BSN 246 HESI Health Assessment Exam
V1 – Academic Year 2026/2027 –
Comprehensive Examination
Section I: General Health Assessment & The Interview
1. Question: A nurse is preparing to conduct a health history interview. Which
of the following actions should the nurse take first?
o A. Ask the client about their current medications.
o B. Ensure the client is in a private, comfortable environment.
o C. Inquire about the client's family medical history.
o D. Document the client's chief complaint.
o Correct Answer: B. Ensure the client is in a private, comfortable
environment.
o Rationale: The first priority before starting an interview is to
establish a setting that promotes privacy, comfort, and trust. This
facilitates open communication and is a prerequisite for collecting
accurate subjective data. The other actions are all part of the
interview process but occur after the environment is prepared.
2. Question: Which type of data does a nurse collect when asking a client,
"How would you describe your pain?"
o A. Objective data
o B. Subjective data
o C. Diagnostic data
o D. Secondary data
, o Correct Answer: B. Subjective data.
o Rationale: Subjective data is information perceived only by the
affected person and can only be verified by the client. The client's
description of their pain is a classic example of a symptom, which is
subjective data. Objective data is observable and measurable (e.g., a
wound, a blood pressure reading).
3. Question: A nurse is using the mnemonic "OLDCARTS" to assess a client's
chief complaint. What does the "O" stand for?
o A. Observation
o B. Onset
o C. Origin
o D. Overall health
o Correct Answer: B. Onset.
o Rationale: OLDCARTS is a mnemonic for exploring a symptom:
Onset, Location, Duration, Characteristics, Aggravating factors,
Relieving factors, Timing, and Severity. "Onset" refers to when the
symptom began.
4. Question: During an interview, a client states, "I feel like I'm a burden to my
family." Which of the following is the most appropriate response by the
nurse?
o A. "Don't worry, I'm sure you're not a burden."
o B. "Why do you feel that way?"
o C. "Tell me more about what you mean by feeling like a burden."
o D. "You should focus on getting better instead."
o Correct Answer: C. "Tell me more about what you mean by
feeling like a burden."
, o Rationale: This response is open-ended and encourages the
client to elaborate on their feelings without judgment or false
reassurance. Option A dismisses the client's feelings. Option B is a
"why" question, which can be perceived as judgmental. Option D
gives unsolicited advice.
5. Question: A nurse is interviewing a client who is reluctant to answer
questions. Which of the following techniques should the nurse use to
facilitate communication?
o A. Ask multiple questions at once to save time.
o B. Use medical jargon to demonstrate expertise.
o C. Use silence to allow the client time to think.
o D. Interrupt the client to keep the interview on track.
o Correct Answer: C. Use silence to allow the client time to think.
o Rationale: The therapeutic communication technique of silence
gives the client time to organize their thoughts and can encourage
them to continue speaking without pressure. Asking multiple
questions, using jargon, and interrupting are all barriers to effective
communication.
6. Question: Which of the following is considered a primary source of data for
a health history?
o A. The client's spouse
o B. The client's medical record
o C. The client
o D. Another nurse's report
o Correct Answer: C. The client.
, o Rationale: The client is the primary source of data. The spouse,
medical record, and other healthcare providers are considered
secondary sources. The primary source is the most reliable source of
subjective information.
7. Question: A nurse is performing a general survey. Which of the following
should the nurse assess during this phase?
o A. Deep tendon reflexes
o B. Heart sounds
o C. Apparent state of health
o D. Pupillary response
o Correct Answer: C. Apparent state of health.
o Rationale: The general survey is the first part of the physical
examination and involves a broad overview of the client's
appearance, behavior, and mobility. Assessing the "apparent state of
health" is a key component. Deep tendon reflexes, heart sounds, and
pupillary response are part of focused or system-specific
examinations.
8. Question: A nurse is preparing to perform a physical assessment. Which of
the following actions demonstrates the use of standard precautions?
o A. Wearing gloves when taking a blood pressure.
o B. Performing hand hygiene before and after client contact.
o C. Wearing a mask when interviewing a client.
o D. Sterilizing the stethoscope between clients.
o Correct Answer: B. Performing hand hygiene before and after
client contact.
V1 – Academic Year 2026/2027 –
Comprehensive Examination
Section I: General Health Assessment & The Interview
1. Question: A nurse is preparing to conduct a health history interview. Which
of the following actions should the nurse take first?
o A. Ask the client about their current medications.
o B. Ensure the client is in a private, comfortable environment.
o C. Inquire about the client's family medical history.
o D. Document the client's chief complaint.
o Correct Answer: B. Ensure the client is in a private, comfortable
environment.
o Rationale: The first priority before starting an interview is to
establish a setting that promotes privacy, comfort, and trust. This
facilitates open communication and is a prerequisite for collecting
accurate subjective data. The other actions are all part of the
interview process but occur after the environment is prepared.
2. Question: Which type of data does a nurse collect when asking a client,
"How would you describe your pain?"
o A. Objective data
o B. Subjective data
o C. Diagnostic data
o D. Secondary data
, o Correct Answer: B. Subjective data.
o Rationale: Subjective data is information perceived only by the
affected person and can only be verified by the client. The client's
description of their pain is a classic example of a symptom, which is
subjective data. Objective data is observable and measurable (e.g., a
wound, a blood pressure reading).
3. Question: A nurse is using the mnemonic "OLDCARTS" to assess a client's
chief complaint. What does the "O" stand for?
o A. Observation
o B. Onset
o C. Origin
o D. Overall health
o Correct Answer: B. Onset.
o Rationale: OLDCARTS is a mnemonic for exploring a symptom:
Onset, Location, Duration, Characteristics, Aggravating factors,
Relieving factors, Timing, and Severity. "Onset" refers to when the
symptom began.
4. Question: During an interview, a client states, "I feel like I'm a burden to my
family." Which of the following is the most appropriate response by the
nurse?
o A. "Don't worry, I'm sure you're not a burden."
o B. "Why do you feel that way?"
o C. "Tell me more about what you mean by feeling like a burden."
o D. "You should focus on getting better instead."
o Correct Answer: C. "Tell me more about what you mean by
feeling like a burden."
, o Rationale: This response is open-ended and encourages the
client to elaborate on their feelings without judgment or false
reassurance. Option A dismisses the client's feelings. Option B is a
"why" question, which can be perceived as judgmental. Option D
gives unsolicited advice.
5. Question: A nurse is interviewing a client who is reluctant to answer
questions. Which of the following techniques should the nurse use to
facilitate communication?
o A. Ask multiple questions at once to save time.
o B. Use medical jargon to demonstrate expertise.
o C. Use silence to allow the client time to think.
o D. Interrupt the client to keep the interview on track.
o Correct Answer: C. Use silence to allow the client time to think.
o Rationale: The therapeutic communication technique of silence
gives the client time to organize their thoughts and can encourage
them to continue speaking without pressure. Asking multiple
questions, using jargon, and interrupting are all barriers to effective
communication.
6. Question: Which of the following is considered a primary source of data for
a health history?
o A. The client's spouse
o B. The client's medical record
o C. The client
o D. Another nurse's report
o Correct Answer: C. The client.
, o Rationale: The client is the primary source of data. The spouse,
medical record, and other healthcare providers are considered
secondary sources. The primary source is the most reliable source of
subjective information.
7. Question: A nurse is performing a general survey. Which of the following
should the nurse assess during this phase?
o A. Deep tendon reflexes
o B. Heart sounds
o C. Apparent state of health
o D. Pupillary response
o Correct Answer: C. Apparent state of health.
o Rationale: The general survey is the first part of the physical
examination and involves a broad overview of the client's
appearance, behavior, and mobility. Assessing the "apparent state of
health" is a key component. Deep tendon reflexes, heart sounds, and
pupillary response are part of focused or system-specific
examinations.
8. Question: A nurse is preparing to perform a physical assessment. Which of
the following actions demonstrates the use of standard precautions?
o A. Wearing gloves when taking a blood pressure.
o B. Performing hand hygiene before and after client contact.
o C. Wearing a mask when interviewing a client.
o D. Sterilizing the stethoscope between clients.
o Correct Answer: B. Performing hand hygiene before and after
client contact.
