HEALTH ASSESSMENT HESI TEST
BANK | QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
(VERIFIED) | LATEST UPDATE | GRADED
A+
1. In an interview, the nurse may find it necessary to take notes to aid his or her
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 an
increased comfort level.
D) Note-taking allows the nurse to break eye contact with the patient, which may
increase his or her level of comfort.
Correct Answer: A) Note-taking may impede the nurse's observation of the patient's
nonverbal behaviors.
Page: 31 Some use of history forms and note-taking may be unavoidable. But be aware
that note-taking during the interview has disadvantages. It breaks eye contact too often,
1
,and it shifts attention away from the patient, 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 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) Open-ended question
Page: 32 The open-ended question asks for narrative information. It states the topic to
be discussed but only in general terms. The nurse should use it to begin the interview,
to introduce a new section of questions, and whenever the person introduces a new
topic.
3. A nurse is taking complete health histories on all of the patients attending a wellness
workshop. On the history form, one of the written questions asks, "You don't smoke,
drink, or take drugs, do you?" This question is an example of:
A) talking too much.
2
,B) using confrontation.
C) using biased or leading questions.
D) using blunt language to deal with distasteful topics.
Correct Answer: C) using biased or leading questions.
Page: 36 This is an example of using leading or biased questions. Asking, "You don't
smoke, do you?" implies that one answer is "better" than another. If the person wants to
please someone, he or she is either forced to answer in a way corresponding to their
implied values or is made to feel guilty when admitting the other answer.
4. During an interview, a parent of a hospitalized child is sitting in an open position. As
the interviewer begins to discuss his son's treatment, however, he suddenly crosses his
arms against his chest and crosses his legs. This would suggest that the parent is:
A) just changing positions.
B) more comfortable in this position.
C) tired and needs a break from the interview.
D) uncomfortable talking about his son's treatment.
Correct Answer: D) uncomfortable talking about his son's treatment.
Page: 37 Note the person's position. An open position with the extension of large
muscle groups shows relaxation, physical comfort, and a willingness to share
information. A closed position with the arms and legs crossed tends to look defensive
3
, and anxious. Note any change in posture. If a person in a relaxed position suddenly
tenses, it suggests possible discomfort with the new topic.
5. The nurse is interviewing a patient who has a hearing impairment. What techniques
would be most beneficial in communicating with this patient?
A) Determine the communication method he prefers.
B) Avoid using facial and hand gestures because most hearing-impaired people find this
degrading.
C) Request a sign language interpreter before meeting with him to help facilitate the
communication.
D) Speak loudly and with exaggerated facial movement when talking with him because
this helps with lip reading.
Correct Answer: A) Determine the communication method he prefers.
Pages: 40-41 The nurse should ask the deaf person the preferred way to
communicate—by signing, lip reading, or writing. If the person prefers lip reading, then
the nurse should be sure to face him or her squarely and have good lighting on the
nurse's face. The nurse should not exaggerate lip movements because this distorts
words. Similarly, shouting distorts the reception of a hearing aid the person may wear.
The nurse should speak slowly and should supplement his or her voice with appropriate
hand gestures or pantomime.
4
BANK | QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
(VERIFIED) | LATEST UPDATE | GRADED
A+
1. In an interview, the nurse may find it necessary to take notes to aid his or her
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 an
increased comfort level.
D) Note-taking allows the nurse to break eye contact with the patient, which may
increase his or her level of comfort.
Correct Answer: A) Note-taking may impede the nurse's observation of the patient's
nonverbal behaviors.
Page: 31 Some use of history forms and note-taking may be unavoidable. But be aware
that note-taking during the interview has disadvantages. It breaks eye contact too often,
1
,and it shifts attention away from the patient, 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 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) Open-ended question
Page: 32 The open-ended question asks for narrative information. It states the topic to
be discussed but only in general terms. The nurse should use it to begin the interview,
to introduce a new section of questions, and whenever the person introduces a new
topic.
3. A nurse is taking complete health histories on all of the patients attending a wellness
workshop. On the history form, one of the written questions asks, "You don't smoke,
drink, or take drugs, do you?" This question is an example of:
A) talking too much.
2
,B) using confrontation.
C) using biased or leading questions.
D) using blunt language to deal with distasteful topics.
Correct Answer: C) using biased or leading questions.
Page: 36 This is an example of using leading or biased questions. Asking, "You don't
smoke, do you?" implies that one answer is "better" than another. If the person wants to
please someone, he or she is either forced to answer in a way corresponding to their
implied values or is made to feel guilty when admitting the other answer.
4. During an interview, a parent of a hospitalized child is sitting in an open position. As
the interviewer begins to discuss his son's treatment, however, he suddenly crosses his
arms against his chest and crosses his legs. This would suggest that the parent is:
A) just changing positions.
B) more comfortable in this position.
C) tired and needs a break from the interview.
D) uncomfortable talking about his son's treatment.
Correct Answer: D) uncomfortable talking about his son's treatment.
Page: 37 Note the person's position. An open position with the extension of large
muscle groups shows relaxation, physical comfort, and a willingness to share
information. A closed position with the arms and legs crossed tends to look defensive
3
, and anxious. Note any change in posture. If a person in a relaxed position suddenly
tenses, it suggests possible discomfort with the new topic.
5. The nurse is interviewing a patient who has a hearing impairment. What techniques
would be most beneficial in communicating with this patient?
A) Determine the communication method he prefers.
B) Avoid using facial and hand gestures because most hearing-impaired people find this
degrading.
C) Request a sign language interpreter before meeting with him to help facilitate the
communication.
D) Speak loudly and with exaggerated facial movement when talking with him because
this helps with lip reading.
Correct Answer: A) Determine the communication method he prefers.
Pages: 40-41 The nurse should ask the deaf person the preferred way to
communicate—by signing, lip reading, or writing. If the person prefers lip reading, then
the nurse should be sure to face him or her squarely and have good lighting on the
nurse's face. The nurse should not exaggerate lip movements because this distorts
words. Similarly, shouting distorts the reception of a hearing aid the person may wear.
The nurse should speak slowly and should supplement his or her voice with appropriate
hand gestures or pantomime.
4
