HESI Health Assessment Final Exam
2026/2027: 200 Questions & Detailed
Rationales
Instructions
Each question includes the correct answer and a detailed rationale. Focus areas
include comprehensive assessment, clinical reasoning, system-based evaluation,
cultural competence, and NGN-style scenarios.
Section 1: Interview Techniques and Health History (Questions 1-20)
1. In an interview, the nurse may find it necessary to take notes to aid 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 increased comfort level.
D) Note-taking allows the nurse to break eye contact with the patient, which may
increase comfort level.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Note-taking during interviews has disadvantages—it breaks eye
contact, shifts attention away from the patient, diminishes the patient's sense of
importance, interrupts narrative flow, and impedes observation of 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
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Open-ended questions ask for narrative information, state the topic in
general terms, and are used to begin interviews or introduce new topics .
3. A nurse is taking health histories at a wellness workshop. The question
"You don't smoke, drink, or take drugs, do you?" is an example of:
A) Talking too much
B) Using confrontation
C) Using biased or leading questions
D) Using blunt language to deal with distasteful topics
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: This is a leading question that implies one answer is "better" than
another. The patient may feel forced to answer in a way corresponding to implied
values or feel guilty admitting the other answer .
,4. A parent of a hospitalized child sits in an open position but suddenly crosses
arms against the chest and crosses legs when discussing the son's treatment.
This suggests:
A) Just changing positions
B) More comfortable in this position
C) Tired and needs a break
D) Uncomfortable talking about his son's treatment
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: An open position with extension of large muscle groups shows
relaxation and willingness to share information. A closed position with arms and
legs crossed appears defensive and anxious. Sudden change in posture from
relaxed to tense suggests discomfort with the new topic .
5. The nurse is interviewing a patient with a hearing impairment. What
technique would be most beneficial?
A) Determine the communication method he prefers
B) Avoid using facial and hand gestures
C) Request a sign language interpreter before meeting
D) Speak loudly with exaggerated facial movement
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Ask the patient the preferred way to communicate—signing, lip
reading, or writing. If lip reading, face the patient squarely with good lighting. Do
not exaggerate lip movements or shout. Speak slowly and supplement with
appropriate hand gestures .
, 6. Which statement regarding open-ended questions is true? Select all that
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apply.
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A) They elicit cold facts k0 k0 k0
B) They allow for self-expression
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C) They build and enhance rapport
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D) They leave interactions neutral
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E) They call for short one- to two-word answers
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F) They are used when narrative information is needed
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Correct Answer: B, C, F k0 k0 k0 k0
Rationale: Open-ended questions allow for self-expression, build rapport, and
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obtain narrative information. Closed or direct questions elicit cold facts and call for
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short answers .
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7. Which is the best use of a computer when recording patient data? Select all
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that apply.
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A) Collect the patient's data in a direct, face-to-face manner
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B) Enter all data as the patient states it
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C) Ask the patient to wait as the nurse enters data
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D) Type data into the computer after the narrative is fully explored
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E) Allow the patient to see the monitor during typing
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Correct Answer: A, D, E k0 k0 k0 k0
Rationale: Begin the interview by greeting, establishing rapport, and collecting
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narrative in face-to-face manner. Only after narrative is fully explored should data
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be typed. Position the monitor so the patient can see it .
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2026/2027: 200 Questions & Detailed
Rationales
Instructions
Each question includes the correct answer and a detailed rationale. Focus areas
include comprehensive assessment, clinical reasoning, system-based evaluation,
cultural competence, and NGN-style scenarios.
Section 1: Interview Techniques and Health History (Questions 1-20)
1. In an interview, the nurse may find it necessary to take notes to aid 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 increased comfort level.
D) Note-taking allows the nurse to break eye contact with the patient, which may
increase comfort level.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Note-taking during interviews has disadvantages—it breaks eye
contact, shifts attention away from the patient, diminishes the patient's sense of
importance, interrupts narrative flow, and impedes observation of 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
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Open-ended questions ask for narrative information, state the topic in
general terms, and are used to begin interviews or introduce new topics .
3. A nurse is taking health histories at a wellness workshop. The question
"You don't smoke, drink, or take drugs, do you?" is an example of:
A) Talking too much
B) Using confrontation
C) Using biased or leading questions
D) Using blunt language to deal with distasteful topics
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: This is a leading question that implies one answer is "better" than
another. The patient may feel forced to answer in a way corresponding to implied
values or feel guilty admitting the other answer .
,4. A parent of a hospitalized child sits in an open position but suddenly crosses
arms against the chest and crosses legs when discussing the son's treatment.
This suggests:
A) Just changing positions
B) More comfortable in this position
C) Tired and needs a break
D) Uncomfortable talking about his son's treatment
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: An open position with extension of large muscle groups shows
relaxation and willingness to share information. A closed position with arms and
legs crossed appears defensive and anxious. Sudden change in posture from
relaxed to tense suggests discomfort with the new topic .
5. The nurse is interviewing a patient with a hearing impairment. What
technique would be most beneficial?
A) Determine the communication method he prefers
B) Avoid using facial and hand gestures
C) Request a sign language interpreter before meeting
D) Speak loudly with exaggerated facial movement
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Ask the patient the preferred way to communicate—signing, lip
reading, or writing. If lip reading, face the patient squarely with good lighting. Do
not exaggerate lip movements or shout. Speak slowly and supplement with
appropriate hand gestures .
, 6. Which statement regarding open-ended questions is true? Select all that
k0 k0 k0 k0 k0 k0 k0 k0 k0
apply.
k0
A) They elicit cold facts k0 k0 k0
B) They allow for self-expression
k0 k0 k0
C) They build and enhance rapport
k0 k0 k0 k0
D) They leave interactions neutral
k0 k0 k0
E) They call for short one- to two-word answers
k0 k0 k0 k0 k0 k0 k0
F) They are used when narrative information is needed
k0 k0 k0 k0 k0 k0 k0
Correct Answer: B, C, F k0 k0 k0 k0
Rationale: Open-ended questions allow for self-expression, build rapport, and
k0 k0 k0 k0 k0 k0 k0 k0
obtain narrative information. Closed or direct questions elicit cold facts and call for
k0 k0 k0 k0 k0 k0 k0 k0 k0 k0 k0 k0 k0
short answers .
k0 k0 k0
7. Which is the best use of a computer when recording patient data? Select all
k0 k0 k0 k0 k0 k0 k0 k0 k0 k0 k0 k0 k0
that apply.
k0 k0
A) Collect the patient's data in a direct, face-to-face manner
k0 k0 k0 k0 k0 k0 k0 k0
B) Enter all data as the patient states it
k0 k0 k0 k0 k0 k0 k0
C) Ask the patient to wait as the nurse enters data
k0 k0 k0 k0 k0 k0 k0 k0 k0
D) Type data into the computer after the narrative is fully explored
k0 k0 k0 k0 k0 k0 k0 k0 k0 k0
E) Allow the patient to see the monitor during typing
k0 k0 k0 k0 k0 k0 k0 k0
Correct Answer: A, D, E k0 k0 k0 k0
Rationale: Begin the interview by greeting, establishing rapport, and collecting
k0 k0 k0 k0 k0 k0 k0 k0 k0
narrative in face-to-face manner. Only after narrative is fully explored should data
k0 k0 k0 k0 k0 k0 k0 k0 k0 k0 k0 k0
be typed. Position the monitor so the patient can see it .
k0 k0 k0 k0 k0 k0 k0 k0 k0 k0 k0 k0
