speak louder to ensure the patient hears.
Assume the patient understands without checking.
Use technical medical jargon to explain.
,4. The nurse is performing a functional assessment on an 82-year-old client
who recently had a stroke. Which of these questions should the nurse ask as
part of the functional assessment?
do you have any thyroid problems
do you wear glasses
are you able to dress yourself
how many times a day do you have a bowel movement
5. Why is it important for a nurse to assess a patient's cultural beliefs before
providing care?
To avoid any legal issues that may arise.
To make decisions on behalf of the patient.
To ensure that care is respectful and aligned with the patient's
values.
To simplify the care process.
6. What is the primary concept of health according to the yin/yang theory in
many Asian cultures?
A person is happy, stable, and feels good.
A person is able to care for others and function socially.
A person is able to work and produce.
All aspects of the person are in perfect balance.
,7. An older adult is brought to the community clinic by an adult child with the
concern of increasingly frequent lapses in memory. Which assessment
question is most likely to identify potential risk factors for impaired cognitive
functioning?
"Where are you currently living?"
"What line of work were you in?"
"What did your mother and father die of?"
"What medications are you currently taking?"
8. An older Mexican-American woman with traditional beliefs has been
admitted to an inpatient care unit. A culturally sensitive nurse would:
Contact the hospital administrator about the best course of action.
Automatically get a curandero for her, because requesting one herself
is not culturally appropriate.
Ask the family what they would like to do because
Further assess the patient's cultural beliefs and offer the patient
assistance in contacting a curandero or priest if she desires.
9. Why is the question, "You don't smoke, drink, or take drugs, do you?"
considered biased or leading?
It allows for a range of responses from the patient.
It is phrased in a neutral manner.
It encourages the patient to elaborate on their habits.
It suggests a negative response and limits the patient's ability to
answer freely.
, 10. What is one potential drawback of note-taking during a patient interview
according to nursing practices?
Note-taking enhances the nurse's ability to engage with the patient.
Note-taking may impede the nurse's observation of the patient's
nonverbal behaviors.
Note-taking is not recommended in any patient interviews.
Note-taking allows the nurse to focus solely on verbal
communication.
11. What type of questions are designed to encourage detailed responses from
patients during interviews?
Open-ended questions
Rhetorical questions
Closed questions
Leading questions
12. What is the primary goal of a nurse when responding to a patient's report of
pain?
To gather more information about the patient's symptoms.
To dismiss the patient's concerns.
To immediately prescribe medication.
To refer the patient to a specialist.
13. A female patient does not speak English well, and the nurse needs to
choose an interpreter. Which of the following would be the most
appropriate choice?
